long bed vs short bed for towing 5th wheel RV

[Goofasap_]

Will be looking to purchase a 5th wheel 30-37' & a tow vehicle
3/4 or 1 ton single axle diesel.
Looking for experiences and feedback for towing a 30-37' 5th wheel with either short 6' bed or long 8' bed.
I'm understanding with a short bed it would possibly require a sliding hitch....anyone with experiences on this?

Plus where's a good web site for me to determine tow capabilities of a 3/4 ton vs 1 ton, single axle vs dually.

[DakotaDad]

True, I could fit a long bed in my garage too... just have to remove a wall and part of the laundry room. That'd be a small price to pay. Might have to run that one past the missus to see what she says...

[Cummins12V98]

IdaD wrote:

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Why compromise???

Either one is a compromise.

Please explain my compromise???

I have a rock solid B&W hitch that is attached directly to the frame in 4 places that I don't have to worry about sliding.

I have a HighwayProducts Top Quality 30" front to back bed height tool box for any tools I want to carry.

I have plenty of room besides in bed space.

I park anywhere "I" want.

I have a better ride and stability over comparable short bed.

OH ****!!! I can't fit it in my GARAGE. BUT, BUT on second thought I could if I removed the pool table from MY Garage.

[Greene728]

4x4ord wrote:

Durb wrote:

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
Adding to this conversation, as another who is curious...

I understand that, as a daily driver, the SRW/Dually question can become a major consideration. I struggle to see the same disadvantages to the long bed, however. Short of garage fit, does having the shorter bed really make that much of a difference in 'around town' use of the truck? The cost is minimally different and, other than having to park a bit further out at a store, I can't imagine that 18" of vehicle is going to make that much of a difference beyond the size of ones garage.

So, while people have different perspectives on what tows well and doesn't, other than garage fit, what would be the reason one would choose a shorter bed?

According to my kids, short beds look cooler, long beds are for geezers.

Looks might be the biggest advantage of the short bed for me. Even though a long bed fits in my garage and I rarely drive in the city I still prefer the look and feel of a little short bed truck. It's about never that I find myself in a situation where I want to haul something that won't fit in my short bed that would have fit in a long. In my case I prefer hauling stuff in or on a trailer where it can be properly strapped down and or kept dry and secure.

This is me also. We have about any type trailer you can think of on our little slice of heaven, so anything that wont go in the bed of the truck, I have a trailer for that. Open, enclosed, dump, gooseneck, old farm trailer, we have it! lol

And I agree on the looks. Sorry, but the long bed Ram is just horrid looking to me. The bed space is nice I'm sure, but not needed 90 percent of the time for me. I pull a 33ft Grand Design 303 (all in my sig below) and have never had any issue at all. Situational awareness an knowing your limitations is the name of the game. I fully agree with everyone on the 3/4 ton advice. Skip it and go directly to the 1 ton SRW minimum if a 5'er is in your future. Absolutely no reason whatsoever not to!

[4x4ord]

Durb wrote:

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
Adding to this conversation, as another who is curious...

I understand that, as a daily driver, the SRW/Dually question can become a major consideration. I struggle to see the same disadvantages to the long bed, however. Short of garage fit, does having the shorter bed really make that much of a difference in 'around town' use of the truck? The cost is minimally different and, other than having to park a bit further out at a store, I can't imagine that 18" of vehicle is going to make that much of a difference beyond the size of ones garage.

So, while people have different perspectives on what tows well and doesn't, other than garage fit, what would be the reason one would choose a shorter bed?

According to my kids, short beds look cooler, long beds are for geezers.

Looks might be the biggest advantage of the short bed for me. Even though a long bed fits in my garage and I rarely drive in the city I still prefer the look and feel of a little short bed truck. It's about never that I find myself in a situation where I want to haul something that won't fit in my short bed that would have fit in a long. In my case I prefer hauling stuff in or on a trailer where it can be properly strapped down and or kept dry and secure.

[IdaD]

Cummins12V98 wrote:
Why compromise???

Either one is a compromise.

[Cummins12V98]

Why compromise???

[DakotaDad]

A long bed doesn't fit in my garage. We get a lot of hail out here. So I can have a long bed golfball, or a short bed. I chose the short bed. Works just fine. For me, anyway. Not gonna claim it's the best choice for anyone else.

Really comes down to situation. What are ya gonna tow? Where do you need to park? What do you need to haul? Does size matter? Bigger is better, until it doesn't fit. 🙂

Just one of those things you've gotta work out for your use case....

[Vette_Racer]

You cannot have too much bed space!...

[KD4UPL]

I can't get everything I want to haul in a long bed, there's no way I'd want a short one. A long bed will ride better and usually have a larger fuel tank.
I drive a crew cab dually long bed every day for work. I take it thru drive thrus, I park it on the street and in parking lots. I drive it off road to off grid job sites in the mountains. It's no problem to get anywhere I need to go.
If they made a truck with a 10 foot bed I would buy it.

[Durb]

Mickeyfan0805 wrote:
Adding to this conversation, as another who is curious...

I understand that, as a daily driver, the SRW/Dually question can become a major consideration. I struggle to see the same disadvantages to the long bed, however. Short of garage fit, does having the shorter bed really make that much of a difference in 'around town' use of the truck? The cost is minimally different and, other than having to park a bit further out at a store, I can't imagine that 18" of vehicle is going to make that much of a difference beyond the size of ones garage.

So, while people have different perspectives on what tows well and doesn't, other than garage fit, what would be the reason one would choose a shorter bed?

According to my kids, short beds look cooler, long beds are for geezers.

[Mickeyfan0805]

Adding to this conversation, as another who is curious...

I understand that, as a daily driver, the SRW/Dually question can become a major consideration. I struggle to see the same disadvantages to the long bed, however. Short of garage fit, does having the shorter bed really make that much of a difference in 'around town' use of the truck? The cost is minimally different and, other than having to park a bit further out at a store, I can't imagine that 18" of vehicle is going to make that much of a difference beyond the size of ones garage.

So, while people have different perspectives on what tows well and doesn't, other than garage fit, what would be the reason one would choose a shorter bed?

[ppine]

What kind of a world do we live in when 1/2 ton trucks are coming with a 5 1/2 foot bed?

[ppine]

If you want to pull get a long bed.

[Goofasap_]

Thanks to everyone for the feedback, a lot of good info to consider.
If I hit that lotto this week....well then....
A dodge cummins 1 ton dually, and then the pick of whatever fifth wheel I want....... with that Harley on back... right. Wouldn't we all.

I've always enjoyed and hope to always learn more reading thru these forums and seeing other views,experiences and knowledge.
I'm sure I'll be posting further questions and pondering s.
Thanks again

[archbarb]

1 ton 8ft. bed. You'll be happy.