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01-13-2019, 08:54 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: vancouver
Posts: 114
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long bed or short bed
i thinking on purchasing a new 3/4 truck to pull my fifthwheel (35 foot sprinter.)
i pull it with a 3/4 ton dodge ram long bed . The big problem is finding the truck i want to purchase. The new trucks are so spendy so i'm searching for a used one and what a surprise , they are so hard to find.
i'm working with a broker and its been 2 months , so far he can not find me 2015 -2017 3/4 ton Silverado long bed with low milage. What a night mere
With this said i'm thinking of purchasing a truck with a 6.2 bed. There seems be lots of available
I've heard short beds are not the best to pull 5th wheels with so any information would be great.
I would appreciate any and all comments. Thanks
Randy
2017 35 foot Keystone Sprinter 5th wheel
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01-13-2019, 09:13 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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It's like this, some like chocolate ice cream and some like vanilla ice cream. I owned 2 short beds and 4 long. I am buying another long. Why I do buy plywood, 2x4s etc etc. And they are also 8 ft long. So they fit. Also more room when needed and I fill that up with camp or hunting gear yearly.
It's really what do you want not me. Both have advantages for one's needs. Last year a co worker was at a cattle auction and was looking at the pickups a RAM dealer brought to sell. He showed me a photo of a group of them and said the salesman had big discounts because no one was buying any of them. They all had different colors and cab styles, all 4x4s and all short beds. He asked me if I knew why. Yes I did they were all short beds, he asked how did I know, that is what the dealer also said. They sold out of long beds.
A another co worker just looked for weeks for a 2013 to 2015 f350 6.7 CC SRW 4x4 long bed. He could not find any and got a short bed.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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01-13-2019, 10:24 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Rock Island
Posts: 457
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I have a A 6’6” short bed (Chevy) and allows me a standard 5th wheel hitch. My son has a Ram 6’ 2” bed ( I think) and he needs a slider hitch. I’m not sure how long the Ford is.
If you can avoid a heavy slider it will allow you to get it in and out by yourself.
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01-14-2019, 02:41 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Lagrange OH
Posts: 446
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Why a 3/4 ton? Especially with a fifth wheel? The typical 3/4 ton doesn't have enough payload for a fifth wheel anyway. Open up your search to a 1-ton and I bet you have much more luck finding what you want.
__________________
2017 Ford F350
2015 Cougar 337FLS
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01-14-2019, 03:34 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: Southeastern Connectiut
Posts: 1,306
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+1 ^^^ for Larry. Plus you probably won't pay much more.
My 2016 F350 bed measures 6'9', and although I have a slider, I've never had to use it.
Good Luck,
__________________
Pull Toy
Steve & Jan, Ava & Emma (Mini Schnauzers):
2016 F350 Lariat 4X4 Powerstroke CC/SB "PULLTOY V"
2013 Alpine 3535RE "MAGIC CARPET IV"
Proud Navy Vet!
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01-14-2019, 06:05 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by larry337
Why a 3/4 ton? Especially with a fifth wheel? The typical 3/4 ton doesn't have enough payload for a fifth wheel anyway. Open up your search to a 1-ton and I bet you have much more luck finding what you want.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pull Toy
+1 ^^^ for Larry. Plus you probably won't pay much more.
My 2016 F350 bed measures 6'9', and although I have a slider, I've never had to use it.
Good Luck,
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Ditto!!
And don't get discouraged, I searched for about six months, the last three in hard for a nice used Ram 3500 DRW, saw lots of 350/3500 SRW's your best choice. Unless you want a stripper model a 250/2500 diesel will not have much payload.
In addition do yourself a favor get a long bed 8', I have never thought of anything else. I have seen many short bed trucks pulling 5ers with dented cabs and broken rear windows.
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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01-21-2019, 05:03 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Addidon
Posts: 62
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New to it
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pull Toy
+1 ^^^ for Larry. Plus you probably won't pay much more.
My 2016 F350 bed measures 6'9', and although I have a slider, I've never had to use it.
Good Luck,
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We just bought a 2019 F250 KingRanch cab diesel and was wondering if we need a slider or not. We have never towed a fitlfth. And yes now real payload only 2028 for a 10000 lb gross.
X Navy SeaBee
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01-21-2019, 06:32 PM
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#8
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,979
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glendar10
We just bought a 2019 F250 KingRanch cab diesel and was wondering if we need a slider or not. We have never towed a fitlfth. And yes now real payload only 2028 for a 10000 lb gross.
X Navy SeaBee
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I have a 2015 F250 short bed crew cab diesel. Limited payload but it fits (barely) our Cougar XLite. We do NOT have a sliding hitch, I've never come close to the cab, don't feel the need for such and the "non-sliding CURT fifth wheel hitch" has served us well for two fifth wheels, first a Springdale "flat front trailer" that we could only get to about 70 degrees when backing and now this Cougar that we can easily get to "close enough that I worry about the trailer tires sliding sideways"... in other words, I can back up at greater angles than I am willing to put my rig. So, for us, the short bed F250 works with our choice of fifth wheels.
That said, if we were to buy a fifth wheel that was 2" (yes, two inches) longer and 1 pound heavier, I'd get a F350 to tow it. I feel that we're at our max pin weight with the cargo we always carry.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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01-14-2019, 06:19 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Oswego
Posts: 604
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I always have been a long bed fan - need it at times to haul stuff when I am towing and not towing. Short bed - get a slider hitch to be safe.
