I know this is a matter of opinion, personal preferences and personal needs, but I would like to hear what people feel about this topic to inform my decision. Which do you prefer based on your experience? I am planning to get a 5th wheel in the next year or so. I will probably get a one ton diesel truck to tow it (probably a Dodge due to the warranty mainly), and am debating over long or short bed. I know there are a lot of advantages to a long bed, but not sure how big of a PIA it will be in parking lots, etc. and if the advantages for towing and hauling outweigh any daily driver drawbacks. Ultimately another factor for me will be what's available on the used market--I can't really afford a brand new diesel truck. Advantages for long bed that I see: better ride quality, better towing, no need for slider hitch, capacity, space for auxiliary fuel tank. Advantages for short bed that I see: turning radius, parking, availability on the used market. thanks for your helpMatt

You pretty much hit the nail. In 01I bought a quad cab long bed. I got used to driving the length in short order. I now have a crew cab long bed and it is longer than the qc. Driving it is no real issue. Parking can be a pain in small lots requiring a two point turn to get in. I have no problem parking out in the boonies and walking it is not like I can't use the exercise. However I do dread going downtown Denver in it due to parking the parallel spots are rarely big enough and all the lots are very tight fortunately I rarely need to go. I still prefer the long bed for the reasons you mentioned

I only tow 5th wheels. I went from a Chevy 2500 4 door short bed to a 3500 dually 4dr long bed and really can't tell any difference between the two bed sizes. A friend just got a short bed Dodge to pull his tow hauler and managed to turn tight enough for the trailer to strike his truck cab, not once but twice, in the same trip.

Depends a little on the fifth wheel you get, as well. If it's an older one, with square front corners, clearance with the cab is a bigger issue, and the long bed will make things much easier. If it's a newer one, with more rounded corners, that's much less of a problem.I've got a short bed Ram, and I've never had a problem with my Sabre. I don't even have a slider. I'm sure that would be a different story with some other fivers, but my particular combo works well.You've got the pros and cons down perfectly. Long bed will almost always be easier to tow with. Just a matter if you can live with it as a daily driver, and that is something that's different for every individual. For me, it came solely down to the fact that a long bed CC wouldn't fit in my garage. Otherwise the longer bed would be handy.

I had a long bed from '93 to '05. For me it was not really much of a problem as I seldom went to the city. I bought a used short bed in '05 and realized I really didn't miss the long bed and I like the look of the shorter box better so I've continued with short box trucks ever since. Many short box trucks have tiny fuel tanks. I've never seen a need for a sliding hitch.

They both work fine for fifth wheels. There are compromises either way with both options and anybody who says otherwise isn't the brightest light on the block.

Long Bed vs. Short Bed for Towing 5th Wheel??? | Good Sam Community

Edd505
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
corvettekent wrote:
Parking a long bed truck is easy if you back into the parking space.

A lesson you learn quick, way easier. Another plus for long bed, with the hitch out you can lay a full sheet of plywood, dry wall, etc. in the bed. I have a tool box behind the cab but it does not go down to the bed. In my opinion at least an extended cab, crew is better. Can't think of how many times we have met people and head for town site seeing, eating, or just groceries.
john_bet
Explorer II
Aug 28, 2017
I prefer a long bed.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 28, 2017
Dually parking at it's finest!
blt2ski
Moderator
Aug 28, 2017
Since when can I get a 10' long bed in a pickup? The std 8' bed us only way to go if you can truly get a long bed.......take it! Luv my INC with a 14' bed!

Marty
ACZL
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
donn0128 wrote:
You see lots of wannabees pulling fivers. Personally the long bed is the only way to go. Yes, you hit the disadvantages. But you missed all the advantages when not pulling, like being able to carry full sheets of plywood with the tail gate closed, carrying a yard of yard stuff easily. Short beds are OK. Just not my idea of a real truck.

Donn--

Real trucks don't have spark plugs!!

Sorry couldn't resist. LOL

OP- test drive both in all cab configurations and go from there. All of us here that have both stand behind why they feel which is best and main reason is that it's what works for them.

Kinda reminds me of a saying:

1. Problem with most people is that they don't admit their faults. I'd admit mine if I had any.
---What this has to do with the topic is nothing, but good for a laugh---
jorn
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Do not fall for the running myth that you *need* a slider hitch in a short bet; that’s anachronistic these days. Many news 5th wheels are designed to be pulled by short bed trucks. I can go to 90º fine with my combo. We went straight to the Ram MegaCab because that cab! :)
cummins2014
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
jorn wrote:
Do not fall for the running myth that you *need* a slider hitch in a short bet; that’s anachronistic these days. Many news 5th wheels are designed to be pulled by short bed trucks. I can go to 90º fine with my combo. We went straight to the Ram MegaCab because that cab! :)

I too have the Megacab, great towing truck, and the ride is just great.

And yes, I went from a manual slider to the Andersen fixed hitch, never needed to use the slider. Andersen is the only way to go if a slider hitch is not needed.
cummins2014
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
Cummins12V98 wrote:
"Advantages for long bed that I see: better ride quality, better towing, no need for slider hitch, capacity, space for auxiliary fuel tank."

I think you have answered your own question!

I daily drive "RAM" Dually, far outweighs the negatives of a shortie!

Somehow you long bed guys are convinced of the negatives of the short beds, and some are valid, if you somehow need the long bed.

Even if I needed a dually, I would still go with the Megacab , some just don't want or need a long bed. FYI, I have had 5 long beds, and can honestly say in the past 19 years with two different 350 or 3500 short bed trucks, never ONCE did I think I wanted or needed a long bed, matter of fact only time I even think about a long bed is when I read these silly threads about why the short bed guys need a long bed, and they are just wannabes :)

I'm here to tell the guy that made the comment about the " Wannabes " that 3500 Ram Cummins MegaCab is far from a wannabe towing a 38' fifth wheel, and he has no idea.
cummins2014
Explorer
Aug 28, 2017
blt2ski wrote:
Since when can I get a 10' long bed in a pickup? The std 8' bed us only way to go if you can truly get a long bed.......take it! Luv my INC with a 14' bed!

Marty

And you have a need .:S
blt2ski
Moderator
Aug 29, 2017
cummins2014 wrote:
blt2ski wrote:
Since when can I get a 10' long bed in a pickup? The std 8' bed us only way to go if you can truly get a long bed.......take it! Luv my INC with a 14' bed!

Marty

And you have a need .:S

Can you put 2-3 pallets of sod, pavers, wall block, trees 12-29' tall long in a truck? How about 3- 15 yrs of landscape material, be it lightweights like bark sawdust. Or lessor volume but heavy like rock product? 29' pieces of sprinkler pipe or equal?

YES I have a NEED!

Marty