What size flatbed can I put on a 4500? I would like a reasonably short one say 8'. This would be on a reg cab 60" c/a. Also what is the app cost of the flatbed.

thanks

I looking into the same thing myself and what I've found for a 60'' ca/a is that 9' is the short one. Check out Hillsboro Industrys in kansas, they make some nice flat beds in both steel and aluminum.

Thanks. I am wondering if you can put a fifthwheel hitch on a flatbed also?

Take a look at Reading beds also. I think its Reading truck bodies.

Thanks. I am wondering if you can put a fifthwheel hitch on a flatbed also?

Take a look at Reading beds also. I think its Reading truck bodies.

I'm sure you could use the B & W companion hitch .

I like the CM body. It is steel and heavy, but it smooths out the stiff ride.

Now thats the pict I've been lookin for thanks.

That isn't a single wheel is it??? I thought the c/c was only dual wheels.
What length is the flatbed?

thanks

Now thats the pict I've been lookin for thanks.

That isn't a single wheel is it??? I thought the c/c was only dual wheels.
What length is the flatbed?

thanks

I will second the hillsboro beds - best deal I could find on a steel body for my old 3/4 ton. Your not that far from me, give Kevin at little stream auto a call -he has been very helpful 717-355-0829.


Hillsboro also makes a western hauler style now, it's called the GII.

http://www.hillsboroindustries.com/Products/GIISteelTruckBeds.aspx

http://www.hillsboroindustries.com/Photos/images/gIIsteeltruckbed3-2PGLG.jpg

Max

Thanks for the info. I called Hillsboro and talked to a couple of people including the engineer. Very helpful and took their time to help figure out what I needed and if it would work. Very nice people and know their stuff.

My CM bed is 9' 4".
Check out Bradford Built beds, they are nice as well.
I like the side skirts because it gives the truck a little bit more of a finished look.

I'll check em out thanks.

Ok is anyone out there using the 4500 with a flat bed and a fifthwheel hitch?

I'll check em out thanks.

Ok is anyone out there using the 4500 with a flat bed and a fifthwheel hitch?

That's a fairly unique situation.. I know in the research I did on flatbeds, they tend to raise the 5th wheel around ~6" to 8" from where it would have been in a regular truck box. - I expect this is why you won't find to many.

This isn't (as much of) a problem for goosenecks because they are installed below the flatbed deck surface.

Yeah this maybe a wild goose chase for sure. I would like the 4500 because of the gvw and gcvw would be perfect for me. Almost anything else will be overloaded or very close. It may turn out that I will just have to go with a reg cab pu 3500 dually and say that's as close as I can get. Or just keep the ole girl I have.

Does anyone have a cost on the Warner conversion? Also is that a 9 or 10' box? Just wondering how they handle the extra length of the 4500 frame.

I have seen flatbeds with a 5th wheel hitch, welders and such that do a lot of traveling. Seems like they had a specially build base that allowed the hitch itself to sit at the proper height. I am interested in doing the same thing. The C/C and Aisin tranny is a pullin unit.

I am told there is such a thing as a low profile fifthwheel hitch that, of course, helps lower the height of the hitch on a flatbed. Now the thing that I don't understand is if the fifthwheel is lower to the deck of the flatbed then how much clearance do you have to allow for the truck to camper angle differences while entering and leaveing the highway or uneven surfaces? This coupled with the 9' deck length on the 4500 give me pause for thought. I am told there will be enough if the fb is tapered or angled at the courners but I'm till not sure about the camper hittin the deck on uneven surfaces. Anyone know anything about this?

You might have better luck on an RV forum... have you tried http://rv.net/forum/ and the like ?

Now the thing that I don't understand is if the fifthwheel is lower to the deck of the flatbed then how much clearance do you have to allow for the truck to camper angle differences while entering and leaveing the highway or uneven surfaces? This coupled with the 9' deck length on the 4500 give me pause for thought. I am told there will be enough if the fb is tapered or angled at the courners but I'm till not sure about the camper hittin the deck on uneven surfaces. Anyone know anything about this?


Thought about this a bit on the ride in. For the first question, I'm sure whatever clearance you have to the deck is probably better than with a normal bed side.

The second or could be a problem, but it would be easy to figure out yourself. Check the upfitters guide and compaire the measurement from the axel to the rear of the frame, if it's the same as a regular 3500 you are going to be fine.

I also have another lead on the flatbed, I didn't want to say until I got back to the office and was sure I still had the number. Check with Intercon TruckBody - all they do is custom beds. http://www.intercontruck.com/

610-364-9500 ask for Jerry or Dennis.

don't let the website put you off, they were more than willing to do a plain jane 7x8 for my truck.

