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Going from Long bed to Short bed - any regrets?

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  • Going from Long bed to Short bed - any regrets?

    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?

    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

  • #2
    I switched from short bed to long bed long ago. I had a short bed and when we started to remodel our house I could not even haul a interior door with out the tailgate down. Dealing with this for a few years and finally got the chance to get a long bed. I do not need the dually so that saves me some. Being just the 2 of us traveling the CC long bed is rather large but I would never go back to a short bed , and probably not an extended cab , having 4 doors is great.

    Brian
    Brian & Michelle
    2018 Reflection 29RS
    2022 Chevy 3500HD

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    • #3
      I have not regretted going to a short bed. Mine is 6'4". Like country camper, I don't like moving a door or plywood with the tailgate down, but, it is not something I do very often.
      On another note, like Dodge, I'm sure the Ford's can be optioned with the factory 'puck' system for 5th wheel hitches. I really like the setup. Hitches are a little pricier, but IMO, a much more solid mounting. I bought a B&K Companion hitch, and the location of the head can be installed centre, two positions forward, or two positions rearward. I have mine mounted one bolt hole to the rear off centre. At this position I can jack knife the trailer without interference. I might be able to do it on centre, but it would be too close for comfort.
      Last edited by Scott'n'Wendy; 08-06-2021, 11:55 AM.
      2018 Dodge 3500 6.7 Cummins w Aisin and 9 cup holders
      Not to brag or anything about my finances, but my bank calls me about every day to tell me my balance is OUTSTANDING!

      Comment


      • #4
        I have bought well over a dozen new trucks in my life, built two houses, did a side contractor job for 12 yrs and all the other household duties all with short bed trucks. While its nice to be able to throw 8ft stuff in and slam the tailgate shut it never seemed worth the extra truck length when parking and maneuvering. Part of what makes America great is that you can order the truck that fits you best .
        2021 Reflection 337RLS, 2021 Silverado 3500HD 6.6 gas. Nellie the wonder boxer

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        • #5
          Yoda I agree that the medium bed, 6.5 foot, is a great length and provides better day to day usage. Being able to turn extra sharp with the long bed and 5th wheel attached is a sketchy abuse of the 5th's suspension system IMHO. I have watched folks trying to maneuver their 5th wheels at great angles and cringe at the pressures put on the sidewalls and hangers. An uncle of mine did this regularly and had constant issues with tire failure and broke 2 hangers and bent 2 others. A little proper prior planning of backing and maneuvering goes a long way towards preventing the other 3 "p's. A person should be fine with the medium bed trucks if one keeps the corner clearances in mind.

          Dave
          flyfshrockies, 2021 imagine 2600RB, Ford F-150, XLT supper crew 3.5 eco boost with max tow. Dave and Toni (and the awesome Aussie Bayley, he's the social one)

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by flyfshrockies View Post
            Yoda I agree that the medium bed, 6.5 foot, is a great length and provides better day to day usage. Being able to turn extra sharp with the long bed and 5th wheel attached is a sketchy abuse of the 5th's suspension system IMHO. I have watched folks trying to maneuver their 5th wheels at great angles and cringe at the pressures put on the sidewalls and hangers. An uncle of mine did this regularly and had constant issues with tire failure and broke 2 hangers and bent 2 others. A little proper prior planning of backing and maneuvering goes a long way towards preventing the other 3 "p's. A person should be fine with the medium bed trucks if one keeps the corner clearances in mind.

            Dave
            Thanks folks
            I think I will stay with the long bed. I took a lot of stuff to my daughter and it was great to have the extra room forward of the hitch. Also needed to do a 3 point turn at the end of her road (cul-de-sac) was not big enough and ditches were deep. Got to where cab and trailer would have made contact on a short bed. I did go very slow.
            Keith
            2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

            Comment


            • #7
              Yoda Keith, I have a superglide hitch that will allow me to make a 90 as it's an auto slider. I also have a full size deep non low profile over the rail tool box in the bed. Not a lot of room behind the hitch when it goes full 90, but there is at least 2' if I did not have the box.

              I suggest if buying a new truck and you do go short bed, get the puck system in the truck and go for the ISR clean bed adapters from Pullrite. Something like this if they make it for the brand of truck you decide on. https://www.pullrite.com/4444 That way you can put in pretty much any hitch you want.
              Joseph
              Tow
              Vehicle: 2024 GMC K3500 Denali Ultimate Diesel
              Coach: 303RLS Delivered March 5, 2021
              South of Houston Texas

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              • #8
                Originally posted by Jlawles2 View Post
                Yoda Keith, I have a superglide hitch that will allow me to make a 90 as it's an auto slider. I also have a full size deep non low profile over the rail tool box in the bed. Not a lot of room behind the hitch when it goes full 90, but there is at least 2' if I did not have the box.

                I suggest if buying a new truck and you do go short bed, get the puck system in the truck and go for the ISR clean bed adapters from Pullrite. Something like this if they make it for the brand of truck you decide on. https://www.pullrite.com/4444 That way you can put in pretty much any hitch you want.
                Thanks Joseph
                Ill check into this when I get the new truck and measure everything. This gives me another option over the Reese and Curt puck to rail adapters that are out there. I may go with a totally new hitch too (B&W) My Reese Titan R20 can be a real pain to hook/unhook if everything is not exactly right. I have to rock it to get the final locking click , and it is real easy to get a high or incomplete hitch if you don't start low enough.

                More later
                Keith
                2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th whee, Star White 2022 F350 King Ranch CC Long bed (HAL) (CCC 4062lbs), B&W 25K OEM Companion,. SteadyFast system, Trailer reverse lights, rear receiver spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, Solar, Custom 6K axles upgrade, and other modifications.

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                • #9
                  I just bought a 2020 f350 cc lb. A benefit I did not expect was the larger, 48 gal, fuel tank only available with the long box. Unloaded, the range is upwards of 900 miles to empty.
                  Ted
                  2021 Reflection 310RLS
                  2020 F350 PS,CC,LB,SRW

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Yoda love my short bed. Third one. No towing issues, and no slider needed thanks to the newer rounded front trailer caps. You could have an issue if for some reason you went to an old, flat front 5th wheel. Then you would probably need the slider.
                    Dave and Darren Bakersfield, CA
                    2019 GMC Denali dually 4x4 duramax, BW puck hitch, timbrens
                    2015 Chevrolet 3500 CC duramax SB SRW (much loved; replaced with dually)
                    2021 Solitude 390 RK-R (3 A/C, solar, gen, 8K axles DP glass), comfort ride shocks, VIN 03584
                    Max and Riley, our chihuahua/jack russell furbabies

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