trimster Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 What thickness of steel plate have you used on the bed deck? The heaviest thing I will be putting on the deck is Goldwing trike. 1100 lbs. Bob Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 5 minutes ago, trimster said: What thickness of steel plate have you used on the bed deck? The heaviest thing I will be putting on the deck is Goldwing trike. 1100 lbs. Bob Howdy trimster, I would suggest building your bed to carry any possible FUTURE loads. It's MUCH cheaper to build it right the first time then to rework it later if your needs change, it will also increase the resale value of your truck should you sell it down the road if the deck is capable of carrying more then a motorcycle. For example, my Freightliner had a deck capable of carrying a motorcycle but nothing heavier, when I decided to carry a Smart Car rather then spend money I would never recover in a sale of the truck building a Smart Car bed I sold the truck as it was and built a new truck. It's your truck and your money but it would be wise to keep in mind possible future needs or sale. Dave Quote 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted August 20, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 Could not agree more. So what gauge should I look at for the bed deck? Bob Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 25 minutes ago, trimster said: Could not agree more. So what gauge should I look at for the bed deck? Bob Howdy Bob, I used 1/4 inch steel plate on mine, used 2 inch square 1/4 inch thick cross stringers 12 inches apart the lenght of the deck, might be over kill but I can carry darn near anything on my deck and the weight of the deck aids in traction. Dave Quote 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GlennWest Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 More wieght in rear helps ride also. So added benefit. Quote 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...
Parrformance Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 44 minutes ago, GlennWest said: More wieght in rear helps ride also. So added benefit. My Mother-in-law most certainly agrees🤣 Quote 2006 Volvo VNL 780, " Arvey" Volvo D12, 465hp, 1650 ft/lbs tq., ultrashift 2003 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 2010 Forest River Coachman Freedom Express 280RLS Jackalopee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 Mine is 3/16” plate and I carry a smart. 1/4” probably more than adequate. Quote 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...
cactus Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 24 minutes ago, SuiteSuccess said: Mine is 3/16” plate and I carry a smart. 1/4” probably more than adequate. And you can bet ol` JW knew what the h**l he was doing. Miss his wit and talent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuiteSuccess Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 18 minutes ago, cactus said: And you can bet ol` JW knew what the h**l he was doing. Miss his wit and talent Me too. Quote 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...
sdixon747 Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 5 hours ago, mr. cob said: Howdy Bob, I used 1/4 inch steel plate on mine, used 2 inch square 1/4 inch thick cross stringers 12 inches apart the lenght of the deck, might be over kill but I can carry darn near anything on my deck and the weight of the deck aids in traction. Dave If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing! Quote Steve & Gail 2000 Volvo VNL660 Autoshift Detroit 60 12.7 "Semi Crazy" 2016 smart "Lil Crazy" 2018 Space Craft 48' TT "The Nut House" KJ4YGY & KK4CTE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted August 20, 2020 Report Share Posted August 20, 2020 Before ordering your steel, decide what you're doing as far as singling, and to what length. Run some numbers for weights and balance. For instance, single long, and you may overload your axle even with just a trike, when bobtailing. Single short and you might unload the steer when hitched up. Leave it tandem and you'd be hard pressed to get out of the safe load ranges. So, I used 3/16" tread (diamond) plate for the top, and a rear skirt of 3/16" smooth. Bed is 13' long overall. Fenders are 1/4" thick and make up nearly half the bed surface. Quote KW T-680, POPEMOBILE Newmar X-Aire, VATICAN Lots of old motorcycles, Moto Guzzi Griso and Spyder F3 currently in the front row Young enough to play in the dirt as a retired farmer. contact me at rickeieio@yahoo.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted August 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 Spent some time with a fabricator today. Tossed around some great ideas. I hope to document the process for all here. Here's where we stand: - extension on the frame will be 25'ish inches. (the wheelbase is 210). We're allowing for a 57" wide trike and the 60" radius for the trailer. The trike will be loaded via a loader instead of ramps. - we ARE leaving the rear axles as they are. Tandem tires and both axles. All the input and thoughts have been really helpful. Big thanks all. Construction basics (so far): - Capping the frame rails with hard wood. Wonder if Trex decking would work? - Using 2"x3" channel on top of that. Tied to the frame with angle iron bolting it down. Kept the commercial hitch mount rails to tie too. Will add front and read connection points as well. - 2"x2" square tube cross members. - I hope to make the the center frame deck panels removable . That's where we stand. Bob Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoDirectionHome Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 I engineered my deck. If you take a second to think, you'll realize the maximum load per tire is very small per square inch. My deck was designed for a 3k pound vehicle @ 150% safety factor. It is all 12ga cold rolled steel. Cross members, deck, sides, fenders, all of it. Quote "There are No Experts, Do the Math!" 2014 Freightliner Cascadia DD16 600hp 1850ft-lb 18spd 3.31 260"wb SpaceCraft S-470 SKP #131740 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darryl&Rita Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 We used key holes, or banjo holes for tie down points, mid deck. The deck is 1/4" plate, with 6" square doubling plates under the keyholes. You need to loo at load weight and support spacing to decide on deck plate thickness. Sounds like you're well on your way to making some crucial decisions to build out YOUR truck. Quote I have been wrong before, I'll probably be wrong again. 