Flat beds are a great addition to any fleet vehicle. They transform your pickup or cargo truck into a super-charged workhorse, but what things do you need to look for when buying a truck flatbed? Semi Service did the work so you don’t have to. Here are the top 5 tips for buying a truck flatbed.
Aluminum Vs. Steel
There’s constant debate about which material is better for a flatbed: aluminum or steel? Semi Service did the research and created a handy little comparison table to help you decide which material works best for your needs:
| Aluminum | Steel | |
| Lighter weight | X | |
| Least likely to rust | X | |
| Greater hauling power | X | |
| Least expensive | X | |
| Low Maintenance | X |
Tapered Corners or Straight Corners
Another important consideration is whether you want tapered corners or straight corners. A straight cornered flatbed is a very common options, but tapered corners will you give you a better turn radius when pulling a trailer. It’s also beneficial when traveling on winding roads or driving on rough terrain.
What type of hitch do you need?
If you’re hauling heavy loads with your vehicle, as opposed to towing, you might want to consider choosing a flatbed with a hitch. Many people choose a gooseneck hitch, which is designed for use with a pickup truck and uses a ball and coupler. Gooseneck hitches are most commonly used with livestock trailers. Another great option is the B&W hitch, which allows you to flip the hitch under your trailer when you’re not using it.
When deciding whether to purchase a flatbed with a skirt, you want to take into consideration trailer aerodynamics. A flatbed skirt is the most effective method for preventing aerodynamic drag. The advantage of a flatbed skirt is that it reduces wind resistance, increases driver safety, and reduces fuel costs.
Additional Features
There are some additional options that you should consider to help make your flatbed decision easier:
- Extra fuel tanks
- Tie downs
- Side rails
- LED lights
- Toolboxes
Contact Semi Service
If you’re interested in upgrading your truck with a flatbed, or would like to learn more about the other services that Semi Service provides, contact us today at either of our two locations in the Salt Lake area or email us at info@semiservice.com.
Salt Lake City
4285 W 1385 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84104
(801) 521-0360
North Salt Lake
330 W Center St
North Salt Lake, UT 84054
(801) 936-4404
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I never thought about how you will have a better turn radius if you have a flatbed truck. My wife and I really like to go camping, so we have a lot of stuff that we put into a trailer for our hunting trips. I will be sure to get a flatbed truck to make our hunting and camping trips better!
We do not have that much winding roads in Durham but we would recommend using the tapered corner flatbed. Yes, I agree with it giving the trailer a wide radius for turning. It is an added comfort especially for the drivers because it calls for easy maneuvering skills.
Good pointers!
I own a towing company, and flatbed is really the most common and secure towing service used. Because of its versatility, it is prone to wear and tear, that is why I'm planning to buy another one soon. I'll be sure to keep in mind all the points you mentioned and discuss everything with the crew! Thanks!
My friend was thinking about buying a truck, and really wanted to get a flatbed to go with it. I really like the sound of the aluminum one because it is more lightweight, and is less likely to rust. Plus, when you are on a budget like he is, you tend to go for the cheaper option.
This is some really helpful information about choosing a flatbed for your truck. I never realized there were so many things to watch for when choosing a flatbed, but it's good to know that there are a lot of options to fit the job you need the bed for. The picture you showed for the flatbed skirt is of a semi trailer, is the skirt something you need to worry about when looking for a bed for a pickup? Or is it only really relevant when the trailer is much longer, like a semi? Thanks so much for writing!
I like your comparison chart between aluminum and steel. Different uses of your truck will require different parts and materials. If you want your truck to be able to haul more, according to your chart, steel is the best option for you. However, it all comes down to what your truck will be used for. Thanks for the article.
Based on this article, I think :I want to go with aluminum. Since it's lighter weight, I think it would mean more gas mileage, along with being less expensive upfront. Saving money is definitely something I want to do!