Hello, after selling my tundra and abandoning the plans I had for it and a camper, I’ve settled on the Northstar 850 SC as the camper I want. Numerous reasons why but this thread is specific to truck bed length. My goal for this set up is mostly boondocking, remote BLM roads and the like. I’m looking at the F350 SrW and I THINK I would be best served with the standard bed as opposed to the 8’ long bed for maneuverability as my primary reason for this. I know it’s fuel tank is smaller and payload is slightly less but this camper wet is landing in the 2300-2500 lb mark based on my internet sleuthing. Should be plenty of room left with a one ton. Not sure if the rear of the camper will hang out too much, in a perfect world I’d be able to close the tailgate. Those of you with more experience than I, am I missing anything or is my logic sound? Thanks for the assistance.
F350 SRW Long or a short bed for 850SC
- Thread starter Tundra08
- Start date
IdaSHO
IDACAMPER
If you are concerned about turning circle, what cab you are going with on the superduty will dictate a lot.
One of the reasons we stick with an extended cab. Shorter than the crew cab (that we dont need)
and a standard cab with the dogs and foul weather (place to put boots/shed jackets) is a no-go.
That, and any superduty 2006+ is going to have a significantly tighter turning radius than older.
Personally, Ill always appreciate a long bed vs a short bed. Especially for camper space.
One of the reasons we stick with an extended cab. Shorter than the crew cab (that we dont need)
and a standard cab with the dogs and foul weather (place to put boots/shed jackets) is a no-go.
That, and any superduty 2006+ is going to have a significantly tighter turning radius than older.
Personally, Ill always appreciate a long bed vs a short bed. Especially for camper space.
What length bed is that camper designed for? I would want to make sure it is adequately supported and weight balanced. The CG should also be marked on the camper for reference.
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I’ve toyed around with the super cab option to shave weight but not sure how frustrating it would be to always have to open a door to let someone in/out. First world problems, I know. I’m not tall so there would still be decent leg room for back seat people, but it’s mostly the wife and I and a 70 lb dog. I would expect most of the back seat would be storage. I’m considering new and the 7.3 Godzilla. Diesels are nice but they’re expensive, heavy and when you have issues, they’re expensive. I’m not full timing it in this camper so I don’t need the best MPG all the time. Plus, I’ll never town more than 11-12,000 lbs maybe once a year, the diesel just doesn’t math.
I plan to get an XLT model with the speed/rpm dials vs digital dash screen, a key vs push button start with a few options like the camper cert, FX4 and sliding rear window. Pretty bare bones.
I guess I need to dial in some measurements of s super cab with the long bed vs crew with the long, etc. I really want to max out the payload without a dually and in my head, I want to have a sticker that’s 4500+ lbs. not sure if that’s doable or not. Thanks for the reply.
Spec sheet from the camper is attached that has the info you were asking about. Thanks for the reply.
Attachments
8’6 will take the floor of the camper right to the end of the tailgate on a superduty 6’9 bed.
The long bed and 16 inches more wheelbase will be “better” in theory but the big turning radius will be a constant disadvantage in practice.
A heavier 8’6 camper id likely go long bed but 2500 pounds all up is nothing on a F350
The long bed and 16 inches more wheelbase will be “better” in theory but the big turning radius will be a constant disadvantage in practice.
A heavier 8’6 camper id likely go long bed but 2500 pounds all up is nothing on a F350
Cummins_expo
Adventurer
I'm with Idasho - The extended cab / super cab gives you enough back seat for the once-in-a-while extra passengers. For us, we only have our dog. She gets the 40% of the bench, and our extra gear gets the 60. I have always had long beds; this F-250 is my first shortbed. It really depends on how you will use the truck when not camping. If it's a dedicated camp truck super cab long bed would be a nice compromise. If the truck is seasonal camping but a daily driver the rest of the time short bed would get my vote. Maybe it's because I have always had long beds, but driving this truck ( super cab short bed) feels like a compact car as far as maneuverability/parking. This package also gives me a 3,500 lb payload in a f250 with the 6.2 gas. Supercab is the only reason I have switched to Ford.
