t500hps

I'm shopping Ford duallys. Looking to stay in the 2000-2002 7.3 era. Crew Cab, 4x4, lariat, and the wife wants one a little lifted!!!
I see alot of short wheel base trucks available but very few longbeds. Who has towed with each and how much difference does the 18 inches make??? (towing 38 Formula/ 13,000 boat, fuel, trailer)

dukenrock

I was hesitant to go from a 2500 short bed to a 3500 long bed and I'm glad I did it.

Slick02

I personally went to an 06 Ford F350 4x4 dually with a 6ft bed, with the tow boss package(rated to 19200lbs) I like the manueverability of the shorter truck and the fact that is easier to park doesn't hurt either. It rides a little stiffer than the 8ft bed but that doesnt really bother me. I tow an 04 27PC formula with all the usual crap that collects in a cruiser, with a full load of gas , boat/trailer etc weighs app 11,000lbs. As far as lift, I went with a 2 1/2 inch leveling kit and am able to clear 255/70r22.5 michelins on alcoa wheels(36 inches tall) but I personally don't like the ride/drive with the 22.5s so I'm going to try a set fo 19.5 direct fits with 265/70r19.5 michelins, the alcoas/tires/adapters are entirely to heavy and also hurt the braking ability(unsprung weight/rotating mass).
These are just my personal opinions/observations.

t500hps

I had 38's under an f150 with 10 inch lift in high school and remember tearing up the brakes/ drive train in that thing. Leveler springs is really all I'm after.
Have you ever towed with a 8 ft bed to compare to?

dukenrock

Slick,
I have a set of 19.5 Ricklsons with Goodyear tires on my 2005 Dodge Dually and I have been looking at changing out to 22.5's. If you're interested in trading (If they will fit the Ford and Visa-Versa) let me know.
Kevin

Sydwayz

iTrader: (1)

Russ, get the 8ft bed. Period.

If I can fill up my 8 foot bed (w/ cover) with tools, coolers, overnight gear, props, second spare tire, etc. etc., you are definitely going to fill it up with all that gear and with the gear associated with 3 kids in tow as well.

Resale gets you a wider market with the 8 foot bed. When you go to sell it, your buyer will be a looking for a work truck that they can beat on. The 6 foot bed is less versatile for that buyer.

I can't remember if its 2004 or 2005 that Ford changed to coil front suspension over leaf spring front suspension. This significantly improved the turning radius.

The 8 foot bed is giving you more wheel base which is making your ride better, (less teeter-toter than with shorter wheel base, especially with stiff 1-ton suspension) and your towing stability is going to be better as well with more truck to control the boat.

I run the exact same area you do. I take the dually everywhere, including downtown Washington DC. The only problem I have with parking is height, as I usually have to find a surface parking lot. Mary Sue handles my truck just fine, and she even does all the driving/backing at the launch ramp letting me just take care of the boat. Don't worry about the length/handling. The 8 foot bed is what you want. Hold out for the right one.

I had a long talk with BobbyB last night. I told him not to sell his 7.3 to buy a 6.0. But if he does, his is the right truck to buy.

Pure Energy

Sydways makes some good pts. on the long bed. I had an 03 crew cab dually short bed with the 6.0 and towed a 31 Sonic with no problems. It is a heavy duty truck so the ride can be a little bumpy empty. I did not regret the short bed

Wobble

Shortbed crewcab = better turning radius, OK ride and Towing
Longbed crewcab = better ride, better towing, worse turning radius

Slick02

A friend of mine has an 04 f350 dually 4x4 I borrowed before I bought my truck(so I had something to compare to) before I plunked my hard earned money down.

Slick02

DR, the bolt pattern is wrong even if you bought my tires/rims, you'd have to get different adapters to fit your truck, and your direct fits won't bolt on my truck,,I tried to buy from Rickson and waited about 6months and after being put off a couple of times I gave up, but that was the setup I originally wanted with the michelin XDE 265/70r19.5s. What crawled up my butt was that they kept putting me off on a 6,000 dollar order and I was thumbing through a copy of Diesel World magazine last month, and they had a brand new advertisment in it,,now why advertise for more work, when you can't fufill the orders you have..