I just sold my 99 f250crew cab shortbed to a friend and I am going to order an 02.
I really missed having an 8' bed and was considering the crew cab long bed.
Even though the truck is only 1 1/2' longer overall the wheelbase is also stretched out by 16".
I havent driven any cc long beds and they are hard to find on the lots for a test drive around here in south jersey.
Has anyone driven both?
I know u turns through medians on divided highways were almost impossible with the cc short bed without going up over the curb.
Any input would be greatly appreciated.
scott
no more 99 f250sd 4x4 cc sb
still gots 97 f350 4x4 reg cab

 

It takes about "3 lanes" (including curb-hopping) for me to make a U-turn slowly. If I can't slow down enough, it takes about 5 lanes. Heck, it takes more than 1 lane to make a regular turn.

 

If you want a tight turning radius then you are buying the wrong vehicle. I have learned to master the three and four point turn. I back into all spaces. I have a 2000 crew cab long bed. And yes I love it. -Jaseun

 

I have the F-350 CC longbed and my Dad has the short bed. I have driven both and I wouldn't trade my truck for the marginally better turning radius. Especially when I hear him gripe any time he needs to haul something that the shortbox was a mistake.

 

Hey RedNek

I also cruise the old, overcrowded, narrow, beat up roads of New Jersey (the northern ones) in a SD CC long bed. I squeeze dirt bikes and atv's into the bed, so a short bed is not an option for me.

You just have to be a good driver to handle the truck. I've known people during my 43 years that couldn't even handle a compact car correctly. I'm sure you're not one of them.

I actually look forward to making u-turns. I love the look on my family's face as I make the turn quickly, putting her right were she needs to go, with no room for error.

This seperates us from those F-150 people.
BTW, what happened to the F-150? My first brand new vehicle was a 1979 F-150 Ranger. I jacked it up and put Gumbo Mudders on it and was spot welding new body skins on it every Monday morning after the weekend woods damage. Now look at the truck.

Jim Ledet

 

I have the F350 CC SB, love it. I've driven the longbed and the shortbed, the shortbed turning radius is noticable enough to me to be perceived as a benefit. Downtown Atlanta I can turn and leave the parking lot I use for onsite work at our POP without curb hopping. When I test drove the long bed, I could not make the turn without riding over the curb. I also could not make the parking spaces as easily.

My best advice if it's causing you that much thought, find somewhere you have to go and try driving both trucks through your "test course". If you're like me and you find it saves jumping curbs in a parking lot you must frequent, you will probably find the SB more to your liking. If you live out in the country and haul stuff and never worry about jumping the occasional curb... go for the LB.

As for hauling, I got mine to tow a boat and take my family with me. I rarely find myself challenging the bed capacity, though I do use it. If I need to haul a large amount of anything, I generally take my utility trailer, not because it won't fit in the truck, but because I can drop the trailer and unload over time. Then I don't kill myself trying to empty my truck so I can go to work tomorrow.

Robert

 

nomo... i need driving lessons..... i need five to do it... three won't cut it unless i go "monster truck freestyle" style!

 

I never said how WIDE the lanes are though!

Check your speed. Much more than 10MPH and it does take 5.

 

Hey what part of jersey are you guys from?I'm from central jersey in the toms river area.I used to live in north jersey in a town called sparta.Wonder how we might be able to form a jersey chapter of FTE???????If one of you jersey guys reads this maybe you could start a new discussion on us jersey guys.I would do it but geez i cant figure out how to start a new topic on here.

 

Hey Pipefitter

I live across Jefferson Twp from Sparta, in Rockaway. Twenty years ago we used to take our trucks and crash through the woods in Sparta. Now the area is million dollar mansions.

Jim

 

I have a Long Bed Crew Cab... I also spend most of my days working on an Ambulance... Not much difference in truning radius... buy what you like and don't worry about the turning radius... just be careful when you first get it and park far away fron the doors at the mall.

The bigger the toy the farther it sticks out of the parking space... the cc long bed just doesn't fit in to one spot you have to pull through

:-staun

 

Hey Jim59 yep were just about home boys.we too used to ride our dirt bikes on land that is now occupied by McMansions.Green road comes to mind.I used to work in the Sears store in the Rockaway Townsquare mall when i was in high school.Sparta used to have some kick a** places to ride bikes or four wheel,as a matter of fact edison acres is another place that comes to mind.God i used to dread either going down or going up Mays mountain in the snow.Hey is Squires Pub still there?It's been so long since i'm out of there i wouldnt recognize it if i parachuted into it.Funny but the whole time i lived in sparta i couldnt wait to get out,now id give anything to get back up there.I'll bet it still is a beautiful place to live.Later bro

 

Oh s**t i almost forgot.Do you know how to start a new topic on this site?I was gonna say if you do then start one called New Jersey or something.I cant seem to figure out how to do it.This way we dont have to try and remember which thread we talked to each other in.Thanks