Forum Discussion

robertmcc's avatar
robertmcc
Explorer
Feb 17, 2014

Short bed long bed

Our truck was stolen in Miami last month. We are stuck here awaiting a new purchase. Would like to know the advantages or differences in long bed/short bed and sliding hitches. Pulling a 35 foot Jayco 5th wheel.
  • A short bed crew cab is about the same length as a long bed ext cab. If you do not really need the bigger seats in the rear, an LB excab may be the better option for some of the reasons said above.

    THen one needs to look at how the steering is on the truck you will buy. At one time, Fords LB CC could out turn a GM IFS ext cab with a LB on it, due to it having a better bigger angle the tires turn away from center. My Navistar with a 188" wb has a tighter turning radius than a typical 150" WB pickup, including the Ford, as it has a 54* turning of the wheels, vs 45-50 for pickups.

    Marty
  • Long bed gave me room for 98-gallon aux. fuel tank. Long turning radius, yes, but it took me only a few days to learn how to pull into a parking place.
  • Maneuverability is the reason we have the 6.5' bed. And not just while towing. The rest on the year too.
  • joelc's avatar
    joelc
    Explorer III
    I have a long bed dually. Pros and cons.
    With the long bed you don't need a slider hitch.
    With the long bed you have more area to put stuff forward of the hitch.
    With the long bed your turning radius would be longer than that of a short bed. The turning radius of a short bed truck is better.

    What would I get again. Probably the long bed.
  • Long bed, no slider, lots of room for stuff, smoother riding both empty and loaded..

    Short bed... slider, no room, rougher riding both loaded and empty.


    Downside...

    long bed... well it's long and takes more turning radius