Dump Body & Landscape UpfitClass 3–8 (12,000 – 54,000+ lb GVWR • Non-CDL & CDL)
What Is a Commercial Flatbed Truck? Platform, Stake Bed & Rollback Carrier Spec Guide
Compare stationary platform flatbeds, removable rack stake beds, and hydraulic rollback car/equipment carriers across 9-foot to 30-foot deck lengths and Class 3–8 chassis.
Authorized Upfit Partners:KnapheideCrysteelRugby ManufacturingBay BridgeMiller IndustriesCenturyVulcanChevronMaxon Liftgates
From 9ft–26ft stationary contractor platforms and stake beds to 19ft–30ft hydraulic Century & Vulcan rollback carriers.
Deck Length Range
9' to 30' Decks
96" to 102" Legal Commercial Widths
Deck Materials
Steel • Alum • Wood
1/8"–3/16" Treadplate, Apitong or Extruded Alum
Non-CDL Deck Payload
5,500 – 14,500 lbs
On Class 3–6 (Up to 26,000 lb GVWR)
Loading Versatility
360° Forklift / Roll-On
Side Forklift, Crane, Liftgate or Tilt Deck
Fleet Engineering & Spec Reference
Chassis-to-Body Pairing Matrix
Factory chassis cab integration specs matched by GVWR, axle ratings, and recommended vocational body lengths.
| Chassis Model | GVWR Class | Front / Rear GAWR | Cab-to-Axle (CA) | Recommended Body & Equipment | PTO & Hydraulics |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silverado 3500HD / Sierra 3500HD / F-350 / Ram 3500 DRW | Class 3 • 14,000 lbs (Non-CDL) | 5,600 lb Front / 9,900 lb Rear | 60" or 84" CA | 9' to 11' Gooseneck Platform Flatbed or 40" Stake Bed (5,500–6,800 lb Payload) | Optional Under-Bed Scissor Conversion Hoist or 1,600 lb Liftgate |
| Ford F-450 / F-550 / Ram 4500 / 5500 / Chevy 5500HD | Class 4–5 • 16,500 – 19,500 lbs (Non-CDL) | 7,000 lb Front / 14,706 lb Rear | 84", 108", or 120" CA | 11'–16' Contractor Platform / Stake Bed OR 19'–20' Century 10-Series Rollback | Direct-Mount Live-Drive PTO (for Rollback/Hoist) + Underbody Toolboxes |
| Isuzu NPR-HD / NPR-XD / NRR Low Cab Forward | Class 4–5 • 14,500 – 19,500 lbs (Non-CDL) | 6,830 lb Front / 14,550 lb Rear | 114" to 176" Effective CA | 14' to 20' Urban Lumber, Nursery & Material Delivery Stake Bed | Aisin A465 PTO Option + 2,500 lb Tuckunder Hydraulic Liftgate |
| Hino L6 / Freightliner M2 106 / Peterbilt 536 | Class 6 • 25,950 – 26,000 lbs (Max Non-CDL) | 10,000 lb Front / 19,000 lb Rear | 144" to 186" CA | 20'–24' Heavy Lumber/Pallet Flatbed OR 21.5'–22' Century 12-Series LCG Rollback | Allison 2200/2500 RDS Hot-Shift PTO + Rear Air-Ride Dump Valve |
| Peterbilt 548 / Kenworth T380 / Freightliner 108SD (Single/Tandem) | Class 7–8 • 33,000 – 54,000+ lbs (CDL) | 12,000–18,000 lb Front / 21,000–40,000 lb Rear | 156" to 228" CA | 24'–26' Piggyback Forklift Flatbed OR 26'–30' Century 16/20/30-Series Industrial Carrier | Allison 3000 RDS / Eaton PTO + 20,000 lb Planetary Winch & Hydraulic Outriggers |
Pre-Engineered Turnkey Solutions
Turnkey Upfit Packages & Build Configurations
Building material suppliers, HVAC/mechanical contractors, steel fabricators, and palletized freight haulers
Request Package Quote → Stationary Contractor & Lumber Platform Flatbed (9' to 24' Decks)
Standard Build Inclusions
- ✓1/8" or 3/16" diamond steel treadplate or treated structural wood floor over 12" on-center crossmembers
- ✓Full-width reinforced punched bulkhead (headache rack) with screened cab window cutout
- ✓External rub rails with integrated 2"x4" stake pockets and sliding 4-inch winch ratchets & straps
- ✓Recessed FMVSS 108 LED marker/stop/tail harness and ICC rear underride bumper
Popular Fleet & Municipal Upgrades
- +Subframe conversion scissor hoist (turns stationary flatbed into a dumping platform)
- +30,000 lb recessed B&W turnover gooseneck ball + 20-ton rear pintle hitch plate
- +2,000 lb to 3,000 lb Maxon or Waltco tuckunder hydraulic liftgate
Nurseries, landscape contractors, municipal parks departments, and agricultural supply fleets
Request Package Quote → Removable Rack Stake Bed & Landscape Platform (9' to 20' Decks)
Standard Build Inclusions
- ✓Heavy-duty platform base fitted with 28", 40", or 42" removable interlocking steel or poly/wood stake racks
- ✓Swing-out or lift-out rear center and side rack sections for curb-side pallet forklift access
- ✓Underbody lockable steel or diamond-plate aluminum toolboxes mounted ahead of rear dual wheels
