How tall is too tall, 5er Bed depth and tailgate height.

[uhftx]

Honestly, I have been a ford guy since I have owned all three brands.
Last time shopping, I found an issue when the tailgate was higher off the ground than my waist line.
It required a jump and a hop to just get my body launched into or onto the tailgate. When the tailgate was closed my wife could not see into the bed.
If I were to drop groceries into the bed by the cab. I could not retrieve them without a step ladder. What are they thinking.

They all want the tallest truck to appeal to the 20 yr olds. no lift kit needed.
They are growing themselves out of the towing market.
There is no lowering kit that is offered.

I asked about this on my latest new shopping experience. I asked about lowering the rear leaf springs by taking out the block which raised them. It would throw off the steering geometry without doing the lowering of the front suspension. I"m not looking for a Low rider 4x4.
Just a reasonable height for a 5er hitch and suspension.

I finally chose a Chevy over the others for this simple reason and price of course. But where does it end. 50inch mudder tires and 30 inch bed depth. It goes on and on.

Blocks and springs on the 5er (lifted) to make up the difference and 14' + height clearance on underpasses. Never mind back roads and branches / wires on the road.

If I have to and can now tow level and have bed clearance then my only options are a medium duty or larger class truck with less comfort. But probably better turning radius would be a plus.

[mhs4771]

You can put a "Hauler Bed" on any truck. There are companies that will make you a custom hauler bed exactly how you want it, IF you have the money.

[R.S.O'Donnell]

Our 2020 3121rl tows about as level as one could ask for behind our 2018 F-350 DRW. Both 100% stock.

Hitch is the Reese sourced Ford 27.5k in the factory puck system. Hitch head in the middle adjustment holes.

[BB_TX]

I don’t know if you still can, but on my 2007 F350 4x4 I had the 4” spacers under the springs replaced with 2” spacers, same as used on the 4x2. Leveled the truck. Service manager said he liked it much better as it also straightened out the drive line.

Didn’t do it to my 2012 F350 4x4 even though it has those same 4” spacers. Just tolerate it. But I am 6’-4”+. So I can easily see and reach over the rails and tailgate. But Monte does run a little nose high.

[lightsout]

While they (new trucks) are slightly higher usually 1-2". When i changed from my 2012 F350 to a new 2019 Ram 3500 (with upgraded factory 20" wheels) I had to only move the pinbox up one hole to compensate for level which is about 2". If I recall GM lowered their bed-rails to help compensate as they have lower rails then Ford and Ram.

Having the Andersen hitch also provide considerable adjustment.. It also depends on age of 5er as many of the older models have the axle brackets above the axle whereas the newer 5ers have them inverted which raises the posture

[Slow Hand]

When i got my 15 F250 I found it a pain to hook up my RV. I found a step that bolts under the side of my truck. No drilling required. Here is what I got. I just love it.

https://www.amazon.com/AMP-Research-...s%2C228&sr=8-9

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by Slow Hand

When i got my 15 F250 I found it a pain to hook up my RV. I found a step that bolts under the side of my truck. No drilling required. Here is what I got. I just love it.

https://www.amazon.com/AMP-Research-...s%2C228&sr=8-9

First those steps are priced like they are Gold plated, Second they cost more then a good set of Running boards and Side Steps which in some cases extend to the rear tire. Third I see not benefit to have a step at the very front of the bed. The Hub of my wheel makes a great step, then use the top of the tire for the next step makes for easy bed access and saves $600 (assuming you add those to both sides...

[Slow Hand]

You only need one. Mine is built rock solid., How much stuff have you purchased for your RV only to find you don't need it or it's junk. I use my step all the time. Way easier than scratching the bed of the truck leaning over the side. But hey if you don't need it fine. OP may benefit from it.

[Bob and Jeannette]

I carry a folding ladder about 4 feet tall.

[Byron B]

My 2015 F250 4x4 has a step and a handle in the tailgate. I have shrunk down to 6’3” and need to use it to get into the bed of my truck!

