3/4 Ton or 1 Ton? Long Box or Short Box?

[richfaa]

Fords are heavy Our 2008 F-350 CC,LB, Dually, Diesel full tank of fuel, Trailer saver hitch, wife, self, bird, bag of chips baloney sandwich some leveling blocks, hoses and spare Montana parts weighs 9250lbs.

[kjmcdowell77]

Based on my recent experience with a Std. bed 3/4 ton, I would recommend a one ton long bed. I was backing into a slot and got a little too tight and broke out the rear window on my truck. I knew I was getting close but couldn't get a clear view from the driver's seat. The other option is a sliding hitch. If your truck is going to be used primarily for pulling a 5th wheel, I would just recommend the long bed.

[CaptnJohn]

Originally Posted by kjmcdowell77

Based on my recent experience with a Std. bed 3/4 ton, I would recommend a one ton long bed. I was backing into a slot and got a little too tight and broke out the rear window on my truck. I knew I was getting close but couldn't get a clear view from the driver's seat. The other option is a sliding hitch. If your truck is going to be used primarily for pulling a 5th wheel, I would just recommend the long bed.

A long bed is nothing to be afraid of. A dually is my daily driver!

[powerhaulic]

3500 single wheel would be my recommendation.

[jdhowl01]

First decision is about dually or single. If you get a dually, it will be a long box. You can get a long box in a single rear axle. I wouldn't get a short box with a 5th wheel. Too many stories about broken rear windows in cab and problems with a slip hitch. But for dually vs single, it is all about weights and can the single wheel handle it. There are several spreadsheets out on the web that calculate weights and whether you will be overweight. I ended up with a dually and I am glad I got the dually. Weight, no problem. Driving in wind, no problem. Going up and down mountains, no problem. My fifth wheel has GVWR of 17,600 pounds. I put all the wights in the calculator and a single wheel truck just couldn't legally pull my trailer.

[Mark N.]

Whoa! Don't even consider a 3/4-ton with those numbers.

[samroll]

If you don’t buy a dually you will all die. 😂🍿😂🍿

[dvines]

I have a 2018 321MK so it's very similar to yours. I tow with a 2018 Ram 2500 Crewcab. After visiting the scales, I discovered my pin weight (loaded trailer) is 2376#. With a 3/4 ton, you WILL exceed the GVWR. What I learned from reading this and other forums is to NOT exceed the rear axle or the tires weight capacity. My actual rear axle weight is 5680 (6500 max). With this knowledge, I felt comfortable installing a 46 gallon aux fuel tank in the bed. With full fuel, loaded trailer and passengers, rear axle weight is 6140#. Tows just fine and I added disc brakes to trailer to assist stopping. Having said all that, you can't go wrong with a 1 ton. Good luck.

[Impops]

You cannot go wrong with a 1 ton long bed. Hitching is easier and don’t have to worry about special hitch to keep trailer from hitting truck when making sharp turns. I have had both and would not go back to anything less for a tow vehicle

[Whitewolf]

1 ton and done.

[Neverhome]

I'll throw my hat into the one ton long bed ring. I have a 2010, F350 CC with the 8 foot bed, pulling a 2007, 3400 RL, Montana with a max weight of 15,000 lbs. The truck has the V10 engine and is a single rear wheel. It handles it just fine until you come to a very steep hill and then bogs down to between 40-45 MPH. It works for me as I only pull twice a year to and from a seasonal site 3 1/2 hours away here in Maine.
If you are going to tow in mountainous areas on a regular basis, I strongly suggest a diesel. As far as the 3/4 vs 1 ton, my advice is to go with the one ton. Bigger brakes, bigger axels, larger radiators and better suspension systems for not a lot more than the 3/4 ton. If you get the camper rated truck it most likely come with a radiator and oil cooler which help a lot in hilly terrain. The longer 8' bed will allow you to store more items whether towing or just hauling items around town. Out side of the steep hills, I barely know it is behind me going down the road and when it is time to stop, the larger brakes are a blessing, not even considering the trailer brakes.

Good luck in your decision.

[philiprmcgovern]

My thought would be to go ahead and get a diesel-powered one ton dually long bed with a 4.11 gear ratio - even if you have to order it because:
1. It can safely pull anything, unless it’s a house.
2. Long bed means no slider hitch, bigger fuel tank which will give you more range and fewer white knuckle fuel stops.
3. The 4.11 ratio and engine brake will make mountains fun.
4. No one will be able to tell you that you that don’t have “enough truck” and you can quit worrying about all those pesky ratings and numbers.
5. If you later decide to trade up to a larger RV, you won’t need to trade trucks.

Whatever you decide, best wishes and happy trails! Phil

[JRogers]

Check the sticker on the drivers door.

That value is never what the spec sheet says, always less because of the tires they put on at the factory.
Tires are very important, exceed their ratings and lots of danger. Can only blame yourself.
Play it safe and get more than you need!

[jking]

One ton longbox for the best ride and least concerns turning.

[beeje]

Originally Posted by samroll

If you don’t buy a dually you will all die. ��������

Its unwarranted (stupid) comments like this that are of absolutely NO help to someone trying to figure out what is the right/safest thing to do.

[Wheelhouse]

Welcome to the group. We have a 2017, Ford F-350 long bed crew cab, 4 wheel drive. No Duley for me, I have seen to many broken fenders that stick out. The long bed serves me better for hauling stuff when not traveling, plywood, lumber, furnture, etc.
I place a low profile tool box in the bed of my truck to store truck stuff instead of weighing down the trailer. If you get the bed box, make sure it is the low profile and not the raised one. The raised one gives problems on u-turns and tight turns that can damage the trailer, I know, ugh.
The crew cab is great for coats, guest, kids and pets travel. Parking can be a pain sometimes, like Chicago, lol.
We have been pleased and comfortable with our truck and the 40 gallon diesel tank.
Whatever truck you get, have fun and safe travels.

[browens62]

like Jroger said check the sticker one the drivers door.

all the the charts has our payload at 3300. after checking the door payload is 3003.

Me, DW, dog, gas and other stuff. say 500lb. 2503 for PW. If we are under the 2503 PW we would be lucky.

Like many have said run the numbers.

we need a bigger truck.

We bought the truck first than RV. Should not have let the DW look at the montana.

The real question is. How big will your next one be!!

[7.3Ford]

Originally Posted by Klondike

Thanks for the info!
Now I am wondering, do I have to add the weight of the 5th wheel hitch, tool box, jerrycans and anything else in the truck to the hitch weight of 2,160 lbs? With a payload limit of 2,943 lbs with the 3/4 Ton that would only leave 783 lbs of extra weight in the back of the truck??? But the 1 Ton would not be a problem!

Go with the 1 ton, when looking at diesel there's not much difference in price. I like the long bed.

[Slow Hand]

Pop corn Butter or no butter?

[BeckCass]

We purchased a MHC 321MK last year and a F-350 dually to pull it due to the pin weight so we wouldn't have to diet to stay within the pay load of the truck. We went with the long bed, a big reason because it has a 48 gallon tank versus a 30 gallon tank. Pulled it to Alaska and back this summer and are glad we chose the rig we did. It's a little bit of an issue in parking lots as it takes up two spaces or sticks way out, but that's the only issue.

2019 Montana High Country 321MK
2018 F350 DRW, CC Long Bed, 6.7 Power Stroke Diesel