6' vs 8' truck bed

[Rock_Wells]

Howdy all,
Looking for some guidance. Do I have to have an 8' bed? I'm hearing that there is a hitch or two on the market that will allow me to use a 6'bed. I would have to special order an 8'. Thanks for your help...

[Cummins12V98]

Nice to have room in front of hitch for a nice HighwayProducts 30" front to back and bed high tool box. Also room behind the hitch. No slider hitch is nice!!!

[Jim2007]

Hi. I had a long bed for 12 years and traded for another long bed last year. I like the extra bed space that the long bed has. The down side is parking without the 5th wheel. Jim2007

[guidry]

From my experience (I've had both long and short bed trucks pulling my 5'r) the long bed is better towing and storage. Smoother ride and not as much bouncing/chucking.

[MFL]

Ram standard bed truck has the shortest axle to cab distance, of the big three. Yes, if buying a Ram, get the long bed. Get the puck system, and you guessed it... the B&W 3600. 🙂

Jerry

[Rock_Wells]

Thanks Don. Getting a new Ram Laramie 3500 4x4 Diesel. The two fiver's we've narrowed down to are the Heartland Bighorn 3270, and the Grand Design Solitude 310. Both about 35' oal, 15K gw, no problem...

[Cummins12V98]

Don't compromise! Get a Standard 8' bed. You won't regret it!!!

[donn0128]

Need a long bed? No. A slider hitch will work. Downside, you loose 2 feet of useable storage, and you have to unlock to allow the slider hitch to work to allow the fiver to clear your trucks back window.
Personally that extra 2 feet of bed space sure comes in handy. Biggest thing to worry about is sufficient truck for the fiver your going to get.