Flatbed Information Thread

Lot’s of great info in this thread. My build has been very slow but this might have been the first thread I pulled up back then. Ended up with an Aluma bed because I got a great deal on it. Modified it quite a bit. Still some work to do on it and the truck (are these things ever done?)but this is where it’s at.

 

Really like the tool boxes. Been debating if that would work for me opening off to the side like you have them. My current is having it in this configuration. Wrong box as ots meant to open like yours. Houses my batteries, air compressor and a inverter.

 

At various stages of course

 

Thanks. I house my kitchen in one and use the other compartments for storage. The boxes are so handy. It’s my dd so I’m constantly stuffing them with something. They’ll hold a pile of groceries lol. I bought my boxes new and they’re pricey. Was hard to justify them when I bought them but so glad I did. The make night a day difference as far as having a place to store stuff that’s super easy accessible.
Your rig looks great btw!

 

I like the size of them and I’m just trying to think if they would get in the way. I have been considering getting a traditional style truck box like this and cutting in half. Can find them cheap on market place.



thanks, trucks working. Bed help up to a lot this summer


Really like the layout of yours.

 

Thought I posted this earlier.
Kitchen takes all of 2 minutes to get to this point.

 

Man that’s some gnar. Glad it’s held up.
Interesting on the box. So you’d cut it in the middle to have one on each side maybe?

 

Would just keep the one. Put the batteries at the back and then have some space near the front for storage. Can find the boxes used for cheap and would have the saddle box which would be nicer. Will see.

 

That is a sweet setup you've got there! Long down my list of things to do is a bed rack on mine, and it's nice to steal see some ideas.

 

Haha thanks. I initially planned to do an exoskeleton rack mounted to the bed complete with a swingarm tire carrier. I planned to make small stake pocket receivers on each corner of the bed, then slide the rack into them. With the rack fastened with a bolt through the receiver. Remove the 4 bolts and lift the whole thing off. Then I figured out I’d have to work around the boxes so the doors would still open. Moved on from that idea.
Eventually I’d love a slide in pop up camper of some type. Truck may be worn out by the time I can afford one though lol

 

Took the front flares off and switched over to 235/85 tires. The K55 is still a little on the skinny side, but the switch really helps clean up the body line. I'm happy with it.

 

Did you make the tool boxes behind the rear tires? the rig looks great!

 

@Ralf I had two quick questions. I saw that you made fenders and boxes for someone who used them on a UteLtd bed, is that a one-off or something you'd offer separate? Was also wondering if any of your planned canopies would fit the UteLtd? You all are doing great work, cool to see.

 

I am looking real hard at getting a Bison Overland camper on a flat bed conversion. The rub is I have a 2017 Quad cab with the short bed. I like the short wheel base and am seriously considering putting a 6 foot tray on it and upgrading the crap out of the suspension and brakes. It is a 6 speed manual with skinny 31.5 tires. I would also regear it to 4.88 or possibly 5.29. Am I crazy. Anyone have any additional examples of 6 foot flatbeds on short bed Tacomas?

I understand it will be grossly overloaded but it can't be worse than a Sunraider.

 

U

I made my own, 6ft long and 5'10.5" wide. I keep most of the weight forward of the axle. I wouldn't hesitate to stiffen the frame when I build the canopy.

 

Side view without rack.

 

My take on it is once you start getting to the point of modifying a Taco for heavy loads you might as well go to a 1/2-3/4 ton full size. Keep the Taco light or pull a small light trailer when you want more comfort while camping. Ask Brian at Goose-Gear.

 

Thank you for the kind words! Great to hear the feedback!

As for Ute Ltd. flatbeds, we do offer our tool boxes separately, but cannot guarantee 100% fitment on these beds. We ship the mounting brackets loose instead of welding them on. Some customers delete the Ute bed side rails and mount directly to the underside of the bed, or use taller brackets.

Hope this helps!

 

Check out our 5ft box chassis (DCSB) Tacoma with a 6ft flatbed. I agree with others though, ideally a 3/4 or 1 ton truck for such applications.

 

I have a 2018 Tacoma Trd Pro. It's all stock right now. I'm in the process of doing a flat bed and I was wondering how high from the frame to sit it. I was also wondering what is the lowest that it could go.