Aluminum bed for new F-150?

[Egon]

Then there's always a set of wheels for the Fifth wheel and a frame hitch!:thumbsup:

 

[CurlyDave]

WTH mess with a 5th wheel on a little 5K trailer? I personally hate any trailer that connects in the bed of my trucks. I like to use my trucks bed but thats me. But for a 5K trailer that seems ridiculous. I have been in the trailer business for 20 years and never seen anyone mess with a GN or 5th wheel on anything less than a 10K unit. Bumper pull upto that is fine with a WD hitch.

You are making this way too complicated. If you are going to keep the truck forever do what you want but a F-150 with a 5' flat bed will be worthless to anyone but you.

Just my $.02

Chris

I have to agree with Diamondpilot. That small of a 5th wheel camper just makes no sense at all.

Get the trailer in bumper pull, or if that company doesn't make one get one from someone else. There is no shortage of good bumper pull trailers in that size range.

That way you have a stock trailer that has reasonable resale value.

A stock truck that has reasonable resale value, and

A useable bed in the pickup for the stuff that either doesn't fit in the trailer or that you don't want to put in there.

 

[imgoin]

The F150 cab has an inset for the pickup bed, I guess to make it more aerodynamic and streamlined. I've seen one f150 with a flatbed and it did not look good. The inset on the cab, is on an angle.

 

[me0418840987]

Just a thought, as I drive 2wd, so don't really know. Are the newer 4wd Fords still set up with an extra block between the spring leaf pack and the axle? Just remove the block, and install with shorter u bolts. If that is not enough, consider an underslung spring setup, which is fairly easy, just weld spring seats on the bottom of the axle, and install the springs below. Simple weekend fix with little to no cost. Had a Dodge dakota, got 13 mpg 2wd 4.7 v8, would pull anything I hooked to it, including the Ford 800 with a FEL- didnt get 13 mpg on that trip, however.

 

[56FordGuy]

To adress the OP's questions, there is indeed a market for take- off pickup truck beds, at least on the 3/4 ton and bigger trucks. If the F-150 bed will fit a 250 or 350, then I'd guess it would be an easy item to sell.

Like another poster mentioned, Pro-Tech builds a quality bed/ headache rack. We're running some of their stuff on one of our trucks at work, and it's held up very well and looks good.

 

[two_bit_score]

Call any auto salvage yard and you'll find out that there is a market for take off half ton beds.

Looks like a Nissan Titan would be right for that camper.

 

[BSVLY]

Thanks again for all of the input. Appreciate the thoughts on this.

I too thought the Dakota would be ideal with a V-8. I did a "build" on the website and you apparently can't get the 4x4 version with V8! By the time I finished what was offered-it was pushing $35K and a promise of 17 MPG and that means probably worse mileage towing.

I won't argue the merits of having a molded fiberglass RV over a stick built wood and aluminum type here. We are not dead set on that Escape 5'er. But do want a composite molded RV for a lot of reasons.

Bigger RV, Mod a new truck or buy a smaller truck?? We are not ready to purchase for another year.


So, ... taking all of the comments to heart and we are looking at various options. Great to get the different perspectives from this board.

 

[Egon]

I won't argue the merits of having a molded fiberglass RV over a stick built wood and aluminum type here./QUOTE]

And you did say it was four seasons too!:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I'm biased, got a BigFoot Camper.

 

[Dmace]

I too thought the Dakota would be ideal with a V-8. I did a "build" on the website and you apparently can't get the 4x4 version with V8! By the time I finished what was offered-it was pushing $35K and a promise of 17 MPG and that means probably worse mileage towing.

It's not available in the ST model but the Big Horn and Laramie 4x4 models have the V8 as a $995 option.
Ram - Build My Own - Options
Also, we have a few V8 4x4 club cab Dakotas in the fleet and they get 17-20 mpg almost all highway.

 

[slowzuki]

Not even close. Have you seen a 1999 and up F150 and F250/350 before?

To adress the OP's questions, there is indeed a market for take- off pickup truck beds, at least on the 3/4 ton and bigger trucks. If the F-150 bed will fit a 250 or 350, then I'd guess it would be an easy item to sell.