long bed vs short bed for towing 5th wheel RV

I have had both a short bed and a long bed for my 5th wheel. Here are my thoughts:
The short bed turned a little better but didn't have that much space (obviously). I never hit my back window towing but there were a few times I had to make a U-turn or other tight turn that I really had to plan ahead the make a three or four point maneuver. When I lemon lawed my short bed I got the long bed (same exact truck except year difference). The long bed rode a noticeably nicer towing and without and I never have to worry (or buy a slider) about making tight turns. As stated earlier, the dollar amount difference is not much so just get the one ton; it might just pay off later (I was able to get a usedTC for when I want to tow my boat and camp).

I have 2 pick-up trucks now. One is a small Chevy Colorado (new) and the other is a 3500 diesel dually. Both have their advantages. However, I'd never attempt to tow a 13,500 pound loaded 5er with the little Colorado, but the advantage of the short bed is great to parking or driving anywhere like a car or SUV.

But, when it comes to towing a 5er, the dually 1 ton can't be beat! Stable, powerful, robhust, and they are made to carry and pull heavy loads, without blinking an eye.

My bed is 8 feet 2 inches (inside length). My 5er hitch, not a slider, is positioned such that I can turn truck and trailer 90 degrees and the trailer will not hit the cab of the truck. I know, that's not good on trailer tires at all, but the ability to that eliminates any potential of accidentally turning too much an whacking the cab.

Log bed for towing a 5er, no debate in my book. Dually for stability. 1 ton for power. Crew cab for comfortable room and space inside the cab, the ability to carry almost anything, and have extra comfortable seating room for passengers. My truck has the full front seat. It's split, but still a full front seat. Lift the arm rest and 3 people, with seat belts, and sit up front and 3 adults can comfortably sit in the back seat. Lift the back seat up and the entire space is now cargo, floor to ceiling.

If you have the option, I advise going this way. As far as towing goes, you'll never regret this decision.

The newer RVs are generally designed to turn without much concern while hooked to a short bed truck. I had a long bed for years and reluctantly bought my first short bed in 2005. I will never go back to a long bed .... I can't think of a time I missed the extra two feet cargo space but I have missed the larger fuel capacity of the long bed.

My short bed works great with a rail mount Andersen hitch flipped to the rear, no slider necessary. Long bed vs short bed is pretty much irrelevant from the standpoint of towing a fifth wheel. You just need to balance bed space versus parking, u-turns on tight roads, garage length and etc. Long and short beds both have various pros and cons to consider.

In a new diesel truck, a SRW will generally work just fine for the size fifth wheel you are contemplating. If you prefer a DRW that's fine too, though.

Welcome to the forum!

Lots of previous talk/opinions on this forum, concerning your questions.


As to truck bed, it is more about the distance from rear axle center, to back of cab. The big three all differ, so answer does not fit all. As to needing slider, again depends some what on which truck, and also which FW model. Most newer FWs have rounded cap corners to be used with standard 6.5' beds.

What truck and FW are you considering?

All trucks you mention will pull similar amount, but it is the carrying capacity that differs. Many 3/4 tons have similar carry capacity to a SRW 1T. A DRW will carry much more. With a FW, the biggest concern is RAWR/tire rating.

Jerry

If short bed, invest in the slider.

Buy what you want to drive. The extra 18” of wheelbase doesn’t make a big difference comparing apples to apples.

Get a 1 ton. Long bed, short bed is an argument for the ages. Personslly I like the extra 2 feet of bed length to haul stuff. Honestly you should be asking yourself, SRW or dually too.
With a fiver towing capacity has nothing to do with it. LOAD CARRYING CAPACITY is what you need to look at.
A 1 ton SRW or a dually will tow about equal, but the dually will be more stable doing it.