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

36 Replies

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Aug 27, 2017
"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!
IdaD
Explorer
Aug 27, 2017
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.
4x4ord
Explorer III
Aug 27, 2017
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.
DakotaDad
Explorer
Aug 27, 2017
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.
azdryheat
Explorer
Aug 27, 2017
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.
BarryG20
Explorer
Aug 27, 2017
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

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Long Bed vs. Short Bed for Towing 5th Wheel???

36 Replies

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