Ford Bed Size/Hitch ques

[boylanag]

I am looking at a 2005 Ford King Ranch Crew Cab to tow our 06 2980 and wonder if the bed is long enough to use my present Reese hitch or do I need one with a slider.

[racerjoe]

If it is a short box you would need the slider for tight turns, long box would be ok

[iowaone]

I have a short bed with a B &W Campanion hitch. My Monte is a little newer and came with an extended hitch pin and maybe the front profile is different but it has never been a problem for me. True I can't be 90 degrees but it is at least 80 degrees before it would make any contact. Either way you always going to have to watch it at some point if you are close to a jackknife position. I camp in a lot of state parks and have always been able to get backed in and out without close calls. Certainly, a long bed or slider gives more clearance but not sure how much you really need,

[scductman]

Jim I have wondered alot about your 5.4 pulling a montana. It seems every body is look for more HP mostly in older trucks like mine. Is the ford a deisel if it is it will make alot of difference towing. I never had a short bed so I dont know about the hitch. I hope you good luck with the truck and yall be safe and have fun.
bobby

[boylanag]

Bobby, it is a diesel. Racerjoe and Gary, this bed is not as long as my present long bed so it must be a short bed. Looks like I'll need a slider. Thanks all - Jim

[eastridges]

I would go with a slider.. I have a F350 shortbed which is 6.5 foot. I installed a Valley slider. Normally I didn't need to use it but guess what? I got into a situation, things were going on didn't use it and then the next day saw my cab corner. Luckily my insurance covered it all. I don't do sharper turns without it extended now. Learned the hard way, glad I did the slider even though I got a lesson.

[adelmoll]

Jim, you knew you wouldn't get off that easy. LOL

Good luck. I hope your 2005 Ford 350 treats you as good as ours has the past 130,000 miles.

Helen

[tbhd2]

Jim
You could get a "Fifth Airborne" swivel kingpin box and keep your present hitch. Just another option.

[sreigle]

Jim, is it a shortbed or longbed? If longbed, no sweat. If shortbed, you could do without a slider but you'd have to be very, very careful. If your Reese is the one I think it is, you can get the slider to put under it. It's a separate piece called the Kwik Slide. It's the same setup we had in our 2005 Ford crewcab shortbed.

[boylanag]

Steve, it is a short bed and the dealership is installing a slider hitch and some other items now. Should pick it up tonight. Looks like we are following you again. Our new truck is just like you old one.

[sreigle]

Congratulations, Jim and Carol! Those are very nice trucks. Is yours the same color ours was?

[boylanag]

Thanks. It is forest green with a metal fleck.

[sreigle]

Sounds nice, Jim! -- Just saw the picture on your blogspot link. Gorgeous! Now you can do that trip across I-70 in Colorado, Jim! The 5.4 did a nice job for you, as I recall, but that Colorado run probably would have been a killer for it. The diesel will do nicely.