Convert 1986 F250 Stock bed to wood Flatbed?

Should I Convert 1986 F250 Stock bed to wood Flatbed?
Is this a good idea?
I wanted to use wood.
Has anyone done this?
Can the load of a 93 Lance Cabover camper (see pictures for truck and camper) still be supported by wood as opposed to an expensive aluminum flatbed?
Is this just another one of my stupid ideas?
Thank you.

Been done already. Do a search for threads by riotwarrior.

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I had a wooden flatbed on an old two ton. It worked, sort of, but it was nowhere near as good as a metal bed.

I agree with Jasper, it's been done before; there are a lot of old trucks that only ever had a full wood flatbed. If I were going to go about doing this, I would end seal all boards with epoxy. Wood is like a straw; so to seal those ends, you can accomplish a lot in regards to stabilizing the bed. I would also epoxy any through bolt holes; as both the aforementioned areas, holes, and cut ends are where you'll get the most rot over time.

As far as the bed itself, I think oiling it, and maintaining a schedule for that, say yearly would be an intelligent move. In regards to strength, and holding up that camper, that's up to how you engineer the bed. I would consider 'burnishing' the support members, then oiling them; heck, if you burnished the sides of it enough, and oiled it, I think it would end up looking painted. I don't think I would paint any of the wood except maybe the edges for appearances.

Also, regarding the materials necessary for your endevour, I'd buy larch/doug fir; I don't think it really matters if it's kiln dried, or green, I think I'd rather have green for the cost savings, as kiln dried isn't going to help. The green will be easier to cut, and work with. Once dry, then you can oil, and seal, or what you choose. As far as fasteners, for structural components, I'd stay 3/8", and larger on bolts, and as far as screw fasteners, I'd go with stainless, or ceramic coated.

Another place you could save money, is instead of using doug fir/larch, for the actual bed, you maybe able to pick up some black cottanwood/poplar, which imho is the best decking material you can get. The would is **** to work with structurally, as it twists, but to nail down right over framing, when green, it'll lay nicely. The best part of the black cottonwood is, that it 'shreds' instead of chipping; so rather than anything heavy chipping it out, it'll 'shred', if that makes sense.

Why not check out the Apitong tropical hardwood used on many flatbed trailers? Yes it is expensive, but it is a durable and well tested product.

Check your state laws. Here anytime you remove a pickup bed the truck becomes a commercial vehicle in the states eyes. Requires IFTA tags,log books,go through scales etc

chris142 said:

Check your state laws. Here anytime you remove a pickup bed the truck becomes a commercial vehicle in the states eyes. Requires IFTA tags,log books,go through scales etc

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Not to hijack the thread, but *** is this about scales and IFTA tags for a flatbed pickup in Cali? Honestly this is the first I have heard of it. I don't pass by any scales ever but I have been running a flatbed for the last 4 years without issue--even bumper kissed someone and the officer who stopped by couldn't have cared less about the situation. I smell some serious bullspit here--this state is just too special sometimes..

MtnHaul said:

Not to hijack the thread, but *** is this about scales and IFTA tags for a flatbed pickup in Cali? Honestly this is the first I have heard of it. I don't pass by any scales ever but I have been running a flatbed for the last 4 years without issue--even bumper kissed someone and the officer who stopped by couldn't have cared less about the situation. I smell some serious bullspit here--this state is just too special sometimes..

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The state says once you remove a pickup bed its no longer a pickup. I was ticketed for this years ago in a 1 ton Chevy with stakes on the sides.

MtnHaul said:

Not to hijack the thread, but *** is this about scales and IFTA tags for a flatbed pickup in Cali? Honestly this is the first I have heard of it. I don't pass by any scales ever but I have been running a flatbed for the last 4 years without issue--even bumper kissed someone and the officer who stopped by couldn't have cared less about the situation. I smell some serious bullspit here--this state is just too special sometimes..

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Yep, @towcat has talked about this.

This is why his Extended-Cab 4x4 Dually he built has a pickup bed. In Kommiefornia it’s just a regular old personal pickup. Pull the pickup box, and replace it with anything but a pickup box, it’s a commercial vehicle that comes with all the perks, just like a Medium Duty or Class 8 truck. Even the newer Super Duty F-450’s with a pickup bed are considered commercial.

I’m used to the Midwest (Indiana). Out here, if it’s not at least an F-650 or bigger, it a regular old pickup truck, with standard pickup plates (11,000 lb). Out here, if you see a dually, it’s just as likely to be a 450 as it is a 350..... doesn’t cost any more to register and no other special rules.......

I've logged considerable miles hauling a slide in truck camper over the years, me personally, I'd stick with a steel or aluminum bed.

Yikes. Didn't realize there was so much red tape over this. Makes me wonder how it works in Canada now...

Anyway, I'm curious why dday wanted to do this? The box on his truck appears to still be in good shape.

In california, all pickups are registered as commercial. Even short bed F150. My F250 is commercial. 8600 GVW. But I have no mandate to go on scales. Towcat knows all the details.

To the question of wood supporting the camper, the answer is: probably. It depends on the wood used and how it is installed. DougFir is the strongest and pretty cheap.

If you decide to go ahead, I am interested in the pickup bed if you do not already have plans for it.

Knuckledragger said:

In california, all pickups are registered as commercial. Even short bed F150. My F250 is commercial. 8600 GVW. But I have no mandate to go on scales. Towcat knows all the details.

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plated commercial pickup is not treated as an actual commercial truck. pickup trucks are exempted from having to enter scales and DOT inspection rules. Not so when you remove the bed. once you remove the bed, DOT rules take over. the "in the past" claims is going to come to a fast end soon. DOT is streamlining their enforcement and will pull you over for a conversation you'd rather not have.
To the OP, stick with the pickup bed. any flatbed will increase the step-up height to your camper and that is not something you will enjoy dealing with too. pickup bed have roughly 2 inches height from the frame to the bed floor. Most flatbeds start at 4 inches and are often at 6 inches.
just something to think about.

towcat said:

To the OP, stick with the pickup bed. any flatbed will increase the step-up height to your camper and that is not something you will enjoy dealing with too. pickup bed have roughly 2 inches height from the frame to the bed floor. Most flatbeds start at 4 inches and are often at 6 inches.
just something to think about.

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What he is talking about is the clearance you need over the rear tires. If you were going to build a true "flat" bed, it needs to be higher so it will clear the rear tires when they go over bumps loaded down with the camper or whatever. Unless you wanted to lower the center of your flatbed and make little wooden humps over the rear tires.