We are getting ready to purchase a 1 ton Dodge or GMC Denali PU to pull an overall length fifth wheel of 37 feet. Could we get some opinions on whether to go with a long bed PU (8 foot)or a short bed (6 1/2 foot). We are planning on being fulltime RVers for a couple of years.

We have a short bed 1 ton Dodge with a sliding hitch. Only one time we should have unlocked the slide. The front end of the 5er makes a difference, too....

Hi.. We tow our 5th wheel with a 2004 Dodge diesel which has a 8 foot box.. We just have regular 5th wheel hitch that sits in the center of the bed. With the long box we do not have to worry about the trailer bulk head hitting the cab in a sharp turn. If the truck had a short bed we would have to get a slider hitch (more $) to avoid the bulkhead hitting the cab in a sharp turn. Also I like the extra room the long box has compare to the short box (I do not remove the 5th wheel hitch during our off season). Down side of the long box (when not attached to the truck) is that it is harder to park. When the time comes to trade the truck I will get another long box. Jim2007

If you're going full time then absolutely the long bed. You get almost 4' of space between the cab and 5th hitch. A good place for a large aluminum box to store stuff in. Plus still have some extra room between it and the hitch. I have a LB and wouldn't want it any other way. No messing with sliders. Can't compare the ride between an SB and LB while towing but I did test drive an SB and LB before I bought my LB. Didn't notice any difference. You'll want a DRW anyway for that big of a 5th if you're full timing. I'm guessing you'll have it loaded to the gills and you'll need the payload capacity the DRW has.

Same answer as the one from your other post, in a different part of RV net...Long bed ......

I don't have a 5er, but I've read a lot from the 5er forum. Seems one item to watch for with a short bed is the distance from the corner of the truck cab to the corner edge of the 5er so they do not hit. With a short bed, you may not be able to make a 90 degree. However, there are those who successfully use a slider hitch with no problems with a short bed. So, I would think you should consider 2 options:1: Long bed with a fixed 5er hitchor2: Short bed with a slider 5er hitchRegardless of which set-up you get, you always have to watch the corner of your camper and the corner of your truck cab. With a TT, we always have to watch jack-knifing (regardless of long OR short bed), which can do a whole lot of ugly pain too.

Long Bed or Short Bed PU for towing a fifth wheel?

brulaz
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
Me Again wrote:
45Ricochet wrote:
Not to mention the short wheel base trucks don't come with 6 wheels :W

???? You sure? Chris

Saw a RegCab 8' bed RAM dually recently.
Looked stock?
Hannibal
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
I've had both. The short bed is a little bit easier to maneuver around parking lots but the long bed is worry free and a standard hitch is much lighter, less costly and less moving parts to wear out. Since our kids are grown and out, our next truck will be an extended cab long bed.
michigancougar
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
6.5' bed here with 3/4 ton but added the auto slide hitch this time so it slides back automatically in turns - no need to manually get out and pull the lever so no chance of hitting cab unless you truly jackknife the rig. pullrite auto slide is the best invention I have found!
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2016
RAM Dually Aisin 4.10's factory rear air ride, B&W hitch and Highway Products tool box. GOLDEN
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2016
45Ricochet wrote:
Not to mention the short wheel base trucks don't come with 6 wheels :W

???? You sure? Chris
45Ricochet
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
Full time = Big box :B
The longer wheel base will ride better, the non slider hitch will have less movement and you'll have more room for stuff. Not to mention the short wheel base trucks don't come with 6 wheels :W
Now if it was a DD or garage issue you'd have to decide, but full time means getting the right tool for living full time.
therink
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
2011+ GM HD short beds have 36 gal fuel tanks
Learjet
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
There is a difference between cabs also...Crew Cab and long bed makes for a LONG truck that is hard to park in a regular spot. Like trying to park on a city street between parking meters.

Now a long bed with a super cab is about the same length as a Crew Cab short bed (Ford).

People often leave out the CAB part of the equation. You need to look at overall length and wheel base. Especially if you park on a garage.
Me_Again
Explorer III
Jan 17, 2016
We had two long bed standard cab trucks. For our 2015 RAM crew cab we went with the short bed and B&W manual slider. Filled the rest of the bed with boxes from old truck. Had to modify the front box.

Happy with setup.

I installed the factory pucks and use the Demco Hijacker 6099 picture frame with RVK3270 hitch.

Chris
Halmfamily
Explorer
Jan 17, 2016
Love our 8' bed. Have a 100 gallon aux diesel tank and still have room for firewood in front of the hitch. Also put our portable dump tank between the hitch and tailgate.