Essential in the world of towing and delivery, flatbed trucks are often used for carrying oversized and/or unusually shaped loads. So how much does it cost to get your hands on a flatbed that fits your needs? We’ve compiled a list of resources and examples to give you a variety of options for new and used flatbed trucks.
Most new flatbed trucks can start as low as $30,000 and reach prices as high as $80,000. It’s a wide range, we know, as it encompasses various sizes and feature options of new flatbeds. Additionally, a combination of multiple features and heavy duty abilities can take the price into six figures. If you’re not looking to spend this much, you can certainly find a used flatbed truck with equivalent features. A higher end, gently used truck will likely cost you around $30,000. Meanwhile, used trucks with higher mileage and more wear will drop to the range of $10,000 to $20,000.
These are general ranges, of course. The cost of your ideal flatbed truck will depend on a variety of factors, including the truck’s condition, size, and features. We’ve fleshed out several different options to give you an idea of where and how to start your search. Check them out below!
Where to Buy Flatbed Trucks
To start, let’s talk about automaker brands. Many recognizable brands with standard cars on the market also sell flatbeds, such as Ford, RAM, and Chevrolet. Other top makes for flatbeds include Freightliner and International.
Based on our research, it appears that most brands do NOT sell flatbed trucks directly from their own dealerships. You’ll find the best selection of flatbeds from commercial truck-specific dealers, which gather a range of trucks including flatbeds from a multitude of brands. For the purpose of this post, we’ll be showing you examples from Commercial Truck Trader, an online platform that houses a massive selection of new and used flatbed trucks. You can visit Commercial Truck Trader’s website here.
Features that Impact Flatbed Truck Prices
There are so many features to consider when looking for your ideal flatbed. Commercial Truck Trader allows you to filter your flatbed search by numerous categories, including classification, make, model, trim, cab type, engine type, mileage, transmission type, and more. It tends to be the various features that will affect the cost of each truck, much more so than the make and model.
We’re going to define three of these major feature categories – classification, cab type, and mileage – and explore the price difference among truck listings keeping these categories in mind. We’ll start the examples at the low end of pricing and work our way up.
Classification
Classification of trucks refers to their weight rating, referred to as their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). The GVWR chart is as follows:
- Class 1: 0 to 6,000 pounds
- Class 2: 6,001 to 10,000 pounds
- Class 3: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds
- Class 4: 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
- Class 5: 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
- Class 6: 19,501 to 26,000 pounds
- Class 7: 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
- Class 8: over 33,000 pounds
You can find flatbeds in every class, depending on what you’re looking for.
Cab Type
There are three main cab types for all trucks: standard, extended, and crew. Cab of course refers to the body of the truck, where the driver and passengers sit. The cab types vary by size, how many doors they have and how the doors are styled. Prices will increase for trucks with larger cabs, as they can seat more passengers. Cab types are as follows:
Standard: Two standard doors, single row of seating. Most common (aptly named “standard”).
Extended: Cab with rear seating, may have two, three, or four doors. Rear doors will likely be rear-hinged, and can often only open if the front doors are open as well.
Crew: Four door cab, all standard, same size, front-hinged doors.
Mileage
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Prices will range greatly based on mileage, as a new flatbed will cost more than a flatbed with 50,000 miles which will cost more than a flatbed with 100,000 miles. Simple enough!
Price Ranges for Flatbed Trucks
Now let’s look at some examples, taking into account the variety of price ranges you’ll come across. We’re going to start low and work our way up.
$5,000 – $10,000
- Make and model: Isuzu NPR
- Class: 4
- Cab type: Standard
- Condition: Used
- Year: 1999
- Mileage: 308,000
- Price: $6,500
This truck falls into a middle class, and is much older with considerable mileage in the 300,000s, contributing to the very low price. You can actually find a good number of trucks in this price range, as long as you’re okay with taking on a vehicle with high mileage.
$15,000 – $20,000
- Make and model: Ford F350
- Class: 3
- Cab type: Standard
- Condition: Used
- Year: 2016
- Mileage: 142,000
- Price: $19,950
Here we have a lower class vehicle than the first option, but it’s much newer and has less than half the mileage of the previous option, landing the price just under $20,000.
$30,000 – $40,000
- Make and model: Ford F150
- Class: 1
- Cab type: Standard
- Condition: New
- Year: 2019
- Mileage: N/A
- Price: $33,872
Increasing price by about $13,000 here gets you the lowest class truck, but brand new from Ford, an extremely well-known brand. All three options thus far have standard cabs, so next we’ll look at an option with a larger cab.
$50,000 – $60,000
- Make and model: RAM 3500
- Class: 3
- Cab type: Crew
- Condition: New
- Year: 2019
- Mileage: N/A
- Price: $50,618
Now we’re in the 50's! We mentioned this example has a crew cab. The larger cab plus having a higher class than the previous option bumps this one up in price.
$70,000 – $80,000
2007 Frieghtliner Business Class M2 112
- Make and model: Freightliner Business Class M2 112
- Class: 8
- Cab type: Standard
- Condition: Used
- Year: 2007
- Mileage: 165,967
- Price: $74,950
Upping the ante by another $20,000 here gives you a used option with decent mileage, but it’s a class 8, which holds the most weight on the GVWR scale. The class increase holds a lot of weight (pun intended!) in the price increase of this option.
$90,000 – $100,000
- Make and model: Ford F550
- Class: 5
- Cab type: Extended
- Condition: New
- Year: 2019
- Mileage: N/A
- Price: $92,699
Sitting just below six figures, we have a new 2019 truck in class 5. The class is lower than usual for this price range, but this truck is the first example we’ve presented of an extended cab, the largest cab option.
Over $100,000
- Make and model: Kenworth T370
- Class: 8
- Cab type: Standard
- Condition: New
- Year: 2020
- Mileage: N/A
- Price: $134,683
Last one! Here’s an example costing six figures, if you’re looking to splurge. Again, we’ve got a new 2020 vehicle, with this one pulling out the big guns in class 8. Mint condition + high class = $$$!
Remember to do Your Research
We hope these examples have given you an idea of where to start your search and what kind of truck will serve your purpose best. But we implore you to remember that this post is a starting point. In your search, be sure to research your options carefully and vet your sellers. Dealerships and individual sellers provide information on the features of a truck, but nothing beats you going and checking it out for yourself, particular when dealing with used vehicles.
If you’re looking at used vehicles, check the condition yourself and take it for a test drive. Make sure it runs as described and ensure all maintenance on the vehicle was completed regularly (i.e., oil changed, tires rotated, routine inspection performed). If you can, run a Carfax or similar report on it to confirm its history. Better safe than sorry!
There you have it! With so many options on the market, you’re certain to find a flatbed truck that works for both your needs and your budget. As you’ve seen here, prices range massively across the board. Sources like Commercial Truck Trader as well as commercial truck dealerships in your area can help you find exactly what you’re looking for, and for the right price. Happy searching!