We're looking to make a truck upgrade for towing the heavier loads for our business (and also use for towing the 5'er). All 3 brands have a 1 ton dually that's up to the task in the 2014/2015 MY range, so it really comes down to price and preference. My question is related to the rear seat of the Ram crew cab models, and more specifically to the middle seat. We have 3 children (all boys), 6 and under. That middle seat has a shorter "seat" area. It does not present a problem for our kids at their current ages, but considering that I'd expect at least 10 years out of the truck, I'm concerned about the overall comfort and usefulness of the middle seat down the road. Can anyone comment specifically on this? Please, nothing technical about the trucks...;)And FWIW, I still am just fine with towing anything I've encountered so far with my mod'd '96 F350 PSD, so getting a new truck is truly out of luxury vs. necessity.

I have this very truck and actually on my second crew cab. Have had 3 adults across in the rear seat and all commented on how comfortable it was on a three hour road trip.

I was hesitant about that indented center seat as well. We also have three kids and it hasn't been an issue yet cause they're all still in some form of carseat or booster, but eventually we'll have a kid on the seat in that spot. I've sat in it to test it out and it felt comfortable to me, but testing it out and sitting in it for 10 hours are two different things. The Megacab has a straight bench across the back, so if you're real concerned about it you could go that way instead of a crew. I considered it but didn't want to deal with the extra length. My dad stuffed us in the back of a king cab Datsun when we were kids and we survived, so I figure my kids will be okay.

I 6'4", I will go sit in the middle today and give you a B-you-tt report. Chris

Crew cabs today are not the same as quad cabs of the past. They are now a real crew cab

To put things in perspective we never really had crew cabs when I was a kid. SO, it was four-across on a bench seat staring at the road watching fence posts go by. No iphones, ipads, Gameboys, etc.Your kids will survive...

2014/2015 Ram 3500 Crew Cab Rear Seats | Good Sam Community

blofgren
Explorer
Oct 10, 2015
IdaD wrote:
blofgren wrote:
If you don't need/want the 8' box I would highly recommend the Megacab dually to you. We have a very tall 5 year old son and up to last week (sadly) had an 80 lb yellow lab and the amount of room back there is amazing. The storage behind the back seats is great as well and cannot be seen from the outside of the truck which comes in really handy. As noted above the rear seats recline as well which has been very useful on long trips.

We ended up buying the Megacab so that it would fit in the garage and have absolutely no regrets.

As with anything it's a trade-off. I can fit a long box crew cab or mega in my garage so parking length was a non-issue for me as well. But in parking garages and on narrow forest service roads, extra length becomes a big liability real quick. The biggest thing you give up in a crew cab versus a mega is that secure inside storage. But you get a shorter truck that's a little easier to maneuver in a (imo) better looking package.

They're both good options and I was real torn on which to get. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

Sorry about your dog...been there...it sucks.

Interesting discussion. I agree with the extra length; it can be an issue at times. In the OP's case he is looking for a dually so in the case of the Ram there is only the option of the crew cab with 8' box or Megacab with 6'4" box. The Megacab dually is actually considerably shorter than the crew cab dually by around 12"-14" (can't remember exactly) which is why we went with it so that it would fit in our garage. The other thing I like about the Megacab dually is that they are unique because they are rare in comparison to the crew cab dually.

Thanks for the comment on the dog; it does suck.....big time :(
IdaD
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
blofgren wrote:
If you don't need/want the 8' box I would highly recommend the Megacab dually to you. We have a very tall 5 year old son and up to last week (sadly) had an 80 lb yellow lab and the amount of room back there is amazing. The storage behind the back seats is great as well and cannot be seen from the outside of the truck which comes in really handy. As noted above the rear seats recline as well which has been very useful on long trips.

We ended up buying the Megacab so that it would fit in the garage and have absolutely no regrets.

As with anything it's a trade-off. I can fit a long box crew cab or mega in my garage so parking length was a non-issue for me as well. But in parking garages and on narrow forest service roads, extra length becomes a big liability real quick. The biggest thing you give up in a crew cab versus a mega is that secure inside storage. But you get a shorter truck that's a little easier to maneuver in a (imo) better looking package.

They're both good options and I was real torn on which to get. Either way I don't think you can go wrong.

Sorry about your dog...been there...it sucks.
blofgren
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
If you don't need/want the 8' box I would highly recommend the Megacab dually to you. We have a very tall 5 year old son and up to last week (sadly) had an 80 lb yellow lab and the amount of room back there is amazing. The storage behind the back seats is great as well and cannot be seen from the outside of the truck which comes in really handy. As noted above the rear seats recline as well which has been very useful on long trips.

We ended up buying the Megacab so that it would fit in the garage and have absolutely no regrets.
NC_Hauler
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
2013 crew cab back seat is identical to 14' and 15's. Have had 3 adults set in back seat, all strapped in and no complaints. Lot more room than you would think, and middle seat is also comfortable ...
Calicajun
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
The Dodge Mega Cap rear seat is the same size for all three seats. Plus the two outer seats recline and lot of storage behind the seats.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Oct 09, 2015
In 10 years you won't want to take them anywhere, and they won't want to go anywhere with you, so it won't be a problem. #puberty
majorgator
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
Thanks for all the comments.
No doubt the kids will survive, but for the same money I can get an equally as good truck with a straight seat across. This ranks fairly low on the importance list.
Vanished
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
I've sat in the center of the backseat of mine for hours w/o a complaint.. :)
N-Trouble
Explorer
Oct 09, 2015
To put things in perspective we never really had crew cabs when I was a kid. SO, it was four-across on a bench seat staring at the road watching fence posts go by. No iphones, ipads, Gameboys, etc.

Your kids will survive...
donn0128
Explorer II
Oct 09, 2015
Crew cabs today are not the same as quad cabs of the past. They are now a real crew cab