Lance A Lott Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Ordering the steel tomorrow and I am trying to decide between a smooth deck and diamond plate. I have diamond plate on my ton truck. The smooth plate is less expensive and Comes in more sizes, and thicknesses. I am thinking bed liner for the deck which would pretty much negate the extra traction of the diamond plate. Also the paint tends to chip off the diamonds. Any opinions. What thickness did you use and would you use it again? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Seen a few people bust their butts on smooth decks, especially wet. Which smooth and Rino liner should be good. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Ours is smooth and has sprayed on bed liner. Never had a slippery problem. Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 I prefer diamond plate but if you rhino line it you will cover the treads anyway. I have Line-X in my pickup box. Nothing slides around. its really rough and can be hard on the knees but nothing moves unless I really hit the brakes. With a good quality bed liner flat steel should be fine. I highly recommend Line-X professionally done. Farmer, Trucker, Equipment operator, Mechanic Quando omni flunkus moritati-When all else fails, play dead I'm a man, but I can change, if I have to, I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Mine is diamond plate. It needs repainting already. Considering Line X myself. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tyates007 Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 Smooth is fine with liner. I recommend at least 3/16” thick Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hewhoknowslittle Posted June 3, 2018 Report Share Posted June 3, 2018 I like diamond with Line X or Rinio liner, will not show and dent's and mine was 3/16 diamond on top, with smooth sides. That's on the Volvo in the avatar, haven't changed it yet to the Frieghshaker. Roger Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sclord2002 Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I used 3/16 smooth steel. It is painted with plain old black Rustoleum and is not slick.....not with the boat shoes that I always wear anyhow. Charlie Don't ever tell a soldier that he doesn't understand the cost of war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I used diamond plate in the center and car rack punch deck on the sides. Both 1/8 thick with 12" cross member spacing. At times I need to load in the rain, so I wanted zero possibility of slipping. It comes down to what your intended use is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alie&Jim's Carrilite Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I have LinX or Rhino diamond plate on mine. 18 years old and decent except for the operator made gouges. Alie & Jim + 8 paws 2017 DRV Memphis BART- 1998 Volvo 610 Lil'ole 6cyl Cummins Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jack Mayer Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 I'll give you my opinion, but it is just that - MY opinion. I prefer the diamond plate. Even when covered in bed liner it is less slippery than flat steel. Wait until you have some frost or snow on the deck, or even wet. Flat simply does not grab your feet as well. We only put diamond plate on the beds we build. And I don't know of any hauler bodybuilder that uses the flat plate, but I would guess that someone must....just not any I have seen. Jack & Danielle Mayer #60376 Lifetime Member Living on the road since 2000PLEASE no PM's. Email me. jackdanmayer AT gmail 2016 DRV Houston 44' 5er (we still have it) 2022 New Horizons 43' 5er 2016 Itasca 27N 28' motorhome 2019 Volvo 860, D13 455/1850, 236" wb, I-Shift, battery-based APU No truck at the moment - we use one of our demo units 2016 smart Passion, piggyback on the truck -------------------------------------------------------------------------See our website for info on New Horizons 5th wheels, HDTs as tow vehicles, communications on the road, and use of solar powerwww.jackdanmayer.com Principal in RVH Lifestyles. RVH-Lifestyles.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 Diamond plate is stronger with less weight also. I'm with Jack on this. Diamond. 2003 Teton Grand Freedom towed with 2006 Freightliner Century 120 across the beautiful USA welding pipe.https://photos.app.goo.gl/O32ZjgzSzgK7LAyt1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted June 4, 2018 Report Share Posted June 4, 2018 A word of caution. If you are going to use Linex be sure to read the small print. They only have a warranty for pickup beds. Any other warranty has to be provided by the installer. Get it in writing. I had to have mine done twice because it was not thick enough. Has been great since then. Brad and Jacolyn Tucker the Wonder dog and Brynn the Norfolk Terrier 2009 Smart "Joy" 2004 VNL630 "Vonda the Volvo" 2008 Hitch Hiker 35 CK Champagne Edition VED12 465 HP, Freedomline, 3.73 ratio, WB 218" Fulltiming and loving it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ALLOY Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 It is aesthetics. Wet smooth plate and wet diamond have about the same friction so the non-slip coating is more (like a boat) important. The sole of a shoe also makes a difference. Hard sole shoes on wet diamond is like walking on ball bearings. The diamond hides weld distortion better but in some instances I've seen the the top of the diamond rusting where the coating has worn off. 2011 Cameo 34SB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted June 5, 2018 Report Share Posted June 5, 2018 My bed is flat plate. JW Morgan built a few. Don’t know what the liner is on top but it is rubberized and thicker chunks than Rhino or Line Ex. Not slippery when wet. 2006 Volvo 780 "Hoss" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift Bed Build by "JW Morgan's Custom Welding" 2017 DRV 39DBRS3 2013 Smart Passion Coupe "Itty Bitty" "Don't go around saying the world owes you a living. The world owes you nothing. It was here first!" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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