Utility Beds.

[Der Steppenwolf]

I've been looking around at different utility beds and found this site.
Does anyone have experience with this company?
http://www.uteltd.com/

Also, if desired you can turn this into a pic heavy thread about utility beds.

 

[Der Steppenwolf]

I tried the Search function here but it did not pull up anything. Google search pulled up a thread from a few years ago that did not have many posts or pictures.

I would have to say that this is my favorite style of truck bed. What is the "proper" term? Tray?

 

[zolo]

Ute is a well know Australian company.
They build Aluminum beds that can be set up for most trucks. They are very nice and offer many options to build the bed to suit your needs.

Proper term varies. "Tray back" is common is Aus. And "flatbed" here in America.
I call mine a tray back since the whole truck is set up like an Aus truck. And its a very common Toyota upgrade down south.

Attached are a few pics of my personal truck. This is not a "UTE" bed but a bed I built myself.
It looks professionally built and was, and is a fully TIG welded frame constriction.
I designed and built it myself at my shop in Atlanta.

They are nice to have for hauling stuff and I love mine.

 

[Black Dog]

If I may ask a slightly off topic question to zolo...What are the green things on your lug nuts?

I do like the prospects of a bed with drop down sides. And if you could rig up a chain or some sort of props you would have a nice flat surface for cooking or just plain old table space. Its really cool but I just can't bring myself to give up a regular pickup bed.

 

[JWP58]

I'd love to set my Reg cab up with a Ute bed. Maybe if I get hit or something...

 

[zolo]

If I may ask a slightly off topic question to zolo...What are the green things on your lug nuts?

I do like the prospects of a bed with drop down sides. And if you could rig up a chain or some sort of props you would have a nice flat surface for cooking or just plain old table space. Its really cool but I just can't bring myself to give up a regular pickup bed.

The Green things are lug nut keepers. To keep all lugs locked in place during extended off pavement driving. Keeps them from backing off.
I picked them up in South America, in Chile to be exact. All mine trucks (HiLux and L200) in Northern Chile have them. We did a multiday trip across the Atacama desert and I just had to have a set for my Tacoma.
Actually pretty hard to find them even in Chile.

As for the bed its a great surface for most things related to wheeling. Its a good setup for a solo adventurer. With a few Pelicans its very nice.
My Fridge fits perfect in a case and keeps all my stuff dry. But if I need to haul big stuff I'm good to go for that also.

 

[Black Dog]

Thanks zolo, I kind of thought it was something like that. I've seen trucks that use pieces of wire around lug nuts before, kind of a low tech way to do the same job.

I've been looking at Titan fuel tanks for my truck, but in emailing the company they said they are for diesel only and in 2004 (my model year of truck) there just wasn't enough room under the bed for a bigger gas tank. So I suppose with a bed like this there would be extra space. Bonus! You might have to build your own tank but oh well.

 

[zolo]

Here is a shot from the back of the truck.
LED lights, hella back up lights, and spare still under.
Complete with TEQ flaps.

Also an up close of the Green lug nut keepers. these are photos from when they were new. They have faded a lot. (thank goodness).:Wow1:

 

[Black Dog]

And a bottle opener. A necessity for any vehicle, be it a moped or a Toyota or a big rig.

 

[zolo]

Yeah its a true blue MOD that is a must for all trucks...Comes in handy big time.

 

[zolo]

kc0tma- I see you live in jumper country. I have a good friend that jumps out of Missoula base. Ive been in that area some.
Passed through to Canada north of Sandpoint. Great area. I love it up that way...

 

[drodio]

I'm trying to find a utility/service bed for a short-bed 2003 Ford F250. Can anyone advise me on where to look for one? Used would be great, if possible, but I'll consider a custom fabricated one, too.

Ideally I want to put a pop-up truck camper into a utility bed to have increased storage.

 

[mog]

I'm trying to find a utility/service bed for a short-bed 2003 Ford F250. Can anyone advise me on where to look for one? Used would be great, if possible, but I'll consider a custom fabricated one, too. Ideally I want to put a pop-up truck camper into a utility bed to have increased storage.

Check out Highway Products. Outstanding quality and each one is 'custom' built to your needs/wants.
http://www.800toolbox.com/flatbeds/flatbeds.htm
They are in White City, Oregon, so not too bad a drive for you. They can install it and no shipping (or sales tax *wink-wink*)

View attachment 132753

 

[bahndo]

I bought a UTE bed from Randy this past Summer. He's a great guy and the bed is high quality. They can take a while to get if he dosen't have one in stock or a container coming but he is up front about delivery dates and will give you a good date +/- a week or so. I would buy again from him if I was getting another one, unless of course I decided to build my own...

 

[ToolBox Guy]

I'm trying to find a utility/service bed for a short-bed 2003 Ford F250. Can anyone advise me on where to look for one? Used would be great, if possible, but I'll consider a custom fabricated one, too.

Ideally I want to put a pop-up truck camper into a utility bed to have increased storage.

CraigsList is going to be your best friend. Short bed Utility beds are difficult to find, and you will generally need to do some rust/dent repair.

I bought mine brand new from Pacific Truck Equipment, their website is greatly lacking info and pictures, but I sold my stock truck bed for half of the cost of the utility bed. Mine was $3,000.00 brand new about 3-4 years ago.
A flat bed with boxes on the deck, under the camper notch out's, might be your quickest, most economical way to make it happen.

Here are a couple pics. of mine for inspiration.