2018 F250 5er Question

[Toby]

I'm in the final stages of purchasing a new F250 with the intent of 5th wheel towing (my first). I am ISO others with a 2018 SWB (or even 2017 SWB) F250 using it for 5th wheel towing. I'm a little concerned about the deep bed and the clearance between the camper and the top of the bed and having the camper tow at level. The book says the box is 21 inches deep.

I'm also concerned because the book says the truck is 81.5 inches high yet it doesn't fit inside a 82 inch door. The dealer says they can lower it but I'm afraid of what that might do when it's weighed down by the trailer. I don't want too much sag for obvious reasons.

So at this point I'm looking to find others with this TV. I'm purchasing an Artic Wolf 295QSL8.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Toby

I'm in the final stages of purchasing a new F250 with the intent of 5th wheel towing (my first). I am ISO others with a 2018 SWB (or even 2017 SWB) F250 using it for 5th wheel towing. I'm a little concerned about the deep bed and the clearance between the camper and the top of the bed and having the camper tow at level. The book says the box is 21 inches deep.



I'm also concerned because the book says the truck is 81.5 inches high yet it doesn't fit inside a 82 inch door. The dealer says they can lower it but I'm afraid of what that might do when it's weighed down by the trailer. I don't want too much sag for obvious reasons.



So at this point I'm looking to find others with this TV. I'm purchasing an Artic Wolf 295QSL8.

Ok. Guess I’m the first...

[Wobbles]

I went thru the pain and agony like you. My hitch was height adjustable. I set my B&W at the lowest setting and with the weight of the 5er, it was perfect over the rails and the trailer sits level.

[Wobbles]

Also my truck payload is 2918

[5picker]

I have a 2017 F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.75' Box 4x4 6.2L SCREW with the factory puck system.
My payload is right at 3k.
The key for me was the adjustability in the hitch.
Like Wobbles, I was able (with my Reese) to get the proper bed rail to overhang clearance and when the 5th wheel settles the truck, I'm level.

I was concerned about my garage door too but mine fits height wise. I have to swing the mirrors in/out every time though width wise.

[goduc]

Let the dealer lower it. Guessing they'll just remove a spacer on the rear springs. If it's too low when towing just add airbags. That way you can air down and get it in under your 82" opening.
Have you actually measured the overhang on the 5th wheel? Thats where I'd start 1st. Either drive to the dealer or have them measure it for you.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by goduc

Let the dealer lower it. Guessing they'll just remove a spacer on the rear springs. If it's too low when towing just add airbags. That way you can air down and get it in under your 82" opening.
Have you actually measured the overhang on the 5th wheel? Thats where I'd start 1st. Either drive to the dealer or have them measure it for you.

Thanks that was my next step. I called for a measurement but couldn't get one. Later this week I plan to stop by with a tape measure. For now, the weather sucks. I have time before the thing arrives.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

Also my truck payload is 2918

OK that helps. I'm not going to worry about as much. It seems to be in line with the others. The dry weight of this thing (hitch weight that is) is not quite that much but maybe after we load the cast iron in it will be.

[Kimber45]

I sold doors for 12 years. A normal garage door should have a 7 foot "finished opening" My ram 2500 fits in my garage with about an inch an a half to spare. I would check to see if there is some non load baring material in the opening making it shorter. Or someone raised the floor with extra concrete etc

[Toby]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I have a 2017 F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.75' Box 4x4 6.2L SCREW with the factory puck system.
My payload is right at 3k.
The key for me was the adjustability in the hitch.
Like Wobbles, I was able (with my Reese) to get the proper bed rail to overhang clearance and when the 5th wheel settles the truck, I'm level.

I was concerned about my garage door too but mine fits height wise. I have to swing the mirrors in/out every time though width wise.

I'm getting the same puck system in my truck. I just didn't get the Lariat because I didn't want all the features...just certain ones. One of them was the power folding mirrors. They didn't put those on F150's until 2013 I believe. Mine is a 2012. I sure wish I had those but now it won't matter.

Seems like I'm just in some phase of buyers remorse worrying about nothing. I just want to make sure this thing is as perfect as it can be. I've been without payments for a long time and now they'll be back...for a little while.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Kimber45

I sold doors for 12 years. A normal garage door should have a 7 foot "finished opening" My ram 2500 fits in my garage with about an inch an a half to spare. I would check to see if there is some non load baring material in the opening making it shorter. Or someone raised the floor with extra concrete etc

For some odd reason mine was shorter. There's about 3.5 inches of overlap though at the top of the door. That's what my contractor is going to do is remove that is the opening is 84 inches (maybe a little more if it works out). The dealer sent me an actual measurement of the truck last night and it was 83 and 3/8. I had them measure it in a door opening and they used a strap to come down to the roof and then measured that.

[Wobbles]

After looking at the model's advertised weights (it's BS + or -), I would not be worried about towing your rig with my truck. After it is setup right, then load it. You should be able to visually spot any issues.

