Did you order these options? Are you happy with your choice?

I honestly don't know if I'd ever use either of these but being mechanically-challenged it would be easier to get them now than later as I'm ordering my truck shortly.

 

I assume you are talking about the bed side access steps. I think they are only available on the 6.5' bed so I didn't get them. I also didn't get the skid plates since I knew I was going to lift my truck anyway.

btw, the Platinum is a great truck in my opinion.

 

Skid plates, yes if you ever plan to drive off pavement.
Side step, eh, I just stand on the tire to get int into bed. I'd save the weight. Actually, I'd get the 5.5' bed as well which has no such option.

 

The reason I was considering a 6.5' bed was for the possibility of a 5th-wheel mount in the future. I was told this is easier on a 6.5' bed. I'm a truck virgin so I don't know what to believe.

 

I have the bed steps and I think they're great. One word of caution though if you go off-roading - they're great for catching mud; a front shield would have been a great idea when Ford came up with these.

 

Half ton trucks don't have enough payload for almost every new 5th wheel RV. 1600 pounds of payload gets eaten up quickly with 20% pin weight of an 8k pound trailer. Do some more research here in the towing forum. People do it, but I haven't seen anyone publish a scale slip that proves the truck is under GVWR.

Either way, get the max tow package with an extra 400+ pounds of payload, especially for a Platinum model.

 

I was told with the 5.4L (with max trailer tow option) that I could pull 11,000+ lbs. Do 5th wheels weigh more than 11,000 lbs?

 

You can pull a trailer that is well below your "max" tow capacity and still be over other max capacities, like GVWR and GCWR. You have to take the max tow capacity with a VERY large grain of salt. Also I believe the 11,000 is with an 8200 GVWR truck, reg cab, long bed, and max tow.