I currently have a Chevy Silverado 2500 HD with the 6'6" standard bed. I pull a fifth wheel using a B&W Patriot hitch. I have never felt the need to have a slider hitch as I have plenty of clearance to make a tight turn. I have been looking at the Dodge Ram trucks but have been concerned that the standard bed is 2" shorter than the GM standard beds, I do not want to go to a long bed. The Dodge truck shows 6'4" bed. This 2" would probably mean I would have to go to a sliding hitch if I went with the Dodge. Also the Dodge comes with the hitch pucks that allows you to drop in a hitch as B&W is now making hitches that will adapt to the Dodge and Ford trucks, not so with GM. The 2" difference in bed length will probably mean I will stay with the GM trucks.Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated.

It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure.Also, in researching for a new Ram Truck purchase, I was looking at the B&W hitches for the pucks. They have numerous adjustment holes. Take a look at the manual.As for Regular vs Short Beds, my last real truck was before the short beds were even introduced in the 3/4 ton and up trucks (91 F350 DRW 7.3 IDI with Banks Turbo), so I am partial to the Standard 8' beds.

I have a Dodge Ram short bed and have never used my slider. Not once!

As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

mpierce wrote:As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.X2 it use to be that truck manufactures fought as to who could get a 4' X 8' plywood to lay flat in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate up.

choochooman74 wrote:It isn't the size of the bed. It is from where the hitch mounts to the back of the cab. If on the Ram Trucks (Formerly Dodge), the axle is the same distance from the back of the cab, then no difference. The 2" difference between both short beds may be on the tailgate side. You will have to measure. Good point. GM has had a longer dimension from the back of the cab to the trucks rear axle. I assume the new models are the same. This in one reason many short bed GM owners report a sliding hitch isn't needed even with a flat/square corner 5er. I have a 6' 4" short bed Dodge but my '97 5er has a very flat front profile and square corners which requires a sliding hitch. I seldom use it. Many newer 5ers have a rounded front profile with notched corners for a short bed truck which many short bed Dodge owners report they don't use their sliding hitch or don't have one. Like choochooman says you will have to measure your particular old trailer and new truck combo.

GM standard bed vs Dodge standard bed pick-up | Good Sam Community

transamz9
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Some of us have no need for a tool box that size. I have a 40 gallon aux tank in my short bed and my FIL has the same tank and a chest tool box in his short bed. He drives a D-max so he needs the tool box. LOL! I have tools in everything I tow including the boat.
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 17, 2015
Short bed, where would I put that big beautiful 30" front to back tool box?
4X4Dodger
Explorer II
Mar 17, 2015
rhagfo wrote:
mpierce wrote:
As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

X2 it use to be that truck manufactures fought as to who could get a 4' X 8' plywood to lay flat in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate up.

Yes but then they realized how few of us actually carry plywood in the bed and how many of us have trailers and carry stuff that doesnt require an 8ft bed. To say nothing of the weight savings to the truck.
transamz9
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
Cummins12V98 wrote:
I had a 77 GMC shorty and loved the truck but hated it for construction.

We have trailers here in Ky. We also say "You have an 8' bed? That's cute." LOL:B
transamz9
Explorer
Mar 17, 2015
blt2ski wrote:
I also have a 26K mdt with a 14' flatbed dump on it, I can carry one heck of a lot more than even a reg 8' bed in a pickumup! 15 cubic yards of material if light enough, or 6 tons of material in total weight.

Then I also have a rack on the bed too. carry 20' pieces of sprinkler pipe etc up there.

At the end of the day, you need what you need. BUT, like noted by some, at one time the std bed was 8', anything shorter was a short be. Anything longer to me is a long(er) bed!

Marty

I've had 40' bar joist on the top of my F350 racks. Glad it's a long(er) bed. Probably wouldn't have been able to do it with just a long bed being a foot shorter. LOL!
mountainsam
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
For some reason I read thread after thread about slider hitches. I know most here have more experience than I in pulling 5ers, what I don't understand is the lack of recommendations for a Sidewinder pin box. With the sidewinder you can stop the worry over turns, and if you find you don't need the extra length for turning just pull the wedge and put the lock up bolts in if you desire. I pulled my 5er with my 05 short bed Dodge and love it. Now I have a long bed but staying with the Sidewinder turret swivel. It even make backing easier.
blt2ski
Moderator
Mar 16, 2015
I also have a 26K mdt with a 14' flatbed dump on it, I can carry one heck of a lot more than even a reg 8' bed in a pickumup! 15 cubic yards of material if light enough, or 6 tons of material in total weight.

Then I also have a rack on the bed too. carry 20' pieces of sprinkler pipe etc up there.

At the end of the day, you need what you need. BUT, like noted by some, at one time the std bed was 8', anything shorter was a short be. Anything longer to me is a long(er) bed!

Marty
Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Mar 16, 2015
I had a 77 GMC shorty and loved the truck but hated it for construction.
Kip81
Explorer
Mar 16, 2015
blt2ski wrote:
rhagfo wrote:
mpierce wrote:
As in everything, beds have shrunk. To me, a standard bed is 8'. All beds used to be 8'. Then, they came out with short beds.

X2 it use to be that truck manufactures fought as to who could get a 4' X 8' plywood to lay flat in the bed of the truck, with the tailgate up.

x a billion....

Get rid of the short bed, get a std bed, then you are setup.....

BUT, with this in mind, others have said you are ok with your short bed twuck wannabe. So go for it!

Marty

ps, I must be showing me age!?!?!?!?!?!:R:R:R

You sound like my brother in law that thinks shortbed trucks arent trucks. We both work construction except he had a work truck and a I use my shortbed and haul more than him.
deltabravo
Nomad
Mar 16, 2015
car2900 wrote:
Any comments and recommendations would be appreciated.

Stick with the 2015 3500HD that you recently bought, problem solved.