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Old 07-08-2015, 03:41 PM   #1
Bill Turton
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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 ?
 
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Old 07-08-2015, 04:14 PM   #2
DQDick
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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.
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Old 07-08-2015, 04:18 PM   #3
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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.
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Old 07-08-2015, 04:18 PM   #4
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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.
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Old 07-08-2015, 04:23 PM   #5
Fire5er
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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.
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Old 07-08-2015, 05:04 PM   #6
DarMar
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Prefer the long bed we have now to the many previous short beds.
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Old 07-08-2015, 05:26 PM   #7
Artemus Gordon
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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"!
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Old 07-08-2015, 06:08 PM   #8
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What made it simple for me was in 2008, at least, Ford wasn't making short bed dually's!
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Old 07-08-2015, 06:56 PM   #9
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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...
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Old 07-08-2015, 08:04 PM   #10
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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.
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Old 07-09-2015, 01:37 AM   #11
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I would never buy a truck other than a long bed! I use our truck for more then towing the Montana
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Old 07-09-2015, 02:51 AM   #12
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Thanks everyone for your input.
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Old 07-09-2015, 07:18 AM   #13
andylparish
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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.
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Old 07-09-2015, 07:53 AM   #14
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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.

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Old 07-09-2015, 08:52 AM   #15
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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.

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Old 07-09-2015, 12:27 PM   #16
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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.
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Old 07-09-2015, 12:46 PM   #17
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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.
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Old 07-09-2015, 08:32 PM   #18
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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.
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Old 07-09-2015, 09:12 PM   #19
Artemus Gordon
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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.
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Old 07-10-2015, 09:37 AM   #20
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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.
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