Clearance Issues

[rossepeo]

I'm not dealing with the kind of loads you have (Reflection 29RS) but I also tow with a short-bed (Silverado 2500HD). I liked my Reese swivel-head hitch, so I opted to replace the standard pinbox with the Reese sidewinder. This locks the kingpin and moves the axis of rotation back about 22 in. I can make a 90 deg turn without any concerns. The sidewinder comes in a 20,000 lb model.

[TS_Breezes]

Hi Gary,

There are two YouTube channels I have watched in particular, where the F-450 as a tow vehicle is compared to an F-350. Both of these channels have or had F-450's for towing. Informative - and the F-450 is pricey.

Keep Your Daydream channel links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFM5zkB2gqA&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0lwUNxrq6E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P622LPu4Cjc&t=7s

Big Truck Big RV channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yuF_biFZdM Posted 5 months ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf8_1PHsZQ8 Posted June 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgeH-6ej09w Posted Feb 2019

[GaryinGlobe]

Gary,
I don't have an AUH but I do have a 2019 F350 Longbed. I have the same problem where the Pinbox is catching the tonneau cover side rail(flat fabric cover, velcro, flat rail) using a standard Reese M5 5th wheel hitch. I have 6 inches of clearance and the hitch is at max height. I recently cut about a six inch stretch out of the cover rail and it has helped when backing into my driveway. Not sure if I described my cover rail appropriately but can supply a pic if needed. COver = https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dave & Sharon,
Thank you for the response. I’ve decided to go with an f450 but hearing you still have tonneau issues with a long bed is a problem. Back to the drawing board.

[GaryinGlobe]

I'm not dealing with the kind of loads you have (Reflection 29RS) but I also tow with a short-bed (Silverado 2500HD). I liked my Reese swivel-head hitch, so I opted to replace the standard pinbox with the Reese sidewinder. This locks the kingpin and moves the axis of rotation back about 22 in. I can make a 90 deg turn without any concerns. The sidewinder comes in a 20,000 lb model.

Thanks. I will look into that one.

[GaryinGlobe]

Hi Gary,

There are two YouTube channels I have watched in particular, where the F-450 as a tow vehicle is compared to an F-350. Both of these channels have or had F-450's for towing. Informative - and the F-450 is pricey.

Keep Your Daydream channel links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFM5zkB2gqA&t=1s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0lwUNxrq6E

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P622LPu4Cjc&t=7s

Big Truck Big RV channel here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yuF_biFZdM Posted 5 months ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pf8_1PHsZQ8 Posted June 2019

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgeH-6ej09w Posted Feb 2019

Thanks TS_Breezes. I pretty much sold on the F450. It’s going to take a big bite out of my wallet.

[GaryinGlobe]

You hit the nail on the head. I just went from a 2019 F350 DRW with a 5200 lb payload to a 2020 F450 with a 4795 lb payload and there is a big difference in capability. The turning radius is amazingly better, the truck squats way less with my 3900 lb pin weight, so much less that I'm not fooling with airbags this time. The 4:30 gears and 10 spd make the overall towing experience much nicer and the F350 did a pretty good job. As someone stated, if you decide you need a dually there is no reason at all to not look at a 450. It is much more capable than the 14000 lb GVW it is saddled with. Here is an example of the beefier equipment. When we start towing 16-20K lb trailers you want brakes like this. That's a front rotor on my F450...That's a 19 1/2 inch rim and the caliper is almost as big! Attachment 26212

Thanks Txfivver. I’m looking for an F450 right now. I do love my F350, but I am over on payload and right at the edge on GCVWR. Plus I need the long bed for cab clearance.

[Txfivver]

Thanks Txfivver. I’m looking for an F450 right now. I do love my F350, but I am over on payload and right at the edge on GCVWR. Plus I need the long bed for cab clearance.

Cool, you will love it I guarantee it. If at all possible get the 2020 model, the updates are well worth it! The new 6.7 feels like a different animal. The new electric waste gated turbo has zero lag now and feels much stronger when you tip into the throttle.

[GaryinGlobe]

Cool, you will love it I guarantee it. If at all possible get the 2020 model, the updates are well worth it! The new 6.7 feels like a different animal. The new electric waste gated turbo has zero lag now and feels much stronger when you tip into the throttle.

The 2020 upgrades seal the deal. Thanks again.

[Dashus]

Cool, you will love it I guarantee it. If at all possible get the 2020 model, the updates are well worth it! The new 6.7 feels like a different animal. The new electric waste gated turbo has zero lag now and feels much stronger when you tip into the throttle.

Thanks for the 2020 model input!
I too am looking at a F450 upgrade for the earlier reasons mentioned by you and others. I was looking at a 2019 model on a dealer lot but your comment has me changing my mind. Especially that the Turbo has zero lag... I hate that lag time on my 2019 F350.

[GaryinGlobe]

Thanks for the 2020 model input!
I too am looking at a F450 upgrade for the earlier reasons mentioned by you and others. I was looking at a 2019 model on a dealer lot but your comment has me changing my mind. Especially that the Turbo has zero lag... I hate that lag time on my 2019 F350.

Yes. And don’t forget about the new 10 speed transmission.