in louisiana a lot of regular insurances won't cover a flatbed or utility bed you have to go to a commercial insurance company but they found a work around to where they will insure it as non commercial so you don't have to get all the dot numbers or anything
In Ontario Canada if you remove the factory bed. The truck need to have a commercial inspection. Also if you want to tow longer than 45ft, you have to have a tractor(no bed flat or factory)
Not always depending on who built your flat bed my boss has a flat bed with not one tie down point on it But he built it out of free scrap And he doesn't tie anything down anyways He drove around for a month with an excavator bucket on it I drove around the blocket fell off
@@jimalbright5938 (no need to explain that some people just haven't got it together. lol - tie your loads down. (BTW a steel bed can always get anything welded to it as needed - tiedown points, cargo dogs, etc...) )
The math is easy to explain. There is really no such thing as a 3/4 or 1 ton truck these days. The 2500 and 3500 labels used to roughly mean that, but makers have been competitive and customers always want "more" out of their trucks. The real capacity is calculated from GVWR now. Most 2500 class trucks are going to be in the 10,000 lbs GVWR range, and most 3500s are typically upwards of 12,000 lbs. The 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 labels are just legacy now.
I'm not sure about single rear wheel that might be what you're talking about and if you are I apologize but every new "3500/350/1 Ton" truck that I can think of dual rear wheel has a GVWR between 16,000 pounds and 18,000 lb and a GCVWR OF 26,000 lb on the money because Federal regulations state that you cannot go any higher with your rated capacity then 26,000 lb before it becomes a commercial motor vehicle some exemptions apply such as motorhomes/rvs
in truth we call trucks by the wrong weight category. F100, c10, means 1000 lbs F150, C15, 1500 means 1500 lbs. C20 means 2000 lbs ( 1 ton) c25 F250 2500 means 2500 lbs ( 1 and a quarter ton) c30 means 3000 f350 c35, 3500 means 3500 lbs / 1& 3/4 ton C65 means 6500 lbs I left some out but you see the trend This is why the Army called Cuvee as follows blazer which is a c15 , a 3/4 ton and a pickup that was a c25, one and a quarter ton. Most people have not made this connection. But it real. Those are the haul capacity set my the manufacturer. Now don't get me wrong. I hate 6 lug 2500. They lack the braking a "3/4 ton" should have. And why I still call them half tons. Just because you can put 1 and a half ton in a " half ton" that doesn't mean it's a 1 ton and can safety haul it. I'm guilty I've done it. And I've also blown through a stop sign and totaled a car. Because I did it. And didn't have the brake power. If not for the car I put the engine on the fender. I wouldn't of stopped. It just wasn't stopping. too much hill, and too much weight. Add to this I was on the wrong street even. Which I found out when the cops came to write up the accident. lol. I was glad to turn around and go to the correct street. For those wondering. My truck broke part of the pipe bumper and recieved a minor scratch on the side. it was unreal comparing the damage. Now for more Twilight zone. The car driver pulled into the intersection and turned off his car. Refused to move as I laid on the horn. I did not know this until over a year later. He must of told the cops this. So it was demand both parties paid their damage. I was not cited. Even through I told the officer that my brakes didn't stop me and I ran the stop sign. ( BTW for those interested it was a 4 way stop) Very strange. But I learned to never haul more then ones stopping power. oh the truck was a c15 shortbed step side pulling a trailer with a AMC eagle on it. There was more but that was the blunt of weight. going down a steep hill. If I was more experienced a lower gear would have also helped. The man driving the car died 2 years after. No injuries in accident noted. His insurance paid for his car. Mine wanted me to get a new bumper and paint. I welded the pipe back on and spray painted the damage.
@@bags4930 don't forget the commercial limits as well. Technically speaking you can't pull more than 10,000lbs on a trailer without a cdl. It's very easy to go over the 10k and still be under 26.
Honestly you make some good points I love bolth looks and bolth have there place but it's hard to beat a flatbed if you need to haul stuff on the bed get taller racks lmao and there's so much customization with a flatbed for the owners use and application
Great explanation. You got to give some style points to the flat bed trucks on the comparison!! A question I was thinking about before this video is a lot of guys here in North Carolina will run the service beds to do all of their fuel hauling and normal stuff I see you do with your non 5500 trucks have you kicked the idea of one of those around ever?
Backup view: I recommend a Garmin portable GPS paired with a Garmin wireless backup camera double-sided taped onto a magnet. Place it just over the hitch and get it right first time every time. Move it between every vehicle. I use one daily.
Regular beds have their advantages though. You don’t have to tie absolutely everything down. Especially for people that don’t really tow much. Plus regular beds can provide more protection to some extent especially when hauling things that are fragile. It’s completely up to what the owner uses the truck for.
We have a small fleet of trucks here on the farm and each one is built ( I build them myself ) with a specific job set intended. Our dually, flatbed because she's meant for towing the stock trailer, dump, and flat trailers, she's the tow pig. Then we have a couple short beds, one is our short run truck, if we run out to get a small load of feed, groceries, auto parts, the general smaller load items, this is the one we use, although wifey cut a gate to short and destroyed the bed, so when I get around to it, it will get a flatbed paired with removable rails... Then our other shortbed is kinda the toy, it's the one we play with, the hot rod. It doesn't really fit it's role because our kids are older and it's the 3rd gen 4 door so the back seat is a bit small, considering how I have it set up as my general day to day working rig that doesn't leave much room back there for them. Once I get the durilac project finished, this truck will be my daily work horse and the back seat will be loaded with my work gear for around the farm, spare roll of fence wire and tools, my rifle, mini welder, bucket of chains, basically the items I use every day but can't leave in the bed. Every truck is different because every one is intended to do a different set of jobs.
Its all based on GVW, defined at time of manufacture, and displayed inside the door pillar. If you buy a truck with 10000 lbs GVW, and the cab and chassis wieghts 7500 lbs, and you install a nice steel work box/deck on it, that wieghs 1000lbs, you can legally haul 1500lbs
I know someone who lives in this county where code enforcement will fine you 500 dollars if you put a flat bed on your pickup. We cut a standard bed and made it go over a flat bed. The sides and tailgate can be removed and the flatbed is usable.
Depends on what state you’re in, and if you have your truck in your personal name and not in your business name. You can pull a trailer or put a flatbed on it and never get stopped by DOT. Unless they see you with a flatbed and you do not have your safety chains hooked up.
In MI if was registered as pickup it remains a pickup. Had a county mounty ticket me for that. Because the sign said no trucks. The judge agreed with me. The title said pick up. But if it has those amber running lights running lights on top of the cab. You need a chauffeur or Class B if you are employed and driving. That is a truck in MI. Pickup bed or not. Still a private owner using for non commercial use it is a pickup. Won't work with a f-450 or equivalent that way.
CA CHP is hit or miss. Most are cool and know that I’m not a commercial hauler with my 25 year old dodge dually, but some like to hassle me due to the flatbed
@@warrenpuckett4203 interesting, as some half and three quarter ton trucks came with clearance lights from the factory and in the eighties, some of us installed them for the cool factor on short bed half tons also.
I have a 2500 '22 flatbed for my business, love that truck, have no problem with it ! Thanks for the video. I think the same way about the flatbed also. Don't know if I'll go back to a box again.
The laws you site are different in every state. The Fed DOT does have ton rules regarding the use of vehicles use in a commercial use, but personal use falls under states. Your right about weight of the vehicle, but a new F350 Dually bed is Aluminum so it only weighs less than 200 lbs. If your pulling a long trailer, it's length can become an issue. A bed means 65ft is the limit I'm most states and 55ft in CA, NY and a few others. Flatbed are still considered a pick up not a power until. If you remove the bed and don't add the flatbed, it's a power unit and length laws go away. I am With you on the flatbed, I love them.
