2017 F350 bed height

[howard]

Has anyone had to adjust the hitch height due to the taller bed height in the 2017 F350's? My 2012 truck was 19-3/4" from the bed to the top rail of the bed, yet the 2017 F350 is 21" from the bed to the top rail. As I recall, I need
6" minumum clearence, but 8" is better from the top of the bed rail to the RV. Any thoughts?

[mtofell]

TONS of threads on new truck bed height and difficulties getting 5th wheels level with good bed clearance. I'm not sure why truck manufacturers keep lifting the trucks higher and higher. The general consensus is that 6" is the bare minimum. 7-8" or more is better. A lot of it depends on what you do with your trailer. If you just roll down the freeway between RV parks less is sometimes okay. Any off-pavement camping and you can run into trouble.

As much of an annoyance as the high trucks is, I'm not sure why the 5th wheels are so low. I ripped a jack off an bent my spare tire last year on a logging road (fair enough, it was a rough road). I moved the jacks forward and still bent one last weekend leaving a gas station with a ramp that barely had any slope at all. Super frustrating to spend 35K on a trailer and not be able to drive it in/out of a basic parking lot.

[Javi]

They are that away because most folks drive 2 wheel drive trucks... 🤣

Javi

[Frank G]

They are that away because most folks drive 2 wheel drive trucks... 🤣

Javi

That would be a good survey, 4x4 verses 4x2. Could you set it up?

[TAZ23]

They are that away because most folks drive 2 wheel drive trucks... 🤣

Javi

Actually it depends on what part of the country you are in. Here in Northern Wisconsin You will be hard pressed to find a 2 wheel drive on any dealers lot, but the 4x4's are everywhere.

[PARAPTOR]

That would be a good survey, 4x4 verses 4x2. Could you set it up?


I do not recall any past surveys but there have been past threads on various TVS including pro/con on 4x4 versus 4x2. Try a search on the forum

[JRTJH]

Truck manufacturers apparently don't seem too concerned about the clearance, probably are expecting the trailer manufacturers to raise them on future models to accommodate the truck dimensions. But there's a limiting factor that they need to consider: Many trailer models are already at "maximum height" of 13'6". With the headroom in the forward section just over 6' on many trailers, there's not a lot more "raise the floor" that can be done and still accommodate "walking around in the upper section".... So, where the trailer manufacturers are going to get the clearance to raise the floor and still maintain the headroom is going to be an interesting evolution.

[Frank G]

I do not recall any past surveys but there have been past threads on various TVS including pro/con on 4x4 versus 4x2. Try a search on the forum

On a north American basis I think it would be interesting to see the relationship within the RV community of 4x4 verses 4x2 tow vehicles. In the northern states it is difficult to find a 4x2 and harder to sell one. (my perception and experience) When I was in Winter Haven Florida this past winter I had several conversations with a dealer specializing in PU truck sales. Almost everything on the lot (3/4 and 1 ton) new and used was 4x4, why? because they sell.

AT home, on a wet day I can not spot my fifth wheel without 4 wheel drive.

Soon I will finish the hitch installation on the new to me TV and see what it is like. Definitely higher and taller than the F-250 it replaced.

[Javi]

It was said in jest... II believe there are more 4 x 4 pickups sold each year than 2WD... I drove 4 x 4's for years... but nowadays I have no reason to go places that require 4WD....

[Frank G]

It was said in jest... II believe there are more 4 x 4 pickups sold each year than 2WD... I drove 4 x 4's for years... but nowadays I have no reason to go places that require 4WD....

Understand, we talked about a 4x2 for our next TV, a lot of positives except for the ability to spot our unit on a wet day. I still think the numbers would be interesting. :)

[TravlinOn]

Has anyone had to adjust the hitch height due to the taller bed height in the 2017 F350's? My 2012 truck was 19-3/4" from the bed to the top rail of the bed, yet the 2017 F350 is 21" from the bed to the top rail. As I recall, I need
6" minumum clearence, but 8" is better from the top of the bed rail to the RV. Any thoughts?

