Pickup bed length

Had both and much prefer my long bed. I can throw in some firewood along with my 100/gallon aux tank and a tool box and still have room. Also I can now carry my kayaks on the roof of my truck.

For a short bed, you need a slider or something like the Reese Revolution hitch (pivots at the pin box vs. at the hitch).

For a long bed, you need a hitch.

IMO, I prefer a long bed.

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.

ib516 wrote:
I have always towed my 5ers with short (6.5') box trucks.

If I towed full time, I would rather have a long box, but my truck is the family car for 10 months/year, and for that purpose, the short box wins every time.

Me too. A short bed fits in the garage, long bed won't.

Con - longer wheel base. Need a litle more room to park and turn.

Pro - more room in the box to haul stuff
- better ride
- for me - can carry 12' kayaks on the top of the truck when towing our
fifth wheel

The 8' box has helped me with allot of projects around the house - rebuilt my deck this year and picked up all the concrete and wood myself from Lowe's.

I have always towed my 5ers with short (6.5') box trucks.

If I towed full time, I would rather have a long box, but my truck is the family car for 10 months/year, and for that purpose, the short box wins every time.

the longer the truck, the better the ride.

Our F250 is our first short bed pickup. After a few inconvenient long way arounds to avoid hitting the cab, I mounted a second set of rails 12" behind the axle to provide the 52" clearance. I can't tell the difference towing and the math says it removed 120 lbs from the front wheels and added it to the rear wheels. Not a problem with our relatively light weight 5th wheel. Our next truck will be another long bed if this one ever wears out.

What do you prefer?
I have not owned a short bed since my 63 Dodge Power Wagon days. Long bed gives me 2 feet more storage space. Nuff said.
BTW either will work as long your within weight limits of the truck.

I don't own a 5er, but I've never heard of anyone having any problems with an 8 foot bed. Now, the shorter beds, ...??? If turning too sharp, the corner of the camper hitting the cab ... then comes slider hitches .... Sounds like a lot of headache to me. Get the long bed first and I'm sure you won't have any regrets... especially with a 5er!