Build VS Buy - Damn Chit Is Expensive

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I've always have had a flat bed, that I'd build myself on my pickups over the years. Bought a new pickup in 2016 and have been running the pickup bed that came with it since.After falling out of the bed a time or 2 (new trucks are so phucking tall now). crawling in and out to hook up the gooseneck, and having to tie down everything close to the tailgate anyways because it all ends up front if ya don't, I threw in the towel and decided to yank the bed and build another flatbed.I haven't made a big steel purchase in some time. Holly CHIT was I surprised. After figuring in costs for steel, lights, wiring, powder coat, under belly boxes, consumables, no labor, I'd only save about $500 if I made my own basic flat bed. WTF is wrong with this picture?Guess I'm off to the cookie cutter flat bed, booger welded truck bed dealer......
Reply:Is it worth finding a used bed to use as a foundation and modifying?  Seems like around here flat beds are always for sale cheap because the market is slim on folks searching.
Reply:

Originally Posted by Farrier-1

I've always have had a flat bed, that I'd build myself on my pickups over the years. Bought a new pickup in 2016 and have been running the pickup bed that came with it since.After falling out of the bed a time or 2 (new trucks are so phucking tall now). crawling in and out to hook up the gooseneck, and having to tie down everything close to the tailgate anyways because it all ends up front if ya don't, I threw in the towel and decided to yank the bed and build another flatbed.I haven't made a big steel purchase in some time. Holly CHIT was I surprised. After figuring in costs for steel, lights, wiring, powder coat, under belly boxes, consumables, no labor, I'd only save about $500 if I made my own basic flat bed. WTF is wrong with this picture?Guess I'm off to the cookie cutter flat bed, booger welded truck bed dealer......
Reply:

Originally Posted by Farrier-1

I've always have had a flat bed, that I'd build myself on my pickups over the years. Bought a new pickup in 2016 and have been running the pickup bed that came with it since.After falling out of the bed a time or 2 (new trucks are so phucking tall now). crawling in and out to hook up the gooseneck, and having to tie down everything close to the tailgate anyways because it all ends up front if ya don't, I threw in the towel and decided to yank the bed and build another flatbed.I haven't made a big steel purchase in some time. Holly CHIT was I surprised. After figuring in costs for steel, lights, wiring, powder coat, under belly boxes, consumables, no labor, I'd only save about $500 if I made my own basic flat bed. WTF is wrong with this picture?Guess I'm off to the cookie cutter flat bed, booger welded truck bed dealer......
Reply:And yeah, new trucks are crazy tall. You park a new F150 4WD next to a 80's F350 4WD and they're the same height - the 150 might be taller.My neighbor put 37 inch tires on his 2018 Ram 3/4 ton diesel without having to lift it at all... might be 35s. It they are 35s then he still has room for 37s. It's crazy.
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Originally Posted by 12V71

I've installed a bunch of "cookie cutter" beds for people, the best constructed ones I've seen were the CM made beds. But the wiring in all of them suck, especially where they pull unprotected wire up into the cab guard. most go about 3 years before the problems pop up. A month ago I had a guy wanting a very specific flatbed design of his own, 14' with a 3' deck over the cab for tarps and underboxes of an odd size. My quote was $4.5k, the steel and boxes were 2500 alone. Custom is not cheap.
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Originally Posted by 52 Ford

Just curious - was he a mason? I usually see those decks over the cab for wheel barrows.
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Originally Posted by 12V71

No just a rancher type that wanted to haul hay to the critters. Has a new F550 with a long frame.