Posted 2008-06-18 12:01 PM (#85900) Subject: Long Bed Vs short bed
New User
Posts: 2
Hi,Trailering horses is new to me and am looking at possible upgrading my ford for it. I have an 08 F-250 super cab diesel with the short (6'1/2) box. I'm considering trading up to an F-350 since I want a crew cab. Will be trailering occasional but will be using the truck on a daily basis for everything else.I have read that all else being equal a long box is much better to tow with GN but......a crew with an 8' box is starting to be really long to drive around town running errands.....daily driving-wise it's easy to understand that the short box is better...how much wose is it for trailering ?Any inputs appreciated.Cheers
Posted 2008-06-18 12:25 PM (#85903 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Member
Posts: 40 Location: Lowell, MI
Hi. I have a F-250 long box and love it for towing. I have a lot more room for my generator and stuff then you would with a short box.
But, would I want to drive this daily around town....OMGosh no! I suppose if you got use to it you'd be fine but for me...no thanks. If I had to drive it every day I'd go for the short box.
Posted 2008-06-18 12:55 PM (#85906 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Member
Posts: 32 Location: Louisiana
I have a '06 F250 Diesel Crew Cab Short Bed that is used to pull a 3H w/12' Living Quarter trailer with no problem. Even with the short bed, it takes some getting use to driving and parking due to the length, but definitely easier than the long bed. Since most horse trailers have a tapered nose, the short bed doesn't create problems with the trailer hitting the cab. RV Camper Trailers usually have a more square nose requiring the long bed in most cases so that the trailer doesn't come in contact with the cab when turning. Good luck
Posted 2008-06-18 1:17 PM (#85912 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Veteran
Posts: 150 Location: Farmville, VA
Depending on the trailer, not sure who told you that long beds were better for towing...? All of our trucks (1/2 ton and 3/4, & one ton) have and will be short beds and the hitches are set accordingly. We have found with the club cabs, quad cabs, etc. and a GN, the extra 2 feet just isn't necessary. I find that a short bed (full extended cab) is much easier to maneuver and I'm the primary driver when the trailer is hooked up. Pluse my husband hunts so the short bed makes it easier in the woods too. And, it's used daily. I guess the only reason you might consider an 8 foot bed would be if your trailer has square front. Good luck! I'm sure you'll get a lot of different opinions!
Posted 2008-06-18 2:17 PM (#85919 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Veteran
Posts: 129 Location: Northwest Ohio
Long bed. My uncle and cousin have blown out a back window of a short-bed TWICE when trying to make a turn (5th wheel camper--not GN trailer) but I love the confidence knowing it's not going to happen to us. We live in the city and my husband drives our 2007 GMC crew cab long bed dually every day to work. He just parks at the far end of the parking lot when at work or shopping. (He needs the exercise anyway).
Posted 2008-06-18 4:03 PM (#85928 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
If I'm not mistaken, a Ford super cab with an 8' bed, has the same wheelbase as a crew cab with a short bed. If it is true, the driveability, steering and handling of the two trucks would be similar.
I have not towed a GN trailer with a short bed, but have read that many people successfully do so on a daily basis. The exceptions seem to be; when pulling an 8' wide trailer, while using a Dodge quad cab, or pulling an RV trailer while using a fifth wheel hitch.
There are several adapters that will move the point of your GN hitch rearward in the bed, if there is an interference problem while turning. A CC truck with a full bed has a very long wheelbase, and can be difficult to maneuver in parking lots. A three point turn can turn into a five point turn.
Posted 2008-06-18 11:30 PM (#85951 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Expert
Posts: 2453 Location: Northern Utah
My 2000 and 2003 F350 were both Crewcab Short Beds. My current 2006 is a Crew Cab Long Bed.
I had no problems putting Gooseneck horse trailers with either version. They changed the front suspension
2005 maybe 2006 and the newer trucks turn sharper than the older 1999-2004 So the 2006 long bed actually turns in about the same space as the older short bed.
That won't make any difference to you since you are comparing 2008 to 2008
Posted 2008-06-19 9:02 PM (#86021 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
Member
Posts: 7
Location: Grenada MS
I have owned many of both. All things being equal I like the lwb but I have another vehicle to drive around. There is more difference in the dually and a single rear tire than lwb to swb.
Posted 2008-06-23 11:12 AM (#86191 - in reply to #85900) Subject: RE: Long Bed Vs short bed
New User
Posts: 2
Thanks everyone for the very valuable advices. I do have other vehicules to drive around daily but....somehow I always prefer to drive my truck.I guess you can get use to pretty much anything, I found the advice that going from SRW to DRW Vs LB to SB pretty usefull. I guess if money grew on trees you would get a LB DRW to haul and a SRW SB to drive around....thanks again for all the usefull tips. Cheers from the Great white North.
Long Bed Vs short bed
.I guess you can get use to pretty much anything, I found the advice that going from SRW to DRW Vs LB to SB pretty usefull. I guess if money grew on trees you would get a LB DRW to haul and a SRW SB to drive around....thanks again for all the usefull tips. Cheers from the Great white North.