Ute bed Center of Gravity
- Thread starter snorkel54
- Start date
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Good question.
I am not totally sold on flatbeds. ntsqd once talked about designing the optimum flatbed, and he came up with one that had wheel wells.
I am not totally sold on flatbeds. ntsqd once talked about designing the optimum flatbed, and he came up with one that had wheel wells.
Patman
Explorer
Everything is a tradeoff.
A true "flat" or "ute" bed is meant to be used for larger loads and be easy to load and unload. The large flat load floor is a much bigger advantage than the small increase in CG height. Especially when made from a lighter material.
Almost any mod increases CG height.
Lift
larger tires
roof rack
roll cage
bed rack
Flippac
RTT :Wow1: say it ain't so!
on and on and on
Its all a balance of convenience vs. performance.
If you design one out of aluminium with large drawers between the wheels for recovery and camping gear, tool boxes on the sides between the cab and wheels, and mount an RTT flat to the "load floor" you could lower the CG over a similarly equipped regular bed, and definately a similarly equipped SUV.
It's more personal preference I think.
A true "flat" or "ute" bed is meant to be used for larger loads and be easy to load and unload. The large flat load floor is a much bigger advantage than the small increase in CG height. Especially when made from a lighter material.
Almost any mod increases CG height.
Lift
larger tires
roof rack
roll cage
bed rack
Flippac
RTT :Wow1: say it ain't so!
on and on and on
Its all a balance of convenience vs. performance.
If you design one out of aluminium with large drawers between the wheels for recovery and camping gear, tool boxes on the sides between the cab and wheels, and mount an RTT flat to the "load floor" you could lower the CG over a similarly equipped regular bed, and definately a similarly equipped SUV.
It's more personal preference I think.
Heifer Boy
Adventurer
Flat bed utes (or trays as we call them) are the more common option over here in Oz. I have only ever found one slide on camper manufacturer making campers for tubs whereas there are many, many available for trays. That's why I decided to make my own.
Our utes are generally what you guys call mini trucks so that makes a different. It's not the best idea to load a Hilux (Tacoma), a Navara (Frontier) or a Colorado twin cab up with a massive hardsided truck camper and head into the outback with it. A simple slide on box with a good canvas tent is a much better option and there's plenty of people over here doing just that. Smaller is lighter so better fuel economy and much lower centre of gravity for the tricky stuff. We tend to camp outside too rather than sit inside and watch TV so a storage box and an awning are all that's needed.
Our utes are generally what you guys call mini trucks so that makes a different. It's not the best idea to load a Hilux (Tacoma), a Navara (Frontier) or a Colorado twin cab up with a massive hardsided truck camper and head into the outback with it. A simple slide on box with a good canvas tent is a much better option and there's plenty of people over here doing just that. Smaller is lighter so better fuel economy and much lower centre of gravity for the tricky stuff. We tend to camp outside too rather than sit inside and watch TV so a storage box and an awning are all that's needed.
I'm looking at using one for my build, it will only raise the bed floor 3-4" over stock which isn't all the much. Combine that with the fact I'll be able to get my utilities down lower than in my FWC because I have all the wheel well space back and I'll likely have a lower center of gravity...
Patman
Explorer
One thing just occurred to me, here in California the CHP are treating flatbeds as truly commercial vehicles, and requiring them to stop at the scales. At least on the major routes like Hwy 5.
That could be a serious headache and failing an inspection could put a quick stop to an adventure.
That could be a serious headache and failing an inspection could put a quick stop to an adventure.
Overland Hadley
on a journey
Great post!
I agree 100% that everything is a tradeoff, or a compromise.
Odd thing is that with the Gen2 Tacoma and its composite bed, even a lightweight flatbed is equal or more weight than the stock bed. Or at least that is the best that I can figure.
A flatbed/tray sits up high to make room for the suspension travel of the rear axle. That leaves lots of room underneath the tray to mount heavy items like water, fuel, camper battery and spare tire. With these items mounted down low, the center of gravity can be as low or maybe lower than a slide-in pickup camper.
The advantage of the flatbed/tray is the extra width available for the camper. That translates into more room inside and more storage space.
Here's a Northstar slide-in camper sitting on a tray. This gives you an idea how much storage space is lost to make the camper fit into a pickup truck bed.
The advantage of the flatbed/tray is the extra width available for the camper. That translates into more room inside and more storage space.
Here's a Northstar slide-in camper sitting on a tray. This gives you an idea how much storage space is lost to make the camper fit into a pickup truck bed.
Seems to be good off road to me.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXnjvFojdo
Don't forget just about every single dumptruck is a flatbed with sides, which are built for hauling heavy loads. I never flipped one of ours on its' side. Construction sites can be every bit as dangerous as a off road track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNXnjvFojdo
Don't forget just about every single dumptruck is a flatbed with sides, which are built for hauling heavy loads. I never flipped one of ours on its' side. Construction sites can be every bit as dangerous as a off road track.
Last edited:
Heifer Boy
Adventurer
Exactly. A Trundle Tray drawer is also common which slides in between the chassis frame rails so is at the same height as the floor of a tub. Loads of waterproof, dustproof storage that can be accessed without having to open the camper. Nice and low as far as the centre of gravity goes too.
The foto of the Northstar camper shows why these are uncommon in Oz. Even if it was sitting in a tub it's very high for a ute that size which puts a lot of stain on the vehicle when offroad. Something like a Heaslip or a Carry-Me Camper is a better idea. Check them out on the links below.
http://www.heaslipcampers.com.au/page.asp?parentid=3&parent2id=13
http://www.candycanvas.com.au/index.html
PS - no affiliation to any of these companies. I'm just showing alternative ideas.
Similar threads
