Advice needed -- will I regret a shortbed w/ 43' trailer?

Look at the Ram Crew cab, the cab is not that much smaller than the Mega, but is available with the 8' box.

Instead of using the listed dry weight of your trailer, find the GVWR of the trailer. That will give you a more realistic picture of what you should buy to tow it. Most people use 15% - 20% of that GVWR to determine the hitch weight. A Dodge 3500 should have no problem pulling that BUT the limiting factor is usually payload of the truck. If you're near max weight of the truck when you get all your stuff and people in it, then add 1500lbs on the hitch, you could go over the truck's GVWR.

byronlj wrote:
I drive in Colorado and several other Western states. After I bought my 40' fifth wheel I traded my shortbed for an 8' bed. The first drive on a winding mountain road confirmed I needed a long bed dually. Is the 14000# the dry weight of that 43 footer? If so, dry weight means little for towing information.
Dave

Hi Dave,

Yes, that's the dry weight of the trailer I'm hoping to buy. Are there any other specs I can add that would help? If I can't find them online, I'm sure I could get them from the salesman.

I'm pulling a 33' travel trailer now, and I've never towed a 5th wheel. Can you elaborate a little more on the mechanics of a short bed vs a long bed on those windy roads? Sorry for the simple question - I'm guessing that the long bed would let you take those turns a little sharper, right?

I drive in Colorado and several other Western states. After I bought my 40' fifth wheel I traded my shortbed for an 8' bed. The first drive on a winding mountain road confirmed I needed a long bed dually. Is the 14000# the dry weight of that 43 footer? If so, dry weight means little for towing information.
Dave

I have no problem with my 6'4" bed and my fifth wheel. I have a Pullrite SuperGlide automatic sliding hitch. I drive it just like I was driving a long bed truck. When the turns get sharper, the hitch head automatically slides back for additional clearance. The only problem with a manual slider is that you must think about it and get out to use it before you need it. The SuperGlide will set you back a few more bucks, but I think it's well worth the piece of mind. Good Luck.