Long Box vs Short Box

I've had two short beds, and now own a long bed. WIth my first 5er, I never needed the slider. On my current trailer, I needed the slider anytime I put it away.

My current truck tows much better than the short beds, although I never thought the short bed was inadequate. My short bed was significantly easier to park than my current truck. If I needed to use the truck as a daily driver, I would go short bed.

Used a short bed for years with a 36' Mobile Suite. Had to have dealer get me an extended pin box for the trailer which allowed decent turning.

I have a 2006 F350 6.0. It has 180k miles on it. It also has a short bed. No issues with the motor. I do keep it well maintained, however. I have a slider hitch, but have not had to use it.

Long bed all day. I love the two extra post holes (two additional tie off points)

Quite funny, I hear all this talk about parking etc being an issue and have found that parking is the least of my worries. I had a crew cab long bed dually truck and I still park in my parking garage at work. I stick out some but I fit. Driving and maneuvering is fine. It's not like you can't drive it

I have never seen a 40k truck sitting abandoned in an alleyway or sparking garage because it got "stuck".

Drive thrus at fast food, no problem for my dually. I can do whatever I need to do I just have to do a little planning.

After owning both a short bed and a long bed there is no way I can go back to a shorty. Not only are they much less useful the don't look nearly as good :).

I would love to have a 1968 Chevy 2500 long bed, one of the most beautiful trucks ever IMHO.

I've had two short beds, the only trucks I've ever owned. Got a slider hitch, which I used a couple times right after getting set up. Haven't used the slider in two years.

Short vs long bed: as others have said, if you need it professionally, that's one thing. But my take is: it's hard enough to get in and out of parking lots, I can't quite imagine a long bed. And I can get a short bed in my garage, but a long bed would have to set outside: that alone would be a deal-breaker.

Towed with an short bed for 9 years now have a long bed. Will never go back to a short bed to tow with.

My first P/U was a SB and I'll never do that again. Regardless of hitch issues, the better ride and more storage makes having to back (IMO, is easier anyway) into parking spots well worth it. Also, my SB had a small gas tank and that was the worst part. Craig

I really want a "real truck" with an 8' bed but they're difficult to find with a crew or extended cab and I need a back seat or a way to convince my wife that she won't mind a 145 lb Irish Wolfhound in her lap for hours!
Long beds seem more common out west but fairly rare in the east. I'm scouring all the used truck sites but I can't range out too far until my wife is able to drive again.. in about 8 weeks.. after back surgery.
We'll keep working on it. Thanks for all the help.

bhartzman wrote:
We're anticipating buying a 5W next but need to buy the truck this year as we replace a leased vehicle. I've found a good looking 2006 Ford F350 Lariat with under 100K miles for under $19K. Super clean but it has a
6 3/4 box. Are there disadvantages to a short box truck? Should I hold out to find a 8' box? Not sure I understand how rails work on a hitch and what they do to compensate for a short box truck. Any and all info is appreciated. I'm sure you can tell I'm very much a beginner in all of this.

Bottom line do you want a truck to use as a real truck or do you want a grocery getter that you have to add some kind of bed extender if you need a real truck?

Yes, I HAD one shorty, it was useless.

Any opinions on the 2008 6.4L V8 OHV 32V Turbo Diesel on a Ford King Ranch with a long box? $19,900 w/210k miles?