What's flatbed pickup life like?

[slavenoid]

I have multiple second GEN Dodge trucks, my 98 1/2. I have a flatbed that I built on it and absolutely love it. If you’re building your own, consider doing tiedowns like I did where I used a piece of 2 inch flat bar in have it run the whole side of the Flatbed and it has standoffs every 6 inches welded on so you can put straps all the way down the side, having strapping points in multiple places and it’s a good bump stop if something hits it if you build it strong enough. The only thing I would have done different on mine and I may still do is cut a hole in the bed and put a access panel so I can change my sending unit on my fuel tank without having to pull the bed off. I also made toolbox mounts underneath on both sides. That work really slick. For sideboards I had a buddy that has a sawmill cut me dug fir that’s 2 inches thick and then I used you channel bolted to that and they drop into pockets and they’re about 18 inches high the back one on the inside when I painted it, I took sand and put it all over in the paint on the inside. That way I can just lift the back board off and I can set it against my rear bumper and I can use it as a ramp to walk up to load and unload things that works really good specially if you get a roadkill deer, you can drag it right up the ramp into the truck. make sure you put good backup lights in it also.

The ramp idea is genius! I hadn't heard of that.

[Ghost Hunter]

2005 Ram with 250K plus on it.  No longer need a AAA account, they wouldn't tow because of FB.  Some insurance companies frown on them.  Use mine to capacity quite often.  Used factory mounts, bolts and hitch when installed.  Lights can be tricky with factory harness.  Wished I had an aluminum FB for weight issues, but the price was right from Coach.  Airbags solve some of the problems.  Second the backup/cargo lights and tiedowns.  Add the large aftermarket fuel tank while you're at it.

[Special T]

Only reason not to have one is if you need a canopy at least part of the time. It sounds like a flat bet would work good for you.

[Happy Gilmore]

Must have medium duty tow truck specified in your roadside/towing insurance. A good agent knows this and they will tow dually trucks. It's up to you having a decent agent who knows what a 1 ton is and makes sure your provider has it specified that the tow company must have a medium duty hauler/deck.

[Jpmiller]

Only reason not to have one is if you need a canopy at least part of the time. It sounds like a flat bet would work good for you.

This.

If you’re not running a canopy I feel like you should be running a flat bed. Removable wood sides and an under mount box if you’ve got the room. You’ll never believe how much more useful your truck is.

[slavenoid]

Thanks all for the input. I'm definitely not a canopy guy and have commercial insurance so no concerns there.

Im thinking just a plain flat bed with no permanent boxes on top and removable wood rails. We have had more service style setups that are convenient for tools but terrible for loading and unloading. I'm leaning towards a wood deck for better traction and securing cargo, but wouldn't mind hearing an argument for steel.

I'm excited to make the change.

[bearpaw]

Prior to my Ford, I had a 98 dodge that I had a steel flatbed on, I built side racks that doubled as ATV ramps, I would put them on whichever side of the truck had the highest ground to make load and unload not as steep. However, over time and heavy usage the paint was abused and rust took over much of the steel flatbed.

I like the looks of the aluminum bed on my ford much better and it won't rust, I also think there is a sight increase in fuel mileage not being as heavy. Currently I have a single board side rail to keep things from sliding off but I think I'm going to build some aluminum side racks to match the aluminum bed and for use as ATV ramps.

[Ghost Hunter]

Can always put Rhino liner on it.  Nothing slides on mine.  Steel is heavy.  Want to protect it from rusting.  In deck D-rings are nice but clog up and stick a lot.  Have the tools handy when you need them.

[Special T]

I have my 5th dodge one ton and I'm keeping it with the factory bed because I now need my canopy sometimes. I'm working on a bed reinforcement with z bar for maximum tie down points and beef up the bed.