Thanks so much for the info! I learned more from those couple of posts than anyone has explained to me in years! (I've found salesmen basically useless, just want to sell what they have on the lot).
Question - Can you pull a fifth wheel (why do they call it that?) with a short bed? The front of my trailer is shaped like a flat bottomed V, does that alleviate the problem of contact with the truck cab on a tight turn? I may be mistaken but I'm sure I've seen short beds pulling goosenecks.
The whole purpose of changing my truck would be to knock off length. To go from my crew cab long bed(172") to super cab short bed(141") makes sense but for less than 30" it's probably not worth it.
Thanks again, I'm really appreciating your input.
Carole
P.S. What's a limited slip axle, seems it's pretty common so I'm assuming I need it.
(Sorry, this turned out to be more than just 1 question)
A limited slip differential gives better traction by allowing both wheels to get power. A limited slip differential has clutch plates (little metal disks) packed in the differential between the side gears. When one wheel starts to spin too much the clutch plates bind up and make the other wheel turn also.
Some people complain the Ford limited slips don't work very well, and I'm one of them.
Go to http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm to learn more about differentials and other 'truck stuff'.
You'd be surprised what 30 inches off your wheel base will do for turning radius. What kind of 5th wheel are we talking about? Travel trailer or a goose neck? If it's a goose neck (which I think it is given a flat v) a short bed will be fine. If its a travel trailer I personally wouldn't recommend it, but some people say they work great.
Sound System: Stock Stereo, RockfordFosgate 800 watt amp, Vega 18" sub (400 watt rms), one Cerwin-Vega LS-12 3 way floor speaker with the Vega sub removed (because I blew it) and a RockfordFosgate 12" sub (500 watt rms) in its place. And one Boise floor speaker with a 75 watt power capacity (you know it ain’t gonna last).
Performance Mods: K&N Air Filter.
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It's a gooseneck horse trailer. I called the trailer dealer today and he said that while a short bed is not recommended, unless you get in a bad jack knife situation there is no problem. Many people pull with them.
The 30" I'd lose from crewcab LWB to supercab SWB would be great but I don't think the 14" I'd lose from the crewcab to supercab and keeping the LWB is worth the change.
I'm thinking as much as I love it, I may bag the whole truck and gooseneck thing, trade it for a bumper pull and try a diesel excursion.
Bumper pulls suck!!! They whip back and forth bad. I have a 99 F350 crewcab sb and am putting a gooseneck hitch in it next week. I have been pulling goosenecks since I was about 14 and unless you jacknife you will be O.K., but if you have a longbed and jacknife it you will be screwed too, its not fun. A headache rack is worth its wieght in gold if you ever do jacknife. Hope this helps.
Ben
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99 F-350 CrewCab Power Stroke Diesel(What a Beauty), and a 57 F-350 Flatbed Dually. Gotta love a 1 ton
I know bumper pulls SUCK, I pulled one with a suburban for 4 long years before I got my truck and gooseneck. I swore I'd never go back!! However, my trailering has been cut by 99% since the girls stopped horsehowing and keeping a giant rig for less than occasional towing just seems kinda crazy.
I drive an excursion daily now so thought maybe stepping up to one equipped to tow might be the way to go.
Because when I bought it I already had the 350 SD Diesel for towing and I swore I'd never go back from a gooseneck to a bumper pull so why get the big engine for just around town.
That was then, but if I'd looked ahead a few years I would have realized that down the road (after the girls were off to college and no longer showing their horses) my need for a big rig would be gone.
Why do you say bumper pulls suck? I started pulling a 24' TT last year and had never towed anything previously. I was using an F150 with the 5.4L V8, a weight distribution hitch and sway bar. At times I couldn't even tell the camper was there.
Just curious. Obviously, you have a lot more towing experience than I do.
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2001 F350 XLT 4x4 DRW SC V10
Mods: Line-X bedliner, Westin Bull Bar, Westin Platinum Series steps
I'm exaggerating. I pulled a 3 horse bumper pull all around for 4 years. Never had any trouble, it was actually the 2500 Suburban I was using that sucked! It was gutless, wouldn't go more than 40mph up freeway hills (and that was with a run at it!)
All things being equal there would be no question between a gooseneck and a bumper pull, its a totally different feel. The best way I could explain would be to say it feels like one entity as opposed to dragging something. Much more secure and solid.
I can't speak to the towing question, but let me just warn you on the supercab. Sure, the supercab is 14inches less than a crew cab, but if you plan on carrying adults in the back seat get the crew cab. The supercab back seats are torture for adults (I know I used to have a 99 F350 supercab). I would only recommend the supercab for carrying small kids or personal gear.
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2000 F350 CC DRW Lariat 4x4 LWB 4R100 V10 4.30ls with Torklift tie-downs/Superhitch and Rancho RS9000 and Ride-Rite air springs.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" Slide-in camper with all options.
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Harald
2000 F350 4x4 CC DRW V10 4.30ls Lariat LWB.
Firestone Ride-rite airbags, Rancho RS9000 shocks and Torklift Superhitch.
1998 Alpenlite Pendelton 11'10" camper held on by Torklift tie downs
Carole,
On the other message I tried to suggest just that!!!
I really do feel your best bet would be a SuperCab or even a Crew Cab with the short bed would serve your needs great and give you a wonderful daily driver. You could do a Single Rear Wheel F-350 and pull that trailer no problem if equipped properly refer to the other posting for some spec suggestions.
i pull a 31' travel trailer with a reciever hitch std. cab long bed dont hardley know its there unless you look in mirrors. pulls so well with my highboy that i would not consider a 5th wheel.
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90 F250 4x4 sc zf5 3.55 ride-rite air bags on front