Back to the original post, my F-350 is a 2015 with 4wheel drive. I was told that the 4wheel drive itself requires more room thus the bed is higher. I have the Ford recommended Reese hitch, and I did have to raise my hitch in order to get more clearance over the bed after I noticed that when I backed at a strong angle into a site that has a slope, I would see where the trailer scraped the bed sides. My hitch allowed for raising its height and no problem doing it. No problem since.

Hope this helps.

[xrated]

Back to the original post, my F-350 is a 2015 with 4wheel drive. I was told that the 4wheel drive itself requires more room thus the bed is higher. I have the Ford recommended Reese hitch, and I did have to raise my hitch in order to get more clearance over the bed after I noticed that when I backed at a strong angle into a site that has a slope, I would see where the trailer scraped the bed sides. My hitch allowed for raising its height and no problem doing it. No problem since.

Hope this helps.

Glad you got it solved.

Now, on the other topic within a topic, when I sold Ford Trucks back in 2003 at a Ford Dealership, the number of 2 wheel drive vs. 4 wheel drive trucks in the Crew Cab lineup of F250/F350 was totally lopsided. Approx. 15-16% of the trucks in that catagory were 2 wheel drive....the rest....approx. 85% were 4x4 trucks. I have no idea if those numbers are still valid or not, as I've been away from sales since then.

[grampscamper]

I went from a 2013 F250 to a 2017 F350. I had to raise my hitch 1" to maintain enough clearance. I have a little more than 6" with our 5th wheel sitting 1.5" nose high.

[vampress_me]

We had a 2009 F-350 and went to a 2016 F-350. Spec'd out as same truck just different years with the same B&W Companion hitched moved between them. I had to lower the arms on the B&W one hole to keep the camper level in the 2016. Luckily we have enough bed rail clearance it was still fine. I don't know about bed height between those 2 years, but I've always assumed it's the same bed since our Bedlocker went from the 2009 to the 2016 also.

[razahoryin]

Howard, I have the same issue.
I have a Ford new 2017 F350 4X4 SRW
I just replaced a 2011 F350 4X4 and the trailer was level on the truck.

the Montana 3000RK is now not level and my bed rail to trailer clearance is not acceptable.

Looking for options.
I'm already sitting with springs on top of axels.
I have heard of a company called trailer blocks in Canada (on rvforum.net) that makes spacers for the suspension. My local RV folks want to build a sub frame to raise the trailer the required 3-4 inches. I am considering the trailer blocks option. I have already installed the MOREIDE X factor suspension upgrades and lubricated shackle bolts etc.

Thoughts

Ron

[JRTJH]

razahoryin,

I'm not sure if your Montana already has the "Correct Trac" alignment system (yellow discs at the forward spring hangers) or not. If it doesn't have the system installed, adding it to your suspension will raise the trailer 2". If that will be enough to level your trailer, it might be a cheaper way to achieve what you're looking for than modifying your suspension with blocks or a sub-frame.

https://store.lci1.com/mobile-outfitters-double-axle-correct-track-ii-kit

[BlackNoir]

Is there a standard height for a truck bed that keystone expects as a default? I'm picking up a used 4x4 f-350 today and now i'm worried i'll have height issues when i go get my new 5th wheel!

[JRTJH]

If you're buying a 2014 SuperDuty you'll be fine on bed height with a new XLite. The pin box on the trailer is adjustable as is the leg system on the hitch. Our XLite works well with our 2015 SuperDuty. I'm sure you'll be just fine.

[Old Bill]

Do you measure the clearance at the tailgate with TV and FW in line, or at the side rails with TV at, or near an 80 degree angle to the FW?

[chuckster57]

We measure with everything in line on level ground, between bottom of trailer and bed rails.