I've been running around all over the central valley with 2nd gen flatbeds and my class 4 ford with an IMT crane body and I've only been stopped by dot once fortunately
In Texas, I registered my f-550 with a flatbed as my personal vehicle, with gvwr of 18000 lbs. normal pickup plates, insurance went through progressive commercial side but notated as “ personal use only “
I do the same in Utah. I have a 550,450,350 and 2 dodge 3500s. We have very little DOT issues. They recommend I get magnetic sign with name on it. So if moving skid steer to job then I'm legal.
@@reidcrosby6241 they have to prove that you are transporting the load for hire, ie money. As long as you receive no compensation for it, is considered personal use
Thank you fore explaining more reasons why have a 2500 with single wheel vs 3500 with duals. It annoys me when a 2500 can do the same as 3500 single wheel with just 2 less leaf springs. Fords, or Dodge Rams I see over Chevy’s especially with long beds.
When I was shopping 11 years ago, SD Truck Springs had 37 spring packs that fit my 07.5 2500 Megacab. I put on some soft springs and Helwig airbags, adjustability for ride and load. My dear departed wife had different desires for ride from hour to hour. No problem with in cab high flow regulator. Gen 3 trucks had all but the rear spring pack the same for 2500 or 3500. So spring it up any way you want.
We're just a bit south of you guys in placerville, I played the back and forth whether I would just put flares on or not when I dually swapped but ended up getting a flatbed with a lift gate for less than it would cost to get the mega cab flares and paint them. So I guess outlaw life it is since the truck is 9k empty and rated for 9900 like yours is. Also, is you still have the simulators from the wheels you originally put on your 3rd gen dually swap, I'd be interested in them.
Have a 08 dodge 5500 with a 12 ft flatbed on it never even bothered by law enforcement with. Even at cattle actions at stockyards with a livestock trailer on it and the state boys wanting to check every ones fuel tanks 😁 my old 2500 gmc with the gas 6.0 state boy checked that fuel tank 😅 for off road fuel said the fuel smelled funny told him really cause its gasoline never seen a deisel with spark plugs regards form wisconsin
I agree with everything you said. Especially backing up do what it takes. One thing I would like to add is I added a flat bed to single wheel 3/4 . I ended up adding aftermarket husky 3300 lb per side leaf springs to make up for added flat bed weight. My oem springs were originally rated for 2025 lbs per side. Now my truck handles the weight and trailers better than it did stock with stock bed as a surprise benefit it now rides better than stock. My truck weighs 8200 lbs prior to new leaves. If changing leaves I got 7+1 packs to replace the 4+1 originals . More leaves equal better ride quality .
In California that doesn't matter though. Your truck is rated for the door sticker or registration weight, whichever is lower. Helpers don't count towards your total weight, just make the truck carry better.
@@rennen71 in Texas I can get the weight limit increased but I am not I just wanted a safer better tow rig. That’s what I was wanting to share. I have also changed to 4.56 gears due to larger tires and upgraded brakes also.
It only makes sense if you never haul loose loads or things you want locked down. I run a folding hard cover that locks, so I can put stuff in the back of the truck and still run errands. A flatbed would be pretty useful to me in some cases, but not in all cases. There are more downsides to a flatbed than there are to a standard bed.
When you tow a camper with a squared flat bed you have to worry about the corners of the bed hitting the camper (learned the hard and ripped the front doors off my fifth wheel) not a problem if the corners of the bed are bobbed like most modern flatbeds just an FYI.
I'd consider converting an old truck into a camper truck for the purpose of having a place to sleep with a bit more comfort and modern features while also being an office. I have a 99 F150 XLT and I registered it for the minimum of 6k lbs. I want to add a camper but not one already assembled. I want to build one, which will be lighter, but it has to do something specific. It has to compress to a canopy flush with the top and expand to a camper. But I want to go beyond. I want to add batteries, outlets, technology, something to be both an office and comfortable when camping. I learned the hard way trying to sleep in the extended cab. I'm 5'7" and the truck is less than 5' wide inside.
I did not know all this about flat beds I got a 92 7.3 idi single cab 350 flat bed dually swapped for looks they used a wheel spacer to bolt the dually rims on it stock single wheel set up and rims in front. And yeah I look out the back window mirrors and look out the door sometimes when backing up cut grass for a living so I know all about running over irrigation heads 😂
What he also forgot to say or didn't know at the time. California conciders all p/u a "commercial" vehicles. If I remember correctly on both my dads 99' f-150 and my 86" f-250 on the title or "pink" slip it's labeled as a commercial vehicle, even though they never were used for business purposes. Probably just another way to get more money out of the tax payer w/o them knowing. For example my 86' f-250 registration cost me almost $300 every year, now that I live on Oklahoma it only cost me around $35.
You'd have to be pretty stupid to license anything in Commifornia. If you're a business just have your corporate office in Montana and license everything there. You can also get permanent registration in Montana.
I just moved from California with my 2006 c4500 and my dodge ram 1500, both states required me to register both those vehicles as commercial. My 4500 has an rv hauler bed, (flat bed) and the 1500 has a standard bed. I dont haul commercial, but use my 4500 to haul my 31ft fifth wheel. My 4500 has a gvwr of 17500 and gcvwr of 26,000. In California I had to declare a max weight for registration purposes and mine was 260000lbs. They charge more for more sticker weight. In Arizona I didnt have declare the max weight at all. My 4500 scales in at 11000lbs.
I've got a Ford E-350 SRW van with a handi-cap lift in the mid passenger door. When I take trash to the dump, (4 bags of cat litter and two bags of household trash, the van crosses the scales at 8800 pounds. The vehicle weight that the DMV uses for empty weight is 3700 pounds. Where the 5,100 pounds came from I haven't a clue, (there's no way the lift weighs 3,000 pounds much less 5100) but she's a heavy girl
I used to regularly put 2k pounds sometimes more on my 86 2wd 4 cylinder 4 speed manual Toyota, as I recall it was rated for 1600 pounds. You could feel it bounce off the axel when you hit a bump but as long as you kept it at the speed limit it climbed hills and stopped on the way down just fine.
Hey Sam listening to what you said about different bed could you reduce the height of the side's of the standard bed if you were using a 5th wheel for a camper and be without any issues or would there still be some issues? I know it would be a lot of work to do I'm just interested and what you said was easy to understand even for a guy from England
I dive an 18 wheeler for a living. I tell everyone USE WHAT YOU HAVE. I'm a fairly young guy (28) so the age cockyness is no excuse. It takes one slipup to learn.
I had an identical truck to your fuel mule. Took a load of shingles to the landfill in the box (can't do that with a flatbed. Lol). It scaled 9700lbs loaded and 7200lbs empty. I was amazed how heavy it was empty! I think the flat bed or stock bed each have there place, all depends on the majority of what it will be used for. It would be nice to have a choice of trucks like in your fleet. 😉
You can get stake pocket sides for a flat bed. They even make tool box sides that work and lock into stake pockets. You can have a bed that's 8x8 installed of 5x8 and you can even get a dump kit so you don't have to hand unload it.
- in Australia nearly all flatbeds come from the factory (or custom builder) with hinged sides, they are easy to take off, but define a ~1ft deep tub when up. - additional gates etc are available per use case, no limits to what can be done, just take care as it is easy to load in excess of GVM.
