I've been thinking about how inefficient my CM flatbed is for awhile. looking at it from the front there is a lot that sticks out around the cab, there is very little room between the top of the wheels and the top of the skirt's wheel well, nothing is build to be removable (i.e. modular) like the cab guard, the fuel filler is in a hole on the bed that doesn't come with a cover. It is aerodynamically a brick wall sticking out a few inches around the cab and it is very heavy considering the same truck in 4X4 with stock bed and bumpers (or close to) can run across a scale at a tractor pull with weights added on will come out a few hundred pounds lighter than my truck (but I also have a heavy front bumper and about 200lbs in the tool box).

I then noticed that the cab guard was actually designed to fit semi-flush with a Ford cab. Well that makes sense, since both Ford Super duties and 3rd gens have enough of the same frame dimensions they build it to fit the bigger cab, but for a 3rd gen it looks just like it wasn't built for it.

I've been planning on building my own that will counter most of these downfalls other than maybe the weight. But yesterday I looked at it from a different perspective. What if I was going to go buy one instead? Then I realized that every Dodge flatbed I saw driving around town regardless of who made it had all of the same problems. The only one I could find online that at least matched the cab was Western Hauler.

Has anyone else seen a flatbed that is not made like all of the rest? Sorry, had to rant.

 

IM partial to these:
http://www.turnoverball.com/custom.asp

 

Did you look at the Gooseneck Company over in Bryan, TX! Some others that I have seen are Bradford Built (Kansas), Hillsboro Industries (Kansas), and also I ran across some beds on the 800 toolbox site. All these manufacturers I believe offer Aluminium Beds as well.

 

T-Rex out of Idaho has some nice stuff and will make you what you want

 

Chrisreyn and dirtygoat, those still stick out way past the cab. Otherwise they are very nice beds.

 

10-4. I see what you are saying more now. When you look out the side mirrors you don want the appearance of the sleeper cab like side flares of the flatbed. Something more streamlined with the side of the cab is what you are going after. Plus the obvious weight and appearance.

 

If the sides where rounded like a sleeper cab would be a place to start. as it is with these flatbeds there are too many right angles sticking out from the cab.

 

Look at thier Deluxe series... they are flush with the cab then flare out in an arc...

 

Where the bed itself starts and the especially the tool box still sticks out, not as bad as the rest of them though. And look at how much sticking up above the cab.
I do like the step under the tool box.

 

Here's where you need to go. Be ready though, Bob likes his truck beds. Several of the rig welders I know have his beds on their trucks and love they them. I don't have the money to buy one yet and will likely build my own later.

Here's a link to Bob's site,

http://www.bobkingstruckbeds.com/

and wow, just noticed you guys are in the same part of the country.

 

I think your comparing apples to oranges Matt. They have been building flat beds for years like this. If you want streamed like aerodynamic then you might as wells sell your truck and buy a porch cause its not going to happen. I think the weight of the decks out weights the amount that sticks out behind the cab.

 

Dodgeguy71 good call, I have seen the welding beds (haven't seen one painted though) and I have seen some of the Chevy 4500s with those beds too. Definitely nice.
But back to why I started this thread, I don't plan on buying one, but I thought "what would I do if I had to buy one?". Also I wanted to raise awareness of how poorly the beds are made even for a smooth line look.

 

This thread is interesting. Duallydog I understand your concerns as I have also struggled with much the same in my pursuit of form and function when I struggled with my deck. I had this deck built locally, the way I wanted. It was not cheap.
I have a deck on my 01.5 3500. I have a deck because it accomplishes what I want. I pay the penalty of looks as I prefer the looks of a dually box. I pay the penalty of fuel mileage because my deck extends the full width of the dual wheels up to right behind the cab and weight because it is heavy.
I like the deck for many reasons. One is versatility. I can do many things with my deck it is 8 ft wide and 8 ft 10 in long. I have 4 tool boxes mounted under the deck so I can take lot of stuff with me that is not lying in the truck box. The deck is rugged so I can beat around on it and not worry about marring the finish. My deck is heavy as you can guess, and this all helps to give a better ride.
I know everything is a compromise. For me the deck does what I want. It certainly is not for everyone.
Just adding my 2.5 cents Canadian as our money is worth less then US.
Stan

 

SWC very true, a lot of it comes down to what you need in a bed. I want it for protection and the ability to haul something wider than what you can with a regular bed.

 

I don't know if you have ever noticed, but other vehicles tend to give me a fairly good distance. My deck is not going to be the loser if another vehicle gets within striking distance. I have on occasion helped other drivers decide which lane they prefer to be in. I don't know why my wife calls that "road rage" when I say I am being helpful.
Stan