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"Powerbed" Pickup Now On Market
Two issues ago, we told you about a drop-bed pickup from Australia that lowers flat to the ground for loading (Vol. 21, No. 3).
Now, a North American company is bringing the drop-bed concept to U.S. and Canadian farmers using Dodge Ram 3/4-ton 4-WD pickups.
Ergo Truck Conversion Corp. of Windsor, Ontario, s
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"Powerbed" Pickup Now On Market PICKUPS Miscellaneous 21-5-25 Two issues ago, we told you about a drop-bed pickup from Australia that lowers flat to the ground for loading (Vol. 21, No. 3).
Now, a North American company is bringing the drop-bed concept to U.S. and Canadian farmers using Dodge Ram 3/4-ton 4-WD pickups.
Ergo Truck Conversion Corp. of Windsor, Ontario, says farmers love the way the entire bed of the pickup lowers flush to the ground for easy loading and unloading of any cargo, including livestock.
The "Powerbed" completely replaces the box from the cab on back. It consists of a U-shaped channel iron frame with a lift plat-form in between that's raised and lowered by two hydraulic cylinders connected to steel aircraft cable. Fiberglass fenders match the rest of the pickup.
The cargo box measures 50 by 97 in. The tailgate serves as a bumper and loading ramp.
Electronic controls include an audible/visual warning when the bed is in motion.
The rear axle is replaced with independently suspended rear wheels. A trailing arm system of Ergo's design transfers 50 percent of the weight of the loaded cargo box to the front. The front wheel drive has plenty of power to run the truck, the company says. The conversion requires replacing standard front U-joints with CV joints which helps eliminate the "wheel hop" which is some-times associated with 4-WD pickups and wear on front end and transfer case, the company says. Wheel hp can result in increased wear on front end and transfer case, the company notes.
The system is fully warranted for three years or 36,000 miles. Ergo covers repairs to any items voided by the manufacturer.
The "Powerbed" is sold and serviced through participating dealers. Conversion at Ergo takes about a day.
It's currently available for only 1997 and some 1996 3/4-ton Dodge Ram pickups. The conversion will be available next spring for Chevy and next winter for Ford 3/4-ton pick-ups as well.
Conversion costs $12,600.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Ergo Truck Conversion Corp., 3005 Deziel Drive, Windsor, Ontario, Canada N8W 5A5 (ph 888 729-3746 or 519 945-8010; fax 2650; www.sayergo.com).
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