Flatbeds

[angusdevil]

I'm looking to put a flatbed on the truck to haul my gear, tires, etc. Right now I'm thinking of a design between 1speeds and another truck (both pictured below). I plan on doing a trailer as well that will hold all of the camp stuff so the flatbed would be stuff for just the trail. Anyone have any other pics or suggestions?

Thanks!

 

[ntsqd]

Does your state or any states that you commonly visit require flatbeds of any size to stop at truck scales? Some states do. Something to think about before committing.

 

[angusdevil]

Some do but that is a non-issue.

 

[78Bronco]

Niether of those beds are truly FLAT. I understand that keeping a low center of gravity has its benefit but the purpose of a flatdeck is for it to be flat. It makes it universally capable of carrying objects of all sizes wereas the above beds sport tubes sticking up or wheel wells, etc.

What do you want to carry? A couple quads or bikes?

I like the idea of fold down sides on hinges that can still be removed. Sorta army style with a nice big large FLAT area. You could do stake sides with wood to keep cost and weight down. Also need a good headache rack with attatchment points for tie downs. I also like the idea of being able to carry long items above the cab so maybe incorporate a rear load bar that can stake into the deck and now you can carry a 20ft 2x6.

 

[1speed]

It all depends on how much deck space you need. For my purposes I wanted to be able to carry two fullsized spares, a Hi Lift, eight fuel cans, recovery gear, an onboard air system, misc tools & parts, water storage, and still carry 4x8 sheet goods or two motos without removing anything else.

Since that picture was taken I have added under deck tool boxes under the front corners of the bed. The water tank will go where the spare was underneath. There will be another tool box on the deck behind the NATO cans on one side and an on board air system in some kind of enclosure on the other side. It's still a work in progress but when it's done I will still have a little over a full eight feet in length and a little over 49" between the fenders without removing anything.

 

[angusdevil]

The ultimate plan for the truck is it to be a chase truck. With that it needs to hold lots of spares, tool boxes, tools (shovel, ax, sledge etc), jacks, fuel cans, onboard air and tanks, powertanks, various storage and more.

The other reason for the flat bed is I don't want to work around an existing truck bed, I'd rather design something that had a specific purpose.

A chase rack going above the cab is also a thought as well but with the rear seats already out of the truck and a platform installed, it can carry a ton of gear so it wouldn't need to go ontop of the cab.

The deck aside, I'm looking to see what other ideas people have put to use and make something from all of those great ideas for what will suit my purpose.

 

[FreeManDan]

Post more pics, or I kill the kittens

 

[angusdevil]

Here are more pics but feel free to do what you want with the kittens

http://www.fourwheeler.com/projectbuild/129_0612_1999_dodge_ram_2500_cummins/index.html


And if I wanted to continue more on the project and do the chase rack, here are some ideas....