2000 Kenworth T 2000 w/N-14 and 10 speed Gen1 Autoshift, deck built by Star Fabrication 2006 smart fourtwo cdi cabriolet 2007 32.5' Fleetwood QuantumPlease e-mail us here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve from SoCal Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 I would suggest you add a bit to your trike dimension, if you want to use a Smart car down the road you will have the room. With a tandem truck the bed length can be a bit longer, proportionally the bed looks better and, offers more options. The idea that weight is not an issue when building a bed is only partly correct, adding too much weight ahead of the axles can overload the front axle. Steve Quote 2005 Peterbilt 387-112 Baby Cat 9 speed U-shift 1996/2016 remod Teton Royal Atlanta 1996 Kentucky 48 single drop stacker garage project Pulls like a train, sounds like a plane....faster than a Cheetah sniffin cocaine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemergary Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 I used extruded aluminum bleacher seating. Looks great and they cut it to exact length. Its bolted down with clips. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeorgiaHybrid Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 Two thing to remember from the steel business. 1) When in doubt, make it stout 2) Use the moron theory, if if looks light, add more on. Quote 2017 Kenworth T6802015 DRV 38RSSA Elite Suites2016 Smart Prime Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 Howdy Bob, Something to think about, the deck on my Freightliner looked really nice it had cutouts for the rear tires that had very little clearance just enough t get the tires on and off NOT enough to install chains if needed. I know that many probably most will say you don't need clearance for chains as if you hit bad road conditions just sit it out and wait for better conditions. That works if you are someplace where you have a safe place to sit it out but what if your in the mountains and it starts to snow or ice up and there is NO safe place to pull over and sit it out. I don't drive in nasty conditions unless I have to, if I know a storm is coming I'll wait a few days if nessisary before setting out or continuing a trip, but I cross mountains a LOT and I have hit snow twice while going to the national rally, three times when going to or leaving from Moab and drove over 2,000 miles in snow and ice when I drove my Pete, home from Minnesota when I bought it in the third week of December. When I built the deck for the Pete, I made sure that I had clearance for chains, I don't want to use them but I have HAD to three times in the last two years. Dave Quote 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trimster Posted August 21, 2020 Author Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 Good advice. I'm not planning to skirt the sides of the bed, down around the tires. Right now it appears I will have 5" of clearance around the tires with airbags full, running down the road. That should clear the chains with a fudge factor. Unless your experience tells me there should be more. Bob Quote Robert & Lisa '14 Keystone Fuzion 315 38' 5er 2015 Volvo VNL 670, D13, iShift 'The Tartis' (ours) 2013 Smart Fortwo Passion 'K-9' 2011 CanAm Spyder RT Limited (Ours) We are both USAF vets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 My bed came off a dully pickup. Its 3/8 thick. I would go thicker because I get some vibration from my generator. I have to lay some wood blocks in strategic places or it gets pretty loud. But it was free so I deal with it. Quote 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...
Star Dreamer Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 3 hours ago, trimster said: Good advice. I'm not planning to skirt the sides of the bed, down around the tires. Right now it appears I will have 5" of clearance around the tires with airbags full, running down the road. That should clear the chains with a fudge factor. Unless your experience tells me there should be more. Bob Check your clearance when aired down. I believe Volvo's have 5" of upward travel, Freightliner's 2-1/2" of upward travel. You want to be able to get the tire off the truck if the suspension is all the way down. Quote 2005 Freightliner Century S/T, Singled, Air ride ET Jr. hitch 2019 46'+ Dune Sport Man Cave custom 5th wheel toy hauler Owner of the 1978 Custom Van "Star Dreamer" which might be seen at a local car show near you! Check out http://www.hhrvresource.com/ for much more info on HDT's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beemergary Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 Trimster Got from National Recreation Products-planks cut to order and bolt on clips was $950.00 shipped from In. to mi. Everything in pic is bolted + trailer hitch/light assembly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr. cob Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 7 hours ago, trimster said: Good advice. I'm not planning to skirt the sides of the bed, down around the tires. Right now it appears I will have 5" of clearance around the tires with airbags full, running down the road. That should clear the chains with a fudge factor. Unless your experience tells me there should be more. Bob Howdy Bob, 5 inches will be plenty, the big thing with using chains is to remember to stop and tighten them after you have driven a mile or so, a tight chain is a happy chain just keep the speed DOWN. Dave Quote 2001 Peterbilt, 379, Known As "Semi-Sane II", towing a 2014 Voltage 3818, 45 foot long toy hauler crammed full of motorcycles of all types. Visit my photo web site where you will find thousands of photos of my motorcycle wanderings and other aspects of my life, click this link. http://mr-cob.smugmug.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 trimster - couple suggestions - if you ever may travel down hill around a corner or two gripped by gravity on hard pack snow, ice, or mud - when you buy your tire chains order yourself a single to use on one steer tire. Also take a look at the rubber bungee spiders to tension the chains safely. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
noteven Posted August 21, 2020 Report Share Posted August 21, 2020 2 hours ago, beemergary said: Trimster Got from National Recreation Products-planks cut to order and bolt on clips was $950.00 shipped from In. to mi. Everything in pic is bolted + trailer hitch/light assembly. That is a good looking deck Beemergary. Quote "Are we there yet?" asked no motorcycle rider, ever. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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