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 a...
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Comment about the frame is the stiffness and strength of the frame and not its "width". The fully boxed frame on the current GM 1-ton trucks are a great deal stiffer and reduce flexing with SRW and DRW configurations a great deal compared to the Ford trucks in this class. The new 2013 1-ton Ram trucks have a new beefier frame with additional cross members to handle the added CGWR of these trucks (frame upgrades not provided with the 3/4 ton Ram pickups). I have had trucks with cracked frames and broken leaf shackles (tore away from the frame). Not easy to repair a frame and it is not going to be "good as new" afterwards.
In your situation I would look at that as an opportunity to add a storage box in that space or an auxilary fuel tank. It would put the COG of the bed load further forward. COG is usually measured from the rear of the camper and rear of the truck box so that it by design the camper's COG is directly over the rear axle. I have been in vehicles where the weight on the rear axle tended to reduce the weight on the front wheels and it was far from safe and no fun either.
A CAT scale weighing of the truck alone and again with the camper in the bed will tell you whether or not there is any cause for concern. Until you do it is anybody's guess. I don't like to guess about such things.
In your situation I would look at that as an opportunity to add a storage box in that space or an auxilary fuel tank. It would put the COG of the bed load further forward. COG is usually measured from the rear of the camper and rear of the truck box so that it by design the camper's COG is directly over the rear axle. I have been in vehicles where the weight on the rear axle tended to reduce the weight on the front wheels and it was far from safe and no fun either.
A CAT scale weighing of the truck alone and again with the camper in the bed will tell you whether or not there is any cause for concern. Until you do it is anybody's guess. I don't like to guess about such things.
