O/T stake beds

[Anonymous-0]

I'm thinking about putting a stake bed (flat bed) on our F350 (no duals), as the box is starting to rust out around the wheel wells, and I think the stake bed would probably be more useful around the farm.

I'm leaning towards one with a metal frame and a wooden floor, but would like to hear everyone's thoughts on them, and if anyone has a suggested brand.

It would need to have a goose neck ball in it. Also debating putting a hoist on it, although don't know if that would work with a goose neck hitch or not?

thanks, andrew

 

[NBAllen]

I personally like the metal frame / wood floor (quieter, better traction, lighter). I also like the idea of adding a hoist. If designed right, I see no reason why there would be a problem to equip the bed with a hoist and GN hitch.

Regarding the hoist, could you attach the GN hitch to the frame (where it MUST be attached anyway) and provide an opening in the floor of the bed that allows access to the GN ball & safety chain points.

Sorry, I don't have a brand name to suggest.

Nathaniel

 

[Duner Wi]

Go look at the ones Home Depot has on their #350 Ford daily rental trucks. They are the slickest. Sides fold down fast and easy. Used one once and I was impressed.

 

[the tractor vet]

Myself i build all my owne flat beds . Metal frames wood floor head ach built into the bed along with the gooseneck hitch along with and ICC bar with oneoff set hitch to the left of the main frame rail for off set equipment like haybines and balers and pull type pickers along with a a center hitch for normal towing both are resse hitch that way i just swap the hitch from one to the other. When the bed comes off everything comes off all in one chunk . My biggest problem is i tend to over build . IF 1/8ht inch is good then 5/16ths is better . That way the bed will outlast five trucks.

 

[Brad in WI]

Here is a couple pics of mine does not have a gooseneck in it (yet) but it is alot more handy than a box. I made my own using .25 in square tubing and 5" channel iron. It is VERY heavy almost 1500 lbs

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The sides pull out and make it a true flatbed. I can take some more pictures if you are interested.
Brad

 

[Anonymous-0]

Yep, that looks about like what I'm thinking of. I like your frame on the front of the bed that it matches the profile of the cab, and not sticking out a foot or so like some that I've seen.

 

[Anonymous-0]

I thought about building one myself (and havn't ruled it out completely), but I've got so much else going on, that if I can find out that I like already made I will probably go that route.

 

[Brad in WI]

it took a lot of time to build and many grinding wheels if you look closely all the welds are rounded and very professional looking. I made this bed nearly 4 years ago and it has had everthing from roofing to motors to hay bales on it. If you want more pictures send me an email and i can take some for you and send them my email is open

 

[CCer]

Any place that sells/installs truck bodies, dump, or utility boxes, usually has take-off beds for sale too. Google search truck bodies for someone in your area.

 

[suptscottyb]

I suggest one of the fold down below the bed type, it makes for a more usable bed.
Why not make the hoist removable? Maybe have one mount for it in the front and one in the rear? It could be a square tube slipping into a square tube below the bed with a pin.