IDK if 4500 payload is going to be possible in any shortbed configuration but the Ford builder guide should help hone in on a ballpark. The guidebook was surprisingly accurate. Our Lariat longbed crew cab 7.3 has a payload sticker of 4460 which is the best I was able to configure in a SRW Lariat or above trim.
I think @IdaSHO’s suggest for a supercab is also worth considering. Our friends have that arrangement and it is great. We only have a crew cab because there is always someone in the back seat - if it was just my wife and dogs and me, we’d be in a supercab for sure. I also agree w/ @MR. ED that the difference in turning radius (also available in the builder guide lol) difference is going to be minimal btw the two but the payload and stability of the long bed is hard to beat.
FWIW, the campers (ours included) weigh more than expected.
This will not be a dedicated rig, at least not initially. When I retire, that may change to much more use but will never be a “live in” rig. Your last sentence was the reason I sold my tundra and went back to the drawing board. I had planned to get a smaller camper and then realized I want a few more creature comforts than a glorified tent would give me. Then after another trip to Yellowstone I realized we love spur of the moment stops and the trailer set up I saw people using made that problematic when there’s just a parking place and it’s miles to turn around. Takes the fun and spontaneity out of it. I started inquiring about teardrops and the like on other forums and realized that’s not what I want either. A truck camper ticks all the boxes. One rig, no towing, creature comforts in one rig and still have use of a truck for dual purpose which I would certainly use. Finally, it’s an easy rig to commute in if need be because a car is in the shop or what have you. I loathe large 5 wheels or travel trailers and the idea of having to park a monstrosity in a campground with hundreds of other people is not a vacation in my mind. I want remote, off grid spots with little to no people. What I want to prevent is finding myself in a spot I need to turn around and the long bed prevents that. On the other hand, how bad can an extra 16” of bed be in day to day use? I’m a mess with this. lol. At work, I drive an F350 dually with a large storage box on the back and it’s 9’ just for the box. However, that’s just in town, not sure if that’s transferable to a BLM road.
I am glad @IdaSHO suggested the supercab as something to consider. He may have sold me on it the more I’ve researched it. I did send a build to a local Ford dealer from their website and heard back a bit ago on the payload for the configuration I chose. It was 4800 lbs. F350, super cab, long bed, XLT with the FX4 package, sliding rear window and 373 gears. Not sure if 430 gears would be better overall. I chose a few options like spray in bed liner, wheel well liners, carpet delete, dual batteries, mud flaps, larger alternator, remote start, camper package, 360 cameras and that’s about it. The only things I plan to do mod wise (famous last words I know) is a deer catcher front bumper and a back up camera since the tailgate will have to come off. I may remove the 360 camera package since I’m losing the most important one to an aftermarket option I assume. The 2000 watt pro power in the bed is an interesting option for a truck camper. I may add that if it proves worth it. Would be nice to have the truck be the generator and not have to carry an extra one. The larger fuel tank with the long bed is a plus as well.
Fair point.
I've been in the same loop. We want to get a larger camper.
Family of 3, we want a cab with 4 doors for the next 10 years or so.
At some point a smaller cab and bigger camper would be a better setup but that's too far down the road to think about.
No need to reinvent the wheel. I'm pretty sure well go with a 4 door cab, 6.5' bed to maintain turning radius.
I'll swap the bed for an Aluminum flatbed and buy a composite shell that extends past the flat bed up at an angle. Bob's your uncle.
Family of 3, we want a cab with 4 doors for the next 10 years or so.
At some point a smaller cab and bigger camper would be a better setup but that's too far down the road to think about.
No need to reinvent the wheel. I'm pretty sure well go with a 4 door cab, 6.5' bed to maintain turning radius.
I'll swap the bed for an Aluminum flatbed and buy a composite shell that extends past the flat bed up at an angle. Bob's your uncle.
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