Is a long bed a requirement for pulling a 5th wheel?

OK, this may be putting the cart before the horse BUT, IMHO go look and find a 5th wheel that suits your needs, be open consider many things but in the end it will be what meets your needs. Then go buy a TV that will adqeatley tow your rig! Depending on what 5vr you purchase you may be ok without a slider. Although I do not believe a slider is much more expensive than a standard hitch.

I went for a Superglide Auto slider, I do not have to think about wheather I need to slide or not to slide it takes care of itself! I agree the short bed is much eaiser to park and maneuver with or without the 5vr attached! Good luck!

May or may not need a slider, especially not if the FW has the newer front corner reliefs. If I tried to go a full 90 degrees with my signature rig I'd have to slide, even though my corners are relieved.

I had a slider on my shortbed Chevy and never once had to use the slider. Most trailers have the front cap that's designed for shortbeds.

A short bed is fine. Depending on the design of the front of the trailer you may or may not need a slider. The newer models are sculpted in the front. On mine I can go almost 90 deg without a slider.

You will want/need a sliding hitch to avoid bumping the cab of the truck w/ the front corners of the 5th wheel if you go with a short bed. Lots of threads here about types of hitches.

EDIT... wow you guys are fast...

I pulled with a short bed for years and never had any problem..I did have a slider hitch but never had to use it. Sort of like insurance.

You can make do with the short bed but, you'll have to have a slider hitch in order to back the 5th wheel up into a campsite/parking spot.