Observation--newer trucks tow fivers a bit nose high

If trucks weren’t taller than in the old days how could manufacturers and aftermarket companies sell hoop steps and running boards?

And with the nose higher the rear tires on the trailer are now carrying most of the weight. With any kind of trailer, 5th wheel, goose neck, bumper pull, I always try to get it as level as possible, especially ones with 3 axels.

The added truck height is killing me, on a good day I am 5'8" and it is a chore to get into the truck. I thought I had measured the old truck correctly but I must have missed something. The odd thing is that the top of the bed rails were very close to the same height as the new truck but somewhere, the bed height grew. Thanks for the responses.
Curly

Mine is a 2WD and still too high. If I didn’t know better I would swear it’s a 4WD. I can’t reach over the bed rails at the rear and touch the bed and I’m 5’11”.

I've always had 2 wheel drive trucks and never thought much about bed height. When preparing to order my 2022 Ford F250 I was thinking about getting 4WD due to pulling the boat out of the back yard sometimes on wet grass or soft soil. When looking at the new 4 WD trucks I could not believe the height of the bed!! Why do they put all those iron spacers between the rear springs and axle?? I ask a mechanic friend about removing them to lower the bed and he said it could be done. Rather than have to spend all that money on a new truck and then being forced to modify it I just ordered another 2 WD. It was only slightly taller than my 2005 Ram 2500 2 WD. I never realized how much bigger the whole truck was until I put it in my garage! The truck seems wider, taller bigger hood and the seats set lower in the cab. I'm only 5' 7" and with the seat as high as it can go I can just barely feel like I have a good view of the road. When I hook up the 5th wheel however it sits at the proper height and is not nose high. So if you can do without 4 WD just get a 2 WD and save several inches in height. I did get the locking differential though and have not had any trouble in my back yard getting the boat.

I intend to use my 2006 until the wheels fall off. My son will probably then glue them back on and use it some more.

Besides the height, it has one of the last LBZ diesels. Just broken in good at 150,000.

A

I am agreeing with you, other that having a shop 'LOWER" a vehicle, the next best thing is to work smarter with steps and telescoping magnets...

In my book, "working smarter" is to have a truck bed that you can reach without resorting to folding steps or telescoping magnets.

Other than appearance, there is no justification for the height of the newer trucks.

^^^ to this point ^^^

I carry a folding step that I need to use to get my locking pin released when un hoking the fifth wheel... I'm 5'11"

Could possibly make it, but would struggle, I learnt to work smarter in my older age, thus the telescoping magnet to grab the pin, and the step to reach the pinhole.

Yes, people are towing nose high. In moderation, probably not the end of the world but not good.

The height of the new trucks beds just makes the bed near useless.

I couldn't figure out why people were so against getting a 3000-4500w generator. I can put our 4500w unit in the back of the truck by myself with no issues. Of course, I have a 2008 2WD F250. We've taken some moderately rough 2 tracks and never needed more clearance (3/4-1 ton trucks are lousy for serious off roading anyway).

Last week, had a neighbor ask if I could help him put a similar size generator in his truck (a newer 4x4 but not lifted). I didn't think to grab at the bottom of the generator and ran out of reach before we got it up to the tailgate. We had to set it back down get a new grip and even then the height made it awkward with 2 of us lifting it.

Similarly, when we had a 5er, my 5ft wife could work the hitch release arm without resorting to steps or ladders. Some of the newer trucks, at 6'2", I would need a step to reach the release.

I kind of get it with the 1/2 ton trucks as most are bought for appearances not capability but the 3/4 & 1 ton trucks are usually bought because you need to haul stuff.