Ford vs Chevy - No, it's not about your favorite brand...

[Diamondpilot]

You could always get the optional "Man Step".

2011 Ford F-150 - 55.4 cubic feet, 5.5ft bed = 67" long x 50" wide (between wheels) x bed height of 22.4" deep.
2011 Chevy Silverado 1500 - 60.7 cubic feet, 6.5ft bed = 78.7" long x 50.6" wide (between wheels) x bed height of N/A.
2011 Dodge RAM 1500 - 58.9 cubic feet, 6'4" bed = 76.3" long x 51" wide (between wheels) x bed height of 20.1".

So the Ford has a deeper bed by over 2" but is still less in overall capacity. You really need to work on the old GM/Dodge stories, the numbers never seem to work out...

These numbers may be true now but back in 07 when I bought my last F-150 that I have since traded it was about 6" deeper then a GM bed.

I hauled 8' materials many many times in it with no issues. Had 3 of these 5.5' boxes on F-150's. For me it was all about getting the truck in the garage.

Does not matter anymore. All 3 of my trucks have 6.5' boxes and extended cabs so they will fit in the garage.

Chris

 

[Diamondpilot]

How's that possible? There are more cubic feet in the Chevy's bed, aren't there?

On the 01, 03, and 07 I had they were about 6" deeper than a GM bed. We do lots of logging and my truck would haul more firewood than my buddies short bed GMC. Same was true with Mulch. The old lady has huge flower beds that take 16 yards of mulch each spring. I have tried everything from a dump trailer, dump truck, my trailer, and pickup truck. Its just easier to get it in the truck, back it up, shovel it off. Takes a full day. Luckily the place that makes mulch is 6 miles from my house.

Chris

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Pics as promised:

The Ford is lower...

 

[timswi]

On the 01, 03, and 07 I had they were about 6" deeper than a GM bed. We do lots of logging and my truck would haul more firewood than my buddies short bed GMC. Same was true with Mulch. The old lady has huge flower beds that take 16 yards of mulch each spring. I have tried everything from a dump trailer, dump truck, my trailer, and pickup truck. Its just easier to get it in the truck, back it up, shovel it off. Takes a full day. Luckily the place that makes mulch is 6 miles from my house.

Chris

As far as logging...I spent my entire childhood doing that with my dad when there were very few shortbeds. Everyone had 8' beds...Anyway, when it comes to that, it all depends on how **** the stacker is, not necessarily the bed volume. Also, the shape of the particular trees also has a significant impact on what you end up hauling home.

As far as mulch, I do the same thing...Heap it to the roof. My supplier is a similar distance as yours..All day too. Just back up and shovel it off. I use a plastic coal shovel...Works great.

 

[dstig1]

I find a pitchfork MUCH easier for shoveling mulch. I don't know if it is a "proper" farm pitchfork, but it sure works easier than a shovel at getting into the tangled mess of a mulch pile. But then that is shredded Cypress mulch that my wife likes for the flower beds next to the house. Bark or shipped mulch may be different.

And I have No Problem pulling my tractor and trailer in my avatar with my 5.4, including some pretty significant hills in this part of Wischeeseland. If you want to drag race, get a drag car. I want to haul it and get there, and I'm not doing it for money, so what do I care if it take 5 more seconds to get up to speed than the diesel? It works just fine. And an 8' bed is awesome. Makes hauling hardwood lumber much easier. Don't want a shorty here. 4200 lbs of firewood in the bed also says it can haul loads just fine... But hey - that's just me...

 

[Egon]

Shovelling eh.

At the back of the box fasten a 2x4 or some such to three long ropes that are laid out in the pickup bed and are long enough to go over the load to the back of the box. Then lay a tarp over the ropes. When loading the box make sure the extra length of rope is free so it can be laid out over the top. To unload fasten the free end of the rope to someting solid or the tractor and the drive ahead. Load should be rolled off the back. Pull out the tarp and your good to go!:thumbsup:

Piece of plywood will also work.

 

[jmanatee2]

Shovelling eh.

At the back of the box fasten a 2x4 or some such to three long ropes that are laid out in the pickup bed and are long enough to go over the load to the back of the box. Then lay a tarp over the ropes. When loading the box make sure the extra length of rope is free so it can be laid out over the top. To unload fasten the free end of the rope to someting solid or the tractor and the drive ahead. Load should be rolled off the back. Pull out the tarp and your good to go!:thumbsup:

Piece of plywood will also work.

Or buy a loadhandler Welcome to Loadhandler.com They work

 

[CompactTractorFan]

Or buy a loadhandler Welcome to Loadhandler.com They work

I've seen them before...From the video on the site it looks like they work good...The only problem I see with them is dirt/mulch/whatever getting trapped under or beside the unit...

 

[Diamondpilot]

As far as logging...I spent my entire childhood doing that with my dad when there were very few shortbeds. Everyone had 8' beds...Anyway, when it comes to that, it all depends on how **** the stacker is, not necessarily the bed volume. Also, the shape of the particular trees also has a significant impact on what you end up hauling home.

As far as mulch, I do the same thing...Heap it to the roof. My supplier is a similar distance as yours..All day too. Just back up and shovel it off. I use a plastic coal shovel...Works great.

I line my bed with a cheap blue tarp. Makes cleanup a breeze.

Chris

 

[Dmace]

Speaking of how much a Ford squats, anyone catch the new GM independent testing videos?
Here's one showing how much the GM and Ford trucks squat with a 2,400 lb payload and 10k lb trailer:
YouTube - Chevy Silverado 2500 HD | Head to Head Frame Strength Test | Chevrolet
Cliff notes for those that don't want to watch the video: GM 3.9" - Ford 6.3"

And another showing frame twist where the Ford actually twist so much the bed crumpled and the tailgate wouldn't open. :laughing:
YouTube - Chevy Silverado 2500 HD | Head to Head Frame Strength Test No. 2 | Chevrolet