Forum Discussion

Just_Jeff's avatar
Just_Jeff
Explorer
Apr 28, 2013

Modding an F-350 up or an F-550 down for TC

Given that you can get the same engine in an F-350 and F-550, which do you think would be better - beefing up the suspension and brakes on an F-350 so you don't need a custom bed, or buying an F-550 and customizing the bed to accept a TC?

It seems that, because of the custom work needed to put a TC on a flatbed and make it look nice, there's still several thousand dollars of work needed...but you get one heck of a nice vehicle out of it. I'd probably look at doing the SRW conversion so I could take it off-road without worrying about rocks/sticks between the tires.

But F-350s are much more common, and you wouldn't have to do much of anything to the bed for it to accept a TC with the proper COG and such, so that could be a significant savings over the F-550. That savings could then go into beefing up the brakes and suspension in the F-350.

Which one would be cheaper and easier?

It'll be several years, but after the kids are gone we're looking at swapping to a nice TC (over 11', slides, etc) on a truck capable enough for Forest Service roads so we can get to some back country sites. I'm thinking of something like these examples, and I really like boblynch's setup.

Any thoughts?
Truck Campers
  • skyhammer's avatar
    skyhammer
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    C&C 350,450,550 have different engines than regular 350 or 450's.
    While they are all 6.7, the C&C uses a different turbo and has 100 less HP and 140lbs less torque than the 6.7 regular trucks use.
    Having said that a C&C 450 or 550 is a good choice for hauling a heavy camper.
  • Just_Jeff's avatar
    Just_Jeff
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    I'm pretty new to this - can you explain the C&C a little more please?
  • Jeep_Hauler's avatar
    Jeep_Hauler
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    A C&C would be a cab and chassis truck, you get a finished cab with an exposed frame out the back. You get the option of finishing the truck your self, flat bed, stake bed, work bed etc. Or a pick up bed. I have an 2005 F450 C&C DRW that was completed as a pickup truck this is considered a medium duty truck. It has the 19.5" wheels on it. A good sturdy platform for carrying a heavy truck camper.
  • Just_Jeff's avatar
    Just_Jeff
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    Ah - I didn't recognize the acronym but I knew about the cab and chassis option. There are still frame differences between the 350 pickup and 450/550 C&C...how does that affect cost in adding a bed? I assume there are pre-made pickup beds to fit on the C&C, but then I wouldn't have the extra storage like in the pics linked above.
  • Tamnative's avatar
    Tamnative
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    A few things to consider are the F-450 and 550 0nly come in a crewcab and both are DRW,also the gear ratio is a lot higher which will affect your mileage.I am sure that there are other differences. Check out this site for the specs.:https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/topics/mission.html
  • Just_Jeff's avatar
    Just_Jeff
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    So we're looking at around $50k for a late-model used 4x4 diesel F-550 (Clicky)

    And a Douglass custom camper body would add $11,000 or so (Clicky)

    Plus some random mods and it'll be about $65k for a well-equipped truck customized for a truck camper. Probably a little more for the SRW conversion and tire upgrades, but a little less if I bought a few years older.

    Anyone have an idea what it would cost to beef up an F-350 to safely haul something like the O-Kanagan 13-footer on some Forest Service roads?
  • skyhammer's avatar
    skyhammer
    Explorer
    Apr 28, 2013
    C&C 350,450 and 550 come in any cab configuration you want, regular, super or crew cab.
    Gear ratios for the 450 C&C are either 4:10 or 4:30, the 550 has the option for 4:88.
  • KD4UPL's avatar
    KD4UPL
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2013
    For the size camper you're considering I would definitely go with a C&C and a flatbed. It will take a LOT of beefing up to get a 4 x 4 F350 to be able to handle a huge multi-slide TC with passenger, water, and gear. I would get a C&C with an 84" cab to axle dimension instead of the 60". This will put the rear axle farther under the back of the camper. It will also transfer some more weight to the front axle. This will improve the balance and ride of the rig. With the longer frame your hitch will be closer to the rear of the camper which will make it easier to tow a boat or other trailer behind you. Your departure angle should be much better which will help off road. Of course, you will be more prone to being high centered.
    Also, the flatbed will allow you to add boxes to gain lots of storage.
    If you are sold on the Fords that's fine. Many people aren't aware that Dodge also makes some excellent 4 and 5 series C&C trucks. They advertise a tighter turning radius and larger fuel tanks than Ford. I have personally been dreaming about a Dodge 4500 with a flat bed to replace my poor overloaded Chevy dually some day.
  • Just_Jeff's avatar
    Just_Jeff
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2013
    I do like Dodges, but Ford didn't take the bail-out and that's important...to me, at least. Plus they're pretty tough trucks, too.

    What would I have to beef up on the 350 besides brakes and suspension?
  • HMS_Beagle's avatar
    HMS_Beagle
    Explorer
    Apr 29, 2013
    I believe Ford is the only one that offers three cab styles in 450 and 550 CC trucks. One consideration on a CC is the bed will be higher so the camper will be higher.

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