I am getting a 5th wheel camper in the near future and will need a new truck to tow it. I am still debating over long bed or short. I see the advantages and disadvantages of both and am not biased one way or the other. For me I think the biggest consideration is going to come down to use as a daily driver. I currently drive a Tundra. Moving to a Ford F-350 will mean the truck is going to be longer even with the short bed. Adding a longer bed will make it that much longer still. I have never driven a long bed truck, but anticipate that it could be a PIA for maneuvering in a parking lot. But I am not sure especially now with all the backup and side view cameras. I also have read posts where people say its not any harder to drive than a short bed. So while part of me says not to limit my capacity and go with the long bed, the other part of me is a bit leery of that decision because 95% of my driving will be as a daily driver. So I am not sure whether the extra capacity is worth any daily driving headaches...or are there really any more headaches for driving with the long bed. thanks for your helpMatt

Long bed vs short bed, the question you REALLY need to ask yourself first is, what do I do with this truck when NOT towing? Do you have a real genuine NEED for the long bed if NOT towing? If so, then get the long bed. If you cannot find a true, justifiable reason you would consistently use the log bed for, then you have your answer... short bed.

I have the longbed and the benefits of more room, higher cargo capacity, and no special hitch required for clearance of the 5th wheel outweigh any slight issues with it being a little longer than a shortbed. It is my daily driver.

get a little beat up 4 banger that get 30mpg for around town. and the tow truck that fits your rv.

Your needs do not require a long bed. I have been towing several FWs, using 6'9" bed Ford trucks for going on 20 yrs. Fords axle center, to back of cab is about 41 inches. I've been using non-slider hitches with my Fords, and currently 1" ahead of axle center. With the newer contoured fronts on the FWs, a standard bed is a non-issue. Also most modern FWs have somewhat extended pin, adding extra clearance. You could hit the cab under the right circumstances, if you worked at it, even with a long bed. Just using common sense/awareness is required no matter what your towing, TT, boat, cargo trailer, or FW.Just another thought...a long bed crew cab truck will require more space when maneuvering/backing a FW, due to the longer wheelbase. My SC with 142" wheel base helps for this, and is also a very stable platform while towing.Jerry

I have never needed a long bed to pull a fifth wheel. A lot of newer fifth wheels have the front cap designed in a way that you have less worry hitting the truck. With my current short bed I have never hit my my truck and can get almost 90 degree turn without any issues. Now both have advantages, I like the short bed for my HD truck. On my 69 C10 it's a long bed but really is an easy truck to drive cause it's so short compared to even a short bed 4 door truck in today's world. I also have driven my parents long bed dodge diesel dually. It's a really great truck but I would not want to have it as a DD. But that's my opinion I don't care for the 4 door and long bed, even though it offers some more space.

Long Bed TV as a Daily Driver??? | Good Sam Community

54 Replies

MFL
Nomad II
Jan 02, 2018
Your needs do not require a long bed. I have been towing several FWs, using 6'9" bed Ford trucks for going on 20 yrs. Fords axle center, to back of cab is about 41 inches. I've been using non-slider hitches with my Fords, and currently 1" ahead of axle center. With the newer contoured fronts on the FWs, a standard bed is a non-issue. Also most modern FWs have somewhat extended pin, adding extra clearance. You could hit the cab under the right circumstances, if you worked at it, even with a long bed. Just using common sense/awareness is required no matter what your towing, TT, boat, cargo trailer, or FW.

Just another thought...a long bed crew cab truck will require more space when maneuvering/backing a FW, due to the longer wheelbase. My SC with 142" wheel base helps for this, and is also a very stable platform while towing.

Jerry
midnightsadie
Explorer II
Jan 02, 2018
get a little beat up 4 banger that get 30mpg for around town. and the tow truck that fits your rv.
dfletch
Explorer
Jan 02, 2018
I have the longbed and the benefits of more room, higher cargo capacity, and no special hitch required for clearance of the 5th wheel outweigh any slight issues with it being a little longer than a shortbed. It is my daily driver.
DutchmenSport
Explorer
Jan 02, 2018
Long bed vs short bed, the question you REALLY need to ask yourself first is, what do I do with this truck when NOT towing? Do you have a real genuine NEED for the long bed if NOT towing? If so, then get the long bed. If you cannot find a true, justifiable reason you would consistently use the log bed for, then you have your answer... short bed.

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Long Bed TV as a Daily Driver???

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