Flat beds you also can't run a fifth wheel as the bottom of the bed sits (atleast on my cm bed on my 2500hd) 6in taller I would have had to do a gooseneck retro fit on the camper
I have a 99 2500 Dodge Cummins truck. If anything more happens to it, I will maybe flatbed it. So far a Bobcat skid steer t-bone behind the cab and a small tree collision were both fixable via hydraulic jack and blocking. My kid had a Toyota with a flatbed for a while. Easy access on and off were about it. Hauling firewood took making tall side racks same if was bed. He preferred a stock bed after having to ratchet strap every thing on it even with the side boards a foot high. Best thing was when I used a line machine to load a whole bull moose he killed. Flatbed worked great that day! Kinda depends on where one lives. I'm content with my state even with the influx of tourists that never leave until after a good winter.
Like Brother john say below, depends on the state. In my state a truck up to a full class 6 26,001 GVW, meaning non-CDL could be run without any DOT BS as long as It did not have a business name on it and was not "Used in the pursuance of a business". So if I was ever stopped just tell the cop I was moving my own property, which technically I was since I was delivering new farm equipment that I owned until final payment COD. I drove a 24' 25,000lb F700 ramp truck that way for 15 years.
I've never had a DOT problem with my flatbed and thats in 5 states. The ONLY time I've had DOT pull over a pick up I was in. It was a 1968 F250 fleetside pulling a small trailer. Personally I think they were bored, as they were on their way to a DOT convention. They measured the width of the trailer I was pulling. Because they though it was too wide. The axle was off a mobile home. And I had made a car dolly out of it. Well part of it broke. The part the wheels go on. I was pulling it to my families property when they pulled me over. Now take in mind. it broke in Arizonia and when they pulled me over it was in east Missouri and 30 miles from the property I was going to. 1500 miles mostly interstate. And I get pulled over on a state hwy by a group of DOT in a van going to a DOT convention about 80 miles away Oh yeah the law reads the width has to be under 96 inches. It was 90 inches across. And they held me up for 45 minutes. As they smoked and walked around.
I'll say it again, I don't know how you can live there. Also, do you have a well on your property? If so, explain what's coming to your viewers. Thanks again for the awesome content you put out
Neither of them will care with that toy hauler. 5500 will just have insanely more clearance and have to go through scales, because reasons, at least while in CA
Chp hassles me for blowing scales in my PICKUP, that I happened to put a flatbed on the back of. It’s a 98 dodge 3500. I literally point at the door badge and that usually settles
you pointed out the reason why they do what they do on flatbeds... it's all about money, money from tickets, money from licenses, money from insurance, money from converting... need more be said.... THEY know a flatbed has many advantages over a normal truck bed... and THEY know money can be made because of it.... keep truckin man....
Just below Sacramento. I ran a flatbed on my 01 f350 dually for 2yrs. Only issue I ever had was passing the Cordelia scales but everyone has issues with that place.
I never stop but we got stopped right after cordiela from a dot truck. Told us that we have to stop at scales with a modified bed. Didn't tell us we had to have the credentials though, which I thought was weird. Dot office in Sacramento told me to just avoid that scale haha.
@Rene' D when you put a flat bed on your pick up it turns it into a “motor truck” or some other terminology the dmv uses. Pickups only refer to factor bed trucks.
@@ryantanaka1433 weird, I want to flatbed my 95 dually but I really don’t want to be hassled with dmv or get the weight stickers for my truck. I wonder if they would leave me alone because it’s so old lol
Honestly, I drove my 01 DRW with the flatbed for 2yrs and passed plenty of scales with it loaded down and never had an issue. I probably passed Cordelia 30 times without an issue. I definitely wouldn't do it to my 19 F450.
Here's the problem once you let the DOT in they own you. Keep a log book, fill it out every day for the rest of your life and only work 11 hours a day. I've got a 550,450,350 and 2 dodge 3500 all are in my personal name, none have company name on door. I drive right by scales and never stop. The sign says commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs. I'm not commercial, I'm a guy who likes to own flatbed. They recommend to me to get magnet signs and when moving a mini ex or skid to a job then put them on. That was good advice from a lieutenant in Utah highway patrol.
My uncle’s out early in the morning. Pulled over. Checking his big macho fuel tank . And he’s a bizz. And my illegal load. With regular. Bed. No tabs on trailer. Goes right threw at noon. Lol it pisses him off. But I’m busy till 9 pm. Lol
A Flatbed does NOT automatically make a Commercial Vehicle. It is a replacement Bed where the Truck GVWR nor the GCWR are Unchanged. DOT can demand all they wish but the law reads based on the above ratings.
Wasn’t there also something about the side rails on flat beds? If it’s removable your a “commercial flatbed” and that’s why most companies started hinging the rails.
I have a 2017 titan xd regular cab that I want to build a flatbed for so I can haul my Street Glide, my brother’s Street 750 and our 21ft camper all at the same time. My tow capacity is around 12k and everything together (both bikes and camper) would be way under 12k so the truck will be able to haul everything easily
Location, location, location. In the Midwest there is no problem with flatbeds. Put farm tags on it ( in Kansas) and no problems with weight restrictions or dot.
I have three-quarter ton and 3500 Dooley with a flatbed live in Illinois. 3500 needs annual inspection. Three-quarter ton does not unless you are pulling trailer that requires inspection. As long as you’re not for hire. Neither truck needs a DOT numbers or company name. Insurance stays the same. Your insurance will change of course if you are using your trucks for a business. That’s a whole different situation.
Been running flatbed 4x4 duallies here in Florida for years as a daily driver, never had a problem with the DOT. Have had a problem with the zoning dept. for having a commercial vehicle in the neiborhood (yes you can have a dually pickup but not a flatbed because they deem that a commercial vehicle even though it's a daily driver not commercially used) other than that no problem. I like the flatbeds cause you can just throw stuff on it with out beating it up, a little spray paint and she is new again. Now I do have a A license But have never been targeted by the DOT for not having a business name or numbers. And as you said add that fuel tank even on a pickup bed you are opening up whole can of worms in another direction especially if you have red fuel in it, couple friends of mine have experienced having their fuel dipped in the truck to make sure they were not running non road taxed fuel in the truck.
You must have a Karen complaining. I got cited last week for too many trailers on my acre property. 2 have state issued tags, 2 have FARM TAGS. Can't legally tarp or car cover them, only inside a garage.
@@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006 I'm about to become "THAT" guy and FOIA the registration all boats and trailers registered in my county. Pictures of boats sitting under covers or tarps, then complain like a DAREN. I know I'll get to the right person in quick succession. The thing is that I applied for a permit to build my shop and they pulled up an aerial photo of the property and clearly saw the trailers. What changed, or who complained?
I feel for you brother In my county about 20 years ago they started issuing permits from the county to keep certain size boats RVs and trailers in a residential area Go figure. Then if they were to big you could put em' in the back yard behind a privacy fence as long as they didn't stick up to high where someone could see em'.
Do it right- get an F550 or 5500 class truck if you work with it. DOT numbers aren't a big deal to have, and you'll get way more use out of the truck. I went with the 550 chassis just so I don't have to worry about running out of capacity for a job. If you're in a wreck and they scale your rig as being overweight your insurance is gone.
You need dot numbers for 10k plus, regardless of the flat bed. I went through the insurance issue when registering mine for a business I was forming. 6k-18k a year depending on what I did with it.
The fact that DOT bothers you guys so much over there is sad. Here in KY they don't mess with anything that doesnt have numbers or looks sketchy as all getout.
thanks for the vid! we're the frog in the boiling pot, we need to fight these laws or we will be towing bike carts with rivian trucks before u know it!
