8 ft v 6ft

[spatbhoy]

I am getting a new tv and if I get a short bed will that limit my future towing of a large toy hauler? Planning on getting a 2017 Ram mega can diesel 6 foot bed

[Crabbypatty]

We went for the 6' as my wife drives the TV full time. The 8ft bed is bus it just doesnt turn making daily use and parking a chore. So it all depends on the most use of the vehicle. We spend around 30 nights in the TT. If we retire and travel more that might change as 8ft bed with a longer wheeelbase would be more comfortable on long tows.

[thirtydaZe]

Just stayed in the ozarks the past 7 nights, our spot had a small turn around to get out of, in my short bed, i think i could have easily gone 90*, and as it urns out i was close. Still didnt have to release my slider.

My 3500 short bed pulls like a beast, and fits in my garage. Just get a slider hitch, likely never use it, but know its there just in case.

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do what you want but the 8' bed has no compromises. I do understand the Mega has more room in the back but the Crew has PLENTY IMHO.

Perfect tow rig IMHO. No compromising.

Mega Cab back seats recline. What storage you gain in your tool box I have behind my back seat. I lay my back seat down in the mega cab and the floor is flat from the front seats all the way to the back of the cab. Mega Cab also has a tighter turning radius.

Nice to have options! Still your reasons for liking are not anything that matter to me and Vice Versa. :B

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Do what you want but the 8' bed has no compromises. I do understand the Mega has more room in the back but the Crew has PLENTY IMHO.

Perfect tow rig IMHO. No compromising.

Mega Cab back seats recline. What storage you gain in your tool box I have behind my back seat. I lay my back seat down in the mega cab and the floor is flat from the front seats all the way to the back of the cab. Mega Cab also has a tighter turning radius.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
You won't be able to add this AWESOME tool box with a shorty! HighWay Products 30" front to back.

Be sure to get the pucks and factory rear air ride.

We spend a fair amount of time in our fifth wheel. Arizona part of the winter ,and Montana in the summer.

Being a fly fishermen, I take along a 9' inflatable pontoon boat that I breakdown, with several fly rods ,boots waders et. Along with a portable weber bbq with stand, three different size coolers . Three door tool chest, hydraulic jack etc etc , you get the picture. Two mats four chairs again etc etc. Still room in my basement if needed.

Eliminated a lot of stuff over 40 years doing this.

I have a 2014 3500 Mega cab, and there is two things in my bed a propane bottle for my BBQ ,and my hitch, which is now the Andersen :B . My point is, several on this thread has made a big deal out of this long bed , if you need to haul all of that stuff, and large tool boxes, yes you probably need a long bed.

[cummins2014]

mtofell1 wrote:
I thought I remembered years ago when the mega cabs came out that 5th wheel towing was not advised. I can't remember why or maybe they have solved whatever problem existed.

Is the clearance from the point directly above the rear axle to the back of the cab the same with the mega cab and regular crew cab?

Same bed length , the cab is just longer. My mega cab hasn't got the memo yet on its inability to tow a fifth wheel, does just fine. 🙂

[mhardin]

What ParkCountry said above!!

I made the mistake of buying a short box once about three trucks back. It was my first and my last short box. I will never go back.

[mtofell1]

I thought I remembered years ago when the mega cabs came out that 5th wheel towing was not advised. I can't remember why or maybe they have solved whatever problem existed.

Is the clearance from the point directly above the rear axle to the back of the cab the same with the mega cab and regular crew cab?

[JIMNLIN]

The 3500 DRW Mega cab has the same 9750 rawr as the other DRW trucks. It weighs 137 lbs more on the rear axles so payload in the beds are basically the same.
The Mega sits on a 160" wheelbase vs 169" for the crew cab x 8' bed. No difference there in ride or handling.

I made a living pulling heavier GN trailers than a rv trailer with short beds and long bed DRW LDTs. They both did the job just fine.

Just get a one ton DRW trucks in the bed length you need...in the brand you like.
Just make sure its the white one.

[dfletch]

Knowing I would always find more things to haul than would fit in the storage of my 5th wheel I went with the long bed for overflow. Mine is a 2017 Silverado 3500HD Duramax 4X4 crewcab dully.

[garyp4951]

I'm looking also, and my current truck is a short bed, and has been fine, but I really miss the 8' beds.
I personally would not get a mega cab, and I don't think they come in a long bed.

[joelc]

I have a long bed truck and the extra space comes in handy. The only draw back to a LB is because the wheel base is longer than a short bed, the turning radius is longer and there will be a delay when backing a rig into a space, so you have to take that into account. But, If you take your time, you should not have any problems. Do not purchase short on the truck. Get it for doing work. Check manufactures and years carefully. I don't know much about Chevy or Dodge right now, but when I bought my Ford in 2006, it had the best reviews, but has cost me a mint for repairs and it has only gone 90K.

[Njmurvin]

I have a short bed and I bought it because, at the time, it was also my daily driver and I chose it due to its maneuverability. Were I to buy a new truck today, I would go for a long bed. The extra room and ability to use a lighter hitch (mine is a SuperGlide) would prevail over maneuverability. But, in all fairness, my daily driving has been reduced significantly.

If I were considering a big Toy Hauler any time in the future, I would not hesitate to get the biggest, baddest DRW that I could find. Those suckers are heavy and, in California, require Class A non-comm'l licenses to pull them.

[Jim2007]

Hi.. I like my long bed because of the extra space I have compared to the short bed.. Jim2007