F-550 with pickup bed question - Diesel Forum

CaptSkup · 03-21-2006, 12:17 PM

I am shopping for a greater capacity tow vehicle for the new fifth wheel. I took a look at a couple of F-550's at Battlefield Ford in Manassas, VA. Something I saw worries me. Seems the "welded" brackets the upfitter(Chariot) installed on the frame rails will interfere with the brackets I need to install the fifth wheel hitch. Anyone here have a 550 with the Chariot bed or any brand upfitter bed and a fifth wheel hitch in the bed? I'd hate to order and take delivery of the truck only to find out a conventional rail hitch could not be fitted.

fordt · 03-21-2006, 06:24 PM

Your best bet is to have it installed before you buy it, that way you know for sure, better yet, just call Chariot. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smokin.gif[/img]

SmokeyWren · 03-21-2006, 10:53 PM

Simply order the 5er hitch installed along with the pickup bed when you order the Truck. Ford uses several different upfitters to add pickup beds to chassis cabs, and all of them will add the 5er (or gooseneck) hitch as part of their upfitting. The most popular is Manning - because they are just outside the gates of the KTP assembly plant. But Utility Bodywerks is another one. And in a magazine to Ford dealership fleet managers and salesmen, I recently saw an ad for a third one, but I don't remember their name.

No_Neck_Shrek · 03-22-2006, 07:15 AM

Check this out ! ! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] www.f650pickups.com
They have listings and pictures for 450 & 550 pickups!

LeeChristianson · 03-22-2006, 02:16 PM

Oooooooooooooo,,, man that tan DRW looks purdy... (drool, smack, pant)..

Mmm mmm mmm, may have to sell a few things to get me one of those.. Wonder if I can download that pix for wallpaper? Heheheehe..

COZO6 · 03-22-2006, 06:28 PM

I have a F450 with an AeroTow custom bed with a 5th wheel hitch. I ordered the truck from Ford, dropped shipped at Manning Truck, ordered the hitch, etc., from them, and had it delivered here in Denver.

Might check those upfitters as already mentioned. Take a look at my rig in the pictures. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

SmokeyWren · 03-22-2006, 08:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Take a look at my rig in the pictures.

[/ QUOTE ]

What pictures?

PSDfreak · 03-23-2006, 05:01 AM

click his username...then there is a link as his "homepage"

-Casey

CaptSkup · 03-23-2006, 11:12 AM

After becoming very frustrated with the local Ford dealers and really not feeling at ease pulling such a large, heavy fifth wheel with the 550, I think I am going to be going with a medium duty truck. After visiting and talking with the International sales rep, looks like we may be able to get into a nice truck for less money than a F-550 would cost with hauler/pickup bed. Biggest obstacle I have been running into dealing with Ford dealers that handle upfitter haulers is the cheap gimmick junk they stick on the trucks. All I want is a straight XLT with the normal "factory" options(security group,6-disc CD player). I have no need nor want for plastic wood trim stickons,lighted plastic grab handles, aftermarket leather seats, navigation toys(I can read a map, have served me well for decades). I can go into the International dealer, spec the truck I want, and order it. No games. I will not pay $65-75,000 for a heavy duty pickup when for the same money I get a true medium duty truck and not worry if I have enough truck. Dang Ford dealers!

SmokeyWren · 03-23-2006, 11:51 AM

[ QUOTE ]
...and really not feeling at ease pulling such a large, heavy fifth wheel with the 550,...

[/ QUOTE ]

You can get an F-550 towing maching with a GCWR of 33,000 pounds. The wet and loaded truck should gross less than 11,000 pounds. That leaves more than 22,000 pounds for a huge, heavy toy hauler or 40' luxury 5er. Very few 5ers have a GVWR of more than 22,000 pounds.

So I suspect your not feeling at ease is misfounded. You can certainly opt for a medium-duty truck (MDT) if you want to, but it won't be because the properly-optioned F-550 won't be all the truck you need for 99.9 percent of all available 5ers on the market.

[ QUOTE ]
Biggest obstacle I have been running into dealing with Ford dealers that handle upfitter haulers is the cheap gimmick junk they stick on the trucks. All I want is a straight XLT with the normal "factory" options(security group,6-disc CD player).

[/ QUOTE ]

You can do exactly the same thing with any knowledgable Ford truck dealerperson.

Go straight to the fleet manager and tell him you want to order an F-550 meeting your specs, and you want him to ship it thru Manning to add the tow body - and only the tow body. Or Dooley pickup bed if you're sure it won't be too tall for your 5er.

