Big Body Truck Co. LLC - Flatbeds for Midsize Trucks

Any idea if your going to need fender walls or mud flaps?

California Code, Vehicle Code - VEH § 27600

Have you tested loading weight? Id love to carry motorcycles without them hanging off the tailgate on these micro beds, or carrying some lumber of any decent size. Id dont quite have enough dents to toss out the bed, but maybe someday.

 

With 35s and uptravel I have about 1 more inch that I can lower the bed. Once I have the wheel wells on I will get to that max low point and send pictures!

 

Thank you! Anything is possible with this configuration and that could definitely be a use case!

 

I think mud flaps are required at a minimum to prevent spray, I will be adding fender flares and mud flaps to this one!

As for loading, we are working on finalizing those numbers now through both on-road and off-road testing as well as some CAD FEA. We will develop a static and dynamic load rating for both the bed and rack system. Those numbers will appear on our website under our products once completed but I can repost them here.

The 3rd gen Tacoma's max payload capacity is 1685lbs so that will serve as our testing basis.

 

What's the difference in registration?

 

I do not believe there will be registration issues for mid-size trucks.

 

Along the same compliance lines - any issues with the fuel filler? I found conflicting and not much information overall when I did mine.

 

The most stringent law that I am aware of is that in California you can not extend the OEM fuel filler neck length. I just have a simple receiver mounted to the side of the bed to catch the fuel filler neck and have not made any modifications to the OEM assembly.

 

Did you experience any issues on your end?

 

I ended up building a shorter one with parts for a step van. It works fine 95% of the time, fancy pumps like Costco has don’t like it though.


Legally… I live in Missouri. So long as you have lights they don’t care if it’s a safety hazard.

 

would you consider any special favors in exchange for payment? open to kinks or some sort of "contract"

 

Maybe...
BTMs with flatbed are not considered pickups... Technically you don't have a flatbed BTM...but, you know....California and all.

 

This is definitively something I will look into and provide some info back on this thread. Thanks for your knowledge input! I appreciate it.

 

Pertinent information here is that not everyone interested is going to be running more than stock suspension and wheels.

Though small wheel arches would help significantly

 

I hear that! The mounts are adjustable height so the bed can be assembled to whatever height each person wants. The other prototype is on a 1st gen Tundra and the mounts on those are significantly lower due to differences in the frame of the truck but nonetheless, the same mounting configuration works for both! The only real loss is losing potential under-tray storage solutions (i.e. installing a drawer) by lowering that height. As it stands I have space for a 7"x28"x80" drawer under the flatbed.

 

Upon further research it seems like this would be required in CA BTM from PU (Pickup) to FB (Flatbed). Each state is different so for each state it might be best to check with your local DMV.

 

What's a BTM?
Bureau Traffic Management?

 

Body Type Model

 

Looks very nice! Here are my thoughts on additions - my usage model is overlanding. I currently have an Alucab canopy (not the camper), sleeping in an Australian swag and only very seldom I use an RTT. I often camp in primitive and remote places, for up to week before resupplying. With your flatbed, I would want to install either a Mitts Alloy type of canopy or a 4 Wheel Camper for flatbed.

- Water tank - could one be fit under the flatbed? I dislike heavy water installed up top (I now use a FrontRunner tank on the floor of the cab, would love to get rid of it)
- Storage for those things I may need to access and don't want in the canopy/camper - recovery equipment and tools/spares. Needs to be lockable.
- Extra fuel tank? I use a Longranger 32 gallon, but it is really expensive. Perhaps a racing fuel tank of 15-20 gal under the flatbed?
- Place for a lithium battery and small electrical panel? I currently have a 280Ah house battery, but would have liked to keep the battery with the truck when one removes the camper (to operate the fridge, installed in this case on the rear seat platform).
- Finally, a place to install an ARB air tank (I have the ARB compressor in the engine bay but no place I can spare anywhere for that small tank).

Good job and good luck with the venture!

 

Looks great! This for sure needs mud flaps fenders and if I'm not mistaken a rear bumper. You also just converted your pick up truck into a motor truck. Pushing your way towards a regulated vehicle. In California this could matter if you ever do any work for compensation. PM me if you have any concerns.