F350 SRW Long or a short bed for 850SC

[ajn507]

I think @Chadx has pro power in the bed and has said he wouldn't get it again.

 

[andy_b]

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.

4.30 gears are what we have and it makes a huge difference in performance. Despite your plans now, I guarantee you’re going to upsize the tires at some point; even if you don’t the extra acceleration and engine braking make handling the heavy camper much easier.

There are some great options to keep the Ford 360 camera system intact despite taking off the tailgate. We relocated both our tailgate and bed camera and retained our 360 setup. The 360 camera is so helpful with getting around tight parking lots and offroad.

The Pro Power is not helpful for campers - the output is too low, it takes up a bunch of space beneath the rear seats/fire wall, and you lose the dual alternator setup. Most people should never need a generator with a well planned power system. I would argue your setup would be better served setting aside the money for Pro Power for your onboard electrical.

 

[Wyo4Life]

I looked at the 850SC back in about 2016 and from what I recall I do believe it is intended for a short bed, or 6.75 foot bed. I have a Ford F350 XLT Premium Package CCSB 4x4 with the short bed. My payload is 4226 lbs. When I bought it I had a Northern Lite 8.11 SE which had a wet weight of 3600-3700 lbs. It fit my truck like a glove and I loved everything about it except with it being a hard sided camper, there were a lot of places I just could not get to.
So, I sold it and in 2024 I bought a Four Wheel Camper Hawk slide in which stays on the truck full time. I love it and wet it weighs about 1700 lbs. My truck has a 6.2 gas engine and really does not even know the camper is back there.
After having both hard side and pop up campers with both 3/4 and 1 ton trucks, I would never have anything but a 1 ton. There are some advantages to having a long bed such as having a little bit more room inside your camper and the big one, a larger fuel tank, there are also downsides such as maneuverability. I have always driven a short bed so I have not problem staying with one.
Have you looked at Four Wheel Campers? If not, it would be worth your time to take a look at them to do a comparison agains the Northstar 850SC. Good luck in whatever direction you go!