Mike Davis

We bought our Surveyor SV-303 camper before we bought our truck. Now I am looking for a truck to pull with. I am looking for a new 14' (good deals now.) My question is about bed length. Does a regular bed pull differently(better) than a short bed? I am leaning towards a regular bed, but there are few of them left now.

Eric0508

Never known anyone who later regretted getting the regular bed. Besides making the truck longer and more resistant to sway, you'll always appreciate the extra space when it comes time to haul something in the bed.

brulaz

I think it's wheelbase that's more important for trailer handling.

I have the same 145" wheelbase as a regular Cab +8' bed, but it's a Scab with 6.5' bed. It handles the trailer fine, and the shorter wheelbase makes for easier turning into tight campsites. I understand a longer wheelbase truck might be better against sway with a longer trailer, but with our 28' trailer, the 145" wheelbase is fine.

And we like the additional interior space of the SCab for storing stuff securely and weather proof. Only once has it been used for passengers but that ability was useful too.

DieselDawg

Biggest truck that will fit in your garage...thats' what I did.

Ricktwuhk

Your 8,000+ (quick Google search) pound trailer will be pushing the limits of the PAYLOAD capacity of any F-150. I would suggest you spend some time on this section of the forum reading about payload, ensure that you understand the dry and wet weights of your trailer, and then ensure that any truck you buy has sufficient payload capacity to safely tow your trailer.

Once you get into the requirements you need, you may find that your choices are reduced to safely tow.

By the way, you should be commended for doing research before you buy. It's amazing how many people come on the forum when it's too late and discover they've bought something (truck or trailer) that won't work safely with the other.

Mike Davis

I was under the same impression that a longer truck would help prevent sway. I need a sCrew for my family. So length options are 145 and 156.8. Anyone have sway problems pulling a 30 box @ 6600 lbs dry with 145 length?

brulaz

145" should be fine. Especially if the trailer has a high percentage of it's weight on the tongue (13% or more). But then, like Ricktwuhk says, you could have other problems as the truck could well be over-loaded.

When you look at trucks on the lot, check the yellow payload sticker on the driver's door-jamb.

DieselDawg

Pull a 29' Jayco...7400# loaded with a 145" SuperCrew (WDH)...no problem
See Sig...but because of GVWR I am right at the limit...but pulls nicely

Mike Davis

After looking quickly at some numbers, the only way it might be possible would be with max payload package. This would allow 2300 payload. Max trailer weight(worst case) of 9260lbs would have 1200 lbs at 13%. This would leave me 1100 lbs for 5 people(600lbs) and gear(500 lbs. max). Doable maybe but this would be pushing the limits of a F150.

Ricktwuhk

I have never seen anyone post a payload sticker near that number.