Long Bed or Short Bed?

[Tony_B]

Can I assume that only a long bed will do for a 5th Wheel?

[cummins2014]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Tony B wrote:
Can I assume that only a long bed will do for a 5th Wheel?

Just read all the compromises people make with a short bed then answer your own question.

I have no idea what compromises you are referring to. I have towed a fifth wheel now for 14 years with two different short bed trucks, and can't think of one compromise that I made. Maybe you could point out to ME what compromises I made, it would be interesting to hear.

If I would have went out ,and bought a long bed truck from listening to the long bed fans, then that would have been a compromise for me, knowing full well I DON'T need nor WANT a long bed. What you long bed fans fail to realize is not EVERYONE has a need or want for a long bed.

[2001400ex]

transamz9 wrote:

2001400ex wrote:
It also depends on the brand and year. Ford short bed is 6 foot 9, Chevy is 6 foot 6, ram is 6 foot 4. And the ram mega cab short bed has the same wheelbase as the long bed crew cab. To each their own, I like a short bed because of better meneauverability, tho I'm thinking of moving to a bigger cab, hope Chevy gets a bigger cab for 2019, if they do, I'm in. If not, I might go to a Ram mega cab. Either way, as others have mentioned, short beds work with the right setup.

Mega Cab is 11" shorter than Long Bed Crew Cab.;)

You made me look it up. You are correct, and the wheelbase is 9 inches shorter.

[transamz9]

2001400ex wrote:
It also depends on the brand and year. Ford short bed is 6 foot 9, Chevy is 6 foot 6, ram is 6 foot 4. And the ram mega cab short bed has the same wheelbase as the long bed crew cab. To each their own, I like a short bed because of better meneauverability, tho I'm thinking of moving to a bigger cab, hope Chevy gets a bigger cab for 2019, if they do, I'm in. If not, I might go to a Ram mega cab. Either way, as others have mentioned, short beds work with the right setup.

Mega Cab is 11" shorter than Long Bed Crew Cab.;)

[transamz9]

Cummins12V98 wrote:

Tony B wrote:
Can I assume that only a long bed will do for a 5th Wheel?

Just read all the compromises people make with a short bed then answer your own question.

What compromises do I make? Can't haul a 4X8 sheet of plywood with my tailgate closed? .......OH wait , yes I can.:B

[Cummins12V98]

Tony B wrote:
Can I assume that only a long bed will do for a 5th Wheel?

Just read all the compromises people make with a short bed then answer your own question.

[Dave_H_M]

lvylog, I think it is time you do a little research on that subject.

my short bed 2012 F250 has the same capacity gas tank as the long bed. :h

[tinner12002]

Long bed in my opinion also. Any time you can increase the wheel base, chances are you'll also improve the ride. I've driven a long bed dually for several years and have never had an issue parking where I wanted too. Never needed or wanted a short bed even in a dually which to me is a big contradiction...dually to haul more then short bed so you can't haul more...just never made much sense to me but that's just my opinion.

[steve-n-vicki]

I prefer the 80 inch bed over the 74 inch , that way my feet don't hang off,

[2001400ex]

It also depends on the brand and year. Ford short bed is 6 foot 9, Chevy is 6 foot 6, ram is 6 foot 4. And the ram mega cab short bed has the same wheelbase as the long bed crew cab. To each their own, I like a short bed because of better meneauverability, tho I'm thinking of moving to a bigger cab, hope Chevy gets a bigger cab for 2019, if they do, I'm in. If not, I might go to a Ram mega cab. Either way, as others have mentioned, short beds work with the right setup.

[dave17352]

Either will work fine for pulling a 5th wheel. I have pulled with both. The main thing for me is the extra cargo space of the long bed. You only get a couple feet but it seems like it is twice the size when you load your gear. I would also say the ride is a little better in the long bed. I like the fact that sense I also generally have a truck camper the long bed definitely opened up many more options.
JMHO

[DynoDragn]

You lose around 6ft of turning radius with a long bed so those parking lot maneuvers might be tight multipoint turns. Unless it's an 450/4500 or 550/5500 which give you a superior turning radius.
I used to drive an 550 and man would it turn and it was a foot longer than a long bed.
I drove an extended cab chevy long bed for work couple years ago and it would take a football field to turn. This is a city designed for Prius drivers though here in the Bay Area.

[RedRocket204]

Baja Man wrote:
IMHO....a LONG bed crew cab 4X4 seems like a looong rig for 4x4ing. If you plan to do some off roading and exploring.....the SB is probably a better choice...this is what I have to decide.

After researching and doing some thinking....In the future I may do some exploring for fishing areas off the beaten path (fly fishing, streams, rivers, or want to take a ride along a beach for surf fishing....so I'm leaning towards a 4X4 and SB

I've done all that with my CC long bed (fly fishing, streams, rivers, or want to take a ride along a beach) and honestly, 18 inches shorter is not going to make much a difference if at all.

Now, talk about parking my truck in my garage? If I could chop off about 8 inches it would fit. For paid parking garages, it's not the length, it's the height so a short bed gain's no advantage.

[Dayle1]

Tony B wrote:
Can I assume that only a long bed will do for a 5th Wheel?

You can make that assumption. EXCEPT for the last 29 years I have towed fivers with short bed trucks. In the beginning, max turning angle was about 65 degrees (no sliding hitches). Now with notched front cap, the angle is about 85 degrees, no problems. Still don't use a slider hitch and never damaged any of the 4 trucks.

[Baja_Man]

I'm currently debating the same question.

LB: tows better due to longer wheel base; Can be challenge to park in some places; 4x4 in some tight areas can be a challenge; roomier bed for all sorts of stuff

SB: doesn't tow as well due to shorter wheelbase; parking in most places is easier; 4x4 better in tight quarters; not as much room as LB...also a crew cab looks better with a LB IMHO

I've read that SB can be towed safely with the new sliding hitches.

IMHO....a LONG bed crew cab 4X4 seems like a looong rig for 4x4ing. If you plan to do some off roading and exploring.....the SB is probably a better choice...this is what I have to decide.

After researching and doing some thinking....In the future I may do some exploring for fishing areas off the beaten path (fly fishing, streams, rivers, or want to take a ride along a beach for surf fishing....so I'm leaning towards a 4X4 and SB

[korbe]

We have a 6'-6" bed. Perfect. Wouldn't want anything longer or shorter.