AEV Prospector XL Tray Bed Edition

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Only 10 to be offered. Kind of interesting: https://www.aev-conversions.com/vehicles/tray-bed

Limited Edition. Unlimited Adventure.

The Prospector XL Tray Bed concept started out as a personal project of AEV's President, Dave Harriton, which later evolved into one of the most talked about vehicles ever built by AEV. The original Prospector XL Tray Bed concept vehicle was first shown at the 2013 SEMA Show and has since traversed thousands of highway and off-highway miles all over North America. From the arid deserts of southern California to the frozen expanse of the Arctic Ocean, the Prospector XL Tray Bed proved that it was capable of taking on any adventure we threw at it.

Now, AEV Special Operations (AEVSO) is recreating 10 of these legendary vehicles and giving you the rare opportunity to own a piece of AEV history! Based on the Ram 2500 Regular Cab / Long Bed platform, the Prospector XL Tray Bed shares many of the same components as the original AEV concept vehicle, with the addition of some very unique upgrades, to transform this Prospector XL into a one-of-a-kind off-road adventure vehicle that is up for any challenge.

With its lightweight aluminum Tray Bed, heavy duty stamped steel Front Bumper, custom fabricated Rear Bumper, 3" DualSport SC Suspension System, aggressively wide stance and massive 41” tall tires, the Prospector XL Tray Bed is designed specifically for overland adventure travelers and recreational explorers who require an extremely capable full-size truck that also has the ability to tow heavy loads and carry a substantial amount of gear or even large adventure motorcycles. The Prospector XL Tray Bed is also the ideal platform for customers who wish to build the ultimate overland adventure vehicle by adding a bed mounted camper - the possibilities are endless! The Prospector XL Tray Bed is designed with maximum versatility in mind, while offering the same unsurpassed off-road capability and exceptional driving characteristics on the road that you have come to expect from any AEV-built vehicle.

Remember, AEVSO will only be producing 10 of these vehicles and they will be available on a first come, first served basis!

[Reloaderguy]

$38k plus base vehicle. That's pretty sweet, $75K for a base trim truck with a spacer lift and stamped bumper.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I know that the vast majority of folks here don't like the AEV lift design, but if you can put that and the price aside, a single cab flatbed on 40's looks sharp!

[Ducky's Dad]

a single cab flatbed on 40's looks sharp!

Should be a big hit at the mall!

[Reloaderguy]

I know that the vast majority of folks here don't like the AEV lift design, but if you can put that and the price aside, a single cab flatbed on 40's looks sharp!

I guess if looks are all that matters. You're going to need 40's to make up for the ground clearance you lose with the AEV bumper. May as well run 37's and keep the stock PW bumper.

Wake me up when the innovation starts.

[nts007]

Alum bed is a horrible idea. Especially a flat deck. Has anyone seen the bed of a new f150 that gets used as a work truck? Holes and tears after a year. Bedliner is the only saving grace. There are much better flat decks out there. For half the cost you could have your flat deck pw on 37's with a real suspension. Single cab flat deck on 40's isn't rocket science. I see a ton of 4500s and 5500s done exactly like that. Pull off the duals. Slap on some wide 40's with some special brand AEV hockey pucks for lift and carry on lol

[MSCH2112]

looks way ccol. however what a pia using the flat tray to store materials and stuff. way tough to stack. plus the pics of motorcycles would be pain to load and unload. not a workerman's truck for sure.

[OffroadTreks]

No it's for rich guys who drive McClarens and have BMW adventure bikes. These guys have more cash than you and can afford to look cool. Becuase it's all about appearances here with these trucks. They look badass.

The people who buy these don't care about things like practicality and functionality in practice.

None of you are white collar bro's, so of course, you won't understand that.

[TwinStick]

We must all have the same gene in us, as Power Wagon owners. We all like function over looks, but that being said, I think we all feel that pure function is also great looks. Such is the case for: older Uni-Mogs (1980's & older), The A-10 ThunderBolt---aka WartHog, The Bell UH-1---aka Huey, etc...., etc... .

