Short Bed vs Long Bed & Cargo Capacity

[Stephen/Kerri]

At present, we have a 2020 F350 SRW diesel short bed for our tow vehicle. Lariat package, no sun roof. Our yellow sticker shows our cargo capacity at 3500lbs. The wife will be retiring next year & we're contemplating upgrading to another F350 with identical specs except going to a Long Bed SRW. At this time I'm not interested in DRW. I'm trying to get a feel from owners who have gone from SB to LB, how much additional cargo capacity they were able to achieve by going to a LB with everything else spec'd out the same? Was it a positive upgrade for you? Any regrets? TIA!

 

[trailrydr]

WE own a '23 F250 SB SC. As you may already know the F250 & F350 are b^itch to manuever in tight spaces. Going to a long bed would probably make it that much more of an issue. IMO, I would not do it just because of those limitations alone. Specially if my wife would want to drive it occasionally. Mine already complains about our SB.

But, if you need the extra bed space might want to step up to the F450 instead.

 

[traveldawg]

We went from a 2018 SB to current '20 LB. No issues. Sure - it's about 16" longer so parking is a bit different as is the turning radius, but no deal breaker. We always park away from other most of the time anyway. A little planning goes a long way. Don't let the length scare you.

I picked up about 500 lbs of capacity (I'm at 3939 lbs on the sticker). I think I was in the high 3400's on the 2018.

I also got rid of the traditional fifth wheel hitch and converted to a gooseneck. Never going back to traditional again. Full bed available whenever we want with no heavy lifting (or storing a heavy hitch), better ride and more cargo space when towing. That change gave me about another 100 lbs of cargo capacity.

When you order or find a new truck, if it's a Ford, be sure not to get the 10,000 GVWR "option"; that actually lowers the GVWR. My 2018 had that "option". I made sure not to get it on the '20 and now my GVWR is 12,400 lbs (and I use almost all of it).

 

[Stephen/Kerri]

That's good info Larry. Thank you so much!

 

[poohbear]

Ive had both shortbed trucks Ill own ,1st& last. I am also a dually guy even when we were towing our Jayco 36 ft 321rlts.

 

[lineman1234]

I like a 2 door so it has to come in long bed, in a HD. Lots of room to put stuff.
My ram and now cheby.

 

[Oldcow]

I absolutely love a long bed. I'll probably never go back.

Oldcow

 

[Joe1967]

I am taking delivery on a new F350 Lariat Ultimate SB crew cab 4x4 on Thursday (hopefully). I currently have a 2022 same thing. I test drove a regular Lariat, and the steering on that was much heavier than the Lariat Ultimate. Might be one thing you want to consider doing some research on. I like the SB for maneuverability around town. But, I don't the extra storage in the bed. My 2024 also has about 3950 lbs. for CCC.

 

[COGrandDes]

At present, we have a 2020 F350 SRW diesel short bed for our tow vehicle. Lariat package, no sun roof. Our yellow sticker shows our cargo capacity at 3500lbs. The wife will be retiring next year & we're contemplating upgrading to another F350 with identical specs except going to a Long Bed SRW. At this time I'm not interested in DRW. I'm trying to get a feel from owners who have gone from SB to LB, how much additional cargo capacity they were able to achieve by going to a LB with everything else spec'd out the same? Was it a positive upgrade for you? Any regrets? TIA!

Long beds only hands down. Too many pluses. Cargo is 3865 on my new Dmax Sierra.

 

[Spartacus]

I was hesitate when I bought my long bed but when I did get one it wasn't bad at all, yes the turn radius is not good but a person have to know there limitation and I knew that

 

[COGrandDes]

I was not concerned with turning radius nor did I buy the truck based on that. My requirements were towing capacity, cargo capacity, better fifth wheel maneuvability by not needing a sliding hitch, and overall hauling efficiencies of longer items.

 

[ajg617]

I decided on a long bed after watching a relative take out the rear window of their F-350SB backing their live-in gooseneck horse trailer into a spot. You get used to the turning radius and parking. Unfortunately when I bought in 2020, there were almost no F-350s or 3500s, short or long, anywhere within 1,000 miles. I just stumbled on a long bed 3 states away. Had I ordered, I would have left off some of the options dealer had ordered it with but 4,014 was on the sticker with the factory puck system (I also went with a Goosebox) and that was it.

 

[Hoopy Frood]

I was not concerned with turning radius nor did I buy the truck based on that. My requirements were towing capacity, cargo capacity, better fifth wheel maneuvability by not needing a sliding hitch, and overall hauling efficiencies of longer items.

Couldn't have said it better myself.