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

GoPack....So one thing to know is that the Ford F350 shortbed fuel tank is about 26 gallons. The longbed gets you a 37.5 gallon tank.

Only true with diesel engine. Gas engine same tank regardless....

You can also go for a unit with either the Revolution or Sidewinder pin boxes, which allows a great selection of standard hitch systems. As for the fuel issue on my F350...I could spend the $1000 to have a replacement 50 gal. Tank put in place of the factory 26 gal...but no real issues after over two years of towing around the west.

Larry

My 2010 Duramax SB was a 26 gallon. I had it swapped out last year to a Titan 52 gallon tank.

GoPackGo wrote:
So one thing to know is that the Ford F350 shortbed fuel tank is about 26 gallons. The longbed gets you a 37.5 gallon tank.

Not sure about the newer Dodges but my 2007 Dodge SB has a 34 gallon tank. It is plenty for my needs. I easily tow 300 miles between stops and thats about all my body can handle anyways! I needs breaks too!

Many of the Chevy SB's are 26 gallon as well. Why do Fords and Chevy's have such small tanks in their SB's? Been that way for many years.

We Cant Wait wrote:
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.

WRONG! You might have some problems if it is an old style front cap , but Most manufacturers shape the front cap to accommodate short wheel base fifth wheels.
Dont let anyone tell you you must have a lwb dualy for stability. I dont know how the ride on my short wheel base tow ing a 36' fifth wheel could be more stable. A dualy would only be necessary when the weight might exceede the rear wheel limits.

If I were buying another pickup truck for towing 5th wheel rv:

- flat bed, or ask for step ladder and/or periscope thrown in so you can see in the "mostest cubic feet of capacity best most in class best" box.

- trailer ready to roll weight no more than 1/2 the truck mfg advertising BS rating.

That would make a nice tow pickup.

Coach-man wrote:
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!

You are spot on here. Look at 5ers then get what it takes to pull it. You may find a great buy, but need a ton and a half truck to tow it legally.

It sounds like you may be truck hunting.

So one thing to know is that the Ford F350 shortbed fuel tank is about 26 gallons. The longbed gets you a 37.5 gallon tank.

If you get 11 mpg (diesel), then that's 286 miles vs 412 miles range. Based on my comfort level, I would travel no further then 200 miles without fueling up if I had the shortbed version. I just don't like being in a situation where I would be forced to look for fuel that often. I like buying fuel WHERE I want to and WHEN I want to.

I know of at least one time that I got maybe 10 mpg for the entire day (headwind across South Dakota), so it can be worse.

My .02 opinion.

Not saying you have to buy Ford, it's just the one I am familiar with.

I have a 2006 F250 short bed, a transfer flow fuel tank/tool box combo, a B&M turnover ball hitch with a B&M companion fifth wheel hitch (not a slider) towing a 2003 Keystone Challenger. No issues. I think it does depend on the 5th wheel and if it can make contact with the cab. Mine can't.

I have a SB truck and no problems towing my 5'er. I do have an auto-slider hitch which takes the worry out and makes things much easier.

Long beds to have a better ride towing but are a pain to me when using it to run errands and site see without the 5th. They don't fit in many parking lots or drive ways! Just too long for my taste.

In the end its a personal preference thing. Pro's and cons to both. An SB will tow a 5'er just fine.