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I am looking at getting a new Ford to replace my current 2008 F350 Super Duty and just returned from measuring comparable 2016 and 2017 models all with 20" wheels and here is what I found.
My 2008 Ford F350 SRW Super Duty with 20" tires
Distance from ground to top of rail at rear axle: 56.5"
Distance from top of rail down to bed: 20"
Calculated distance of bed above ground: 36.5"
2016 Ford F350 SRW Super Duty with 20" tires
Distance from ground to top of rail at rear axle: 57.25"
Distance from top of rail down to bed: 20"
Calculated distance of bed above ground: 37.25"
2017 Ford F350 SRW Super Duty with 20" tires
Distance from ground to top of rail at rear axle: 58.25"
Distance from top of rail down to bed: 21.25"
Calculated distance of bed above ground: 37.0"
My assessment from this is the following:
The distance from the ground to the floor of the bed of all of the trucks are all very close. Not enough of a difference to create a problem in my opinion. However, the distance from the bed of the truck to the top of the truck rails is 1.25" greater on the 2017 than my 2008. That measurement difference will directly reduce the gap between the top of my bed rails and the 5th wheel. I like a 6" minimum for that gap and it will be reduced to 4.75". If I don't like the resulting loss in the gap, the solution is to raise my my Trailer Saver hitch up a notch (1.5"). I don't know if a 1.5" rise in the front of the 5ver while towing would cause a meaningful shift in weight to the rear 5er wheels. If it is true that the springs on the 2017 are softer than my 2008, then the truck would ride lower when towing and that would bring the rig back to level weight distribution. I'm thinking that Ford has thought this through, at least I hope so.
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