Your Guide to Buying Your First Flatbed Truck

Determining Your Needs 

Commercial trucks are split into eight categories based on gross vehicle weight rating. Here are the categories and their hauling capacity: 

• Class 1: Light duty. 0-6000lbs.  

• Class 2: Light duty. 6,001-10,000 lbs. 

• Class 3: Light duty. 10,001-14,000 lbs. 

• Class 4: Medium duty. 14,001-16,000 lbs. 

• Class 5: Medium duty. 16,001-19,500 lbs. 

• Class 6: Medium duty. 19,501-26,000 lbs.  

• Class 7: Heavy duty. 26,001-33,000 

• Class 8: Heavy duty. 33,001 lbs. or higher
   

You must make sure you have a realistic estimation of your hauling needs and shop accordingly. Flatbed trucks typically fall into Class 6 or Class 7. But it’s up to you to make sure the truck you are buying has the correct hauling capacity before you purchase it.  

Flatbeds are best for when you have a load that doesn’t require a big rig and trailer for less than load freight. The best use of a flatbed is for loads that are in the upper range of medium duty, but not quite heavy duty.  

Flatbed trucks have a flat, open bed without a permanent side or roof. Because of this, the ease of loading and unloading a flatbed is unparalleled as compared to other kinds of trucks. 

What to Check for When Shopping Around 

Whether you want to buy a used or new model, there are several different issues you need to check for before you drive your truck off the lot.  

1. Check for rust or frame damage. More common in used trucks, a rusting or damaged frame can spell disaster for the long-term outlook of your truck. While this issue is common in used trucks, new trucks can have frame issues too. If a truck was shipped poorly or has sat unprotected in a yard for an extended period, the frame can become rusted or warped, even if it’s never been driven. Check for this issue, or you will regret it. Get a custom fit to make a used model feel brand new. 

2. Make sure the mileage is accurate. Mileage affects price, simple as that. Private sellers or shady salesmen have been known to alter the odometer to fatten the price tag. Test drive the truck before you buy it and have it checked out by a professional mechanic to make sure the wear of the truck reflects its displayed mileage. 

3. Know the maintenance records. If the price tag is too good to be true, it probably is. Run a Carfax and have a trusted source check the vehicle. Previous accidents or frequent repairs make for a truck that is constantly out of service and a wasted investment.  

4. Make sure the tires are right. Tires are the foundation of a healthy truck. If the tires of worn and deflating, make sure the seller buys a fresh set or the cost of new tires is deducted from the price tag. Before the sale is complete, make sure the tires have been balanced and rotated. New tires are worth their weight in gold so make sure yours are in working order. You can thank us later.  

5. Check the engine. This is the most important step. If the engine is in poor condition, your truck will be lucky to make it off the lot. When you have your mechanic check the vehicle, if they aren’t spending most of their time looking at the engine, you need a new mechanic. When in doubt go for the vehicle with the best engine. Make sure the spark plugs have been kept in good condition and changed if they encounter issues. The same goes for the filters. The engine is the heart of your truck. The longer the engine goes the longer the truck goes.  

6. Look at the transmission. This is the second most important step. When you check out the transmission, you want to make sure there is no burning smell and all the parts function properly. Transmission issues are incredibly expensive to repair, so make sure it’s in working order, or you’re just buying a hunk of scrap metal.
    

Different Parts to Consider 

There are several different components to flatbed trucks that affect the cost and performance of your vehicle. Many flatbed owners opt to go for customizations depending on the type of work they need their truck to do. 

Here are some components of a buyer's guide flatbeds: 

• Chassis. Make sure the chassis is sturdy enough for your hauling needs. A C-panel design creates a flat mounting surface and is most common for flatbeds. 

• Engine. Diesel engines give your truck more torque but can add $13,000 or more to your price tag.  

• Interior. A cushy interior can make your driving experience more enjoyable, but the extra features inside the truck increase the price tag. The interior upgrades are worth it for some, but a waste of cash for others.