Well Ford sure put a damper on my truck selection light Baja tan or Onyx Black in the Lariat trim level. Otherwise to get another color choice I must upgrade. I don't want Black - to hot - and the Baja is way too light and will show every speck of dirt. So it looks like I need to get the King Ranch again. I don't mind, except it means a crew cab.
Background
I currently have an 04 King Ranch CC Long bed dually 176" wheelbase. I don't need this big of a truck for my 220RK and I doubt we will go much larger in the future. So I was thinking of a Super Cab Long Bed SRW. 164" wheelbase in the optional 11.400 GVW which is close to what my 04 is. Save 12" on length and save on tire costs, etc.
But with the leather color choices to get a real brown, I need the KR which only comes in a crew crew cab. I can get it in the SRW but I am stuck with the long truck unless I go SB. To get shorter I need to go with the 6.5' Short Bed. This configuration is 16" shorter. The space I loose is forward of the hitch. I was planing on an in bed aux tank as stock tank in this config is 34 gal (CC LB is 48). I have 36gal now. The transfer flow that works with a rolling bed cover will still fit, but only leaves 6" forward of the hitch from what I can calculate. To carry plywood or lumber means tailgate down and probably would need an extension to stabilize - not a deal killer. The times I have needed carry long items I can count on one hand, and I do have a GN trailer.
So I can switch to use the turning point hitch, but I am not sure of towing performance. Others with the 6.5 foot bed say they are OK with a standard 5th wheel hitch if set to the rearward position. I think mine will do 2". Otherwise get a slider to fit the puck system.
On the upside my KR cam with rear bucket seats which don't fold down and the new CC seats will fold flat making more room for stuff and dog. Also on the CC the door issue the SC has in parking lots goes away.
So for those that switched from a Long Bed to a Short bed - any regrets?
Background
I currently have an 04 King Ranch CC Long bed dually 176" wheelbase. I don't need this big of a truck for my 220RK and I doubt we will go much larger in the future. So I was thinking of a Super Cab Long Bed SRW. 164" wheelbase in the optional 11.400 GVW which is close to what my 04 is. Save 12" on length and save on tire costs, etc.
But with the leather color choices to get a real brown, I need the KR which only comes in a crew crew cab. I can get it in the SRW but I am stuck with the long truck unless I go SB. To get shorter I need to go with the 6.5' Short Bed. This configuration is 16" shorter. The space I loose is forward of the hitch. I was planing on an in bed aux tank as stock tank in this config is 34 gal (CC LB is 48). I have 36gal now. The transfer flow that works with a rolling bed cover will still fit, but only leaves 6" forward of the hitch from what I can calculate. To carry plywood or lumber means tailgate down and probably would need an extension to stabilize - not a deal killer. The times I have needed carry long items I can count on one hand, and I do have a GN trailer.
So I can switch to use the turning point hitch, but I am not sure of towing performance. Others with the 6.5 foot bed say they are OK with a standard 5th wheel hitch if set to the rearward position. I think mine will do 2". Otherwise get a slider to fit the puck system.
On the upside my KR cam with rear bucket seats which don't fold down and the new CC seats will fold flat making more room for stuff and dog. Also on the CC the door issue the SC has in parking lots goes away.
So for those that switched from a Long Bed to a Short bed - any regrets?
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