Holy Moly the new trucks are TALL
:( So my beloved brother offered to lend me his 2012 F350 to haul our new to us 2008 Fleetwood Regal from Red Deer, Alberta to Osoyoos, BC. Today we tried to hook it up to his Reese hitch and we were ...
Forum Discussion
**Post #1 @MOC
I just looked at the newer 2017's. The top of the bed rails are ridiculously high. My wife is 5 ft 4inches and the top of the rails were 5ft 2inches when she stood next to it.
The newer trucks will not accept my Montana without serious modifications.
Is anyone here towing with a newer Ford.
I get a x-plan discount thru Ford. I'm so disappointed and currently frustrated. I had my heart set on a aluminium body just because of the rust vs oxidation I'm currently facing.
I may have to eat the price difference and go with chevy or dodge depending on bed rail and hitch heights.
Any suggestions / opinions on an option to stick with ford, even the bed lift in height is over what I consider comfortable and forget dropping something into the bed from the Side of the truck.
I don't want to ride nose high and place more weight on the rear set of tires. With all the tire problems I have experienced, I don't want to overload the rear tandem wheels.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome.
****
Post #2 additional info
***
I was fortunate to be able to compare the 2016 and 2017 models. In my opinion the 16 models fairly similar equipped 4x4 crewcab and supercab as well as regular cab.
The height difference on the Dealers lot (fairly level) was only about 2 inches estimated shorter on the 16's. Both 250's and 350's there was no bed height difference in the 3/4 vs 1 ton.
I'm going to compare the other two Chevys and Rams now that I know the Fords are out of the picture.
There suggestion was to raise the hitch and lower the pin to accommodate the truck to the trailer. Like I want to do that. How much weight will I be transfering to the rear tires on the Monty 500, 800 or maybe a thousand pounds. I don't think so. No way and I left in disgust with their responses.
Even with the bed floor so far off the ground. I could see needing a step stool just to load anything and not fall off. Can you imagine throwing something into the bed and I would have to jump 4 ft off the ground to get into the bed. I'm only 5'10 but I would have difficulty getting my butt onto the tailgate to crawl into the bed.
These height wars have to stop, and the running boards are almost knee high so getting in and out without them you would have to slide off the seat and pivot and still not reach the ground. I"m sure the 4x2's are shorter but here in New England that is not an option and down right dangerous, telephone poles will be jumping out at you driving in the snow sleet and icing conditions. Guard rails are just a big ouch but they work.
As far as removing blocks. I did talk to them about lowering. The general manager actually went back and talked to one of (his better techs "the one I get true answers")
The response was it would change the handling and drive train. No kit is available to make it a equivalent low rider even aftermarket. So they are OFF the Purchase Option Because they have no foresight to their target market. I can't even see where a truck this lifted is convenient for contractors or DPW or landscapers. Make it usable and functional.
Not when sitting at traffic light to look down on the other trucks that is pointless and does not fit form / function.
I cross posted this message from yesterday which I wrote montanaowners group.
Looks like GM may be the only option at this point or used or chassis cab with hauler bed.
But the frames are so tall this may not be an option.
Has anyone addressed this with a camper dealer and how do they address this issue. I"m sure if I drove in with a fancy new truck and bought a used 5er they would just raise the hitch and lowered the pin just to make the sale.
Are there any true RV professionals here.
I just looked at the newer 2017's. The top of the bed rails are ridiculously high. My wife is 5 ft 4inches and the top of the rails were 5ft 2inches when she stood next to it.
The newer trucks will not accept my Montana without serious modifications.
Is anyone here towing with a newer Ford.
I get a x-plan discount thru Ford. I'm so disappointed and currently frustrated. I had my heart set on a aluminium body just because of the rust vs oxidation I'm currently facing.
I may have to eat the price difference and go with chevy or dodge depending on bed rail and hitch heights.
Any suggestions / opinions on an option to stick with ford, even the bed lift in height is over what I consider comfortable and forget dropping something into the bed from the Side of the truck.
I don't want to ride nose high and place more weight on the rear set of tires. With all the tire problems I have experienced, I don't want to overload the rear tandem wheels.
Thoughts and suggestions welcome.
****
Post #2 additional info
***
I was fortunate to be able to compare the 2016 and 2017 models. In my opinion the 16 models fairly similar equipped 4x4 crewcab and supercab as well as regular cab.
The height difference on the Dealers lot (fairly level) was only about 2 inches estimated shorter on the 16's. Both 250's and 350's there was no bed height difference in the 3/4 vs 1 ton.
I'm going to compare the other two Chevys and Rams now that I know the Fords are out of the picture.
There suggestion was to raise the hitch and lower the pin to accommodate the truck to the trailer. Like I want to do that. How much weight will I be transfering to the rear tires on the Monty 500, 800 or maybe a thousand pounds. I don't think so. No way and I left in disgust with their responses.
Even with the bed floor so far off the ground. I could see needing a step stool just to load anything and not fall off. Can you imagine throwing something into the bed and I would have to jump 4 ft off the ground to get into the bed. I'm only 5'10 but I would have difficulty getting my butt onto the tailgate to crawl into the bed.
These height wars have to stop, and the running boards are almost knee high so getting in and out without them you would have to slide off the seat and pivot and still not reach the ground. I"m sure the 4x2's are shorter but here in New England that is not an option and down right dangerous, telephone poles will be jumping out at you driving in the snow sleet and icing conditions. Guard rails are just a big ouch but they work.
As far as removing blocks. I did talk to them about lowering. The general manager actually went back and talked to one of (his better techs "the one I get true answers")
The response was it would change the handling and drive train. No kit is available to make it a equivalent low rider even aftermarket. So they are OFF the Purchase Option Because they have no foresight to their target market. I can't even see where a truck this lifted is convenient for contractors or DPW or landscapers. Make it usable and functional.
Not when sitting at traffic light to look down on the other trucks that is pointless and does not fit form / function.
I cross posted this message from yesterday which I wrote montanaowners group.
Looks like GM may be the only option at this point or used or chassis cab with hauler bed.
But the frames are so tall this may not be an option.
Has anyone addressed this with a camper dealer and how do they address this issue. I"m sure if I drove in with a fancy new truck and bought a used 5er they would just raise the hitch and lowered the pin just to make the sale.
Are there any true RV professionals here.
