Long box vs Short box

Overall length can be an issue if you plan to use the truck to get around while unhitched. I went from a 19' SRW extended cab short bed to a 22' DRW crew cab with 9' deck. The width really has not affected my parking as much as the length because you cannot jut out of spot so much that you obstruct the aisle.

We haul a camper on the truck and have a hitch extension which adds almost 3' to the length. At 25' length, forget about fitting in to one parking stall and you better look for end spots when parallel parking or plan on taking two spots (double meter fees).

If you feel that a 22' length is something that will work for you, I recommend the long bed for fifth wheel towing. You typically can have a larger OEM fuel tank and a stronger yet less expensive fixed hitch. Although I loved the mobility of a short truck, the limitations of its size was the reason I sold it.

I would check the overall length and the wheelbase and the turning radius for the different long bed configurations. I greatly appreciate the tighter turning radius with my standard bed truck with the GM version of the mega cab. Nice to be able to make a U turn in one pass and not have to back up. Even more valuable when towing a trailer to have a more maneuverable vehicle.

The megacab or crew cabs can be very handy for storing gear you want ready access to while traveling. I would rather have a standard bed with a mega cab than a long bed with a regular cab to get the same overall length and wheel base.

Recommend checking on availability of aftermarket fuel tanks to replace the factory tank with the different truck configurations. Having a main tank that holds an additional 20 gallons of fuel is very helpful when towing and the fuel economy is going to be low and frequent fuel stops are a pain.

If I had to give up anything, it would not be the long bed. Crew and extended cabs yes, dually yes, diesel yes, 4 wheel drive yes, heated seats yes, mp3 player yes, but not the long bed.

Well we got the Mega Cab short bed with the supper glide, had the supper glide 10 years. Only had one problem in that 10 years. When I went to pull the handle would not open had to remove handle & spread or open the slot that lets it slide on the pin.

The open problem was I had to do it in a rain rainstorm that was just in front of a snowstorm. Got it done & beat the snowstorm.

I like our mega cab short bed 3500 DRW Dodge. But I like our 07 5.9.

red

FireGuard wrote:
The 3500 Ram LB has 600 more lbs payload than the SB.
12,300 vs 11,700 lbs.

Short or long bed Ram truck both have payloads up into the 4400-4500 lb range.

The 3500 Ram LB has 600 more lbs payload than the SB.
12,300 vs 11,700 lbs.

I don't drive my truck much. I tow with it and that is about it. I went with the longest truck I could afford. CC Long Bed. I love having the long bed when I need to pick stuff up. Plus with the long wheel base. I don't get any sway from my 32 footer, with the hitch I have.

I'd go for a long bed dually.

BCForest wrote:
The DW and I are getting ready to start looking for our retirement 5er and new TV. As I'm new to towing this type I was wondering whether I should look for long box or short. I've already narrowed the truck to a Ram 3500 diesel CC. Thanks :D

It isn't clear if you will be full timing or not, just that it will be your retirement 5er and TV.

After the first page of answers, there were some good points on getting a long bed.

The only downside to a CC long bed for us would have been the added length while using it as our DD while in one place for 4 months in the winter. Parking lots are tight for my 1-ton let along adding another 18" to the length or adding any width (dually).

My 6.5' bed works for me and I have never had to actually use the slider function on my hitch.

We have the 2014 Ram Laramie megacab with pullrite slider hitch. The extra room in that megacab is real nice. Tons of leg room and the space behind the backseats is awesome. When you fold down the rear seats, the cargo area is impressive. Our slider hitch has worked flawlessly... Good luck!