Stop looking at the stuff in stock and spec out your own truck. Ford + Manning will build it exactly as you want it. It will take at least couple of months to get it, but no longer than for a comparable International or other brand of MDT.

Get the order guide for the Ford part of the truck from the download center at www.sunrisefordfleet.com

The Manning tow body or pickup bed part of the truck details are available from most Ford dealers or directly from Manning. Plus you may decide to have Manning add something they have that you'll need - such as a 5er hitch? http://www.truckequip.com/ - note that the pickup bed is not on their website, but they have assembled hundreds of them fro Ford dealers, so they are definitely available.

The dealer will order the truck - including the Manning tow body or pickup bed. Ford will build the truck, then drive it across the parking lot to the Manning facility. Manning will add the tow body or bed, then give the truck back to Ford. Ford will then ship the truck to your dealer. By the time you or the dealer first sees the truck, it will be complete and ready to go - without anything on it you didn't order.

If you don't have a dealerperson you really want to deal with, then call Bobby Williams at that site linked above for the order guides. Bobby will order your truck exactly the way you want it, for a really-good price, and have Ford drop-ship it to a dealer in your neck of the woods for delivery to you. Bobby will also keep you advised as to the status of your order. He's a good guy you can trust. Hundreds of members of TheDieselStop have bought new PSDs from him, and none have complained - that I've heard about.

When comparing prices, compare apples to apples. Determine the exact "buying" price of both trucks. Ignore MSRP. Bobby will be glad to give you the actual buying price of your truck. When you do that, you'll see that any MDT will cost you more than a comparably-equipped F-550.

Also note that the F-550 is available in 4x4. Very few MDTs are.

And when considering an MDT, don't leave out the Ford F-650. They make those with low-boy frames and towbodies too. Even with pickup beds. Bunches of diesel engines choices, including PSD, Cat and Cummins. Several Allison trannies and 7-speed stick shifters. Two-speed rear axle, if you want that. They will cost you about the same or a bit less than a comparable International or Freightliner. More than the F-550. And not available with 4x4. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

LeeChristianson · 03-23-2006, 12:31 PM

That's why I like this forum and especially SmokeyWren... This is good, concise and practical info that anyone can understand and use.

Many thanks.

CaptSkup · 03-23-2006, 01:18 PM

Smokey, our Fifth-wheel does indeed gross at 22,000lbs, leaving little margin of error when towed by a F-550 at it's max GCWR option(4:88's). With Ford's decision to basically neuter the braking capability of the Torqueshift transmission and not having the opton of installing an engine exhaust brake to the truck, that mass and weight become even more overwhelming for the truck. I have to compare your apples and oranges this way: a 360 cu in engine pulling 33,000lbs over long distances on the highways to a 577 cu in engine with over 800ftlb of torque and an exhaust brake, heavier duty axles, frame and brakes. Indeed, the cost of the MDT may exceed the 550, if it does too much, I will have to look to other options. I am the last one to leave Ford, I love my 250 and it's engine/transmission, but I am asking a lot of the 6.0, spinning over 2500 RPM's constantly hauling a heavy load.

bbunting · 03-23-2006, 02:24 PM

Capt-

I can tell you that I just bought a 2006 F550 Lariat CC 176" WB 6.0/auto in place of my big rig Showhauler. I haven't towed with it yet, but max fifth wheel rating is 24,900 lbs, with a rear axle rating of 13,660. That is off the chassis cab flyer in front of me.

As far as price, mine with the Manning conversion bed was like this:

truck well optioned: 52,800
Manning conversion :..7,475
total:...............59,745 (list)

With the rebates, upfitter bonus, I paid much less than list. Dealership said they have a couple contractors pulling small dozers with a 550/auto trans FWIW. These things are medium duty trucks.

CaptSkup · 03-23-2006, 02:54 PM

If the max GCWR is 33,000lbs and I am towing a trailer that weighs at least 22,000lbs(probably more) that leaves 11,000lbs for truck, fuel, passengers and me. Any idea what a long wheelbase crew cab, 4x4, diesel 550 weighs with 50 gallons of diesel? I suspect the truck alone weighs over 10,000lbs.

drbond · 03-23-2006, 05:19 PM

I have the 550 with the Chariot body but I don't have the 5th hitch, only goosneck for horse trailer so I can't help you there. BUT I do love the 550 for towing and did look at the MDT and also the bowtie 4500. I also purchased mine from Battlefield in VA.
Best of luck in your decision to purchase your truck!

Bondo