M916A1 flatbed mini-PLS

[zebedee]

Finished the detachable flat bed for the Freightliner.



Made from a 1 ton dually short bed that I was given. Had to extend the 'nose' a little and make some filler wedges to allow it to roll up tail roller.
Pulls on with winch just the same as M870 trailer would. Locks into 3 1/2" fifth wheel (made a king pin blank to suit) and sits on rear roller. At the moment it's just chained down at back - would like to make a proper restraint later.

I have also made some low stake sides - 2x 2x6" (treated) on edge and that makes it look a little less up-in-the-air and goofy...

Attachment didn't load proper - see later post.

 

[red]

Looks good, will you be making other platforms to swap out with as needed? (camper, crane.....)

What about using cam locks at the rear to lock the bed on, like what they use to secure shipping containers?

 

[kubotaman]

Very cool indeed.

 

[wreckerman893]

In my humble opinion you didn't get a lot of bed for the buck. I'd have added at least a foot front and back.

The fabbing and the way it attaches and sits on the truck is top notch.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Maybe you should bring that to the rallies so you don't overload the bearings and set your truck on fire...



















Just sayin.

 

[zebedee]

In my humble opinion you didn't get a lot of bed for the buck. I'd have added at least a foot front and back.
The fabbing and the way it attaches and sits on the truck is top notch.

Thanks - I wanted to make sure it sat nice and level. Actually the bed was given to me free, so I was just giving it a job!

Looks good, will you be making other platforms to swap out with as needed? (camper, crane.....)
What about using cam locks at the rear to lock the bed on, like what they use to secure shipping containers?

As far as other beds - prob not. I was just using up a free bed and I wanted to keep the tractor absolutely original - not one extra hole, weld or cutout, besides, I need it to return to its intended function, pulling a low boy, with minimal fuss.

I had however thought about adding a suspend tow fame - kind of a cross between a Tru-Hitch and the stinger on the back of a HEMTT wrecker, using the flat bed as a base, giving stowage capacity for attachments/tackle etc.

 

[zebedee]

Maybe you should bring that to the rallies so you don't overload the bearings and set your truck on fire...



Just sayin.

Well Gimp - that's the plan!! It's even designed to carry one of the Land Rovers!

 

[74M35A2]

I'd put a stripper pole right in the middle of it.

 

[zebedee]

Got some wood added..

 

[m715mike]

View attachment 643075

Got some wood added..

Nice work Sir. That looks awesome!

 

[zebedee]

Getting long wood. (and other stuff)

 

[patracy]

Hmmm, this is a lot more promising than the M105 abomination I made a while back. Looks like the bed height could have been a smidge lower if you had inlaid the other frame rails? I think I'd like to do something like that but perhaps find some toolboxes to hang underneath to help fill the void. I've been letting the crane stretch to the rear of the SEMTT and it rides soooo much better with some weight back there.

 

[zebedee]

Hmmm,.... Looks like the bed height could have been a smidge lower if you had inlaid the other frame rails? I think I'd like to do something like that but perhaps find some toolboxes to hang underneath to help fill the void.

Yeah the bed height is about 70". I did think about gaining that extra 4" by spreading the long frame rails, but for just 4" that was going to be a lot of cutting and re-gluing.
I too thought about a couple of long tool boxes, though they may have interfered with the rear wheels upon loading even with the flaps removed.


Loading business end, extended from frame using off cuts from the flimsy bulkhead that was on the front of the original bed and some 4" black pipe. I also added steak pockets for a front board and vehicle tie down rings (both ends) though at 70" bed height, that only leaves 7 1/2' for vehicle height (non permitted of course!) though I think the wheelbase of said vehicle will be the limiting factor. Either of my Land Rovers will fit, with wheel bases of 88" and just about for the 101".
I haven't decided the best way to hook the winch cable yet - may just weld on a shackle point after testing with a vehicle already tied to the bed.

 

[patracy]

I might look back into this concept if I can come across a flatbed cheap. Nice work.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Might want to put some tie down mounts on the ass-end of the bed. Post #11 shows a strap cutter.

 

[zebedee]

Hey Gimp - yeah, there are a couple on the back but as they were being used for the 2 ton pallet of pellets, I chose for that load of wood to drop down and pick up the pintle. Can't see from the pic but there is some cardboard on the edge under the strap...

Got a low boy job tomorrow.

 

[wheelspinner]

It's even designed to carry one of the Land Rovers!

Howard this looks GREAT!

 

[Jbulach]

Yeah the bed height is about 70". I did think about gaining that extra 4" by spreading the long frame rails, but for just 4" that was going to be a lot of cutting and re-gluing.
I too thought about a couple of long tool boxes, though they may have interfered with the rear wheels upon loading even with the flaps removed.

View attachment 643122
Loading business end, extended from frame using off cuts from the flimsy bulkhead that was on the front of the original bed and some 4" black pipe. I also added steak pockets for a front board and vehicle tie down rings (both ends) though at 70" bed height, that only leaves 7 1/2' for vehicle height (non permitted of course!) though I think the wheelbase of said vehicle will be the limiting factor. Either of my Land Rovers will fit, with wheel bases of 88" and just about for the 101".
I haven't decided the best way to hook the winch cable yet - may just weld on a shackle point after testing with a vehicle already tied to the bed.

Forget practical bed height, and tool boxes. You need bigger tiers to fill the void, oh yeah and the stripper pole for real practicality...

 

[gimpyrobb]

Forget practical bed height, and tool boxes. You need bigger tiers to fill the void, oh yeah and the stripper pole for real practicality...

(Psst, keg tap too)

 

[Jbulach]

Yes! bed height/gravity is your friend if you run out of co2...


M925A2 with dump hoist