Community Forums

Trainwire · 03-31-2015, 06:02 AM

We also have horses so we truck sawdust, with a flat bed I would have had to build side boards. But like someone said, you sure can load easier!!!! I'm short and can not even begin to reach over the aide to take anything out. Putting it in its easy with gravity helping. For us right now I think we did the right thing getting a replacement bed, I got a brand new one for the same money as the flat bed and I know we can tow our new fifth wheel.
Thank you everyone for the input, having a forum like this to get advise is awesome!!!!!

bhoward · 05-04-2015, 09:55 PM

Just purchased a CM TM Flat bed. We were told by the GM of Big Tex we could use the bed with a goose neck or a fifth wheel. I since was told by the installers that I can't use a fifth wheel hitch without cutting the bed out and mounting the fifth wheel hitch to the frame. I could really use some advice on this? I would not recommend CM beds or Big Tex to anyone in the market for a bed. I have called them (CM) many time and never received any replies. Bed has 6 locking boxes and they are not keyed alike, 4 of the latches are plastic.

caissiel · 05-05-2015, 06:30 AM

I would build a frame from the truck frame to the bed and modify a standard 5th wheel hitch. No way can anyone mount a standard 5 th wheel hitch to an aluminum bed. Plus they are not same height as the truck bed floor.
Maybe Anderson hitch has a modified or can make one to adapt to the goose neck ball if the ball is installed by bed manufacturer.
That's the main reason i prefer standard truck bed with side racks to be able to load full loads on my truck when not towing a 5er.

dayle1 · 05-05-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhoward

Just purchased a CM TM Flat bed. We were told by the GM of Big Tex we could use the bed with a goose neck or a fifth wheel. I since was told by the installers that I can't use a fifth wheel hitch without cutting the bed out and mounting the fifth wheel hitch to the frame. I could really use some advice on this? I would not recommend CM beds or Big Tex to anyone in the market for a bed. I have called them (CM) many time and never received any replies. Bed has 6 locking boxes and they are not keyed alike, 4 of the latches are plastic.

First, you need to buy a low profile fifth wheel hitch that is designed for flat beds. It will be less than 10" high compared to standard hitches that are 13-17" high. Grade 8 bolts thru the aluminum bed and have a welder fab the underbed steel brackets. This is pretty common setup regardless of aluminum or steel flat bed.

Cypressloser · 05-08-2015, 03:48 PM

Andersen builds a hitch that might fit your application https://www.andersenhitches.com/Prod...n-lowered.aspx
(the link shows the Canadian pricing, US should be a lot lower)

NavyDiver198 · 05-09-2015, 06:15 AM

I was in the process of purchasing a 2015 F150. I was told to ensure that the steel hitch was isolated from the aluminum bed because of galvanic process. Basically the steel will cause the aluminum to oxidize.

Happy Prospector · 05-10-2015, 08:49 AM

I bought my aluminum flatbed from Highway Products and they offer an option for a recessed area with a lid for a fifthwheel hitch or a goose neck ball. I love this flatbed and tow my trailer all over. Under the cut out they mount a 1/2" steel plate to the truck frame and the hitch gets bolted to steel plate and hitch hight remains almost the same as it would in a pickup.

glennwest · 05-10-2015, 01:38 PM

A side note on aluminum bed. It is lighter, lots. It will cause a rougher ride. I used a steel bed and it make my truck ride better due to its weight. Aluminum bed is lighter than stock bed.

jesilvas · 05-10-2015, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NavyDiver198

I was in the process of purchasing a 2015 F150. I was told to ensure that the steel hitch was isolated from the aluminum bed because of galvanic process. Basically the steel will cause the aluminum to oxidize.

Yes but no big deal. All you need are spacers of sorts between the metals.