|
|
07-08-2015, 03:41 PM
|
#1
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Cordele
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #17300
|
Truck bed size
I am thinking about purchasing another truck soon. Is it easier to tow a fifth wheel with a long bed or short bed ? Also is there really a lot of difference between a Ford 350 and Ford 450 in towing power ?
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 04:14 PM
|
#2
|
Site Team
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Wilsey
Posts: 18,799
M.O.C. #11455
|
Not sure bed size makes any difference towing except you have to pay more attention turning especially on uneven ground. I like my short be because it lets me have the Mega Cab.
__________________
Dick, Joyce, Diego, Picatso and Gustav
2017 3720 RL, and 2013 HC 343RL
Pullrite Hitch, IS, Disk Brakes, 3rd AC, Winegard Traveler, Bathroom door mod, Dometic 320, couch for desk swap, replaced chairs, sun screens, added awnings, etc.
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 04:18 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Lake Gaston
Posts: 8,773
M.O.C. #12156
|
Long bed eliminates any need for a slider. I would not have anything else. Also have the crew cab. Go on line to ford towing guide, plug in your truck specifics re your question on the 450 for a specific comparison of towing capacity.
__________________
Mike and Lorraine
2002 3655 FL, 2005 3650RK
2010 3665RE, 2015 3910FB
F350 crew cab dually 6.7
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 04:18 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Bridgewater
Posts: 1,196
M.O.C. #13166
|
Love the longbed. It was the only option in a 1-ton from GM (in '07 anyway). No need to buy a slider hitch and room for a small amount of stuff behind the cab without interfering with the hitch and turning the Montana. All my previous trucks were shortbed, but I'm sold on the longbed now. I'm sure some of the guys with the Fords will chime in soon on your other question. Good luck with your decision.
__________________
2010 Montana 3455SA, Mor/Ryde pin, wet bolts, TST 507, Progressive HW50C, GY G614
2019 Silverado D/A 3500HD LTZ DRW CC
B&W Companion
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 04:23 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Port Orchard
Posts: 1,153
M.O.C. #3403
|
Most will tell you size doesn't matter...had to say that. But I have always had a long bed just so I didn't have to deal with the sliding hitch. We love the long bed too.
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 05:04 PM
|
#6
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Brandon
Posts: 3,944
M.O.C. #1034
|
Prefer the long bed we have now to the many previous short beds.
__________________
Darwin & Maureen DeBackere
Minnedosa, Manitoba, Canada
2011/3500/Silverado/4x4/DRW/Duramax
2017/3721RL/Legacy Pkg./Pressure-Pro
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 05:26 PM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
|
Did a lot of research on the subject and bought the F450. It's real advantage is turning radius. The wheels sit out further and allow for turns you can't even do in a F250. That alone is worth the difference. Also F450s have exceptional resale value, they hold much more of their value than any other truck. I have had dealers call me trying to buy mine. That said, they are becoming hard to find. 2016 will be the same as 13-15. In 2017 they go to new style of truck. Lots of innovation in 2017, but our 2013-2016 may become very sought after. The weight difference in towing and larger brakes, is reassuring, but my friends F350 is just as capable! As for the 8 ft bed, I would have nothing less! BTW test drive both trucks and Park them. Your decision will be easy! People ask me why I need an F450, my answer is, I own a "Marshmallow Farm" and tow a lot of weight. "Fact, until they are pumped full of air, Marshmellows are dang heavy"!
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 06:08 PM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Land O Lakes
Posts: 932
M.O.C. #9053
|
What made it simple for me was in 2008, at least, Ford wasn't making short bed dually's!
__________________
Walt and Carol Ashley, with fond memories of Bailey the Chesapeake! Land O Lakes, FL
2009 Big Sky 365REQ 10th Anniversary Edition
2008 Ford F350 King Ranch Super Duty
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 06:56 PM
|
#9
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: New Port Richey
Posts: 438
M.O.C. #14092
|
Long bed crew cab dually for me. No worries when make tight turns or backing. Plus when I'm not towing the camper I remove the hitch and I can fit full sheets of plywood,dry wall or 2x4's and close the tail gate. I met a few people that had to buy short beds because a long bed won't fit in their garage. I had to measure the length of my garage first before I bought mine. Made it by about 6 inches plus it's a dually so my 2 car garage is now a 1 truck garage...
__________________
2012 Silverado 3500HD|4x4|Crew Cab|long bed|Dually
2012 Montana 3750FL
|
|
|
07-08-2015, 08:04 PM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Murrieta
Posts: 5,816
M.O.C. #9257
|
Just talking about the bed, I've had both a short and a long bed. Long bed wins hands down because so much more stuff can be carried in the bed than having to find a place for it in the trailer. The prior short bed, didn't have as much room after the hitch took up a lot. In the long bed I have a flush-with-the-bedrails tool box and even though it takes up two feet of length in the bed, it still seems to have more bed area than the short bed without a tool chest. To me, no more short beds.
In defense of short beds, new fivers have new front caps that accommodate a short bed without needing the heavier slider hitch. But you must check the new fivers to make sure of the fit.
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 01:37 AM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Englewood
Posts: 3,095
M.O.C. #164
|
I would never buy a truck other than a long bed! I use our truck for more then towing the Montana
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 02:51 AM
|
#12
|
Established Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Cordele
Posts: 31
M.O.C. #17300
|
Thanks everyone for your input.