Go get it weighed for the purposes for those that consider you dangerous. Whoa, Wait a minute, you are not a traveling cast iron salesman, are you?

[Toby]

Originally Posted by Wobbles

After looking at the model's advertised weights (it's BS + or -), I would not be worried about towing your rig with my truck. After it is setup right, then load it. You should be able to visually spot any issues.

Go get it weighed for the purposes for those that consider you dangerous. Whoa, Wait a minute, you are not a traveling cast iron salesman, are you?

Nope. Not as far as you know. I just have some and since I'm trading a toy hauler with no storage space to a 5er with more space, well...you know. The GVWR on the camper is 10,920. The CCC is 1608. I'm pretty sure we'll be comfortable with this setup but I plan to ask a few neighbors if I can hop on their scales or take it to the truck stop when I get it loaded up.

[JohnNJean]

Give some serious thought to an F350 - you won't be sorry. At least get the camper package if you go F250.

The '17 and newer F350's are 59" tall at the bed rails - I think F250's are the same (this is CC 4x4). Most fivers measure 59" to 61" at the overhang. Most squat about 3" when loaded. I had to replace the 3.5" axle blocks with 2.0" blocks to get good (+7") bed rail clearance. I'm running about 1.5" nose high, but my axle weights are nearly equal.

First rule of RV'ing is get more truck than you think you'll need, because your wife will want a bigger RV someday.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by JohnNJean

Give some serious thought to an F350 - you won't be sorry. At least get the camper package if you go F250.

The '17 and newer F350's are 59" tall at the bed rails - I think F250's are the same (this is CC 4x4). Most fivers measure 59" to 61" at the overhang. Most squat about 3" when loaded. I had to replace the 3.5" axle blocks with 2.0" blocks to get good (+7") bed rail clearance. I'm running about 1.5" nose high, but my axle weights are nearly equal.

First rule of RV'ing is get more truck than you think you'll need, because your wife will want a bigger RV someday.

Indeed I did get the camper package. I'm hoping this one will keep us busy for a while. We put 96K on the F150 in 7 years so I'm thinking by the time 7 - 10 years roll around we can think about that F350. At this point I'm trading in a toy hauler for something more livable. Thanks for the numbers. That's exactly the kind of stats I was looking for.

[old40ford]

Originally Posted by Toby

I'm in the final stages of purchasing a new F250 with the intent of 5th wheel towing (my first). I am ISO others with a 2018 SWB (or even 2017 SWB) F250 using it for 5th wheel towing. I'm a little concerned about the deep bed and the clearance between the camper and the top of the bed and having the camper tow at level. The book says the box is 21 inches deep.

I'm also concerned because the book says the truck is 81.5 inches high yet it doesn't fit inside a 82 inch door. The dealer says they can lower it but I'm afraid of what that might do when it's weighed down by the trailer. I don't want too much sag for obvious reasons.

So at this point I'm looking to find others with this TV. I'm purchasing an Artic Wolf 295QSL8.

I could be stupid, so don't laugh. How much air is in your tires? if it is aired up for towing vs street riding, it could make as much as an inch in height. (maybe) I have done this before with my street rod to get it on the trailer over the threshold of the door.
Good Luch

[JohnNJean]

Originally Posted by Toby

Indeed I did get the camper package. I'm hoping this one will keep us busy for a while. We put 96K on the F150 in 7 years so I'm thinking by the time 7 - 10 years roll around we can think about that F350. At this point I'm trading in a toy hauler for something more livable. Thanks for the numbers. That's exactly the kind of stats I was looking for.

FWIW, the shorter blocks I put on my F350 were from a F250 4x2. If you didn't get a 4x4 your truck may not be quite a tall.

I don't know what they were thinking when they made these trucks so tall.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by old40ford

I could be stupid, so don't laugh. How much air is in your tires? if it is aired up for towing vs street riding, it could make as much as an inch in height. (maybe) I have done this before with my street rod to get it on the trailer over the threshold of the door.

Good Luch

Well I don’t have any tires yet. I was just borrowing a truck from the lot. This will be my daily driver though.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by JohnNJean

FWIW, the shorter blocks I put on my F350 were from a F250 4x2. If you didn't get a 4x4 your truck may not be quite a tall.

I don't know what they were thinking when they made these trucks so tall.

Nope I will be getting a 4x4 for sure. Where I live street maintenance isn’t as much as a priority like in town.

[kamper00]

Originally Posted by 5picker

I have a 2017 F-250 Super Duty Lariat 6.75' Box 4x4 6.2L SCREW with the factory puck system.
My payload is right at 3k.
The key for me was the adjustability in the hitch.
Like Wobbles, I was able (with my Reese) to get the proper bed rail to overhang clearance and when the 5th wheel settles the truck, I'm level.

I was concerned about my garage door too but mine fits height wise. I have to swing the mirrors in/out every time though width wise.

Curious on how you got that combo to work..Isn't it 60" from the ground to the bottom of the nose of the camper and 59" from the ground to the top of the bed rails?