Flatbed build

I finally started on my flatbed. The original plan was to use steel and have a dump bed, but neccessity and record steel prices dictated otherwise. I had some doug fir and red oak sitting here, so I fired up the mill and made some supplies.

The cross beams are red oak. They're 2-3.5" wide and 6-7" tall. Very heavy, but they are sopping wet. They should lose some weight over the summer. They are held on with 3/8" x 3" lag bolts. We used the existing frame holes and pre-drilled the beams. An air ratchet make quick work of the fasteners.

The deck boards are doug fir. They're 1.5" thick and most are 14" wide. I may rip them down for better drainage, but they look so nice when they're so wide. I am going to oil them, so water shouldn't be a huge concern.

I think deck screws will be just fine for the deck boards. I will make a headache rack for it and that will be bolted to the front beam. We made the beam wider to resist the twisting forces a headache rack can create.

The skirt boards will be bolted to the cross beams with angle iron brackets, and the stake pockets/rub rail will bolt on as well.

I'm thinking of putting LED work lights on the headache rack and along the skirt boards. That way I will have a fully lit area on and around the bed.

This is the progress so far.

 

You are getting it done looks nice
Definitely want to see it completed

 

We made some headway today. There was a lot of running around, picking ip parts for various projects, and getting some steel and hardware. We fabricated some mounts for the skirt boards and got the mounts bolted in place. I picked up some used stake pockets, but they ended up being a little small for my liking, so I got some secondhand steel from the local steel shop. They carry new and used metal and have very good prices. We will be making the pockets tomorrow, and installing the skirt boards and deck.

 

Nice looking forward to seeing your progress

 

We got the skirt boards on today, but the steel shop was closed, so we did what we could with what we had. Me got most of the stake pockets made with the steel we had on hand. They are in the vibratory finisher now. We made that too.

I have to go out and check the parts in 10 minutes.

 

Really coming along. Nice job on the tumbler

 

Pockets look nice keep the progress coming

 

The stake pockets are painted. We started oiling the bed and ran out of boiled linseed oil, so we need to get more.
I need to get my fuel filler mounted too.

 

It’s coming around nicely
Keep up the good work and pictures

 

Here it is. No headache rack yet, but it's able to be used. I have a PILE of wood to haul this week, and I will be running loads almost non stop. I have no idea where I will put it, but I am getting it anyway.

 

Building sideboards for it too, I assume?

 

you bet! It was too cold and windy today

 

That is coming out great

 

Looks great! I’d hate throwing in that first chunk of wood.

 

Nice work. Hows the frame on the old girl? I know how tough it is to keep them decent in central WI.

 

Nice work!!

 

Yeah, that's the hardest part. I am going to be picking up a spruce log today, so I won't be throwing in the first piece.

 

It's getting pretty thin in the back half. I have new sections to put in, but I am waiting for warmer weather to do that. I am going to use 7" from the cab to the rear bumper. The frame is 7" under the cab, so I figure I might as well carry that all the way back.

This bed should more than make up for any missing steel until I get the new rail sections put in this summer. I am running against a deadline for moving wood, so I need a bed last week. We are back into freezing temps again for the next week or so, and I have oodles of wood to cut and haul home before the first of the month. At least the ground will be frozen so I can get to it easily.

 

I put a 10⁰ angle on the tops of the stake pockets. I have caught my elbow and scraped my arms on more than a few. This way the outside edge is below the bed to prevent snagging.

 

I tossed a couple of rounds on the bed before I left home today. I wanted to see what would happen and just to say I loaded it first. The first firewood round slid all the way forward and slammed into the cab with a bang. It was like the bed was covered with ice. The linseed oil has made the surface very hard and there is nowhere near the friction you'd have on bare wood. The second round still slid a ways, but it was barely moving when I let go of it.

I picked up the 1,200 lb spruce log today. The guy couldn't bear to set it on the new bed, so he put some 2x6's under it and wedged the sides to keep it from rolling. We strapped it down real tight and the stake pockets held up great. The log didn't move on the half hour ride home.

I'll roll the log off the truck next to the mill later today.

Here is the official first load picture.