Just bought a chevy 3500hd

[msnow]

I want to put a flat bed on it but there are quite a few brands. Can anyone recommend me the best brand to buy? I know it isn't really a "tool" but this truck will be my most expensive and hardest used tool in my kit. Thanks in advance.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Well im a dodge man and i tell you dodges Are cheap made now .. Personally i think chevy or ford . It just depends on who you talk to. My dad an i had two hotshot companies we ran 26 hotshots across the nation . I think you did fine. Is it a duramax ?? What year ? What engine ? Automatic or standard ??

 

[msnow]

It is a 2013 dually duramax with an automatic allison 6 speed. I like the truck but like I said looking for a flat bed to put on it, any ideas?

 

[venturesomerite]

I believe he's looking for brands of flat beds, not trucks.

You did not specify if you need a dump flat or not.

I cannot recommend a specific one, but look on craigslist. I got my utility body off a truck that wan't being parted out but after talking to the guy for a while, I got the guy to do it. I would also suggest an aluminum one, if you can afford it and find one, it will never rust and you'll increase your payload because the bed takes up less of the total weight.

 

[archirelic]

I know around here, I'd go with a local company over any of the big names when it comes to a flat bed, so it might be something similar wherever you're at. Definitely look around at any places locally that you can support and that offer a quality product.

 

[msnow]

Yeah I would go locally but I need it faster then the local guy can deliver. Kind of looking between Bradford and Hillsboro. I want something that is going to last and not buckle

 

[Rezeppa]

I would build it myself. It is so much easier and cheaper to custom build a bed. My company has purchased many of flat beds and none have held up nearly as well as the ones we have built. Also a custom one is always the best for your specific application. I know of a few in my area to defiantly stay away from. I personally like Knapheide and Stahl. I would consider if money was no object going aluminum.

 

[plumbstupid]

It's pretty hard to get a bad flat bed. I don't think I've ever heard of anyone complaining about the brand they got. It also seems to be a regional thing. Bradford is pretty well known.

Around here the most common is probably JV, simply because they are built locally.

Take some time to look at different models and configurations and get one set up the way you want. I'm a plumber and I run a flat bed set up with hydraulic dump that I pull the backhoe with. The rest of the trucks have utility beds.

If you want something different and a little pimp, get one of these
http://www.800toolbox.com/flatbeds/flatbeds.htm

 

[msnow]

Yeah I want steel but thanks for the suggestion. If I had the time I would built it myself I just don't. I am going to load 5000 pounds of job boxes on it and I just don't want the bed to buckle since the casters on each box will be point loading the bed.

 

[Armstrong1720]

JH flatbeds are cheap. I would have one built to the way u want it

 

[maddawg1952]

Most decent flatbodies can handle that load,personally I'd weld 1/8" or 3/16" diamond plate on the bed as an aftermarket buildout and I would NEVER EVER buy another rack truck with metal racks just TOO damn noisy compared to my wooden racks

 

[Rezeppa]

Good information if you ever are in the Detroit area stay away from NBC we have 4 purchased in 2000 that the cross members are completely rotted out. I could have purchased in painted channel, put it outside and I'm 100% sure it would have held up better than these beds. I just had to deal with one today which is why i brought it up again. i should have taken pictures i will if i remember. A mudflap fell off because the crossmember is completely gone. I had to weld in a new piece of flat-stock just to mount the mudflap back on. The truck is in great shape but the bed is shot.

 

[msnow]

That is excellent information I think I am going to buy a bradford and install it myself I just need to figure out a way to transport it from charlotte nc to winston.

 

[Armstrong1720]

Sorry i was wrong its JI beds made in oklahoma i have been to the factory and hauled a load of them. Light cheap made. Weade our own with a western hauler head ache rack its awesome. Just takes some time its not hard.

 

[rustyshakelford]

http://westernwelding.net/

Best flatbed out there. Reasonably priced but exceptional quality.

Brett

 

[Kurn]

I'm partial to Supreme beds.They mostly make van bodies,but make a good flatbed,in a variety of lengths and widths.

 

[Mattguy]

Knapehide makes great flatbeds.

Sent from my XT603 using Tapatalk 2

 

[bustdknuckle]

Besler makes stout bale and flat beds thats what we had on the farm but i would think about any flat bed would be about the same unless it was a wood bed or thinner steel

 

[msnow]

Got the bed finished up today, thought you guys might like to see some pics. Went with a bradford.

 

[A_Pmech]

Looks good!

Well, except for the chopped mud flap to clear the exhaust pipe...

 

[msnow]

HA yeah well I decided that was better then moving the exhaust on a brand new truck in case I ever want to put the stock bed beck on.