[nts007]

Monster trucks....

[Limamikemike]

I question as to why they used the 2500 platform instead of the 3500 platform if it's supposed to be capable of putting a camper in its flatbed.

[Reloaderguy]

I question as to why they used the 2500 platform instead of the 3500 platform if it's supposed to be capable of putting a camper in its flatbed.

Bro, 3500's ride rough and that'd wrinkle your work pants. AEV work pants

[OffroadTreks]

Everyone who was in Moab got to see how AEV performs. We also measured the bumper, which is TALLER than the factory bumper. So there goes the better approach nonsense. Switching to those springs, even on 37's doesn't help flex.

AEV looks cool, but if you don't have a diesel, you're ruining the performance of your PW. It just won't have the same downward suspension travel.

Suspension compromised.

Approach compromised.

End of debate.

[DamageWagon]

Regular cab flatbed is amazing. I almost went that route until I found the PW platform. But put it on 40's and lift it, no way you're using the bed. I walked by the AEV booth to see their new 1500 nonsense and the flatbed height on their rig was at my chin (I'm 6'1"). Stupid. Useless.

AEV might be shooting itself on the foot with these newer packages. People might actually catch on that they aren't for performance

[nts007]

You give people too much credit pertaining to their intelligence.

Now reg cab flat bed.....hmmm I could do that....

[RustyPW]

Bend me over for the price of this thing. I like the idea of it. RC flat bed on 40's. But not how they did it.

[MSCH2112]

I question as to why they used the 2500 platform instead of the 3500 platform if it's supposed to be capable of putting a camper in its flatbed.

Bro, 3500's ride rough and that'd wrinkle your work pants. AEV work pants

you mean my work pants are really worth that much? wow. i could be paid to wear new jeans and sell them in that condition.

"styled for the man who's getting ready to head off into the night." my wife would kick me out of the truck at 50mph.

mike

[adeluca73]

Flatbeds are great for forklifting in crates of ammunition and motar rounds...original PW WC circa 1939-1946.

[RustyPW]

Flatbeds are great for forklifting in crates of ammunition and motar rounds...original PW WC circa 1939-1946.

[Bill2014]

There are lots of times when a flatbed would have come in handy (since I don't have ramboxes anyway). But come on - a bed that is 5 feet off the ground:

[2011TXPowerWagon]

I would love to have a flat bed. So many time is load the bed of my truck with stuff and then cant reach and have to climb up into the truck to get it. Would be awesome to have a side fold flat bed.

[yellowranger1]

I think some of you guys are overestimating the intended use of the aluminum tray bed... maybe haul some camping/hunting gear around, but it's not meant to be a work/ranch truck that sees "real" use. These things seem to be more or less a platform for a camper, or light duty use.... Or just look plain cool cruising the mall parking lot or Starbucks drive thru.


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[RustyPW]

There are lots of times when a flatbed would have come in handy (since I don't have ramboxes anyway). But come on - a bed that is 5 feet off the ground:

I keep a 3 step, step ladder in the bed of mine now so that I don't have to jump up to get inside the bed.

[TwinStick]

Well, I ain't gonna lie, I think a flatbed with the ability to have any of it's 3 sides able to fold down would simply be AWESOME for working. I watched them in use every single day on Uni-Mogs when I was in Germany. Don't forget, it could also be made to be hydraulically or electrically activated, to tilt in any of or all 3 directions. Most in Germany were like that. To do that with a pickup would be awesome. But aluminum, IDK ?

[OffroadTreks]

I think some of you guys are overestimating the intended use of the aluminum tray bed... maybe haul some camping/hunting gear around, but it's not meant to be a work/ranch truck that sees "real" use. These things seem to be more or less a platform for a camper, or light duty use.... Or just look plain cool cruising the mall parking lot or Starbucks drive thru.

Last point is it. These are for rich guys who want to look manly.