Flat beds - challenge, a load of questions

chromebumpers

chromebumpers

solid fixture here in the forum
Staff member
Early in June I hired a part time guy, not a mechanic in a true sense but some that can help me with the inventory, move and catalog with some abilities to repair by my directions.
A few years ago I sold my 2001 C45 GM tilt and extending flat bed with low miles after little to no use didn't justify the high insurance costs. Just prior to that I bought and quickly sold a GMC 1955 classic cab w/20 ft. incline stationary bed. Neither truck was around long enough to fiddle with, they paid for themselves by the time they were sold. Now I want to get rid of my tow behind and find a cheap flat bed that can be a rolling restoration (just in the sense of being road worthy and looks the part). I can get some good use from a flat bed for more than just a couple of reasons.
My question is in choices,
GM or Ford?
Big blocks or small blocks?
Best years in the 1970s, '80s and '90s (what year did GM start using LS engines in trucks?)
What is are the preferred bed lengths?
What to stay away from?
What to look for?
Anything about winches?
Besides obvious reasons such as debt, high mileage, not running, what marks the end of the road for these trucks? Rust? Hydraulics? Rears?
An example of what I see as the bottom and anything else the prices are senseless.

http://allentown.craigslist.org/cto/5707468816.html
 
A friend bought a Flatbed.
It sat most of the time.
Could not keep up with bank payments.
Repossed.'
Then Filed Bankruptsy.

In a City like Chicago you can make $3,000-$5,000 per day with a reliable flatbed tow truck .

Dana 80 rear diff is standard in most Flatbeds.
Eaton Rockwell Semi Truck rear diffs are better & stronger.

I have worked on Flatbeds.
Replumbing entire hydraulics.
All electric replaced too.
Average service life is 10 years.

If your not a Diesel Mechanic too like me then you will not enjoy working on Flatbeds.
No auto mechanic likes them or will touch typical .
 
Im just curious,
If you can make $3,000-$5,000 per day with a reliable flatbed tow truck, as stated , above,
I can,t see how making the truck payments would be excessively difficult, working 3-6 days a week,
that income rate should rather easily cover insurance working expenses and the monthly payments
 
Grumpy said:
Im just curious,
If you can make $3,000-$5,000 per day with a reliable flatbed tow truck, as stated , above,
I can,t see how making the truck payments would be excessively difficult, working 3-6 days a week,
that income rate should rather easily cover insurance working expenses and the monthly payments
Click to expand...
I am in a small area like You Grumpy.
Rural a good part like you live at.
Economic situation is unstable current.
Democrats .
Tow Truck drivers get robbed & shot at or killed in Chicago .
Gun Free City zone.

Insurance too.
Towtrucks they have cost 100,000-$300,000
 
yes. theres areas of palm beach that sane people avoid simply because the locals would rather rob you, as an obvious outsider that might have some cash,
than work for a living , Id bet 80% of the county's crime is in about 20% of the county area, and I'd bet most larger cities have areas that are similar.
I see it almost daily on the news here,
you hear there was a shooting or stabbing and its almost a foregone conclusion,
where the problem occurred ,
Id bet 80% happens east of the turnpike... yeah I just checked, look at this
http://www.crimemapping.com/map/fl/palmbeachcounty

palmbeach.gif
 
Last edited:
Just to reacquire the target:

chromebumpers said:
My question is in choices,
GM or Ford?
Big blocks or small blocks?
Best years in the 1970s, '80s and '90s (what year did GM start using LS engines in trucks?)
What is are the preferred bed lengths?
What to stay away from?
What to look for?
Anything about winches?
Besides obvious reasons such as debt, high mileage, not running, what marks the end of the road for these trucks? Rust? Hydraulics? Rears?
Click to expand...
 
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