Flatbed all the things...

"SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly) 11/12/2019 at 23:56 • Filed to: Flatbed Forever

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. .perhaps even a Subaru Forester?



facw > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/13/2019 at 02:31

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So you’re about to take a sawzall to the Forester? Careful with the sparks!

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > facw 11/13/2019 at 04:28

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Sparks would be the least of my problems. Blood splatter from my own meat would be an issue if I hooked into M’ladys beloved car with a Sawz all ...

shop-teacher > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/13/2019 at 07:24

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I don't know why flatbeds aren't more popular in the US.

PartyPooper2012 > shop-teacher 11/13/2019 at 07:34

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They make so much sense. No wheel well bump like pickups. You can fit 4x8 sheet without any issues.

Europe has some really cook pickups with flat beds. Just awesome. I am sure other places have them too... but I’ve seen them in Europe

Svend > PartyPooper2012 11/13/2019 at 08:49

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Dropsides are pretty great. Ford do a 4.2metre bed called the L5.

PartyPooper2012 > Svend 11/13/2019 at 09:14

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Here in states, most pickup trucks are mostly used as grocery getters. Bed is usually too short to fit anything plus with the wheel wells, can’t fit anything flat on bed anyway.

here is what we do... load up few containerships with those drop side trucks. bring em here... profit?

Svend > PartyPooper2012 11/13/2019 at 09:46

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It’s just a regular single or crewcab only on chassis frame. Fit a flat tray on top and fit dropsides, and/or rear lift or tipper.

Hamtractor > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 11/13/2019 at 09:46

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Agree.  1987 K30 Crewcab.  This is my Powerball truck.  If I could only have one rig, this is it.  I am in love.

Pickup_man > PartyPooper2012 11/13/2019 at 12:38

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FWIW every full size truck on the market can fit 4 x 8 sheets without issue as well. Wheel wells on every full size truck are at least 4' apart. 8' beds can obviously fit a sheet with the gate up, 6.5' with the gate down and usually about 6" in from the end of the gate, and 5.5' beds with the gate down and the sheet only overhangs about 6". I believe mid size trucks fit 4x8 sheets as well, but on top of the wheel wells, and not in between them. Most truck beds also come with indentations intended for cut-to-length 2x4's at wheel well level to act as shelf and prov ide a flat load surface.

I’ve been debating building a custom flatbed for my “fun” truck lately, but for personal use I still prefer a traditional pickup box because I can just toss things in and not worry about loosing my cargo if it isn’t firmly strapped down. Flat beds usually have higher loading heights as well. 

PartyPooper2012 > Pickup_man 11/13/2019 at 13:25

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Full disclosure here - I have never owned a pickup truck so I don’t know if a flatbed type truck vs regular pickup truck have any significant differences besides the wheel wells.

Dad had a pickup. 1996 Dakota Sport. That did not fit 4x8 sheet fully or flat. Annoying

I own a 5x8 trailer which fits almost everything just fine. It’s not a full 8 feet somehow, but 7feet 11.5 inches. When you close the lift gate on a 4x8 sheet, it doesn’t work. One of these days I will get brazen enough and weld on a fix but anyway.

I somehow still find flatbed trucks with drop sides more attractive and useful than regular pickups.

It wouldn’t be the first time I was wrong... if I am wrong here.

Pickup_man > PartyPooper2012 11/13/2019 at 14:11

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The Dakota likely had 4' between the bedsides but sheets would have to be placed on top of the wheel well. Without additional supports at the front and back sheets aren’t going to go in flat. Very annoying.

Here’s a pic of the slots in the side of the bed I mentioned earlier.

Usually intended to fit a standard size of lumber, and typically even with the top of the wheel wells to allow a flat load area.

Who builds a trailer like that?! They should be fired.

I’d agree that flatbeds with drop sides are more useful and practical than standard pickup boxes. The one big  disadvantage is a higher load deck. Personally I prefer a styled box, but there are some pretty good looking flatbeds out there.