2016 Dodge 3500 dually wide fenders

[Dalehacker]

Just picked up our new 2016 Dodge 3500 dually to replace the old reliable 1997. Question is the new trucks bed is very wide from the front all the way to the rear "outside", before I order new mounts attempting to install our 2014 Palimino Real Lite 1806 does anyone have pictures or experience with clearance due to the side access door / wings at the rear?

[mkirsch]

Are the outer skins on a dually bed plastic and one-piece on a Dodge?

That may be the reason for the taper on a dually. Extra bracing for the bed sides.

[kohldad]

On another forum, someone mentioned this has been a design change on duallys since Feb 2013.

If it has been around for 3 years, maybe it isn't such a major impact.

[towpro]

my "born on date" is 5/15.
Here is the picture of the holes in the new design bed.
this is looking at the Drivers side rear of bed right around where the 7pin is if you have the 5th wheel prep.

[kohldad]

Nov 15? How could it be built after you bought it?

[Dalehacker]

My truck says Nov 15 on the door sticker

[kohldad]

towpro - do you know what month your truck was made? I ordered my 2015 and it was built in Dec 2014. Though mine is a SRW but can't imagine Ram making two different beds.

Dalehacker - sorry for your problems, but glad you posted. I would make sure you let Ram customer service know of your problem. If enough people complain, they may work on redesigning again as they didn't realize it would pose a problem.

[towpro]

my 15 (dually) was purchased in July 2015. it also tapers almost 2" at bottom of opening (but its still much wider than between wheel wells).
I wonder if its only the dually bed?

some where in mid 2015 they changed the bed a little. one think to look for in the new bed is on the sides, back at the tailgate there is holes and a slot near the top that ended up being where they mounted the bed lights in 2016.

[Dalehacker]

It measures 51" between the wheel wells. With my camper at best you can only gain 3/4" by placing the camper to one side or the other

[Dalehacker]

Yes narrows to 58 1/4" at the bottom

[kohldad]

Just to make sure I'm getting this right. It is 60-1/4 at the top, but narrows to 58-1/4 at the bottom?

That would be a 1" taper per side and a significant narrowing. Guess I need to carry a tape measure tomorrow and stop by the dealership to look at it. My big concern if my father has a 1999 Bigfoot 3000 and has ordered a 2016 dually to carry it. We knew about some other clearance issue, but had those figured to be okay.

[Dalehacker]

Yes, that accurate but narrows to 58 1/4"

[kohldad]

This looks like a design change on the 2016 trucks. My 2015 is straight down. Measured between and I have 60-1/4" between the sides.

Could you please measure yours and let us know?

[GeoBoy]

Bedlam wrote:
I'm not sure what an almost new pickup bed would bring in, but steel flat beds start around $3k installed and go up from there.

Quick look online and used complete pickup beds are bringing $3500.00.

[Bedlam]

I'm not sure what an almost new pickup bed would bring in, but steel flat beds start around $3k installed and go up from there.

[GeoBoy]

Bedlam wrote:
It may be cheaper for you to convert to a flat bed from the pickup bed. If you like the camper, there are alternatives. Selling the pickup bed would help fund the flat bed and may not sting the wallet as much as you think...

Now there is a thought. How much is your complete pickup bed worth, and how much would the flatbed cost? This would be your least expensive route.