Bed height frustrations
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2018
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Bed height frustrations
I have an '18 F250 XLT Prem and I purchased this truck specifically to haul horse trailers. My bumper pull trailer is fine (obviously, though I had to get a very long drop hitch for it). But I've been off trying to find a gooseneck and...
none of them have sufficient clearance for the absurdly tall rails on this truck. They are apparently designed to a standard bed rail height of 55 1/2 and my stock XLT Prem with camper package is 59 7/8." All manufacturers have told me so far that they will need to custom make one and take 4" off the height of the gooseneck area.
I can flip the axles on the trailer or block them, which costs a grand and makes it very tall for the horses to get into. The adjustable coupler can bring the trailer up a bit, but causes it to ride nose high and overload the rear axle of the trailer.
Anyone with a 2017/2018 successfully hauling a gooseneck HORSE trailer (not a 5th wheel...not a flat deck...a horse trailer) that is unmodified and fits the truck as stock? If so, what brand is it? And is there any valid reason that Ford decided to make these so INSANELY tall?
none of them have sufficient clearance for the absurdly tall rails on this truck. They are apparently designed to a standard bed rail height of 55 1/2 and my stock XLT Prem with camper package is 59 7/8." All manufacturers have told me so far that they will need to custom make one and take 4" off the height of the gooseneck area.
I can flip the axles on the trailer or block them, which costs a grand and makes it very tall for the horses to get into. The adjustable coupler can bring the trailer up a bit, but causes it to ride nose high and overload the rear axle of the trailer.
Anyone with a 2017/2018 successfully hauling a gooseneck HORSE trailer (not a 5th wheel...not a flat deck...a horse trailer) that is unmodified and fits the truck as stock? If so, what brand is it? And is there any valid reason that Ford decided to make these so INSANELY tall?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 902
Likes: 51
From: Clark, WY
You not going to want to hear this but I had my horse trailer made for my taller trucks. I had one custom built from Hawk. They build them entirely in one work bay and will build to your dimensions for no extra cost.
I hate to say this but you could check on lowering your truck's rear-end. It will help with the overall height but the bed depth is still 21", up from 19" of previous models. Although, you can buy a 2" taller goose neck ball.
I hate to say this but you could check on lowering your truck's rear-end. It will help with the overall height but the bed depth is still 21", up from 19" of previous models. Although, you can buy a 2" taller goose neck ball.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2018
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You not going to want to hear this but I had my horse trailer made for my taller trucks. I had one custom built from Hawk. They build them entirely in one work bay and will build to your dimensions for no extra cost.
I hate to say this but you could check on lowering your truck's rear-end. It will help with the overall height but the bed depth is still 21", up from 19" of previous models. Although, you can buy a 2" taller goose neck ball.
I hate to say this but you could check on lowering your truck's rear-end. It will help with the overall height but the bed depth is still 21", up from 19" of previous models. Although, you can buy a 2" taller goose neck ball.
Will look into lowering the truck (this is all it's used for, and frankly I think it is too tall) if I can't get this trailer to fit. Getting a taller ball and raising the coupler is causing the trailer to sit too nose high. Still, wtf is Ford thinking making a heavy duty truck that is too tall to haul anything?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 902
Likes: 51
From: Clark, WY
Why is a semi-truck so tall? It takes clearance for the larger axles and suspension items. Also, quite a few people raise them higher, including myself.
People have had the same grip with Ford and Dodge for decades now.
People have had the same grip with Ford and Dodge for decades now.
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Junior User
Joined: Apr 2018
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I didn't even think about it when I was buying, I stupidly assumed that nobody would make a truck that needed a custom trailer to fit it, but that 3" would have made all the difference here. The newer horse trailers already have 6" more clearance than older ones due to this issue, and it's still not enough for this truck. My 2001 Sundowner does not fit, even with the coupler extended and the axles on the trailer blocked.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 872
Likes: 4
From: Greene, NY
My EBY works fine. Not sure if it was originally custom or not - I bought it used. And I recently hauled a Featherlight that I believe was stock, and it worked ok as well. Not AS well as the EBY... But I also didn't really bother spending the time to adjust it much - I just made sure I had plenty of clearance - Could have gotten it closer to level and still been OK I think.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,684
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From: Phoenix, AZ
I went through this with my 2008 F350 and when it came time to get a new truck I went 2wd (2015 cc drw) just because of that reason... then I realized that 11-16 were quite a bit lower to start with. It was awesome to be able to reach in the bed and not feel like a midget in the process. I am now going back to 4x4, and I am fully prepared for the f450 to be a beast. I am gonna put a goosebox on my 5th wheel and haul it as a gooseneck, and have had worries about the height of the truck as it will be fairly high.. My only advantage is I can jack up the height of the goosebox a few holes up on the trailer, and use a 2" raised ball to get the 5th wheel off the bed sides...
Only suggestions: the cheap one: put 2wd blocks in place of the 4x4 ones and it should drop a little. The expensive one: flat bed. I'm contemplating one of the hauler beds - i get the versatility of a flat bed (being able to load junk with a forklift from any angle) and some storage for minor rv stuff on the sides; and trailer won't hit anything...
The really expensive one is get a new trailer - but that's not really feasible for anyone.
Only suggestions: the cheap one: put 2wd blocks in place of the 4x4 ones and it should drop a little. The expensive one: flat bed. I'm contemplating one of the hauler beds - i get the versatility of a flat bed (being able to load junk with a forklift from any angle) and some storage for minor rv stuff on the sides; and trailer won't hit anything...
The really expensive one is get a new trailer - but that's not really feasible for anyone.
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 41
Likes: 1
I have no problem what so ever with clearance pulling my gooseneck all over Canada and Alaska. Stock Trailswest gooseneck and my truck is lifted front and rear 2 inches. I’d hook up to one before purchase obviously and see where she rides
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