Short bed or not?

RickLIght wrote:
So we're looking at short 5ers and leaning towards Grand Design Reflection 150 273MK. It comes with a Turning Point pin box! It'll be our first 5ver so I'm reading a lot, here and elsewhere.

Many thanks to those that have posted recently. (This forum is great, but I can't read everything ever written on a subject.)

We are also buying the TV and prefer late model gas, short bed due to in town use. 3/4t or better (none of this 1/2t talk!)

I really like the looks of the Trailer Saver air hitches, but is that needed for a 10,000 GVWR rig? Comfort driving will is an issue, as are serious mountains, rugged forest service roads and out of the way places. That's why we want to travel!

How awkward is the Turning Point? I hear you can't hitch up at an angle to the trailer.

Then there are those here that say they've towed with short beds and no sliders.

So my main question:
Are there scale drawings of truck beds and 5ver noses? With all the possible combinations it seems logical that accurate measurements would be mandatory.

OK, here's my =opinion= after 14 years of RVing. 1) I =should= have got a 1t SRW truck. They're not all that much more (if you can find one) than a 3/4t and give you a =lot= more options. 2) Go for the diesel. You live in mountainous country and the extra torque will serve you well. Yes, they cost a lot more, but I really don't think you'll regret it. 3) My old, very square-front comfort would NOT hit my cab at full lock, either L or R WHEN GOING FORWARD. All will hit in reverse; a sliding hitch just gives you more time before you =do= hit. 4) The short bed will give you more maneuverability on the back roads than will a long bed. You get in a tight spot and that extra 2' can put your FW off the road where a shorty might not. Yes, you lose some storage, but you have to decide what's more important.

Given that you're wanting to travel the back roads, I'm a$$-u-ming that you'll be 4WD. That =normally= will expand your turning radius a bit over a 2WD, so there's a bit less chance of hitting the cab.

You're buying a truck, not a sedan, so if comfort is =really= an issue, buy a long-bed and yank the OEM seats and put in some good air-ride seats. Either that, or get a MH. Only real way you can be comfortable, IMO.

Lyle