In Texas under 26,001 lbs truck trailer and load no DOT. Truck and trailer data plates , and license registration cannot be rated for more than 26,001. Intrastate only, crossing state line weight drops to 10,001
Wait really? So I can't legally haul my Jeeps from Texas to Moab without getting a stupid Class A license?? Trailer is rated for 14k, with two Jeeps on it the total weight of the trailer would be 12-13k, truck is probably 7k by itself... maybe more.
I like a flatbed for hauling a fifth wheel camper you can see so much better than having one with a bed then you got to put the tailgate down put the tailgate back up hook everything back up wire wise and everything else then it's a big pain in the ass
I talked to the dot cop here in ri and asked about trucks and he said under 10 they can't touch over 10 can only deal with if for hire but of you for say have a 550 lettered up and numbered and you take it on vacation you are not under regulation and don't have to stop at scales you might get stopped and asked but they can't do anything
Took my f250 to the scale the other day and found out I only have 700lbs of extra weight to add. I only have a ranch hand front and rear bumper, winch, plastic bedliner and a camper shell.
@@reidcrosby6241 hope you don’t have it in the shop when your inspection mechanic is getting audited. He will get fined if his sticker is in the window.
The reality is dot needs to bump up its weight limits. Half ton pickups nowadays are rated to tow high enough a cdl is technically required. Now granted you are not going to get stopped for it but it's insane how much better trucks are today than when cdls became a thing. And the fact they require them for driving a pickup is beyond insane.
I have gone flat beds on everything. So much more useful overall. I have one truck with a factory bed and a topper cap though that is used for a purpose. As a contractor once I went with a flat bed I'll never go back to a factory box. Unless I find a sweet deal on a truck that has one but it will be converted at some point.
I have a 2004 chevy trailblazer. They harass me every time i renew the plates. They repeatedly ask if its being used for business.... I hate repeating myself. The third time i have to say no I'm pretty hot by that point. I noticed on the registration it says UT instead of SUV. I hate the government....😡
No different than being able to buy a 3500 and pull a 15k 5th wheel without a CDL, but that same 3500 with a 15k tilt deck requires one (even if you aren't for hire). As with 99% of government regulations, they make no sense. They've also made getting a CDL a complete PITA for anyone not trying to get a job driving trucks.
Legally you are required to have a “non-commercial” class A license to pull the camper. The PA creeper cops went to a special class on campers and motorhomes.
I would love to talk to you about this one day I used a friends dodge 4500 hundred to pull my KX 057-4 to my cabin you go from 3500 feet to 7200 feet in 14 miles top speed around 25 miles a hour because the road is so windy it never got hot 218 was as hot as it got do you thank the 3500 would do the same thing
The difference between the two is that the 4500 has a heavier frame and a de-rated engine so it'll last longer. The 450,000 isn't a real truck though. 🤪
It has to do with the combined GVRW. Any combination over 26000 lbs requires DOT numbers. So a 1 ton dually has a GVRW around 13k only leaving a maximum 13k trailer GVRW. You can drive any combination under that 26K. Just a truck that has a GVRW of 26000 lbs it doesn't need a CDL or non-CDL class A or B depending on the class of vehicle.
Federal requires USDOT for 10,001lbs AND engaged in interstate commerce. Most states require intrastate commercial vehicles to obtain a US DOT number over 10,001lbs
Legally you should be able to flatbed any short or long bed truck in California without needing DOT numbers and weight stickers as long as the “flatbed” has sides. This is why a lot of flatbed manufactures started just attaching sides to their beds that fold down. The GVWR has to be over 11,500 pounds and have a bed over 9 feet long. Some CA DOT cops don’t understand this and think any truck with a flatbed has to have stickers. There is more to it but this is the basics. You shouldn’t have an issue flat-bedding your 2500 or 3500 single rear wheel truck and be legal. Pickup (CVC §471)-A pickup is a motor truck with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and equipped with an open box-type bed less than nine feet in length. California Code of Regulations, Title 13 §150.04 further defines pickup trucks:
Yup that’s pretty much what I said. 2500 and 3500 single wheel units can flat bed without a problem. All duallies are rated more than your giving number and would need to possibly add dot stickers and all that mess
@@VBELTandSON it’s absolutely ridiculous. But now according to CHP Motor Carrier unit ANY combo with a GVWR over 10k used “commercial” needs DOT and CA numbers. So literally every landscaper with a 1/2 ton truck and until it’s trailer and up.
Only in California can you find such BS. Any where else it’s still just a truck. Unless you’re actually using it as a commercial vehicle.
The way it should be
In California a good Beer farts are illegal! FJB
in louisiana a lot of regular insurances won't cover a flatbed or utility bed you have to go to a commercial insurance company but they found a work around to where they will insure it as non commercial so you don't have to get all the dot numbers or anything
I too was thinking along the same lines when I left my comment lol. Then I read yours like "I'll be damned I'm not alone".
In Ontario Canada if you remove the factory bed. The truck need to have a commercial inspection. Also if you want to tow longer than 45ft, you have to have a tractor(no bed flat or factory)
You are correct! Flatbeds are user friendly...very adaptable...easier to load and off load...plus more options for tying down a load...
Not always depending on who built your flat bed my boss has a flat bed with not one tie down point on it But he built it out of free scrap And he doesn't tie anything down anyways He drove around for a month with an excavator bucket on it I drove around the blocket fell off
@@jimalbright5938 (no need to explain that some people just haven't got it together. lol - tie your loads down. (BTW a steel bed can always get anything welded to it as needed - tiedown points, cargo dogs, etc...) )
The math is easy to explain. There is really no such thing as a 3/4 or 1 ton truck these days. The 2500 and 3500 labels used to roughly mean that, but makers have been competitive and customers always want "more" out of their trucks. The real capacity is calculated from GVWR now. Most 2500 class trucks are going to be in the 10,000 lbs GVWR range, and most 3500s are typically upwards of 12,000 lbs. The 2500 / 3500 / 4500 / 5500 labels are just legacy now.
I'm not sure about single rear wheel that might be what you're talking about and if you are I apologize but every new "3500/350/1 Ton" truck that I can think of dual rear wheel has a GVWR between 16,000 pounds and 18,000 lb and a GCVWR OF 26,000 lb on the money because Federal regulations state that you cannot go any higher with your rated capacity then 26,000 lb before it becomes a commercial motor vehicle some exemptions apply such as motorhomes/rvs
@@DAR10162 Exactly. Once you hit 26,001 you are CDL. At least in my state and most around me.
@@bags4930 it's a federal ruling not a state level thing
in truth we call trucks by the wrong weight category.
F100, c10, means 1000 lbs
F150, C15, 1500 means 1500 lbs.
C20 means 2000 lbs ( 1 ton)
c25 F250 2500 means 2500 lbs ( 1 and a quarter ton)
c30 means 3000
f350 c35, 3500 means 3500 lbs / 1& 3/4 ton
C65 means 6500 lbs
I left some out but you see the trend
This is why the Army called Cuvee as follows
blazer which is a c15 , a 3/4 ton
and a pickup that was a c25, one and a quarter ton.
Most people have not made this connection.
But it real.
Those are the haul capacity set my the manufacturer.
Now don't get me wrong. I hate 6 lug 2500. They lack the braking a "3/4 ton" should have. And why I still call them half tons.
Just because you can put 1 and a half ton in a " half ton" that doesn't mean it's a 1 ton and can safety haul it.