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 07:18 AM
|
#13
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Mountain Home
Posts: 148
M.O.C. #17188
|
Love my long bed and make sure you get the towing option if it's a ford. Love the puck system in it, hitch removes easy and leaves bed open and flat.
__________________
Andy and Nancy Parish
Marlee Claire and Magnolia Caroline
Pomeranian bosses AKA The MCfurries, Big white cat "G"
Mountain Home, Arkansas
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 07:53 AM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Depends on temps
Posts: 1,648
M.O.C. #13157
|
On my 3rd DRW long bed truck.
If it was a daily driver, etc, I guess I would consider a SRW short bed. But I have a Honda for a daily driver. Nothing drives and tows like a DRW.
The newer F450 has front wheels that track with the outer duals giving them a shorter turning radius. But for me, the trade off of the higher GVWR results in a stiffer empty ride. I like my empty ride on my 3500 Ram.
Jim
__________________
2012 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 4x4 3.73 Tow Max Pkg B&W Companion 60 gal RDS aux fuel tank. 2014 Montana 3150RL, 2 A/C's, Leather, 6 Point Jacks, Splendede WD2100XC, Mor/ryde X-Factor, Duravis 250 tires with TST 507RV monitors. 2 x Honda EU2000's
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 08:52 AM
|
#15
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lincoln
Posts: 856
M.O.C. #8154
|
I too own a 2014 F450. In actuality, the payload capacity is slightly less on the 450 than some of the F350 models. Check out the specs. We also found that the F450 has a much softer ride and sits lower than the F350. For me, it was all about the turning radius. I have a tight driveway. It's much easier to back in.
Ken
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 12:27 PM
|
#16
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Livermore
Posts: 5,135
M.O.C. #1920
|
We have had both. On our current 2013 Ram Mega Cab, only a short bed was available. We like the shorter length, because it fits in the garage better. With our new 2015 Montana, I have yet to use the slider hitch. When we go down our drive, I have to turn 110 degrees and am swiveling sideways across a hill. On my long bed Chevy, I had dimples on the truck corners where I hit. No problem on the short bed. We also have our two Honda's behind the hitch and will be putting two bikes ahead of the hitch. Get what works for you. Everyone's needs are different. We live at 7500 feet and have a very steep drive. Ours works for us.
__________________
Ron and Terrie Ames - MOC #1920/KF0NTA
2021Montana 3230CK Super Solar Legacy Package
2021 Ram 3500 Laramie Longhorn, BIM Charging
4x4, SRW, LB, Crew Cab, Pullrite 3900 Hitch
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 12:46 PM
|
#17
|
Seasoned Camper
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Seattle
Posts: 91
M.O.C. #15774
|
Remember on the Ford, the short bed models have a much smaller fuel tank (26 or 28 gal.) than the long bed models (38 gal.). I think this is also true on some of the Dodges? Of course the Ford dually only comes with a long bed so the tank size is a non-issue. Yes, there replacement/add on tanks to increase the capacity but they don't come cheap.
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 08:32 PM
|
#18
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Aguanga
Posts: 606
M.O.C. #13601
|
As others have said the 450 turning radius sold me. That and the 19.5 wheels that are standard on the 2015+ 450. I believe you can get the wide track front end on the 350 that may have the same radius but I didn't have a chance to test drive one (the wide track config should also come with the 4.30 rear end though not sure if it shares the same axle as the 450). As for towing power, both 350 and 450 PU (vs the chassis cab) should pull the trailer about the same given equal rear ends. Breaking difference is an unknown. Some spec sheets show the 450 PU has the same brakes as the 350 other spec sheets show they are different. I haven't replaced them yet so I can't answer that question.
The knocks to the 450 are financing and insurance. Some insurance companies will not insure it and many finance companies will not finance it. It is seen as a true commercial truck so they only insure and finance it as such.
|
|
|
07-09-2015, 09:12 PM
|
#19
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Redding
Posts: 1,421
M.O.C. #12339
|
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by davidaf
As others have said the 450 turning radius sold me. That and the 19.5 wheels that are standard on the 2015+ 450. I believe you can get the wide track front end on the 350 that may have the same radius but I didn't have a chance to test drive one (the wide track config should also come with the 4.30 rear end though not sure if it shares the same axle as the 450). As for towing power, both 350 and 450 PU (vs the chassis cab) should pull the trailer about the same given equal rear ends. Breaking difference is an unknown. Some spec sheets show the 450 PU has the same brakes as the 350 other spec sheets show they are different. I haven't replaced them yet so I can't answer that question.
The knocks to the 450 are financing and insurance. Some insurance companies will not insure it and many finance companies will not finance it. It is seen as a true commercial truck so they only insure and finance it as such.
|
He is correct on financing and insurance. Ford Motor Credit and your local banker are best bet to finance. I have mine insured with AARP Hartford. I had to get underwriting to accept my case that it's for personal use. I also had Gieco, they insured with no problem. Note Fords tow service is standard and well covered. AAA will not tow F450s without talking to underwriting. Just FYI.
|
|
|
07-10-2015, 09:37 AM
|
#20
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Kville
Posts: 2,865
M.O.C. #7871
|
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by 1retired06
...Long bed eliminates any need for a slider. I would not have anything else. Also have the crew cab...
|
Yep, rides better than the shorter bed too.
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|