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.

It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure.Also, in researching for a new Ram Truck purchase, I was looking at the B&W hitches for the pucks. They have numerous adjustment holes. Take a look at the manual.As for Regular vs Short Beds, my last real truck was before the short beds were even introduced in the 3/4 ton and up trucks (91 F350 DRW 7.3 IDI with Banks Turbo), so I am partial to the Standard 8' beds.

I have a Dodge Ram short bed and have never used my slider. Not once!

As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

mpierce wrote:As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.X2 it use to be that truck manufactures fought as to who could get a 4' X 8' plywood to lay flat in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate up.

choochooman74 wrote:It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure. Good point. GM has had a longer dimension from the back of the cab to the trucks rear axle. I assume the new models are the same. This in one reason many short bed GM owners report a sliding hitch isn't needed even with a flat/square corner 5er. I have a 6' 4" short bed Dodge but my '97 5er has a very flat front profile and square corners which requires a sliding hitch. I seldom use it. Many newer 5ers have a rounded front profile with notched corners for a short bed truck which many short bed Dodge owners report they don't use their sliding hitch or don't have one. Like choochooman says you will have to measure your particular old trailer and new truck combo.

GM standard bed vs Dodge standard bed pick-up | Good Sam Community

28 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2014
mpierce wrote:
As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

That is correct!!!!!!!!!

I guess the word "SHORT" does not work with the focus groups.
Dayle1
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2014
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.
ib516
Explorer II
Jun 30, 2014
I have a short bed on my Ram 2500, and had the same bed length on my previous Ram 3500 Megacab. I tow a 5er and do not have a sliding hitch. My 2014 Ram 2500 has the factory 5th wheel pkg.
JIMNLIN
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2014
choochooman74 wrote:
It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure.

Good point.
GM has had a longer dimension from the back of the cab to the trucks rear axle. I assume the new models are the same. This in one reason many short bed GM owners report a sliding hitch isn't needed even with a flat/square corner 5er.

I have a 6' 4" short bed Dodge but my '97 5er has a very flat front profile and square corners which requires a sliding hitch. I seldom use it.
Many newer 5ers have a rounded front profile with notched corners for a short bed truck which many short bed Dodge owners report they don't use their sliding hitch or don't have one.

Like choochooman says you will have to measure your particular old trailer and new truck combo.
rhagfo
Explorer III
Jun 30, 2014
mpierce wrote:
As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

X2 it use to be that truck manufactures fought as to who could get a 4' X 8' plywood to lay flat in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate up.
mpierce
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.
Likes_to_tow
Nomad
Jun 30, 2014
I have a Dodge Ram short bed and have never used my slider. Not once!
ChooChooMan74
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure.

Also, in researching for a new Ram Truck purchase, I was looking at the B&W hitches for the pucks. They have numerous adjustment holes. Take a look at the manual.

As for Regular vs Short Beds, my last real truck was before the short beds were even introduced in the 3/4 ton and up trucks (91 F350 DRW 7.3 IDI with Banks Turbo), so I am partial to the Standard 8' beds.

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GM standard bed vs Dodge standard bed pick-up

28 Replies

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