I'm guilty I've done it. And I've also blown through a stop sign and totaled a car. Because I did it. And didn't have the brake power.
If not for the car I put the engine on the fender. I wouldn't of stopped.
It just wasn't stopping. too much hill, and too much weight.
Add to this I was on the wrong street even. Which I found out when the cops came to write up the accident.
lol. I was glad to turn around and go to the correct street.
For those wondering. My truck broke part of the pipe bumper and recieved a minor scratch on the side.
it was unreal comparing the damage.
Now for more Twilight zone.
The car driver pulled into the intersection and turned off his car. Refused to move as I laid on the horn.
I did not know this until over a year later.
He must of told the cops this.
So it was demand both parties paid their damage.
I was not cited. Even through I told the officer that my brakes didn't stop me and I ran the stop sign. ( BTW for those interested it was a 4 way stop)
Very strange. But I learned to never haul more then ones stopping power.
oh the truck was a c15 shortbed step side pulling a trailer with a AMC eagle on it. There was more but that was the blunt of weight. going down a steep hill.
If I was more experienced a lower gear would have also helped.
The man driving the car died 2 years after. No injuries in accident noted.
His insurance paid for his car.
Mine wanted me to get a new bumper and paint. I welded the pipe back on and spray painted the damage.
@@bags4930 don't forget the commercial limits as well. Technically speaking you can't pull more than 10,000lbs on a trailer without a cdl. It's very easy to go over the 10k and still be under 26.
All great points. For whatever reason I just love the way a normal pickup bed looks vs a flatbed, despite its usability shortcomings.
1st gen Cummins really was a beauty of a truck I too am torn on taking the bed off.
The functionality of the flatbed makes it attractive imo
Honestly you make some good points I love bolth looks and bolth have there place but it's hard to beat a flatbed if you need to haul stuff on the bed get taller racks lmao and there's so much customization with a flatbed for the owners use and application
Great explanation. You got to give some style points to the flat bed trucks on the comparison!! A question I was thinking about before this video is a lot of guys here in North Carolina will run the service beds to do all of their fuel hauling and normal stuff I see you do with your non 5500 trucks have you kicked the idea of one of those around ever?
Backup view: I recommend a Garmin portable GPS paired with a Garmin wireless backup camera double-sided taped onto a magnet. Place it just over the hitch and get it right first time every time. Move it between every vehicle. I use one daily.
Send a link thanks
Regular beds have their advantages though. You don’t have to tie absolutely everything down. Especially for people that don’t really tow much. Plus regular beds can provide more protection to some extent especially when hauling things that are fragile. It’s completely up to what the owner uses the truck for.
We have a small fleet of trucks here on the farm and each one is built ( I build them myself ) with a specific job set intended. Our dually, flatbed because she's meant for towing the stock trailer, dump, and flat trailers, she's the tow pig. Then we have a couple short beds, one is our short run truck, if we run out to get a small load of feed, groceries, auto parts, the general smaller load items, this is the one we use, although wifey cut a gate to short and destroyed the bed, so when I get around to it, it will get a flatbed paired with removable rails... Then our other shortbed is kinda the toy, it's the one we play with, the hot rod. It doesn't really fit it's role because our kids are older and it's the 3rd gen 4 door so the back seat is a bit small, considering how I have it set up as my general day to day working rig that doesn't leave much room back there for them. Once I get the durilac project finished, this truck will be my daily work horse and the back seat will be loaded with my work gear for around the farm, spare roll of fence wire and tools, my rifle, mini welder, bucket of chains, basically the items I use every day but can't leave in the bed.
Every truck is different because every one is intended to do a different set of jobs.
Nice video! Can certainly see the appeal with the flatbeds. Good lookin rigs!
Its all based on GVW, defined at time of manufacture, and displayed inside the door pillar. If you buy a truck with 10000 lbs GVW, and the cab and chassis wieghts 7500 lbs, and you install a nice steel work box/deck on it, that wieghs 1000lbs, you can legally haul 1500lbs
Love the truck videos! keep up the work!!
I know someone who lives in this county where code enforcement will fine you 500 dollars if you put a flat bed on your pickup. We cut a standard bed and made it go over a flat bed. The sides and tailgate can be removed and the flatbed is usable.
Where are you from?
Depends on what state you’re in, and if you have your truck in your personal name and not in your business name. You can pull a trailer or put a flatbed on it and never get stopped by DOT. Unless they see you with a flatbed and you do not have your safety chains hooked up.
DOT can stop anyone
In MI if was registered as pickup it remains a pickup. Had a county mounty ticket me for that. Because the sign said no trucks.
The judge agreed with me. The title said pick up.
But if it has those amber running lights running lights on top of the cab.
You need a chauffeur or Class B if you are employed and driving. That is a truck in MI. Pickup bed or not.
Still a private owner using for non commercial use it is a pickup. Won't work with a f-450 or equivalent that way.
@@warrenpuckett4203 I have heard that some of the northern laws are kind of silly. That sucks!
CA CHP is hit or miss. Most are cool and know that I’m not a commercial hauler with my 25 year old dodge dually, but some like to hassle me due to the flatbed
@@warrenpuckett4203 interesting, as some half and three quarter ton trucks came with clearance lights from the factory and in the eighties, some of us installed them for the cool factor on short bed half tons also.
Really depends on what state your in, many states you can legally make homemade flatbeds entirely out of wood.
I have a 2500 '22 flatbed for my business, love that truck, have no problem with it ! Thanks for the video. I think the same way about the flatbed also. Don't know if I'll go back to a box again.
I love having the second guy for spotting thank you for saying that bro 😊
This is why I've kept my Class A active even though I'm not a truck driver anymore,
Thanks Sam. I do LOVE ALL THIS.
GOD BLESS YOU...
The laws you site are different in every state. The Fed DOT does have ton rules regarding the use of vehicles use in a commercial use, but personal use falls under states. Your right about weight of the vehicle, but a new F350 Dually bed is Aluminum so it only weighs less than 200 lbs. If your pulling a long trailer, it's length can become an issue. A bed means 65ft is the limit I'm most states and 55ft in CA, NY and a few others. Flatbed are still considered a pick up not a power until. If you remove the bed and don't add the flatbed, it's a power unit and length laws go away. I am With you on the flatbed, I love them.
I've been running around all over the central valley with 2nd gen flatbeds and my class 4 ford with an IMT crane body and I've only been stopped by dot once fortunately
Thanks👍...i got an f250 superduty and just bought a cm flatbed to put on it...i cant wait ...
In Texas, I registered my f-550 with a flatbed as my personal vehicle, with gvwr of 18000 lbs. normal pickup plates, insurance went through progressive commercial side but notated as “ personal use only “
I do the same in Utah. I have a 550,450,350 and 2 dodge 3500s. We have very little DOT issues. They recommend I get magnetic sign with name on it. So if moving skid steer to job then I'm legal.
Everyone runs 4500 & 5500s with flatbeds in Texas for personal trucks. Gotta love our state!
Just be careful, if you are in an accident and they can in ANY way determine it was NOT a personal load then your cooked.
@@reidcrosby6241 they have to prove that you are transporting the load for hire, ie money. As long as you receive no compensation for it, is considered personal use
@@robertlong6642 Ah yes another sea lawyer...Never waste money on a real lawyer...
Thank you fore explaining more reasons why have a 2500 with single wheel vs 3500 with duals. It annoys me when a 2500 can do the same as 3500 single wheel with just 2 less leaf springs. Fords, or Dodge Rams I see over Chevy’s especially with long beds.
