Short bed or long bed?

[DelCamper]

I'm looking at a 2014 Dodge Ram 3500 non dully with a 6.4 ft bed to tow a 2013 5th wheel Keystone cougar 327 RES.

Do I need the long bed? What do I loose if I have the short bed?

My previous experience was with a TT and a 5th wheel is a new world for me.

[Mile_High]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I don't care what one has LONG or SHORT bed as long as they use within it's limits!

I had a SHORT bed once that was enough for me. The prior was a LONG bed so I had something to compare to.

You're contradicting yourself. First you bash anyone that would consider a short bed because of hauling drywall, now you are saying it has to do with limits. Maybe you just don't know what you want yourself, let alone try to advise anyone else. :S

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I don't care what one has LONG or SHORT bed as long as they use within it's limits!

I had a SHORT bed once that was enough for me. The prior was a LONG bed so I had something to compare to.

I had four long bed trucks before I got the first of two short bed trucks, I too have something to compare, and as I said never missed a long bed, never owned a truck to haul lumber drywall etc. They were bought for towing trailers ,boats etc., and have done a great job for me. The one must for me now is that it has to be a crew cab for numerous reasons.

[Cummins12V98]

I don't care what one has LONG or SHORT bed as long as they use within it's limits!

I had a SHORT bed once that was enough for me. The prior was a LONG bed so I had something to compare to.

[FlatBroke]

JIMNLIN wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

Yeah but some folks aren't satisfied with their choice so they have to dis other brands/product/choices that own something different than theirs. Immature I guess.
For those that chose a long bed truck or a different product/brand thats great, no one will think less of you for your choice(s).

How could you think "less" of someone's long bed when they got "more"?

[JIMNLIN]

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

Yeah but some folks aren't satisfied with their choice so they have to dis other brands/product/choices that own something different than theirs. Immature I guess.
For those that chose a long bed truck or a different product/brand thats great, no one will think less of you for your choice(s).

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

No, buy what fits in your garage! Then apply bandaids to make it do the job.

Bandaids? what Bandaids would one have to apply if they got a short bed truck?

For one a tailgate extender or rack to haul something a LONG bed could haul like 12' drywall.

Use a trailer. It's not a bandaid. My 6.5' bed will haul 12' drywall. I've had 16' lumber in it.

[Mile_High]

X2
I pay other people to haul drywall, and install it:) Short bed is a great tow vehicle if the payload is enough for the 5er.

[cummins2014]

mileshuff wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For one a tailgate extender or rack to haul something a LONG bed could haul like 12' drywall.

If people have such needs on a regular basis then perhaps a long beed would be a good choice. I don't have such a need. For me a long bed makes little sense for my needs.

X2, not once in 16 years with a short bed have I wished I had a long bed, a 10' utility trailer I have works very well for any sheetrock, lumber ,whatever. Plus it hauls a couple ATV's for the hunting season, don't know of any long beds that will work for that. I have come to the point where I am not even filling up the basement in the fifth wheel, learning what to haul ,and what to leave home, and thats hauling a 9' foot inflatable pontoon boat , electric motor , battery, etc. I haul two things in my bed a propane tank for the BBQ, and the anaconda for the fifth wheel. No don't need a long bed. lost about 6" of bed between the ford 350, and the Mega Cab 3500 and do not miss it at all.

[mileshuff]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
For one a tailgate extender or rack to haul something a LONG bed could haul like 12' drywall.

If people have such needs on a regular basis then perhaps a long beed would be a good choice. I don't have such a need. For me a long bed makes little sense for my needs.

[Cummins12V98]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

No, buy what fits in your garage! Then apply bandaids to make it do the job.

Bandaids? what Bandaids would one have to apply if they got a short bed truck?

For one a tailgate extender or rack to haul something a LONG bed could haul like 12' drywall.

Dually won't fit so add some 19.5's and air bags.

[Cummins12V98]

transamz9 wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

No, buy what fits in your garage! Then apply bandaids to make it do the job.

Bandaids? what Bandaids would one have to apply if they got a short bed truck?

For one a tailgate extender or rack to haul something a LONG bed could haul like 12' drywall.

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

No, buy what fits in your garage! Then apply bandaids to make it do the job.

What bandaids would you suggest for my new 2014 Mega Cab Ram 3500 short bed , I can't figure out any after a couple trips towing the fifth wheel right at 13K. Did add air bags to the previous truck 350 ford short bed . That Cummins is far from needing any bandaids, and got 21.59 MPG on the last tank running empty up here in Montana, with just over 4K on the mileage.

[tahoemc]

We bought our 2004 Ram 3500 CC short box SRW new with the intention of purchasing a 5r. We preferred the short box so it would fit in our garage. Unfortunately, most of the smaller 5rs manufacatured at that time were not tall enough to ride level, even with the axles flipped. So we ended up with a 23'TT. Another example of buying the TV before realizing what we could actually pull. At least it is a 1 ton.

Fast forward to 2012, found a 5r we really liked. Unloaded the TT, and purchased the 5r with a hitch and slider. The 5r has the rounded/angled front cap that allows for tight turning radius. Nearly 3 seasons into it, we have not had a need to use the slider, and we do get into some very tight spots, especially boondocking. But I do rest easier knowing I have the slider should we find ourselves needing to use it.

Good luck to the OP, lots of varying ideas and opinions, but isn't that why we come here:)

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

mileshuff wrote:
After reading 8 pages on this subject here is what I've learned.

Some people like short beds.
Some people like long beds.
Buy what you like!

No, buy what fits in your garage! Then apply bandaids to make it do the job.

Bandaids? what Bandaids would one have to apply if they got a short bed truck?