GM standard bed vs Dodge standard bed pick-up

Dayle1 wrote:

car2900 wrote:
I currently have a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with the 6'6" standard bed. I pull a fifth wheel using a B&W Patriot hitch. I have never felt the need to have a slider hitch as I have plenty of clearance to make a tight turn.
I have been looking at the Dodge Ram trucks but have been concerned that the standard bed is 2" shorter than the GM standard beds, I do not want to go to a long bed. The Dodge truck shows 6'4" bed. This 2" would probably mean I would have to go to a sliding hitch if I went with the Dodge. Also the Dodge comes with the hitch pucks that allows you to drop in a hitch as B&W is now making hitches that will adapt to the Dodge and Ford trucks, not so with GM. The 2" difference in bed length will probably mean I will stay with the GM trucks.
Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated.

The critical distance is not box length, but cab-to-axle distance. And the difference is greater than just 2". GM is 41.6 inches for their 6-1/2 ft bed. Last time I checked (about 6 months ago), Dodge was still at 37+ inches. I can't recall the exact number, and it is hard to find, but anyway the difference is around 4 inches. With a straight front cap difference in max. angle will be about 9 degrees. Ford is about an inch less than GM.

Dodge's shorter cab-to-axle was not compatible with the utility bed I wanted to transfer, Ford and GM were the only options.

I agree, you need to measure from cab to axle center. My ford has a 6ft. 9 inch bed, but the GMs have a slightly longer cab to axle center.

With the Ram, you would be better off to get the long bed. With some FW fronts, and alert driver, you may get by with the standard bed Ram, and no slider.

I don't need a slider, with my Ford.

Jerry