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Old 08-11-2022, 12:47 PM   #1
Mike3387
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Long bed or short bed?

I've decide to upgrade my truck again. When I bought this truck, I assumed I had to get a long bed to tow my trailer, to aid in turning radius when backing. Now, I'm not so sure and thought others could give me their pro/con opinion(s). I do have my CDL for driving big rigs in the past. My current opinion is: short bed, maybe fitting in the garage-long bed: having the ability to occasionally load 8 ft stuff from the hardware store. Currently using the Andersen hitch.
 
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Old 08-11-2022, 01:53 PM   #2
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Mike,

Either will work, its mostly a personal preference.

Pros Shortbed:
-Easier to park and fit into your garage

Cons Shortbed:
-Slider hitch recommended
-Payload may be a little smaller
-Less room in bed for other stuff (toolbox, extended tank, general stuff)

Pros longbed:
-More room for stuff
-More hitch options
-More stable?

Cons longbed:
-Harder to park in tight lot
-May not fit in your garage
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Old 08-11-2022, 03:52 PM   #3
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We have 2 trucks. One is a long bed dually, used primarily for towing the trailer. It's great for hauling 4x8 sheets of plywood. But, I also have a 6x10 foot bed utility trailer that does the same thing.

The second truck is a 4 door crew cab (short bed) Chevy Colorado. It's today's equivalent of the 1985 Chevy S-10. Because it's 4 doors, it drives, rides, and handles like a car. It's short enough it can park in any parking garage. It's a great run-around car. We traded our (1 year old) Chevy Equinox for it and have been delighted with the Colorado ever since.

Maybe that is a better alternative. Keep the long bed truck for towing your trailer. Trade your second vehicle in for a small pick-up truck (4 door ... not those 2 doors and 1/2 versions, or those versions with jump seats in the bac k) .... you can use for a daily run-around vehicle.

We have a Flip Back bed cover on both trucks. Especially on the Colorado, it provides a 5 foot trunk.

Consider your options? Why not have the best of both!

One is your towing beast, the other is your daily grocery getter.
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Old 08-11-2022, 06:51 PM   #4
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Zack pretty much covered the pros and cons. I prefer a long bed because of “stuff” I carry in the bed both RVing and not. But my F350 long bed crew cab took about an acre and a half to make a U turn. That does make parking in tight parking lots difficult at best even with my SRW.

Good friend had a short bed Chevy and knocked out his back window. But that was with an older 5er with squared off front. Bought a Montana with contoured front and no more broken windows. Of course he was far more careful also.
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Old 08-11-2022, 07:05 PM   #5
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Zack did a great job, but I ran into a little different situation. I bought a US Rack kayak/bicycle rack. In tight turns the rack would touch my cap. With a long bed, I don’t ever worry about tight turns. I had a Ram Mega Cab and loved it. But, where we camp in mountains, carrying the kayak and our driveway I will never go back to a short bed. It just makes it easier. But, everyone needs to know their situation. Good luck with your decision.
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Old 08-12-2022, 08:01 AM   #6
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We love our long bed truck. We bought ebikes last year and DH built a rack out of plumbing pipes for the bed so we can transport the bikes easily to bike paths. They fold up to carry in the back seat when towing.

The bikes would not fit in the box if it wasn’t a long box.

We winter in Florida in our trailer, so it’s our only transportation while there. When I go shopping, I just park at the back of the lot and use the extra space there.
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Old 08-12-2022, 08:10 AM   #7
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Short bed for me. At 21' long I have to park it in the carport. I also have a u shaped driveway that pretty much dictates the length of the rig. The reason I got the 295. At 55' I can barely get in, around and out of the driveway. I do have a slider but didn't really need it with the new max turn nose caps you can get dam near 90deg.
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Old 08-12-2022, 08:18 AM   #8
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You just have to pick what’s most important to YOU. Neither is perfect, you always must be diligent when backing the short bed no mater what hitch or nose configuration you have. Parking a long bed at the back of the lot doesn’t always work either, some small businesses, doctor’s offices, etc. have very limited parking. I have spent over 10 years towing with both and am currently happy with my short bed. Doesn’t mean that’s right for YOU!
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Old 08-12-2022, 07:04 PM   #9
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Thanks for all of the great replies

