Truck bed comparison - custom options

[Chorky]

No doubt so many people remove the stock bed for something different. Maybe a flatbed, maybe a service bed, maybe a bed mounted camper.

I am interested in a flatbed with boxes to keep things modular, and to have a canopy built to sit atop for secure storage and keeping things dry. Items that would go in it would be of course recovery gear and spare parts, chains, saws, all that normal jazz. The bed would be wide enough to house a quad (possibly one with tracks mounted). Additionally, there would be batteries, air comp with tanks, water tank with pump, and some other goodies.

What I'm wondering from those who have been there done that is to give an account of the companies they worked with in terms of how willing they were to work with the customer of truly custom requests and the quality of their product after hard use and abuse.

Two companies in particular I am currently considering working with are Alum-Line and Highway Products. Both seem, from the research I have already done, to be good quality, and more willing to entertain custom ideas and requests than other companies at a moderate price.

Thoughts, input?

 

[Adventurous]

You checked out Sherptek at all? I had an opportunity to oogle their setup and it looks like a pretty solid, modular design. The idea of being able to take boxes on and off quickly is appealing.

SherpTek Custom Gear Hauling Solutions | Flatbeds, Truck Decks, and Truck Trays

The ultimate in high-end, gear-hauling products. SherpTek's modular and versatile flatbeds, truck decks and accessories are designed and precision engineered to be the lightest on the market while retaining strength and durability so you can use your pickup truck to haul even more to your favorite m

sherptek.com

 

[Chorky]

I have not heard of them but will check them out! Thank you for the link and reference!! This is why I like asking community input...never heard of these guys before. ?

 

[Darwin]

Highway products is $$$ add in all the custom work and you are looking at a lot of money. I just had a custom flatbed made by an awesome fabricator in San Diego contact on IG @mountainguildoverland . I specifically needed a 'torsion free' mount at the front for a future camper but he can probably do anything.

 

[AbleGuy]

These reputable guys have been around forever:

Aluminum Service Truck Body | Truck Bed Organizer | Knapheide

Reap the benefits of corrosion resistance and better fuel efficiency with the lightweight, yet heavy duty aluminum truck bed for our popular service truck body.

www.knapheide.com

This is a link to service bodies, but it would seem that a lightweight aluminum one with it’s lockable outside storage boxes and it’s full inside wheel well width would perfectly work for you.

 

[Chorky]

This is a link to service bodies, but it would seem that a lightweight aluminum one with it’s lockable outside storage boxes and it’s full inside wheel well width would perfectly work for you.

I mostly agree; however, after researching this topic for almost 2 full years now I have concluded that something more custom built is necessary for my application/desires. A local shop has previously quoted me a knaphide product actually, and it came in at 10K which I thought was unnecessarily high for a standard non-customized product. At that cost, I would much rather do custom and get what I really want. With the amount of cash I have into the truck already, I certainly don't want to skimp on one of the more important aspects. I had considered a standard option and customizing it as I see fit myself; however, I found that it would be more work in the long run which was kinda a strange find actually.

 

[IdaSHO]

If you know your actual needs, NOTHING comes close to a 1-off custom.
Anything else is a compromise.

Ive built a few over the years for myself.

This latest one I feel is my best yet, mainly because I knew exactly what I wanted, based upon my actual needs.

That said, go into it with a thick wallet.
I have near 10k just in materials for mine.
If I were to factor in labor..... ugh..... would be near double that.
But it is custom. From start to finish.


Here is the latest, and hopefully the last...
Chassis was extended 24" to maintain a 96" bed while allowing a 24" cross body box for the motorcycle (and other gear)
Its a combination of steel and aluminum. Rides on a torsion free 3-point mount, integrated in-bed aux fuel tank, integrated slide out stairs. etc... etc..

 

[Chorky]

If you know your actual needs, NOTHING comes close to a 1-off custom.
Anything else is a compromise.

Ive built a few over the years for myself.

This latest one I feel is my best yet, mainly because I knew exactly what I wanted, based upon my actual needs.

I agree with you 100%. Which is why I lean towards HPI based on some discussions with them. Unfortunately I don't have the location, tools, materials, or enough fab experience to feel comfortable to do my own bed which is why I would have to source it out, and yeah thats expensive, and sorta sucks. But it is what it is I suppose. I also do know my 'needs' or rather wants, but fortunately the needs coincide fairly well with my wants. Its really a matter of finding a place that is willing to work with me to do the work, make suggestions for changes based on fab experience. As far as the cost. Yeah, its steep of course. I've already put a ton into my truck as I'm sure you well know, and certainly don't want to skimp on the bed which might possibly be the most important factor functionality wise that is....

Awesome bed by the way - I've followed a lot of your discussions on other posts. Care to build me one? hahaha...

 

[IdaSHO]

I understand your struggles and admitted limitations, I do.
Most people are in similar situations, as in... have a good idea of what they want, but lack either the time, the skills, the tools, the space...

As much as I have built over the years with my own two hands, even I have limitations.
Now pushing 40 years old, it isnt the time, the skills, the tools, the space that are limitations... its the body.
My body simply cannot handle the daily stresses of such projects.

Experiencing this first hand, I do make an effort to encourage people to build stuff themselves, but also know when to say when, and hire it out.
A flatbed project is one of those items Id encourage to hire out, as it is a big undertaking. But you need to find a builder that shares your visions.

Personally, I enjoy the design & build of projects just as much, or more, than using them when finished.
Now experiencing physical limitations, Im learning to pick my battles more carefully, instead of tackling the entire project myself.

Just some food for thought...

 

[Chorky]

I understand your struggles and admitted limitations, I do.

I'm in a similar situation and believe we probably share a fair amount of thoughts there. Not quite 40, but uncle sam has beat up the body pretty good. So therefore I try and concentrate my efforts on the design aspect knowing what I desire, what functionality I need, and knowing what would mostly work well for me (with compromises of course) and the things that are easy enough to do solo, I go for it. Things that are intensive, or require significant heavy lifting, or specialty tools that I don't have, typically gets hired out, a reality most people have to come to at some point in their life. Usually I end up having to specify, for hired projects, specific components to use, and specific ways to do things, like wire routing, which sounds micro-managing; however, as I'm sure you know, not everyone shares the same desire for exceptional quality and clean/simple looks/function, even though it doesn't take that much extra time to do so.

Like you said though, the hardest part is finding a builder that shares the same vision. The same goes for any project in life really. Which seems why HPI might be the answer even though the cost would be high....unless of course there is someone else out there. The bigger struggle I think many people face without realizing it is also picking the best possible choice among many routes to go, for 'overlanding' or just camping in general, as funds also pose limitations for most people. In my situation, I am willing to spend a fair amount on a rig that will hopefully last me my lifetime. It would be nice to use someone local to western MT, but the few bed shops local to here, and even 'custom fab' shops really aren't able, capable, or willing to do what I'm looking for, even though its quite simple, which is frustrating in itself. HPI thus far is the only company (or builder) I have had what I consider to be good conversations with in regards to willingness to consider what I would request, make suggestions based on their experience, and provide a good quality product. However, I still like to refer to the community as theres probably many other companies out there, possibly someone local even!!! I appreciate your thoughts!

 

[Chorky]

If you know your actual needs, NOTHING comes close to a 1-off custom.

My ideas/needs thus far (i know it's missing things, not a full and correct write-up) - attached