Custom Bed Considerations

[hdas]

Hi All,
I have a 2023 SRW 3500 Laramie. Currently considering installing a Bowen Custom Bed. One of the options I have is to have is to have a 18 inches "garage" near the cabin, which will necessitates a longer bed. Also, I'm a bit concerned that I'm giving up the rear bumper, so losing protection. Can you guys chime in on these issues, more critically the issues of geometry, handling, suspension, payload by having a longer than stock bed? Thanks!



Of course, I can always opt for a regular topper bed.

 

[wrvond]

Pay attention to the corners to maintain turning radius when towing - you may have to miter them.

 

[hdas]

Nobody else????

 

[UglyViking]

I haven't seen many off road flatbeds on these forums, maybe 2-3 members have them, so you'll probably not get a ton of feedback.

That said, I don't really know that I follow your concerns. By rear protection do you mean from a rear collision or something else? Assuming you keep your rear hitch, you're going to maintain some amount of lower impact protection.

As far as everything else goes. If you add an extra foot past the rear tire, you're gonna have an extra foot of overhang. If that will be a concern or not really depends on where you are living. Rural areas, not really an issue, city centers, major issue (although I'd question having a 3500 as a daily driver in the city anyway).

Handling and everything else is probably a wash. It's going to weigh more, but most of the weight will be centered so it's probably a non-issue. If you add a bunch of weight past the rear axle, it's going to be more noticible than forward of the axle, but that mostly has to do with placement of stuff. Keep your heavy items front if possible.

That said, many guys hang a rear tire off the rear of the truck, and it can handle it, so it's not a major concern I don't think.

 

[hdas]

Handling and everything else is probably a wash. It's going to weigh more, but most of the weight will be centered so it's probably a non-issue. If you add a bunch of weight past the rear axle, it's going to be more noticible than forward of the axle, but that mostly has to do with placement of stuff. Keep your heavy items front if possible.

Thanks!. It seems that it would be wise to use the garage to house the spare. Making it a bit less useful for storage in general.

 

[UglyViking]

I really dig that storage area for that reason, plus secure storage while still having flatbed access is nice.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

My opinions

Regarding the spare, I wouldn’t waste the garage space with a spare. I’d fit a 35” spare in the stock area. That’s a big enough spare in my opinion but if you want larger maybe mount to the back face of the garage instead of inside

Regarding the trailer corner clearance, if you’re pulling a trailer use a bulletproof hitch because they stick way out which may give you the length needed. Example: The bulletproof hitch is the first hitch I’ve been able to drop my tailgate all the way and not hit the tongue jack (which is nice because I have a drawer system) and I use my hitch on the further in pinhole

I have a ton of weight in the rear of my truck (2500) It’s fine and trucks handle better with weight in the back anyway.

 

[dieselscout80]

As I see it with the garage you are limited in your ability to carry heavy payloads in the bed due to it all be at the rear axle or behind it.

I think I would want a long bed and then have a very short over hang just enough to clear the rear springs on a 3500.