A lot of the opinions I had already considered and it basically boils down to my preference. Just wanted to reach out to see if anyone had an idea that I hadn't considered. Thanks again for your input. I can always count on the MOC for advice/help/instructions/etc.
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Old 08-13-2022, 08:38 AM   #10
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Long wheelbase crew bab long bed offers more towing stablility based on my experience.
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Old 08-13-2022, 09:31 AM   #11
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I like long bed for towing. You don’t haft to worry about your camper getting into your rear window. And this is something nobody else has thought of you can haul 50 bales of hay on it. I’m a country boy.
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Old 08-17-2022, 02:12 PM   #12
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I have always had a SB Crew Cab. . Started with a 27' and now have a 42' 3790 Montana. I use a superlite Pullrite hitch. Never have had a problem parking it & I've been in some tight spots. Patience is all that it takes. I've been called on more than once to help parking and my SB hasn't let me down. Again patience is the key.
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Old 08-17-2022, 04:02 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike3387 View Post
A lot of the opinions I had already considered and it basically boils down to my preference. Just wanted to reach out to see if anyone had an idea that I hadn't considered. Thanks again for your input. I can always count on the MOC for advice/help/instructions/etc.
I have a crew cab SB i recently added a Demco autoslide hitch. I'll never think about a LB or manual slider again. No cab bumping wories and a truck that can be more easily parked.
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Old 08-17-2022, 04:21 PM   #14
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I have a CC short bed. First one I've had of all the trucks that I've owned. Bought fuel locally for $4.19 today. If I had a long bed again I'd already have an aux fuel tank in the front of the bed. I foresee a 3500 CC long bed in the near future. I'm more comfortable with the long bed and four wheels on the back end. Just personal preference. You'll need to do what works best for you.
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Old 08-17-2022, 04:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike3387 View Post
I've decide to upgrade my truck again. When I bought this truck, I assumed I had to get a long bed to tow my trailer, to aid in turning radius when backing. Now, I'm not so sure and thought others could give me their pro/con opinion(s). I do have my CDL for driving big rigs in the past. My current opinion is: short bed, maybe fitting in the garage-long bed: having the ability to occasionally load 8 ft stuff from the hardware store. Currently using the Andersen hitch.


I recently changed from an F250 shortbed to an F350 longbed for the sake of having the highest possible cargo weight rating. The extra 18 inches on the bed isn't even noticeable.
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Old 08-18-2022, 09:48 AM   #16
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F450 DRW LWB has better turning radius than the F350.
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Old 08-18-2022, 10:41 AM   #17
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Having the Ram Megacab , I haven't given up much as far as wheel base compared to the long bed crew cab. There is no reason for me to own a long bed . I would have no issues with a long bed as far as parking in a garage ,my garage is plenty big enough.

I have had plenty of long bed trucks over the years . It's been short beds now for 24 years , have not missed a long bed at all. I have towed up to 38' fifth wheels with short beds without a problem ,nor have I been overloaded . Trucks have handled well. I haul a propane bottle , and if needed a small generator, and gas can in the bed ,that's it for me . Most of the time it's just the propane bottle in a milk crate , so its never been an issue for room .

Plus I just like the looks of a short bed much better , but if it was a long bed I need , I would own one . That ,and the fact I can buy whatever brand I like ,and that was the Ram this last time around, and most likely the next one will be a Ram, that Cummins is hard to beat .
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Old 08-18-2022, 10:49 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tomJerram View Post
I have a crew cab SB i recently added a Demco autoslide hitch. I'll never think about a LB or manual slider again. No cab bumping wories and a truck that can be more easily parked.

In the past 24 years of owning a short bed , and 18 of those towing a fifth wheel there has NEVER been a need for a sliding fifth wheel hitch. For several years I had the manual slider , never used it ,now it's the Andersen ,and no worries about hitting the cab.

The days of needing sliding hitches with short beds are pretty much gone with the way they build the fifth wheels with the rounded corners, and hitches like the Andersen .
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Old 08-18-2022, 03:43 PM   #19
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The biggest problem with the F450 is it's cargo capacity is less than an F350, because they both have the same Gross, but the F450 is a heavier truck thus less cargo cap.
By the way, Long Bed here, even when I had a 1980 Chevy S10 had the long bed that was 7 1/2'.
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Old 08-18-2022, 05:23 PM   #20
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Both will work as others have said. But I have always liked the long bed it just works better
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