Shortbed trailers...

[sixnine]

Over the last few weeks I've had reasons to cruise the back roads around here (the panhandle of Texas) and I began to notice something odd. In almost every small town I came to, I could spot a few 67-72 shortbed trailers. You know the kind, where somebody takes the cab off a truck, cuts the frame and pinches the rails together to make a trailer. Well, I counted at least 15 (!) the last time I went out. The weirdest part is that most of the beds I saw were in excellent shape. A majority still had the factory paint and very minor dents and dings. Another weird thing I noticed is that most looked like they hadn't been used for some time. I was never able to talk to any owners (no time to track 'em down). If any one out there needs a shortbed, let me know. By the way, how come you never see these truck bed trailers made from longbeds? Is it a balance thing? I suspect that in this region (farmers and ranchers) that longbeds were just more valuable. Any ideas?

[Hardrock2]

Sure, I'd be interested in a few, if they could be bought right! LOL!
From time to time, I've bought a decent truckbed trailer or two, just to get the bed. Around here, year, make, style doesn't really matter, they all seem to ask the same price...... the utility value of the darned thing!
I'll be looking to take a good road trip pretty soon, so lets see some pics of a few!


Lets see........2 on the car trailer, ..........2 stacked on top of that......He,He!



Mike

[cheyenne10]

I used to think the same thing around here until I found out in my case it was an optical illusion. I was seeing lots of longbed trailers that looked really short when removed from rest of truck. I now watch for the midddle stake pocket which is a dead giveaway to longbed, now I rearly see a shortbed trailer. I know this is a regional thing as most trucks sold in NW were longbeds. Farmers in CA. use lots of shortbeds.

[67swbc10]

i would be interested in one if it is in good shape, and it is a short bed
Mario.

[BigPun76]

Yeah, sixnine, if you come across a bargain, don't be afraid to holler at me!

[sixnine]

I'll take some pics next time I'm out and see if I can track down some owners. PM me so I'll remember who wanted one.

[EdB]

I have a 68 longbed GMC step that I intend to make one
from. The cab was vandalized bad so is not salvagable.
I did sell the engine and transmisson for the purchase
price

I have never done it myself but have a friend who has
made several. He is going to show me how it is done.
From what he told me. After the cab is removed, you
cut off the frame ahead of the bed and bend the
sides together. You have to make some cuts to
do it. He stated that he had made 6 in one day. This
was with one helper.

EdB

[Ed ke6bnl]

Originally posted by sixnine
Over the last few weeks I've had reasons to cruise the back roads around here (the panhandle of Texas) and I began to notice something odd. In almost every small town I came to, I could spot a few 67-72 shortbed trailers. You know the kind, where somebody takes the cab off a truck, cuts the frame and pinches the rails together to make a trailer. Well, I counted at least 15 (!) the last time I went out. The weirdest part is that most of the beds I saw were in excellent shape. A majority still had the factory paint and very minor dents and dings. Another weird thing I noticed is that most looked like they hadn't been used for some time. I was never able to talk to any owners (no time to track 'em down). If any one out there needs a shortbed, let me know. By the way, how come you never see these truck bed trailers made from longbeds? Is it a balance thing? I suspect that in this region (farmers and ranchers) that longbeds were just more valuable. Any ideas?

What is the going price on a short bed box, I have someone checking on a fleet and a step side, says the seller has both. Thanks Ed ke6bnl??????

[chaptr2]

I own one and use it every chance I get. I just used a long bed frame and a rusty short step bed I had and made something that I'm proud of.