What Size Flatbed Can I Put On My Truck

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Flatbed trucks can become ideal options in carrying heavy and/or unusually shaped loads. At present you lot're wondering how y'all can catechumen your truck into a flatbed model. We researched for you lot, and hither'south what we found.

Truck conversions to flatbeds vary in difficulties based on different factors, such as the size, shape, and materials used for the existing bed. Just the removal of the current bed should be the offset footstep of the performance. Completing that phase allows you lot to motion to the adjacent steps, which are:

1. Remove the tail lights from the truck. 2. Cut metallic pieces to size. 3. Weld the steel components to the bed frame and clean them properly. 4. Apply a saw to cut the wooden boards and paint them to forbid weather damage. 5. Mount the lumber behind the vehicle. 6. Reinstall the taillights.

Don't forget to think about certain details while converting your truck to a flatbed carrier. For instance, installing a liftgate volition aid stabilize the flatbed and the carried load. Keep reading as we talk about the steps to convert a truck into a flatbed. We'll also discuss other things like how to choose the proper liftgate for your vehicle.

What Is A Flatbed Truck?

Users that want to carry hefty and/or oddly shaped objects can make good employ of flatbed trucks. As its name implies, the flatbed has an open and flat pattern, assuasive users to deliver different items without the restrictive walls of a traditional pickup or box truck.

Converting A Truck To A Flatbed

Before converting a truck to a flatbed, you lot should have a reasonably large space for the vehicle. Space requirements differ depending on the truck. For instance, a box truck will need a larger space for you lot to work on information technology than a conventional pickup truck.

Additionally, the laboriousness of the project may depend on the cloth of the existing bed. For instance, working with aluminum can be quite tough. This textile has relatively good flexibility, making it difficult to cutting and remove with different blades and saws.

Moreover, you should always exercise circumspection and safety while working on the conversion project. Wear proper gear like gloves, goggles, and long-sleeved clothing to avert direct contact with hazardous substances.

After understanding those concepts, here's a guide to assist you convert a pickup truck into a flatbed vehicle:

What You'll Need

Steel sheets and tubing
Drill (with appropriately sized bits)
Circular and reciprocating saws
Measuring tools (eastward.one thousand., tape measure or steel tape)
Grinder with a wire wheel
Welding tools
Wrench
Clamps
Lumber (optional)

Step-past-Step Guide

Kickoff removing the existing bed by disassembling the taillights. So, remove the bolts that secure the bed to the truck. If the bolts don't come off using a wrench, y'all may need to cut them out using a saw or cut torch.
Cutting the steel sheets and tubing to the appropriate size. Utilise clamps to hold these pieces in place while you're cutting them.
Weld the metal pieces onto the bed frame.
Clean the slag from the welded pieces and complete the seal with finish welds. Make sure to programme this step since doing information technology asymmetrically can cause the metallic to warp.
For this pace, you tin can either supervene upon the lumber on the pickup truck or use the existing ones, provided that they're still reasonably intact. But if you want to use new wooden boards, use a measuring tool to determine the right size for the cut.
Marking the areas you need to cut and use a round or reciprocating saw to trim the lumber on those locations.
Paint and seal the boards to prevent them from accruing weather impairment. Mount the lumber onto the dorsum of the truck after the paint dries completely.
Reassemble the tail lights onto the pickup truck.

Information technology's besides optimal that yous install a liftgate to your pickup truck to assist carry the weight of the load placed on the flatbed. You can too watch the video below to bank check the process of converting a truck into a flatbed:

After watching the video higher up, you might be wondering if some pickup trucks have aluminum bodies. You can read our post on different trucks with aluminum bodyshells for more information on that topic.

Check out this pickup liftgate on Amazon.

What Size Flatbed Tin can I Put On My Truck?

Flatbed sizes oft differ depending on many factors, including the truck's brand, model, and yr. Plus, you lot need to choose the optimal liftgate for the vehicle. You tin can consult the truck maker for information about the ideal liftgate for your specific machine. The company should have a pickup liftgate application nautical chart available for its customers.