[QUOTE=thumbs;2362404]Thanks. I am wondering if you can put a fifthwheel hitch on a flatbed also?

this is what i did

took and mounted my reese 15k 5th wheel hitch to some 3 inch square tubing instead of the arches that came with it and mounted it directly to my flat bed with 4 each 1/2 inch bolts and nuts on each side. make sure the square tubing is long enough to span the channel cross members under the deck on the flat bed and center hitch over axle.

two of the four bolts went into the deck and two went through deck and channel to secure it on each side. after every thing was in position i welded the nuts in place under the deck so that i can remove hitch when it was not needed

I'm using a B&W fifth wheel on a 11' flatbed. They have setups specifically for flatbeds. You can remove the whole setup in less then 2 minutes and have a flat deck and also can put in a ball for goosenecks. Just google them to find their website. There are no clearance issues and in fact I can go places others with pickup bed would have problems. Also my fifth wheel camper rides completely level. My current truck is a F550 with a steel flatbed used for work and play. Next yr I plan on getting another truck and putting on a 9' bed like your talking about. If I get a chance I'll post some pictures.

Yeah I would like to see some picts. I just don't want to get a truck and find out later it won't work.

Your not gonna believe this but I was just talkin to a guy with an International 8100 pullin a pretty good size toyhauler. Picked up the tractor pretty cheap. It has me thinkin. But like my wife says "Stop thinkin your not equiped for it".

I was also talkin to another guy that fabs flatbeds. He said he could make me an aluminum one with the fifth wheel installed for about 5k.

Hey I'm sorry I haven't gotten those pictures up yet. Been a bit busy hauling hay but I'll try this weekend. I think their website is www.turnoverball.com Give them a call. They make a kit especially for flatbeds. The overall configuration is very clean and allows for their fifth wheel or a drop in ball. Just pull a lever underneith to release. I guess you guys won't mind me posting pictures of a Ford on this site[laugh]

I have been doin some measuring and think the 9' flatbed on the 60" c/a 4500 will work. Like you were sayin thought I want to be able to have the flatbed flat when not using the fifthwheel. I think B&W makes a thing called the companion also. I for one would like to see the picts for sure.

Hey I have a post on another thread about milage on these 4500's. Can anyone help me with the right gear trans selection for pullin my fiver? The weight I will be pullin is about 15k. I have to get the best fuel econ I can and still have a puller. Was talkin to a guy with 488's and the mileage is a bit tough for me.

Gary, since you are in PA you might want to look at Eby flat beds. A friend has one on his 4500 and is very happy with it, and from what I can see the quality is A1.

http://www.mheby.com/truck/flatbed_trucks.php

Thanks, just sent them an email. If the price is right they sure will be close enough.

Does you buddy tow with a fifthwheel?
thanks again
Gary

Hey I'm sorry I haven't gotten those pictures up yet. Been a bit busy hauling hay but I'll try this weekend. I think their website is www.turnoverball.com Give them a call. They make a kit especially for flatbeds. The overall configuration is very clean and allows for their fifth wheel or a drop in ball. Just pull a lever underneith to release. I guess you guys won't mind me posting pictures of a Ford on this site[laugh]


That would be the 1500 flatbed kit... It has a weld in socket and release lever..

Here are the attached pictures.

If you want some interesting conversation with the folks from B&W tell them your going to elevate the 1500 1 1/2" to facilitate a Rumber deck... [laugh][laugh], I added a secondary latch for safety..

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp353/SLOWECO/D_T_R_Pics/P5180078.jpg

Hooked UP..

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp353/SLOWECO/D_T_R_Pics/P7260034-AT.jpg

And Haulin'

http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp353/SLOWECO/D_T_R_Pics/Bullet-QB.jpg

Colo_River_Ram, did you build that body yourself? Very nice bed. I like the 2" receiver tubes built in the corners of the skirt. I also like the ball protruding from the bed when you need it. I had a hillsboro on my 01 cummins, with a trap door covering the ball, which was recessed below the deck. Yours looks alot nicer. What is the decking on the front of the body?
Ben

Thanks Ben,

Every socket on that bed with the exception of the GN is 2" slip / receiver tube, I used a 20ft stick on the project. I like the 2" slip tube tube as you can build slip in accessories. I have a pipe and regular vise mounted to a bracket that slips in the sockets. The holes on the rub rail brackets are for the hook style ratchet straps. the truck bed and the trailers I built in the sig line are identical in width so that all accessories will interchange .. The winters are long in Colo. so you build things to keep cabin fever from setting in..[laugh][laugh]

The front of the bed is set up with 1/2" plate in the middle for an upright hydraulic winch.. the rest of the bed metal is 3/16" tread-plate the fenders / running boards are 1/8". My trap door gives me access to trailer hookup socket, electrical connections for the bed / trailer and I positioned it over the LP as well.. The two 3" square holes under the rear center marker lights are the socket tubes for the winch poles when I get the winch mounted.. Future plans also include a hydraulic driven welder and air compressor. A custom built bumper / grill guard with hydraulic winch for the front.

topped offed with fuel the truck weighs in at 10,800..


http://i427.photobucket.com/albums/pp353/SLOWECO/D_T_R_Pics/P7260056-AT.jpg