can anyone list the differences (pros/cons) between the 145" and 157" wheelbase?

is it basically that the 157" would be a smoother ride but less manueverable (sp??) ie more difficult to make u-turns, etc than the 145"

is the extra 12" noticeable if a 145 and a 157 were next to each other?

also how do you think that chrysler's (dodge's) imminent closing will affect the pricing of f150's?

thanks,
norm

 

Check out this thread:

https://www.f150online.com/forums/20...-foot-bed.html

Although the discussion is about bed size, there are some comments about wheelbase in there also.

 

Assuming you are talking about crew cabs, the differences would be that the smaller bed would offer a better turning radius (probably by a couple of feet) and a better breakover angle. This would however be at the expense of less space in the bed of the pickup, which may or may not be a bad thing depending on what you intend to use it for. If it's any consolation, you can purchase the optional bed extender and have a make-shift 6.5 foot bed (although with the 6.5 foot bed you can get the bed extender and make it almost 8ft). I think the ride difference may be slightly different, but probably not enough to shift your decision one way or the other. Your best bet is to decide if you'll get more use out of the 6.5 foot bed or if a smaller wheelbase truck will suit you better.

Me? I'd prefer the 6.5ft bed, but don't want the 157" wheelbase for the sole fact of it being hard to maneuver with less capability offroad, whether I'm in the mountains or on my own street (my street is not very wide). So I'll probably sacrifice having a super crew and get the super cab instead. It's not like I carry five people around with me very often anyway to be able to justify needing the super crew.

Also, Chrysler isn't closing down completely. They are just downsizing. Dodges and Jeeps will still be available even after the bankruptcy, you just might have to drive a little farther to find a dealer. Pretty much the same goes for GM.

 

Also, keep in mind there's differences in payload ratings for choosing different size beds. For the crew, the smaller 5.5ft bed gives you more payload while the 6.5ft bed gives you less. This isn't typical of all model configurations though, for instance the supercab 5.5ft bed gives you less payload than the supercab 6.5ft bed does.

 

I've gone from a F-250 X-cab S'bed to a F-350 crewcab longbed doolly to my screw with the 6.5ft. bed. Oddly enuf, I found the doolly to be the easiest to park! It had to be my state of mind. You don't drive one of those, you navigate it- deliberately. I tended to drive a little more slowly in town and always parked a little farther out. I found that backing into a parking space was easier than pulling straight in. My 'screw-wich I LOVE- is just enough shorter that I try to park it like I would a car and THATS when it can sometimes be a little frustating. Still, a usefull bed length and all that cab room makes it all worthwhile.