Flat bed frame tube size

[bsaint]

I have a sketch in my head of a flat bed I want to build. Its more of a hybrid. My truck is a 15k gvw and we are hauling stuff that can be up too 3k pounds easy. I want to give the project to my fabrication shop but hes gonna ask what I want to build the frame out of. I was thinking 3x3x3/16 square tubing but I dont know if thats overkill.

 

[Powder guy]

2x4 box or 4"channel

 

[Spareparts]

Frame tall enough to give you plenty of tire clearance on the finished bed floor, I used box tubing for the preimeter of the bed, looked cleaner but didn't have anywhere to attach chain's or ratchet straps to secure the loads. Went with channel not as pretty but a lot more functional.

 

[BD1]

Search for a manufactured one that meets your needs and do yours similar.

 

[speed bump]

I would go with 3" c-channel. There is a common thickness of 3" that is really popular for this application that escapes me at the moment.

The downside to box tubing (not mentioning cost) is that it can hold water and rust from the inside out.

 

[1badbird]

I would stick to channel as well, less chances of rusting out. I was in the same boat as your are about a year ago and was going to build a flatbed myself but ended up finding a used one for less money than materials would have cost me.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Search for a manufactured one that meets your needs and do yours similar.

Last one was the shortest possible wheelbase. It had 1/4 x 3" flat on edge on 12" centers. It hauled 9 inch diameter high pressure cylinders. Down the center and across the tail, it had 1/4 x 1 flat bar on edge between runners. It had a headache rack which ran down the sides to the start of the wheelwells. 2 x 2 x3/8 angle with 1/2" stobbs welded underneath the horizontal leg for chainhooks made the rack. The trailer hitch was 1" x 3" flat

3" channel makes great protection for clearance lights..

Today, I would build a truck with a hydraulic tilt at the rear. I would have an electric winch mounted in the top of the headache rack. I think it would pick up loads better than most winches and have a lower profile. The hydraulic would then gently return to horizontal with the load. It would be easy to "encourage" the load anywhere on the bed as the tilt returned to normal. Extra lifts would require existing loads be securely strapped down.

 

[AMCguy]

Here is a close up of the deck I built for my truck. I build most of my trailers or truck beds the same way.

This one uses 4''x2''x1/8'' for the perimeter and 2 1/2''x2 1/2''x1/8'' square tube for the cross members. Corner pockets are receiver tube. 11 gauge checker plate deck is inlaid and rosette welded.

The stake pockets are 4''x2''x3/16'' rectangular tube.