- ✓Class V receiver or combination ball/pintle hitch for towing skid-steer and mower trailers
Popular Fleet & Municipal Upgrades
- +Double-acting electric-over-hydraulic or PTO conversion dump hoist
- +Fold-down contractor steel sides and rear barn-door/spreader tailgate
- +Cab-shield strobe lightbar and trimmer/backpack blower rack mounts
Towing & recovery fleets, equipment rental yards, auto auctions, and dealership transport operators
Request Package Quote → Hydraulic Rollback Car & Equipment Carrier (19' to 30' Decks)
Standard Build Inclusions
- ✓Miller Industries Century, Vulcan, or Chevron hydraulic tilting & sliding steel or aluminum rollback deck
- ✓Low-Center-of-Gravity (LCG) subframe for low approach angles loading scissor lifts, forklifts, and vehicles
- ✓8,000 lb to 20,000 lb Ramsey or Warn hydraulic planetary/worm-gear winch with roller tensioner
- ✓Independent hydraulic rear wheel-lift (underlift) for towing a second vehicle simultaneously
Popular Fleet & Municipal Upgrades
- +Extruded corrosion-free modular aluminum deck (saves ~900 lbs for higher legal payload)
- +Lodar or Kar-Tech multi-function wireless remote control for winch and bed tilt
- +Stainless steel 48"–72" tunnel boxes, galvanized subframe, and Federal Signal LED lightbar
Factory Compliance & Engineering
Critical Upfit Engineering & Spec Checklist
Key engineering milestones Lynch Truck Center verifies on every vocational build to protect chassis warranties and ensure DOT/FMVSS certification.
Step 1
Step 1 Verification
Decide How You Load: Forklift/Crane (Stationary Flatbed) vs. Ground Roll-On (Rollback)
A stationary platform flatbed sits at dock height (36"–48" off the ground) and requires a forklift, loading dock, liftgate, or crane to load cargo. If you need to load wheeled equipment, skid-steers, scissor lifts, or vehicles directly from ground level without towing a trailer, spec a hydraulic rollback carrier.
Upfit Engineering Tip
Many rental and construction fleets replace a truck-and-trailer combo with a single 21.5ft Non-CDL Hino L6 or M2 106 rollback carrier. Step 2
Step 2 Verification
Match Cab-to-Axle (CA) Length to Avoid Rear Overhang Leverage Issues
To maintain proper front steering axle weight (at least 28%–33% of total vehicle weight under load), follow the NTEA 60/40 rule: at least 60% of the flatbed deck length should sit forward of the rear axle centerline. For example, an 84" CA pairs with an 11ft–12ft bed, a 108" CA pairs with a 14ft bed, and a 120" CA pairs with a 16ft bed.
Upfit Engineering Tip
Over-hanging a 16ft flatbed on an 84" CA chassis unloads the front steer tires when heavy pallets are placed at the tail. Step 3
Step 3 Verification
Select Crossmember Spacing (12" vs. 16" On-Center) for Concentrated Point Loads
Standard light-duty flatbeds use 16" or 24" crossmember spacing rated for evenly distributed cargo. If you haul dense masonry pallets, steel coils, or drive forklifts onto the deck, spec 12" on-center structural C-channel crossmembers with a 3/16" steel or hardwood apitong deck.
Upfit Engineering Tip
Adding a conversion scissor hoist under a stationary flatbed turns any stake bed into a dumping platform for bulk brush or debris. Step 4
Step 4 Verification
Verify FMVSS 393.100 Cargo Securement & Bulkhead Rating
Federal DOT cargo securement rules require working load limits (WLL) equal to at least 50% of cargo weight. Ensure your flatbed includes a reinforced steel/aluminum headboard, stake pockets every 24 inches, and sliding under-rail winch binders.
Upfit Engineering Tip
Our Waterford, Chicago, and Denver shops install custom D-rings, E-track, and underbody winch tracks tailored to your cargo.Questions & Financing
Vocational Upfit & Section 179 FAQs
A Stationary Flatbed is an open, level platform deck for side-forklift or crane loading. A Stake Bed is a flatbed platform equipped with removable 28"–42" slatted wood or steel side racks tucked into the perimeter stake pockets to contain loose cargo. A Rollback Carrier uses hydraulic cylinders to tilt and slide the entire flatbed deck down to the ground so vehicles and equipment can drive or be winched directly onto the bed.
