Flatbed on a Half Ton

[Patriots]

Was thinking about converting a halfton pickup into a landscape maintenance truck. Would rip off the bed and put on a flatbed to better haul maintenance equipment - nothing very heavy. Only problem I can see is that the bed will weigh almost 1000 pounds empty, I was planning on installing helper air bags only concern is if that will be enuf. Bed Capacity is 1,588 subtract 300 for stock bed which leaves me with approx. 888 pounds before helper bags. Is this a big mistake or what?

Thanks.

[YardPro]

make an aluminum bed, 1/2 the weight.

[Patriots]

I considered that - but wont the cost go through the roof? Custom fabricated steel bed - $1800.

[LindblomRJ]

How heavy a bed are you making?

The bed built for my pickup 3 years ago was $400 for materials. Granted steel has increased quite a bit. As far a weight maybe added 200LBs more that what was already there. I put a treated wood floor of 2x6 for decking.

[nobagger]

We are putting one on our heavy half ton. We are going to use 2"x6" rectangular steel tubing for the outter frame. I figured it out to only weighing around 500-575lbs even with 2" steel tubing center braces every 14" The cost minus labor for welding was only around 400-500.00. A stock 8ft bed (on my truck) only weighs around 450lbs so adding another 100 or pounds isn't a big deal. We also have 3/4 rear leafs and 3/4 front springs so it will hold the weight easily. We also tow a 8.5x16 enclosed trailer with no problems what so ever, it doesn't sag or bog it down in any way. PM me and i'll give you our specs, if you want.:waving:

[YardPro]

i had one years ago on a 84 chevy 1500. it was used for hualing parts for a junk yard.

the frame was 1X2 rectangular steel. the floor and sides were expanded metal.
it had helper springs and did just fine.

the bed was 8X12 with 12" sides.

too bad the cab and motor went to crap.

[dvmcmrhp52]

It's not worth the effort on a standard half ton, the added weight of a DIY flatbed turns the truck into a gelding.

[Patriots]

Not sure about that, its a 5.7 liter 305hp.

[DodgeTruckMan731]

i think the minimum for any kind of truck altering body should be at least 1 ton, but hey is worth a shot if you do it let me know how it works out.

[gammon landscaping]

buddy of mine built one for a f150 by the time he floored it, it was almost on the tires

[Patriots]

Wouldn't helper springs, or air bags significantly increase the payload?

[ashs inc]

there was a member out of texas on here that posted a pic of his trucks and he had a dodge single cab short bed with a dove tail landscape bed on it. He had weedtrimmer racks and blower racks on the side and two 36 snapper wb on it. it looked awesome!

[nt1]

there was a member out of texas on here that posted a pic of his trucks and he had a dodge single cab short bed with a dove tail landscape bed on it. He had weedtrimmer racks and blower racks on the side and two 36 snapper wb on it. it looked awesome!

Does anyone remember the name of the thread or the member? I would like to see the photos again.

[ashs inc]

i dont know but he got the bed from prime trailers. pme me and i have more info on them just no pics of that truck

[LindblomRJ]

Try this link. Here are some pictures of my setup on my 1979 F150

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/rjlindblom/album/576460762314907441#page1

[nt1]

LindblomRJ

Thank you. Always enjoy looking at all the different trucks, trailers, etc.
That truck looks like is was made for WORK.:)

[nt1]

Here is a link that might be what I was looking for http://www.lawnsite.com/showthread.php?p=1559408#post1559408

I am unsure because some of the photos I cannot view.

[LindblomRJ]

Thanks.

Dad patterned it off the dew-eze flatbed bail un-roller. I added 2x12 and a 1x4 on top of that for side rails and a old tool box on the drivers side. Right now its loaded with tree branches from todays project.

[J & B Lawncare]

I ran a 1969 International .5 ton with a 8 foot flatbed made of 2 inch thick planks. If your not going for a lot of weight bearing this will do fine. I loved mine, only reason it is not around anymore was the parts supply dried up.

J & B