Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
Long bed - no question for me. Even with an expensive slider it is not as safe and you have less storage left.There are some ways around the slider with a short bed other than a slider IF you already had the truck. But if you are buying I recommend strongly against a short bed.(Lots more too this beyond slider hitches.Think main fuel tank capacity, aux tank space, etc.)
Maybe off topic, but it is sometimes a good idea to get the rig decisons made before the truck. Or at least know for sure what rig your going to get. Its that single rear wheel vs dual rear wheel need, etc. I didn't notice a rig indicated in your sig. Hence the comment.
I would like the long bed and will purchase one. The reason I brought up the question was I have seen several folks with short beds and was curious why they had them. I wondered if I was missing something.
The main reasons I've seen for having a short bed were the ability to park in a short length garage and perceived easier parallel parking.
Additional advantages of the long bed are smoother ride because of the longer wheel base, additional storage room in the bed and possibly higher carrying capacity.
I have towed 5th wheel trailer with both short bed and full bed trucks. IMHO the long bed is the best way to go. For only 18"-24"more length you not only get the freedom of not worrying abut sharp turns, you also get a smoother ride and higher weight carrying capacity. I used to think that a short bed truck was also easier for daily use, but found that for me, it really did not make a difference in parking. Actually I have found a long bed truck to be much handier to have for regular hauling jobs also. Ever try to carry an 8' sheet of plywood in a short bed truck and you will understand.
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"Bloom where you are planted"
Rick and Janice
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3, Mor/Ryde King Pin and I.S., 17.5" Wheels w/ H Rated Tires, Automatic Level Up,
2012 Ford F450 Lariet, 6.7 L, CC, 4WD, DRW w/ Air Bags, Reese Signature 25K Hitch
You've made a good decision on the long bed....and since it's already made I can now step forward and say why I've only used a short bed for any one else who's still weighing the pros and cons. Fred points out the major one....it fits most places....well it does for my wife. She can parallel park and fit it in those skinny parking spaces at the mall. Me....I take at least 2 and sometimes 3 or 4 spaces, hey it's a truck!
I've got one of those expensive slider hitches, which is great as I never worry about breaking out the back window. And there was still room for a 70 gallon aux tank infront of the hitch. Having never used a long bed to pull our 5th wheel, I can't comment on differences in ride or towing characteristics. All I can say is my short bed has done a great job pulling our 40ft 5th wheel over the last three years and 30K miles of towing.
But best of all with the short bed, it fits inside the garage, by a good 2 inches....and for some folks (like us), that's priceless.