[dfb]

While closing my hitch on my ram dually, id get on the tire.. I tore my meniscus doing this.. Needed surgery... changed to the Anderson Hitch. Now I just drop the trailer on the hitch ball and close the latch... Much simpler... No need to get to the truck bed or tire to close the hitch... Good luck...

[lightsout]

Originally Posted by dfb

While closing my hitch on my ram dually, id get on the tire.. I tore my meniscus doing this.. Needed surgery... changed to the Anderson Hitch. Now I just drop the trailer on the hitch ball and close the latch... Much simpler... No need to get to the truck bed or tire to close the hitch... Good luck...

Wait a minute you do not hook your safety brake cable up or the Safety Chains that the Andersen hitch requires in almost every state. That does require you to get into the bed of the truck.

I also have the Andersen hitch mine is in a short bed however I still have to sit on the tailgate and then lay back to reach it or I can reach it from the tire or hub. regardless there is more to it then closing and twisting the Anderson hitch lever.

[Theunz]

When I hook up with my Anderson I already have the chains hooked to the truck and laid over by the fender wells. I can then hook them and the safety cable up without standing on anything. It is definitely a reach, but I’m only 5’ 10”” tall. I do keep an empty milk crate in the bed for the times I need to reach to the middle bottom of the bed.

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by lightsout

... Third I see not benefit to have a step at the very front of the bed. The Hub of my wheel makes a great step, then use the top of the tire for the next step makes for easy bed access and saves $600 (assuming you add those to both sides...

We have a 2020 Chevy SB, and I use the built in front bed step ALL the time. As was mentioned earlier, I can't pick something up from the bottom of the bed, if I'm standing on the ground. I'm 5'11"...

[tomJerram]

Take a look at this step. I use it all the time for my f250. Works great and it will hold my excessive weight with no flex. Set it in the bed and it's always there.

https://www.amazon.com/Alltrade-6475...6059537&sr=8-7

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by uhftx

...
I finally chose a Chevy over the others for this simple reason and price of course. But where does it end. 50inch mudder tires and 30 inch bed depth. It goes on and on.

Blocks and springs on the 5er (lifted) to make up the difference and 14' + height clearance on underpasses. Never mind back roads and branches / wires on the road.

If I have to and can now tow level and have bed clearance then my only options are a medium duty or larger class truck with less comfort. But probably better turning radius would be a plus.

I hear ya on the height of the new trucks. They are TALL!

One thing that I don't understand, though, is how you ended up at 14'+ on the height? Our 2020 Montana is listed at 13'6", and in our 2020 bone-stock Chevy SB SW 3500, we are under that when we are hooked and loaded. I don't know the exact height, but we are under that because we go into a door in our shed that is right at 13'5". We have 6" clearance between the side rails and the front of the 5er. 14'+ sounds really really high...

[Bad Moon]

If I am not mistaken, aren’t the Fords and GM duallys lower in the back than comparable SRW? Sure looks that way walking around the parks.

[KCTractors]

[QUOTE=tomJerram;1192398]Take a look at this step. I use it all the time for my f250. Works great and it will hold my excessive weight with no flex. Set it in the bed and it's always there.
I use the same tire step. I had it about twenty years already. Sure better then all that expensive things and I am only 5' 3" on a good day!

[CADman_KS]

Originally Posted by Bad Moon

If I am not mistaken, aren’t the Fords and GM duallys lower in the back than comparable SRW? Sure looks that way walking around the parks.

That might be. The overall diameter of the tires is less on the stock duallys than the trucks with 20" wheels.

But, with that being said, we have 20's, and we're still 13'6...

[Peter1965]

Originally Posted by lightsout

First those steps are priced like they are Gold plated, Second they cost more then a good set of Running boards and Side Steps which in some cases extend to the rear tire. Third I see not benefit to have a step at the very front of the bed. The Hub of my wheel makes a great step, then use the top of the tire for the next step makes for easy bed access and saves $600 (assuming you add those to both sides...

On the Ram duallys anyway the running boards only extend to the back doors of the crew cab. Solution..$8.00 step stool from Walmart. Keep it in the trailer for when I need to reach the hitch to hook up. Tried using the wheel and tire but only managed to put dents in the fender .