New F-250 XLT Options Specific to Oliver Towing

[taylor.coyote]

Jd, If driving with an open truck bed will make me feel like a kid again, I'm all in🤸‍♀️

[GregCA]

12 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

We can recommend the F250 but you should take the time to calculate (really calculate/don't estimate) your payload needs BEFORE you purchase. In our case we have 4x4 short box 6.7 power stroke. Coming from a 1/2 ton, we assumed stepping up to a 3/4 ton would give us carefree payload.  After installing a roof rack system, bedside, truck-bed height shelf over the bedside,  A.R.E. cap, trailer hitch and full width mudflaps our usable payload is no longer carefree.  We are NOT MINIMALIST  and have lots of gear such as kayaks, camera gear, extra 30 gallon water tank for boon docking and a gas grill that taps into trailer propane are just for starters….  I've put the truck on the scales, we end up sucking up all the payload. The bottom line:  We have to manage how much we bring to stay within our payload.  Initially, I  turned to maintaining a spread sheet with the weights of people, dog and each piece of gear before heading to the scale. Fortunately we have a nearby logging truck scale we can use for free. Over time, I learned the combinations of gear without using the spreadsheet but do run to the scale before we head out on a long trip….  Likely the difference between the gas and diesel  will add enough payload that the F250 will do the job.  

The F250 is not overkill and you may want the F350.

You are buying an amazing trailer. We wish you the best of luck.

 

 

Thanks for the input.  Didn't even consider payload and assumed a 3/4 ton would be plenty. Just based on numbers from what I know now, I should have about 2,500 lbs. of payload left after people, pets, and Oliver with 2 e-bikes are accounted for. Hopefully will be enough.  Thinking back, I must have been a disaster waiting to happen back in my Casita/Ridgeline towing days.

 

Was looking at a cap but probably leaning towards a bed cover to keep things locked up and dry. 

[GregCA]

12 hours ago, taylor.coyote said:

Assuming you will put a cap on your truck, you might consider a bedslide. No more getting on your knees fishing/searching for stuff in the back of the truck bed. I would pay double the price we paid if that is what it cost to have one. Best purchase we made outfitting the truck….  lots of different options. If you intend to put a shelf over the bedslide, your cap needs side access to the shelf. You should also understand the different load capacities of the sides and how it can impact how tall they are above the truck bed to ensure gear clearance under the shelf. I have 17.5" between the top of the bedslide and the bottom of the shelf, this clearance works well for us.  if you want, I can send pics to give you ideas 

 

Was going to just do a cover, but like the cap and bed slide idea.  May have to consider something like this to make life easier. Yes please send me some pictures

[GregCA]

9 hours ago, jd1923 said:

Greg from CA, this is just a bunch of my ramblin's, things think about, consider or dismiss. Like Taylor wrote, "Calculate." Start a spreadsheet and keep working it. You have loads of time, think long on what you want, so don't rush the order! 😎

Really apreciate all your informative posts.  And it looks like I opened up a can of worms on OEM DC-DC with the ENs in the comunity.  OBTW  the CA in GregCA are my initails.  I am actully in Navarre Fl close to Pensacola

[Steph and Dud B]

We have a crew cab long bed. The long bed is good for storage, especially if you have a large Clam screen room. The downside is maneuverability. Our truck and trailer combined are about 45' long. Makes it harder to back into some campsites with narrow roads and trees.

[BackofBeyond]

Timely posts, as I am in a similar position. Having once towed (50k +) the Ollie II with a GMC 2500 diesel (in dogs' years - another lifetime) I can confidently say a 2500 4wd, crew is the sweet spot. As for engine - I now will go gas engine, GM 6.6, as for Ford has 7.3 V8 I believe. The dino burner is just not (to me) worth the extra initial cost, the pain of oil changes and DEF, and other associated issues. The engine braking was nice, but honestly the Ollie at max 7000 # never pushed us anywhere. Honestly other than styling, or personal like/dislikes I could go GMC/Ford - not any real difference in functionality. I prefer the styling of the GMC in certain options. I had a LEER on mine, and you really have to try to get close to payload limits - Oliver in tow, loaded up, stuff hanging off every limb, truck loaded like the Beverly hillbillies, and still well below. I guess you could carry lead weights and get close. but, I digress.

So many ways to outfit the truck bed, sliders, shelves, etc - as I get (got!) older the drop tailgate option in the GMC is really a plus. 

Luckly, I don't need all my WW boating stuff anymore, so that frees up some space for other stuff I don't need, but have to have.

Choices, decisions, options. Darn it, I need a beer, a nice reclining camp chair, and a mountain view, yes thats the ticket.

RB

 

[jd1923]

On 10/2/2026 at 6:07 AM, GregCA said:

I am actually in Navarre Fl close to Pensacola

Hunker down Greg and family and all of our Oliver Friends along the Gulf Shore!