Posted 2011-02-07 2:28 PM (#129880) Subject: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Phoenix AZ
Was wondering if it's possible to convert my F250 4x4 off road standard short bed to a flatbed? There is already a gooseneck hitch installed but I don't think it would interfere with anything. Although exspensive, I was hoping to convert to an aluminum flatbed to reduce the weight, but my main goal is to eliminate the sides of the truck bed which would allow me to remove the lift kit on my trailer.
My truck is a 2002 and only has 44,000 miles so I'd like to hang onto it rather than buy a different (lower) model.
Posted 2011-02-07 5:25 PM (#129891 - in reply to #129880) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 406 Location: Minneapolis, MN
Sure,There was a thread not long ago that showcased some AL flatbed mfg's. I'd like to have one of them sweet aluminum beds on my 2001 Ford SWB Crewcab.
Posted 2011-02-07 7:06 PM (#129896 - in reply to #129880) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
You might not need your hitch as most all flatbeds come with one. Also, the ball height is typically 4-6" higher than it was in your box so make sure your trailer has an adjustable hitch and can go up as much as needed.
On our '09 trailer, we had to cut the stem along with drilling a new pin hole. Once installed, be sure to let your insurance company know because all the flatbeds that I've had, the premiums went down. Good luck!
Posted 2011-02-08 10:10 AM (#129921 - in reply to #129904) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Veteran
Posts: 134
I am also looking to convert my truck to a flatbed. Would there be a significant difference in the fuel mileage if a person went with steel over aluminum. Love the aluminum, but I am also looking at the cost. Thank you in advance for help.
Posted 2011-02-08 12:53 PM (#129927 - in reply to #129880) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Member
Posts: 34
Are you sure that changing to the flatbed will allow you to eliminate your lift kit? As was pointed out above, the bed of the type of flatbed usually seen on ranch trucks is higher than the standard bed of your truck (it goes over the wheels instead of around them). Other flatbeds, designed more specifically for towing, have the lower bed height. My impression (which could be off base) is that this type of flatbed is more expensive.
Posted 2011-02-08 1:43 PM (#129931 - in reply to #129921) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by liv to ride on 2011-02-08 10:10 AM
I am also looking to convert my truck to a flatbed. Would there be a significant difference in the fuel mileage if a person went with steel over aluminum. Love the aluminum, but I am also looking at the cost. Thank you in advance for help.
I've never worried about the pounds difference between steel and aluminum...I bought Aluminum because of our road salt usage in the Northeast part of the country...
Posted 2011-02-08 1:50 PM (#129933 - in reply to #129921) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Expert
Posts: 1351 Location: Decatur, Texas
Originally written by liv to ride on 2011-02-08 10:10 AM
I am also looking to convert my truck to a flatbed. Would there be a significant difference in the fuel mileage if a person went with steel over aluminum. Love the aluminum, but I am also looking at the cost. Thank you in advance for help.
Would not think there would be any difference in fuel mileage at all. To buy a QUALITY built alum bed you are not talking about much weight difference vs the same bed in a steel type. Mine is a CM SK hauler bed with 4 toolboxes and the same style in an aluim version is only a couple hundred pounds and on a truck that already weights over 8-klbs. 200lbs. is nothing! Now to the cost, mine was just under $4000 when I bought it in 2008 and the same bed in alum would have been alittle of $6000.!
Posted 2011-02-08 2:22 PM (#129936 - in reply to #129927) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Phoenix AZ
Good point about the flatbed being higher than the existing truck bed. My whole reason for the flatbed is to get rid of the lift kit on the trailer. I'll have to look at the tongue to see if there is enough wiggle room to make it work. Someone suggested smaller truck tires as well.
Posted 2011-02-08 4:53 PM (#129943 - in reply to #129936) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Expert
Posts: 3853 Location: Vermont
Originally written by daafy on 2011-02-08 2:22 PM
Good point about the flatbed being higher than the existing truck bed. My whole reason for the flatbed is to get rid of the lift kit on the trailer. I'll have to look at the tongue to see if there is enough wiggle room to make it work. Someone suggested smaller truck tires as well.
Posted 2011-02-08 7:12 PM (#129946 - in reply to #129880) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Member
Posts: 36 Location: Wellington, Texas
A flat bed does away with the sides of the box so there should be much more clearance and a lift kit should not be necessary. I have installed a steel flatbed on my 06 Dodge and wish I had done it when I 1st bought the truck. Much easier to reach everything in the bed.
Posted 2011-02-09 9:53 AM (#129971 - in reply to #129946) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Regular
Posts: 99 Location: Phoenix AZ
Originally written by BMC Bermuda grass on 2011-02-08 8:12 PM
A flat bed does away with the sides of the box so there should be much more clearance and a lift kit should not be necessary. I have installed a steel flatbed on my 06 Dodge and wish I had done it when I 1st bought the truck. Much easier to reach everything in the bed.
That was my original thought. Probably will go with the steel since there's not much diff between the aluminum as far as weight but less $$. Here's another question: Depending on the type of course, what's the difference in weight between a steel flat bed and a Ford truck short bed? Someone said the flatbed weighs more so I would be adding weight by converting.
Posted 2011-02-09 12:45 PM (#129990 - in reply to #129880) Subject: RE: Convert truck body to flatbed?
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 402 Location: Valentine, NE
Really depends on the type/style/kind of flatbed. If you get with no tool boxes, lighter built steel one with a small headache rack, you could get one from 400-600 pds. A full blown flat bed with tool boxes, extra lights, heavy built, well for the gooseneck ball, stake bed, deluxe headache rack, drop bumper w/hitch, etc, etc, you could be looking up to 1400 lbs. The one that was on my '05, was right at 1500 lbs but it had hydraulics on it for a round bale spear and extra heavy built. Don't know about the Ford boxes, but was told the Chevy dually box with the plastic fenders are in that 300-400 lb range. No idea for sure. My 4500 has a hauler type aluminum bed on it and it really seems not to weigh very much--I would guess less than 500 lbs.
Convert truck body to flatbed?
