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Flatbed trucks are really gaining popularity, mostly within the farming community.  Precisely a flatbed that is made from wood is very convenient; it is inexpensive, and is able to last longer then steel truck bed.  

Another good thing is that wood flatbed can be designed by you, rather than paying high prices for an expensive, premade steel flatbed and also you can adapt it according to your needs, you can give a personal touch while saving you money.  Also here is not about truck games so a recommendation is to be patient and careful while doing all things.

Before you start you should supply some required things.  You will need a circular saw, lumber – 4- by- 4 inch and 2- by- 6 inch, lag bolts and nuts, wrench set, small square, drill and a drill bit and a pencil.

First you should measure and cut the foundation.  Lay three 4- by- 4 inch pieces of lumber across the width of the truck frame.  After that, using your pencil and square, mark the desired length and when this is done, cut the lumber to length.

Floorboards should be also cut to length so measure the 2- by- 6 inch lumber against the length of the truck frame, and then mark and cut it.  Each peace should be measured and marked individually to be sure that has the correct length.

Model the flatbed, starting by laying the 4- by- 4 inch lumber across the frame of the truck.  One at the front and back and one across the middle, parallel to one another.  The 2- by-6 inch lumber should be placed on top of and it should be perpendicular to this foundation, each peace should lay flat, side by side, until the whole area is covered.  When you place all the pieces, check your work. Maybe you’ll be in a need of adjusting the length or width of any of the boards.  Mark the extra peaces and cut them.

Next step is installing the foundation.  When you are done with the final adaptations, remove the 2- by- 6 inch floorboards.  You must be sure that the three pieces of 4- by- 4 inch lumber are placed as it was described in the previous step.  After that, drill through both ends of each piece of 4- by- 4 inch lumber into and through the frame of the truck.  In each hole from the top should be placed a lag bolt.  Thread a nut onto the bolt from the bottom and tight it with a wrench.

The final step is the floor.  All of yours 2- by- 6 inch floorboards should be laid in a place.  Drill a hole through the centre of the floorboard into and through the underlying foundation, on the place where each floorboard intersects a foundation board.  Make a three drill holes for each floorboard and place a lag bolt in each hole from the top.  Last step is to thread a nut onto each bolt from the bottom, and tighten with a wrench.

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Source by Marina Janakievska

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Going off road in an all-terrain vehicle can present multiple terrain challenges all of which require different considerations to maximise your enjoyment and safety and minimise the risk to you and your four-wheel drive vehicle. This guide gives a brief overview of the best way to approach various terrain types, especially in Australia where we have almost every type of terrain.

Before setting out, especially in a new off-road SUV, always make sure you and your passengers are wearing climate-suitable clothing and have the full complement of safety equipment including an emergency beacon, extra food and water, extra fuel, tow rope and shovel as well as plenty of water. The final safety precaution is always to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to get back.

***Driving on Mud and Sand in a 4×4.***

Many advanced four-wheel drive vehicles have a unique Terrain Response system that can be set for different driving conditions: rock crawl, mud and ruts, sand, grass/gravel/snow or road. This is is an innovative 4×4 off road feature that should be used in conjunction with proactive driving techniques. Here are some additional tips for off road driving in mud and sand.

Always use steady momentum to carry you through deep sand or mud. Do not select a gear that is too low in mud because it will spin tyres more easily. If the wheels start to spin, ease off the throttle and allow the tyres to slow down and regain traction. In sand a low gear is usually better, especially is traversing sand at dawn, when it is usually at its firmest. If you have find yourself in a sandstorm and have to sit it out, turn the rear of the vehicle to face the wind, and then turn the engine off.

If muddy conditions force you to drive in ruts, make sure you know where your front wheels are pointing at all times, tyres can suddenly cut through mud to find traction on firmer ground below.

Always follow the tyre and vehicle manufacturer’s advice on tyre pressure. However, where sand is soft and contains stones, a low pressure works better.

***The Nitty-Gritty of Sand.***

Sand covers only about 20 per cent of the Earth’s deserts. Most of the sand is in sand sheets and sand seas – vast regions of undulating dunes like ocean waves ‘frozen’ in an instant of time, but it still comes in a variety of types and forms.

Damp desert sand after rain can be easier to drive on. Often, flowers blooming overnight will help bind sand together.

Look out for firm sand these are stretches of desert where you can travel in relatively high range. If the sand is dry sand, it usually had a surface crust that’s stronger in the cool of the morning.

Keep well clear of wet sand. It can contain areas of ‘floating’ sand or quicksand and these can be lethal. Also avoid climbing over sand dunes, go round them.

Beaches are usually firm enough to take a 4×4 vehicle between high tide mark and four metres from the sea. Always keep your eyes out for the incoming tide and make sure you are not on a sandbank which could be cut-off and flooded by the incoming tide.

Finally, make sure you and your passengers enjoy your four-wheel drive adventures enough to hunger to do it again and always respect the environment you travel through.

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Source by Hugh McInnes