Pickup bed length

I've had both and while towing or hauling the long bed for sure. My parking garage at work gave me some issues but allowed me to park on the top deck which hardly had anybody there. On a late night I stopped under one of the parking garages cross members and rolled my window down... I was able to comfortably touch the cross beam from my drivers seat. Had I been in a 4x4 I would have hit the cross beams. Lol

YMMV...

I would rather give up my crew cab, duals, heated leather seats and 4 x 4 before my long bed.

I have a short bed & never had to worry about the over hang hitting the cab. Why would any one want the extra 2 feet to haul stuff? Pack lite & travel lite!

Long bed wins in every category except parking. I pulled my 5th wheel with two short bed trucks without issue. But I greatly prefer my Long bed truck now. The ride is better. The room is better. I have a large garage and shop so parking is not a issue.

8 ft bed for a 5er so it wont crash into the back of the cab when you turn too sharp. Anything less than an 8 ft bed you will need a slider hitch to avoid damaging the 5er and the back of your cab. Some expert wannabes like to brag about not using a slider hitch on short beds until their 5er hits the cab. Only a matter of time. For those that recommend a short bed and no slider hitch let them know you will holds them financially responsible for any damage you may run into for following their advice.

Can you tell from the above that it is all a matter of personal preference? Either will work fine. With the short bed you MAY need a slider hitch to reduce risk of the 5er hitting the cab on a tight back in turn. With the long bed parking can be a little more difficult. Otherwise mostly just a matter of what you want and like.

I have a crew cab long bed, and it is a LONG truck. But it is what I like and want.

OH48Lt wrote:
It all depends on what 5ver you're towing. Most of them today have extended pin boxes and relieved front corners, and hitting the cab is no longer much of a concern (unless you totally jackknife it, and you're already in trouble if that happens). Get a slider hitch for those rare times you feel more comfortable with more room, and you're good to go. Our former truck was a F250 with the 6'9" bed, and I used the slider just twice, and didn't really need it then.

X2
The old school of thought was long bed all the way with a 5th wheel. the last few years that has changed some.

(1) Most "short" beds in super duty trucks are 6'8" or 6'9" long
instead of 6.5.
(2) As already stated, almost all newer fivers have curved front
caps and relieved front corners so you don't come close to
hitting the truck cab while turning.
(3) Today's slider hitches are easy to use (manual) or they come in
automatic.

Since 2012 and over 40,000 miles towing I have never used my slider. I am glad I have it, but never actually needed it.

If you are getting a crew cab plus a 8' bed you will notice some parking issues with a 1-ton truck. Just look at all weight numbers, fuel capacity, and make careful decision.

Never have towed with a short bed. Have always had and always will have a long bed, plus Crew Cab plus Dually. There are usually only the two of us but a long bed crew cab provides lots of room for all that extra stuff that makes the trip more fun.

As a daily driver the empty crew cab dually is very comfortable. Sure the ride can be jolting over rough surfaces but most of the time it's not bad. People tend to get out of your way. I've never had an issue with parking since I usually park far out in a lot and like to walk.

The only downside if you can call it that is that the truck wont fit in most single parking spaces. I just got used to parking in the back of the lot and that way I get a little exercise which is well needed.

Short bed trucks are nothing more than big cars with open trunks! :B

The devil made me say that!:E

It is really personal choice, do you have a short garage? Do you haul a lot? Do you want to worry about hitting the cab?