I don't need a 8' bed do I?Now (unless the scales show me differently) I can do a 3/4 ton instead of a 1 ton...I really want to keep this vehicle as compact as I can.. We will do a little off road touring without the trailer on the trip, and we're dry camping on a horse preserve for a week as an example. The Harleys will stay inside... Last time I did the trip in my Tahoe, it was almost too big, but I really don't need to follow the little pink Jeeps around Sedona anymore :B If all I were concerned about was pulling the trailer I would just get a 1 ton dually, but it's the last thing I want to deal with. What I would love is an extended cab with a standard bed. It's only the wife, myself and 2 dogs... No need even for the CC.SO... Can I get away with a standard bed?

I have been doing it with a B&W companion non sliding hitch for the last 8 years.2 different 5'vers with 2 different short bed extended cab Chevy's.I've never had any issues at all.That said, you do have to keep an eye on the back of the cab in VERY tight turns. I can turn just as sharp as I would be able to with a bumper hitch, so it isn't a problem.

We have an extended cab and a bed length of about 6.5'. Use a slider hitch but very seldom need to use the slide, but nice to have, just in case. We also have a low profile utility box next to the cab and everything fits just fine. Seems to me you just want to make sure the truck has the capacities necessary to pull the weight.

•6.5' standard bed pickup•extended king pin on the 5W•16K Reese hitch- non sliderThis is my 2nd 5W with this pickup and hitch. Have yet to see the need for a slider hitch because of the extended king pin and the front cap's corner indentations.

I have a short bed, I also have a slider. Have not yet needed to use the slider.

Extended King Pox...Slider Hitch - one of your liking , either manual or automatic....and you will be able to turn the rig tight... With that said , You will have a hard time staying within all the weights with a 250/2500 as the pin weight will snag you every time.... It is all about the payload. Good Luck and Happy Camping ( SOON ENOUGH! )

How many of you pull a 5er with a standard bed?

sidney
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
E_mc2
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I tow with a shortbed crew cab and a non sliding B&W Companion. So far I haven't ever wished I had a long bed.
hotpepperkid
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
transamz9 wrote:
Tankcar wrote:

I prefer the 8 foot bed. You can simply do more with the larger bed.

Please explain this please. I can get done anything with my short bed you can with your long bed.

Bet you cant load in sheets of 8' plywood and close the tail gate
W4RLR
Explorer
Mar 06, 2014
I do. No worries. Check the photo in my signature.
crabbin_cabin
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
Have pulled fivers with various GMC trucks since 1991 - all short beds. never had a slider hitch and never wished I had one!! Just learn to back properly and SLOWLY and watch your cab corners!
MFL
Nomad II
Mar 06, 2014
afishinado wrote:
MFL wrote:
To the OP.....After looking at your TH, on your profile page, I think you will need a sliding hitch, with a 6.5 bed. You do not have the rounded corners, like the FW on my profile.

My last two trucks have been 6.75 beds, and no slider, but makes a difference on FW front design.

Another thing concerning weight, a slider is heavier. You will likely want a diesel, which will take away from the trucks GVWR.

I think you should be looking at a 1-ton SRW, with a GVWR of at least 11,000. Many of the newer 3/4 ton diesels have payloads around 2,000#s. When looking always look at the door jam sticker, to get an idea of the total load that the truck can carry.

Good luck on your search,
Jerry

Thanks Jerry, I am specifically hunting for a 08-10 GM truck Duramax, Ext or CC, 4x4 as comfortable as I can find within my self-imposed $20k budget. I'm finding payloads closer to 3,000 on these, am I missing something?

It's possible, some may be closer to 3,000#s. I think the Duramax is lighter than the Cummins or Ford diesels. Are you getting the payload off from the tire loading sticker, on the door jam?

You will find some 3/4 tons with optional suspension, like mine, that offer more payload. I'm thinking you will have to start out with more than 3,000#s payload, less 250#s slider hitch, 400#s for 4 passengers,2 of them being pups. I think your hitch pin weight, will be in the 2500-2800 lb range.

I think the 06-08 Duramax were good trucks too, if you can find one well taken care of.

Jerry
Dayle1
Explorer II
Mar 06, 2014
Now on my 4th GM short bed truck spanning more than 25 years. In the beginning there was no option for a sliding hitch of any type and fiver front caps were pretty square, so being careful when backing was mandatory. I did add a manual slider in 2003, but used it maybe three times, last was in '05 or '06. With today's notched cap fivers, a slider should not be needed. If something in the range of 88 degrees isn't sufficient, then 90 degrees probably won't help.
Hannibal
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
I have two sets of bed rails. One 3" in front of the axle. One puts the pin 12" behind the axle to give 52" clearance to the cab. With our light weight 5th wheel, we use the back set of rails. I don't recommend this as it goes against manufacturers loading recommendations. But it works for us with our 6'9" bed.
MrVan
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
In the truck or in the RV?
MrVan
Explorer
Mar 05, 2014
In the truck or in the RV?