I got rearended on the way home from work wednesday. I've been wanting a flatbed and this is the time to get one. Does anyone have any experience with the many different brands? I've been looking at the Omaha, Texoma, Badger and Parkhurst. These are available local, and in the same price range of around $1000.
Just looking to see if anyone has any preferences with these or any other brands. Maybe things to look for or look out for. I've pretty much decoided to go with steel due to the fact that I am able to repair, weld and modify on steel and don't have the capability to weld aluminum.
Thanks in advance.

 

I've had a Hillsboro aluminum flatbed on my truck for about 3 years and I love it.they are also supposed to have some real nice steel beds too. They have some of the strongest under structure in the industry, mine has put up to 3,000 to 10,000 lb. loads continuously and I haven't had any trouble out of it at all. You can find them @http://www.hillsboroindustries.com/

 

Nice beds, but to be honest maybe more than I need. I'm looking for a middle of the road bed, not the cheapest but not top of the line either. But it is nice to see some of the better ones to check out the features.

 

ive built my own, (not for a dodge, but 2 chevys) and i build them STURDY. they are built ALOT better than the manufactured ones and have had no probs at all. That way you can get all the Custom ideas you want to in the bed, while its being built, instead of adding on. Just the Metal was around $400, then youve got the lights of your choice (LED, or regular) Then paint, or powder coat, or my latest experiment, Spray on bed liner, sprayed just like the pros for a lot cheaper than their prices. Hope this helps

 

I have built one and like rjordan said you can build them the way you want (heavy, light, or somewhere inbetween) I have been thinking about building one for my '93, but I think I will wait until the bed on it goes south

 

"Just the Metal was around $400..."

But it might cost twice that much now w/ the way the steel prices are going!

 

I found a nice one at a farm implement dealer yesterday. I went and picked it up today. KingKutter brand 7'2"x 8'6" with a nice bulkhead and a hitch on the rear with a GN hitch and trap door. I got it for $775 much cheaper than what I had been looking at and just as well made. I got the old bed off today and the fuel sending unit fixed. I repaired the old one so I can send the new one back to the dealer. The bed is sitting on the truck lined up just needs to be mounted, wired and the fuel inlet hooked up. Maybe a few more evenings and it will be back on the road.

 

Congrats, that sounds like a good deal

 

wESTERN HAULER ALL THE WAY......THERE ONLY, ONLY , 7000 BIG ONES BUT WHO CARES IF SOME INSURANCE CO IS PAYING FOR IT!

 

I'm not into flash my truck is a work truck. Maybe some day I can have 2 a work truck and one to fix all up and make look all purdy. I will put this steel flatbed on it fix my AC and pocket the rest of the cash, if there is any left.

 

Price of steel has jumped 75% in the past two weeks. Can you say inflation?

I got a quote on a new Hillsboro Aluminum bed $3600 installed. Steel is $500 less, but twice as heavy.

 

Yeah them lil China men need lots of new Woks so were gonna pay for it here Used to be lots of guys did a fair job of building a flatbed and would sell em all day long for $800. Being a Kansan I am kinda partial to the Hillsboro beds. They is way purty but $6500 yikes thats a chunk O change.

 

Do ya have a link

 

Take a look at the B&W beds as well.

Rusty