When I was shopping 11 years ago, SD Truck Springs had 37 spring packs that fit my 07.5 2500 Megacab. I put on some soft springs and Helwig airbags, adjustability for ride and load. My dear departed wife had different desires for ride from hour to hour. No problem with in cab high flow regulator.
Gen 3 trucks had all but the rear spring pack the same for 2500 or 3500. So spring it up any way you want.
Flatbed everything for the win😎 I’m in the same boat as you with having too many trucks but I like having the variety to fit bill every different day.
That’s how’s it’s done haha
@@VBELTandSON 10/4 haha
We're just a bit south of you guys in placerville, I played the back and forth whether I would just put flares on or not when I dually swapped but ended up getting a flatbed with a lift gate for less than it would cost to get the mega cab flares and paint them. So I guess outlaw life it is since the truck is 9k empty and rated for 9900 like yours is.
Also, is you still have the simulators from the wheels you originally put on your 3rd gen dually swap, I'd be interested in them.
Great information, thanks for sharing Sam 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻🇺🇸
Have a 08 dodge 5500 with a 12 ft flatbed on it never even bothered by law enforcement with. Even at cattle actions at stockyards with a livestock trailer on it and the state boys wanting to check every ones fuel tanks 😁 my old 2500 gmc with the gas 6.0 state boy checked that fuel tank 😅 for off road fuel said the fuel smelled funny told him really cause its gasoline never seen a deisel with spark plugs regards form wisconsin
Hahahah that’s awesome
Don't Detroits have spark plugs?
agreed, factory boxes are pretty much worse for any situation
Beds with exterior stake pockets with rub rails are better beds for a variety of tie downs . Sideboards give a lot of extra hauling advantage .
This rig has built in stake pockets. Is that good?
Nice thought process 👍
I agree with everything you said. Especially backing up do what it takes. One thing I would like to add is I added a flat bed to single wheel 3/4 . I ended up adding aftermarket husky 3300 lb per side leaf springs to make up for added flat bed weight. My oem springs were originally rated for 2025 lbs per side. Now my truck handles the weight and trailers better than it did stock with stock bed as a surprise benefit it now rides better than stock. My truck weighs 8200 lbs prior to new leaves. If changing leaves I got 7+1 packs to replace the 4+1 originals . More leaves equal better ride quality .
In California that doesn't matter though. Your truck is rated for the door sticker or registration weight, whichever is lower. Helpers don't count towards your total weight, just make the truck carry better.
@@rennen71 in Texas I can get the weight limit increased but I am not I just wanted a safer better tow rig. That’s what I was wanting to share. I have also changed to 4.56 gears due to larger tires and upgraded brakes also.
my 65 elcamino 230 3 on tree manual all regularly hauled 1600lb with no issues
when you go flatbed you never go back🤣
Thank you clarifying the flat bed/truck bed issue. Now since my original truck bed was destroyed, should I risk putting at flat bed as a replacement?
Flatbed everything!!
It only makes sense if you never haul loose loads or things you want locked down. I run a folding hard cover that locks, so I can put stuff in the back of the truck and still run errands. A flatbed would be pretty useful to me in some cases, but not in all cases. There are more downsides to a flatbed than there are to a standard bed.
When you tow a camper with a squared flat bed you have to worry about the corners of the bed hitting the camper (learned the hard and ripped the front doors off my fifth wheel) not a problem if the corners of the bed are bobbed like most modern flatbeds just an FYI.
Ouch not good
I'd consider converting an old truck into a camper truck for the purpose of having a place to sleep with a bit more comfort and modern features while also being an office. I have a 99 F150 XLT and I registered it for the minimum of 6k lbs. I want to add a camper but not one already assembled. I want to build one, which will be lighter, but it has to do something specific. It has to compress to a canopy flush with the top and expand to a camper. But I want to go beyond. I want to add batteries, outlets, technology, something to be both an office and comfortable when camping. I learned the hard way trying to sleep in the extended cab. I'm 5'7" and the truck is less than 5' wide inside.
I did not know all this about flat beds I got a 92 7.3 idi single cab 350 flat bed dually swapped for looks they used a wheel spacer to bolt the dually rims on it stock single wheel set up and rims in front. And yeah I look out the back window mirrors and look out the door sometimes when backing up cut grass for a living so I know all about running over irrigation heads 😂
What he also forgot to say or didn't know at the time. California conciders all p/u a "commercial" vehicles. If I remember correctly on both my dads 99' f-150 and my 86" f-250 on the title or "pink" slip it's labeled as a commercial vehicle, even though they never were used for business purposes. Probably just another way to get more money out of the tax payer w/o them knowing. For example my 86' f-250 registration cost me almost $300 every year, now that I live on Oklahoma it only cost me around $35.
Pretty much everything is a dang commercial use
You'd have to be pretty stupid to license anything in Commifornia. If you're a business just have your corporate office in Montana and license everything there. You can also get permanent registration in Montana.
@@duckwacker8720 no matter what you do. Someone dumber than you will call you stupid
I just moved from California with my 2006 c4500 and my dodge ram 1500, both states required me to register both those vehicles as commercial. My 4500 has an rv hauler bed, (flat bed) and the 1500 has a standard bed. I dont haul commercial, but use my 4500 to haul my 31ft fifth wheel. My 4500 has a gvwr of 17500 and gcvwr of 26,000. In California I had to declare a max weight for registration purposes and mine was 260000lbs. They charge more for more sticker weight. In Arizona I didnt have declare the max weight at all. My 4500 scales in at 11000lbs.
I've got a Ford E-350 SRW van with a handi-cap lift in the mid passenger door.
When I take trash to the dump, (4 bags of cat litter and two bags of household trash, the van crosses the scales at 8800 pounds.
The vehicle weight that the DMV uses for empty weight is 3700 pounds. Where the 5,100 pounds came from I haven't a clue, (there's no way the lift weighs 3,000 pounds much less 5100) but she's a heavy girl
I used to regularly put 2k pounds sometimes more on my 86 2wd 4 cylinder 4 speed manual Toyota, as I recall it was rated for 1600 pounds. You could feel it bounce off the axel when you hit a bump but as long as you kept it at the speed limit it climbed hills and stopped on the way down just fine.
Oh... you're 'that guy'.
@@travisgrimm ✅
Hey Sam listening to what you said about different bed could you reduce the height of the side's of the standard bed if you were using a 5th wheel for a camper and be without any issues or would there still be some issues? I know it would be a lot of work to do I'm just interested and what you said was easy to understand even for a guy from England
Fenders to cut. You must be a plastic welder. Lol
Yes. If it's the stock bed you can cut the sides down. A lot of guys in California do that to get around the stupid laws.
I dive an 18 wheeler for a living. I tell everyone USE WHAT YOU HAVE.
I'm a fairly young guy (28) so the age cockyness is no excuse. It takes one slipup to learn.
Agreed, I've heard that some guys will give you grief for using the rear window on a daycab, but it's there for a reason.
I had an identical truck to your fuel mule. Took a load of shingles to the landfill in the box (can't do that with a flatbed. Lol). It scaled 9700lbs loaded and 7200lbs empty. I was amazed how heavy it was empty!
I think the flat bed or stock bed each have there place, all depends on the majority of what it will be used for. It would be nice to have a choice of trucks like in your fleet. 😉
You can get stake pocket sides for a flat bed. They even make tool box sides that work and lock into stake pockets. You can have a bed that's 8x8 installed of 5x8 and you can even get a dump kit so you don't have to hand unload it.
