Cheddarhead
Northern Wisconsin
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Joined: 03/06/2006
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From another thread there was discussion about the manufacturers using younger engineers for more modern looks. With the youth comes inexperience and not considering all of the reasoning in the size of the current configutations. Fords claim that the higher side walls would allow more cargo capacity was pretty lame (IMHO) when they did nothing to boost the weight carrying capacity.
2006 Chevy 2500HD EC/SB 4x4 Duramax/Allison
05 Jayco "Jayflight" 285RLS
Some of our trip Pics
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Glen41
North Texas
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Joined: 01/25/2008
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Quite a bit of thier market is recreational. Otherwise there would be no heated leather seats, dvd's in the back, separate thermostats, ...etc.
I'm just saying that the engineers need to consider us and our needs. And tell the ad execs to back off. Or offer an option for a low-rider ??
Cruiser might be onto something. I wonder if there are fuel savings to be found for at least a partial enclosed bottom. Heck, I'm all into mpg's right now.
Fun is that stuff that happens in between mistakes.
2006 Chevy 3500 D/A DRW Prodigy, AirBags, CoPilot, EarPlugs
34 ft River Canyon with most of the pieces still attached
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a_flyfisher
PA and MT
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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I have a 2008 F450 4x4 and my bedrail is 20" high by my measurement, and to be more exact, it is 20.1" high per Ford's specs.
John
a_flyfisher
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jwduke
Ice Cream Capital of the World (Le Mars), Ia.
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Joined: 05/01/2005
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Why do F,D &C do a LOT of things!!!
2004.5 Flame Red Dodge Ram 2500 Quad cab 4x4 w/CTD
1991 29' Holiday Rambler Alumalite 5er.
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keith and sharon
Van Nuys, CA.
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Joined: 01/25/2007
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Land Cruisers wrote:Sort of off topic, but these posts got me thinking. Given that trailers have gone to enclosed underbelly's to cut down wind resistance and save a bit of fuel, and the aerodynamics of the underside's are critical to race cars, etc., I'm surprised that given the current fuel economy issues that car manufacturers (or trucks) havent gone with something similar to enclose the undersides of vehicles for those same reasons. Maybe the potential fuel economy gain, or the aerodynamic improvements are just too small to make it viable for the manufacturing cost, or extra weight. \
Don't give them any ideas it is hard enough to work on these modern trucks without having to remove belly panels.
2008 Tiffin Allegro 32BA
2008 F-150 King Ranch
2008 Escape Hybrid (toad)
FMCA #F402618
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sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
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Joined: 11/18/2001
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This seems to have settled on being a truck thread. Moved to Tow vehicles.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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Joined: 12/14/2003
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It would make sense to keep bed floor to bed rail height consistent between the brands. 19" to 20" seems to be about the standard for several decades on all 3 brands.
It would also make sense for box lengths and widths to settle on one standard. For years, they were pretty close to the same for full-size longbeds for all brands.
For those hauling over-cab truck campers, it would be nice to have one standard for bed floor to top of cab height too.
The way it is now with everyone using different box dimensions, it's about as useful to the buyer as every sawmill cutting "2x4's" to different dimensions. Would make building anything a real nightmare.
92F350 CrewCab 4x4 351/C6
LoadNGo service body
69Bronco ATC250R CR500
20' BigTex flatbed carhauler
B&W TurnoverBall g-neck Curt Magnum rr DrawTite ft
HD springs Rancho9000s Bilsteins poly sway bushings
285/75-16E BFG AT on 16x8 Stocktons
4.56's & Lock-Rite rear
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Moosetrek
Cheyenne, WY
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Joined: 07/23/2007
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The thing I noticed is that as the trucks keep getting higher and higher, and taller bed rails, the ground clearance has gone lower and lower - even on a 4x4. Especially the bumper heights that keep dropping for safety. I look at the old chevy with solid front axle, or even a mid-90s silverado, and then look at a new one - what good is a 4X4 truck if you can't clear the ruts going into the pasture? My BILs 86 2wd has more clearance than the new ones, wish they'd make "truck" versions optional for people that can use them!
Silver 2008 Dodge CTD 2500 4X4 QC
Still got the 5th Wheel Camper
Cute farm girl next to me
Dogs in the back seat
Back in the land of cattle, horses, and trucks!
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Roy T
Dodge City, Kansas
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Joined: 09/16/2007
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I believe the manufactors are more interested what you can fit into the bed than side rail clearance. I've often thought of just getting a cab and chassis and installing a flat bed. But, my 2500 Dodge has plenty of clearance. I could probably lower the overall height of the 5er by going with a flat bed and lowering the axles.
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Capt Skup
Southern Maryland/Nantucket
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Joined: 05/14/2004
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People tow fifth wheels with 1/2tons???
Capt Skup
AD-1(AW)USN Ret.
Wonderful Wife, 3 beautiful Daughters
"Never get in a battle of wits with an unarmed man"
2008 F-450 Lariat 4x4
2008 Honda Odyssey EX-L
SunlineF281SR
SeaRay215EC
http://community.webshots.com/user/CaptSkup?vhost=community
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