Furthermore, think about the different elements that get into choosing the correct liftgate for the flatbed. These aspects tin include:

Maximum load-bearing capacity: Generally, it's a wise decision to install a model that tin lift more than one,300 lbs.
Platform size: Perhaps the nearly important factor to remember well-nigh when determining a liftgate'due south compatibility with a truck bed. It's considering the width of the truck bed should lucifer the liftgate'south measurement.
Material: A corrosion- and weather condition-resistant unit often lasts longer than models without those traits.
Hitch compatibility: Some liftgates will fit built-in tow hitches on pickup trucks.

What Woods Is Good For A Flat Bed Truck?

Lumber with reasonably high resistance against structural damage is commonly an ideal choice for a flatbed. Some members of the automobile community mention different nevertheless excellent choices for this cause, including:

Bamboo

Although bamboo isn't wood, this wood-like plant is a member of the grass family. Known for the ability to resist significant forces, the unlike species of bamboo often have higher resistive prowess than brick, concrete, and many types of wood.

Oak

As part of the hardwood family, oak has different characteristics that can benefit many truck owners and their flatbeds. Bated from its attractive aesthetics, oak lumber often has a high amount of tannin, which are chemicals that protect the woods from fungi and insects. If cared for properly, an oak flatbed can final for many years without contracting pregnant structural and visual damage.

Fir

In particular, Douglas fir is a softwood, and it's besides one of the highest-rated lumber in its grade. Information technology's fairly stiff, making it a bang-up option for flatbeds and floor. Its reasonably soft construction as well makes it less enervating to cut and design than many hardwoods.

Ipe

This Brazilian walnut, as well called ipe (pronounced as 'ee-pay'), can be an excellent pick for flatbeds, thanks to its long-lasting and difficult-wearing characteristics. Like oak, it as well does well in resisting insects. This wood is also highly resistant to heat, which can be good for trucks that are outdoors oft. On the downside, a slice of ipe woods might cost more than many other lumber options like treated pine.

How Long Does It Take To Put A Flatbed On A Truck?

It can take about two hours to a few days to install a flatbed on a pickup truck. But the projection may crave more time and labor if you're working with a larger vehicle similar a box truck. On the other hand, the functioning can be easier and faster if yous can remove the mountain used to install the existing bed using non-destructive methods.

Should I Put A Flatbed On My Truck?

Mounting a flatbed on your truck requires you lot to think about its benefits and drawbacks. In this section, nosotros'll talk about the potential advantages and disadvantages of converting your pickup truck's current bed to a flatbed model.

Advantages of Converting a Pickup Truck to a Flatbed

Like shooting fish in a barrel to load and secure cargo. The wall surrounding the old pickup bed can restrict storage.
Conduct boosted loads. Converting the original pickup truck bed to a sturdier flatbed can increase its maximum load-bearing capacity.
Save gas. The ability to carry additional load can reduce the number of trips needed in delivering items.

Disadvantages of Converting a Pickup Truck to a Flatbed

Items will go vulnerable to the elements. Removing the original barriers also ways exposing the load to the weather, unless you practice extra precautionary measures.
Increased risk of theft. Thieves may hands catch the items on the flatbed considering of the lack of a secure ceiling or walls.

Does A Flatbed Increase Truck Value?

Converting a pickup truck to a flatbed may or may not increase the vehicle'south resale value. Some members in the trucking community explain their experiences by stating that dissimilar factors may adversely affect the market value of a flatbed pickup truck.

You tin also learn more virtually the costs of buying a flatbed truck by reading our post on that affair.

Final Words

Converting a truck to a flatbed often requires the removal of the existing barriers effectually the back of the vehicle. Then, you can either reuse the existing bed from the vehicle or brand a new one. Don't forget to secure the flatbed to the vehicle to ensure it and the carried load doesn't fall.