- in Australia nearly all flatbeds come from the factory (or custom builder) with hinged sides, they are easy to take off, but define a ~1ft deep tub when up. - additional gates etc are available per use case, no limits to what can be done, just take care as it is easy to load in excess of GVM.
Man I can't wait to get my flat deck 😎 So much more versatile.
Flat beds you also can't run a fifth wheel as the bottom of the bed sits (atleast on my cm bed on my 2500hd) 6in taller I would have had to do a gooseneck retro fit on the camper
I have a 99 2500 Dodge Cummins truck. If anything more happens to it, I will maybe flatbed it. So far a Bobcat skid steer t-bone behind the cab and a small tree collision were both fixable via hydraulic jack and blocking.
My kid had a Toyota with a flatbed for a while. Easy access on and off were about it. Hauling firewood took making tall side racks same if was bed. He preferred a stock bed after having to ratchet strap every thing on it even with the side boards a foot high. Best thing was when I used a line machine to load a whole bull moose he killed. Flatbed worked great that day!
Kinda depends on where one lives. I'm content with my state even with the influx of tourists that never leave until after a good winter.
Like Brother john say below, depends on the state. In my state a truck up to a full class 6 26,001 GVW, meaning non-CDL could be run without any DOT BS as long as It did not have a business name on it and was not "Used in the pursuance of a business". So if I was ever stopped just tell the cop I was moving my own property, which technically I was since I was delivering new farm equipment that I owned until final payment COD. I drove a 24' 25,000lb F700 ramp truck that way for 15 years.
I've never had a DOT problem with my flatbed and thats in 5 states.
The ONLY time I've had DOT pull over a pick up I was in. It was a 1968 F250 fleetside pulling a small trailer.
Personally I think they were bored, as they were on their way to a DOT convention.
They measured the width of the trailer I was pulling. Because they though it was too wide.
The axle was off a mobile home. And I had made a car dolly out of it. Well part of it broke. The part the wheels go on.
I was pulling it to my families property when they pulled me over.
Now take in mind. it broke in Arizonia and when they pulled me over it was in east Missouri and 30 miles from the property I was going to. 1500 miles mostly interstate. And I get pulled over on a state hwy by a group of DOT in a van going to a DOT convention about 80 miles away
Oh yeah the law reads the width has to be under 96 inches. It was 90 inches across.
And they held me up for 45 minutes. As they smoked and walked around.
I'll say it again, I don't know how you can live there.
Also, do you have a well on your property? If so, explain what's coming to your viewers.
Thanks again for the awesome content you put out
Up here in Ontario (canuck land) any pickup that does not have the factory box requires a yearly safety inspection certificate and visible sticker.
A video on the 3500 and the new 5500 towing the camper would be interesting flatbed and regular bed differences.
Neither of them will care with that toy hauler. 5500 will just have insanely more clearance and have to go through scales, because reasons, at least while in CA
Not for hire sticker fixes that issue
your commentary is the shit man. thanks a lot.
So, if I put a pickup bed on my ‘01 F450, it will be legal again?
Chp hassles me for blowing scales in my PICKUP, that I happened to put a flatbed on the back of. It’s a 98 dodge 3500. I literally point at the door badge and that usually settles
you pointed out the reason why they do what they do on flatbeds... it's all about money, money from tickets, money from licenses, money from insurance, money from converting... need more be said.... THEY know a flatbed has many advantages over a normal truck bed... and THEY know money can be made because of it.... keep truckin man....
Just below Sacramento. I ran a flatbed on my 01 f350 dually for 2yrs. Only issue I ever had was passing the Cordelia scales but everyone has issues with that place.
What happened when you passed the scales?
I never stop but we got stopped right after cordiela from a dot truck. Told us that we have to stop at scales with a modified bed. Didn't tell us we had to have the credentials though, which I thought was weird. Dot office in Sacramento told me to just avoid that scale haha.
@Rene' D when you put a flat bed on your pick up it turns it into a “motor truck” or some other terminology the dmv uses. Pickups only refer to factor bed trucks.
@@ryantanaka1433 weird, I want to flatbed my 95 dually but I really don’t want to be hassled with dmv or get the weight stickers for my truck. I wonder if they would leave me alone because it’s so old lol
Honestly, I drove my 01 DRW with the flatbed for 2yrs and passed plenty of scales with it loaded down and never had an issue. I probably passed Cordelia 30 times without an issue. I definitely wouldn't do it to my 19 F450.
What hitches are you running/do you recommend?
Some states pickups are required to have combination plates meaning personal and work
Here's the problem once you let the DOT in they own you. Keep a log book, fill it out every day for the rest of your life and only work 11 hours a day. I've got a 550,450,350 and 2 dodge 3500 all are in my personal name, none have company name on door. I drive right by scales and never stop. The sign says commercial vehicles over 10,000 lbs. I'm not commercial, I'm a guy who likes to own flatbed. They recommend to me to get magnet signs and when moving a mini ex or skid to a job then put them on. That was good advice from a lieutenant in Utah highway patrol.
You can work 14 but only drive 11
My uncle’s out early in the morning. Pulled over. Checking his big macho fuel tank . And he’s a bizz. And my illegal load. With regular. Bed. No tabs on trailer. Goes right threw at noon. Lol it pisses him off. But I’m busy till 9 pm. Lol
A Flatbed does NOT automatically make a Commercial Vehicle. It is a replacement Bed where the Truck GVWR nor the GCWR are Unchanged. DOT can demand all they wish but the law reads based on the above ratings.
Wasn’t there also something about the side rails on flat beds? If it’s removable your a “commercial flatbed” and that’s why most companies started hinging the rails.
Yeah I had heard the same thing aswell makes sense
I have a 2017 titan xd regular cab that I want to build a flatbed for so I can haul my Street Glide, my brother’s Street 750 and our 21ft camper all at the same time. My tow capacity is around 12k and everything together (both bikes and camper) would be way under 12k so the truck will be able to haul everything easily
Location, location, location. In the Midwest there is no problem with flatbeds. Put farm tags on it ( in Kansas) and no problems with weight restrictions or dot.
If you had the fold down sides to make it not look like a DOT magnet but still have the functionality of a flatbed might help
It has the fold down sides… 😌
Does DOT look at super single trucks any different? Or is it just because it's a 3500?
Duallys only
I have three-quarter ton and 3500 Dooley with a flatbed live in Illinois. 3500 needs annual inspection. Three-quarter ton does not unless you are pulling trailer that requires inspection. As long as you’re not for hire. Neither truck needs a DOT numbers or company name. Insurance stays the same. Your insurance will change of course if you are using your trucks for a business. That’s a whole different situation.
Also most new 3/4 ton trucks only have a max CGVRW of less than 20k Which puts you into DOT overweight if your trailer has a GVRW of over 9k.
Been running flatbed 4x4 duallies here in Florida for years as a daily driver, never had a problem with the DOT. Have had a problem with the zoning dept. for having a commercial vehicle in the neiborhood (yes you can have a dually pickup but not a flatbed because they deem that a commercial vehicle even though it's a daily driver not commercially used) other than that no problem. I like the flatbeds cause you can just throw stuff on it with out beating it up, a little spray paint and she is new again. Now I do have a A license But have never been targeted by the DOT for not having a business name or numbers. And as you said add that fuel tank even on a pickup bed you are opening up whole can of worms in another direction especially if you have red fuel in it, couple friends of mine have experienced having their fuel dipped in the truck to make sure they were not running non road taxed fuel in the truck.
You must have a Karen complaining. I got cited last week for too many trailers on my acre property. 2 have state issued tags, 2 have FARM TAGS. Can't legally tarp or car cover them, only inside a garage.
