Flatbed Information Thread

100% DIY. Been looking at them for years from the Aussies. Thought I’d get to building one sooner but Toyota put a brand new frame on my 2013 truck last year so I waited it out and used that as the turning point of my build. Got a few spool gun projects under my belt so time to give this a red hot go. I always knew I wanted a full aluminum tray. Besides weight, I’m on the coast and you can’t even get away from the salt in the air. Plan on doing tool box sides on the tray, passenger full 5’ long box and driver side broken into a 3’ box for camp kitchen and a 2’ (gonna make custom box) for a fridge. Maybe run my old CVT tent on top not sure if it’ll be all the time. Would like to run a tin boat on top for some trips.

 

Very cool. I will say I have been pretty happy with how well the aluminum has held up in the Canadian winters where road salt is pretty bad. So far no galvanic corrosion or any issues that way.

sounds like you got some great plans ahead. The tool boxes or covered storage is a great idea. The biggest thing I noticed was the loss of a tailgate as a prep/table surface. Not sure if the doors of your tool boxes can be used as a surface. Something like this where the door could be used as a table.


Love the idea but damn trees. Already bent my side door.

 

Drop down tool box table be fine for me… The wife will need a step stool lol.
Probably end up doing a trundle table like this




Frame mounts

 

Anyone have leads on 5’ drawer slides for under the tray?
Something to hold up to the elements

 

I bought some 48" from Orr & Orr. Contact them and they'll give you a quote that beats the website price.

https://truck-hardware.orrorr.com/v...vy-duty-lock-in-lock-out-full-extension-slide

 

Thanks I’ll check it out




Frame mounts finalized

 

Love the progress!

 

Looking freaking awesome @Chux

 

Awesome build and progress!

I like where you’re heading with this and plan on copying at least a few things you’re doing when I start mine.


Edit: not sure on your laws but you may need the tail lights to wrap around or add side lights at the rear

 

Progress

 

I can lay out a basic material list if you want. I went into it with no plans just the idea and worked it out as I went. Looking back it was easier than expected once a few things were layed out.

Interesting outlook on the law with tail lights. And you may be right, I'm not sure. Since reading that the other day I have been looking at a lot of cars and trucks around town. The cars definitely have factory taillights that wrap the rear corners but work trucks with utility bodies you can only see the tail lights from the rear. Even my work truck, only light on the side is a marker light.. Should be ok in town.. May have an issue with out of state trooper. We’ll see.

 

I know it’s a state to state thing and mine is one of the worst! May just need a marker light to be good.

Out of state you should be fine, other states don’t know what’s allowed in your state.

I’m most worried about the center drawer, for me I want it to pull out 4’-5’ and hold 300# off-road. Staying dry is also a must.

Looking forward to seeing your end result!

 

I am quite sure the vehicle lighting specification is federal, not state. Some states do not police it as much as other states (Cali is strict, Georgia doesn't seem to care).

IMHO, you need rear, red illuminated side markers in addition to the reflectors.

Aside from the legality, I like to have markers on all my vehicles and trailers - people are so distracted while driving, I want to give them every opportunity to see and not hit my vehicle.

 

Please cite your sources.

 

I keep up with this thread because Its something I will be doing as my 2nd gen bed has seen better days. I found this on the internet and it might help with the discussion.

https://www.truck-lite.com/fmvss-flatbed

 

For me personally, if it was a work truck tied to my business I would comply with exactly everything needed. Here in NJ we have state trooper check points throughout the year who will stop commercial vehicles and thoroughly go over the entire vehicle with a check list. But being my personal truck used mostly for camping/offroading and sits in the driveway all week because I take home a company vehicle I feel differently. The main part of this build is actually to build a sort of farm truck for my property in Vermont. I’m not gonna worry too much on the logistics. To be honest I haven’t had a front license plate mounted since I got my steel bumper in 2016 (which is required in NJ) and haven’t had a single issue about it.

 

My memory, from a long time ago.

 

Depends on your local area. I know in Canada, specifically in Ontario my truck is most likely not legal considering that the rules state that any modification to the bed requires a CVOR (commercial classification).

However, as @Chux mentioned I am kinda trying to fly under the radar for now. Made sure I have mudflaps and don't stand out too much. so far so good for the last 6 years. However, this year, I will be adding some side lights and adding a third brake light on the rear portion of the bed to ensure I appear more legal without that commercial inspection.