Have to keep mine in the backyard behind a privacy fence.
@@phatboizbackyardkustomz9006
I'm about to become "THAT" guy and FOIA the registration all boats and trailers registered in my county. Pictures of boats sitting under covers or tarps, then complain like a DAREN. I know I'll get to the right person in quick succession.
The thing is that I applied for a permit to build my shop and they pulled up an aerial photo of the property and clearly saw the trailers. What changed, or who complained?
I feel for you brother In my county about 20 years ago they started issuing permits from the county to keep certain size boats RVs and trailers in a residential area Go figure. Then if they were to big you could put em' in the back yard behind a privacy fence as long as they didn't stick up to high where someone could see em'.
Anyone know if it's legal in hawaii to make wooden flatbed?
Do it right- get an F550 or 5500 class truck if you work with it. DOT numbers aren't a big deal to have, and you'll get way more use out of the truck. I went with the 550 chassis just so I don't have to worry about running out of capacity for a job. If you're in a wreck and they scale your rig as being overweight your insurance is gone.
I said that in this video:)
@@VBELTandSON Apparently I'm blessed with the attention span of a goldfish 🤣. Keep up the solid content!
You need dot numbers for 10k plus, regardless of the flat bed. I went through the insurance issue when registering mine for a business I was forming. 6k-18k a year depending on what I did with it.
That’s if you’re making money with the truck
95 -97 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke Dually please.
The fact that DOT bothers you guys so much over there is sad. Here in KY they don't mess with anything that doesnt have numbers or looks sketchy as all getout.
In Australia you either have a style side or flat bed. Contractors use big tool box trays. No-one cares as long as you dont go over the scales heavy.
My 2012 F-250 has a 10k pound GVWR/19k pound GCWR. I did not realize how much the ratings had increased with the new trucks.
@Rene' D You have been able to get normal trucks that were over 10k, but they were 1 ton duallies. My first F-350 was SRW and only rated to 9.9k.
Tow the weekend warrior trailer with your 12 valve G56 video soon ? 👌🏽
I don’t have a hitch set up for it or I would
My last truck and current truck are flatbeds and i won’t have another 1 ton or 3/4 ton truck without one
thanks for the vid! we're the frog in the boiling pot, we need to fight these laws or we will be towing bike carts with rivian trucks before u know it!
What brand of flat bed is it? I'm thinking about swapping my 3500 DRW to flatbed
I'm sure it's a Bradford...superior to CM and looks better!
In Texas under 26,001 lbs truck trailer and load no DOT. Truck and trailer data plates , and license registration cannot be rated for more than 26,001. Intrastate only, crossing state line weight drops to 10,001
Wait really? So I can't legally haul my Jeeps from Texas to Moab without getting a stupid Class A license?? Trailer is rated for 14k, with two Jeeps on it the total weight of the trailer would be 12-13k, truck is probably 7k by itself... maybe more.
@@TehButterflyEffect I believe the difference is, commercial.
I like a flatbed for hauling a fifth wheel camper you can see so much better than having one with a bed then you got to put the tailgate down put the tailgate back up hook everything back up wire wise and everything else then it's a big pain in the ass
I talked to the dot cop here in ri and asked about trucks and he said under 10 they can't touch over 10 can only deal with if for hire but of you for say have a 550 lettered up and numbered and you take it on vacation you are not under regulation and don't have to stop at scales you might get stopped and asked but they can't do anything
Took my f250 to the scale the other day and found out I only have 700lbs of extra weight to add. I only have a ranch hand front and rear bumper, winch, plastic bedliner and a camper shell.
In Pennsylvania you have to get a “Reconstructed Title” if you take a regular bed off and put a flat bed on.
Perhaps, BUT ran flatbeds for years without doing that
@@reidcrosby6241 hope you don’t have it in the shop when your inspection mechanic is getting audited. He will get fined if his sticker is in the window.
The closed captions consider the background music “foreign”. Lol
Good video. Thanks from bills cool projects on youtube.
The reality is dot needs to bump up its weight limits. Half ton pickups nowadays are rated to tow high enough a cdl is technically required. Now granted you are not going to get stopped for it but it's insane how much better trucks are today than when cdls became a thing. And the fact they require them for driving a pickup is beyond insane.
I have gone flat beds on everything. So much more useful overall. I have one truck with a factory bed and a topper cap though that is used for a purpose. As a contractor once I went with a flat bed I'll never go back to a factory box. Unless I find a sweet deal on a truck that has one but it will be converted at some point.
I've got an f250 srw and just got tags for 24k total weight.
Had an old ford flatbed in Missouri once just had to pass inspection and have mud flaps.
I have a 2004 chevy trailblazer. They harass me every time i renew the plates. They repeatedly ask if its being used for business....
I hate repeating myself. The third time i have to say no I'm pretty hot by that point. I noticed on the registration it says UT instead of SUV. I hate the government....😡
Depends on the state.
No different than being able to buy a 3500 and pull a 15k 5th wheel without a CDL, but that same 3500 with a 15k tilt deck requires one (even if you aren't for hire). As with 99% of government regulations, they make no sense. They've also made getting a CDL a complete PITA for anyone not trying to get a job driving trucks.
Legally you are required to have a “non-commercial” class A license to pull the camper. The PA creeper cops went to a special class on campers and motorhomes.
I would love to talk to you about this one day I used a friends dodge 4500 hundred to pull my KX 057-4 to my cabin you go from 3500 feet to 7200 feet in 14 miles top speed around 25 miles a hour because the road is so windy it never got hot 218 was as hot as it got do you thank the 3500 would do the same thing
3500 my do better
The difference between the two is that the 4500 has a heavier frame and a de-rated engine so it'll last longer.
The 450,000 isn't a real truck though. 🤪
It has to do with the combined GVRW. Any combination over 26000 lbs requires DOT numbers. So a 1 ton dually has a GVRW around 13k only leaving a maximum 13k trailer GVRW. You can drive any combination under that 26K. Just a truck that has a GVRW of 26000 lbs it doesn't need a CDL or non-CDL class A or B depending on the class of vehicle.
I’m not worried I have my cdl
Federal requires USDOT for 10,001lbs AND engaged in interstate commerce. Most states require intrastate commercial vehicles to obtain a US DOT number over 10,001lbs
What's up with the car in the container?
Legally you should be able to flatbed any short or long bed truck in California without needing DOT numbers and weight stickers as long as the “flatbed” has sides. This is why a lot of flatbed manufactures started just attaching sides to their beds that fold down. The GVWR has to be over 11,500 pounds and have a bed over 9 feet long.
Some CA DOT cops don’t understand this and think any truck with a flatbed has to have stickers.
There is more to it but this is the basics. You shouldn’t have an issue flat-bedding your 2500 or 3500 single rear wheel truck and be legal.
Pickup (CVC §471)-A pickup is a motor truck with a manufacturer’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of less than 11,500 pounds, an unladen weight of less than 8,001 pounds, and equipped with an open box-type bed less than nine feet in length. California Code of Regulations, Title 13 §150.04 further defines pickup trucks:
Yup that’s pretty much what I said. 2500 and 3500 single wheel units can flat bed without a problem. All duallies are rated more than your giving number and would need to possibly add dot stickers and all that mess
@@VBELTandSON it’s absolutely ridiculous. But now according to CHP Motor Carrier unit ANY combo with a GVWR over 10k used “commercial” needs DOT and CA numbers. So literally every landscaper with a 1/2 ton truck and until it’s trailer and up.
First time on your channel. Is this California? I’ve never heard of such laws… Iowa.