__________________
RV - 2017 Avalanche 320RS
TV - 2011 Chevy Silverado 3500HD LTZ CCLB Duramax SRW 4X4
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01-14-2019, 07:35 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,007
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The long bed truck with its longer wheel base is most likely a better all around choice.. 1 Ton SRW in any brand would be great.. And I’d want the diesel..but that’s me..
That being said I tow a 34 foot Alpine with a short bed 4x4 duramax... no issues. I’m at my max pin weight and I’m fine with that.. I bought a slider hitch and have never needed it in five seasons of use because my Alone has a nice front cap radius..
Be patient and you’ll find a sweet deal on your truck.
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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01-14-2019, 07:51 AM
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#11
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: 75137
Posts: 37
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Auto sliding hitch?
The auto sliders would save the cab, several brands out there now. Etrailer has some good info. Have seen them work and they seem pretty cool, have been told backing up takes a little getting used to as the turning point moves. I found a double cab long bed that looks okay and meets my wants. The crew cab long beds just don’t balance to my eye. Crew short beds look good.
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01-14-2019, 09:39 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Fruitland
Posts: 3,357
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Larry I totally agree with the balance in length statement. For me, that's important for the family car (Looks). In a truck the main point I use in buying is function. I want it to do the job that I ask it to do. Color is not important either unless you ask my wife. So, that I follow her lead, she wants a gray, white silver, black or maybe a dark green truck.
__________________
2013 24RKSWE (27ft TT) Cougar 1/2 ton series SOLD 10-2021
2013 Ford F350 4x4 CC 6.7 engine, 8 ft bed, 3.55 rear end, lariat package
Retired from Oregon State Police in 2011 than worked another 9.5 years as a small town traffic cop:
As of 05-2020, I am all done with 39 years total police work. No more uniforms for me.
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01-16-2019, 04:18 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Clinton, Tn
Posts: 270
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I'll throw another possibility in there. I absolutely did not want a dually until a bought one. I love the way it tows and its been my daily driver for over 4 years. It is a crew cab short bed (Ford has the longest shortbed; 6'9"). If I had it to do over, I would have a F450. They have the wide track front end and have a shorter turning radius with the long bed than the short bed F350 trucks. You get the long bed, short radius for manuvering, and dual wheels for awesome stability.
__________________
2015 Montana High Country 305RL
Previous campers:
2008 Rockwood Ultra Lite 2603
1998 Coleman Grandview pop-up with slide
Trucks:
2006 Ford F350 CC, SB, DRW, 4x4
1992 Ford F150 SC, SB, 4x4
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01-16-2019, 05:28 AM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 4,218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NotyetMHCowner
I'll throw another possibility in there. I absolutely did not want a dually until a bought one. I love the way it tows and its been my daily driver for over 4 years. It is a crew cab short bed (Ford has the longest shortbed; 6'9"). If I had it to do over, I would have a F450. They have the wide track front end and have a shorter turning radius with the long bed than the short bed F350 trucks. You get the long bed, short radius for manuvering, and dual wheels for awesome stability.
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X2
Something to consider, we were moving up from a 2001 Ram 2500. It had the Camper package so very strong rear suspension, so strong that at 2,700# pin and 1,700# over GVWR we didn't need bags to be level. Well I felt that getting a newer 3500 SRW would be a lateral move so we went for a 3500 DRW.
I placed this post out there about the HUGE size difference (NOT)! Just something to consider.
http://www.keystoneforums.com/forums...ad.php?t=36163
__________________
Russ & Paula and Belle the Beagle.
2016 Ram Laramie 3500 DRW 14,000# GVWR (New TV)
2005 Copper Canyon 293 FWSLS 32’ GVWR 12,360
Visit and enjoy Oregon State Parks
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01-16-2019, 08:29 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,138
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After loads of reading, loads of conversations and experience with my set up....
If money is issue, and you don’t want to upgrade your truck again, 1 ton is minimum purchase.
Second, I have a short bed with an auto slider, love never having to worry about cab contact. But it’s heavy, I have a harbor freight jack to get in and out. (Have it for sleds and jetskis already)
I have an awesome 3/4 short bed, and I love it. But, I bought a bigger 5th wheel and now I need a bigger truck. So I will go all in on a F450 when I can afford it.
Ford and Chevy no longer make short bed duallys, (2010 was last year for Ford, but stay far away from 08-10 Ford diesels), otherwise I would look hard at one. Dodge does, I see lots of them when I’m in parks and they seem like nice rigs. I just could never own one. 😜
__________________
2017 Alpine 3661FL: For Sale
2021 Vilano
2020 F350 Crew DRW 6.7, 4x4, 10 sod auto, 4:10 gears
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01-20-2019, 01:50 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greenwood
Posts: 176
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So it seems I have the exact same setup in fiver. Check my signature. I have no problem. If I was to change it would be to go to a 4X2 dually. But same problem, I can’t find one......anywhere. I will stay with a Ram though....
__________________
2016 Keystone Sprinter 298FWRLS
2021 Ram 3500 DRW CC LB HO Aisin 4.10 50 gal.
Anderson 5th wheel hitch
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01-21-2019, 06:56 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Young America MN
Posts: 372
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GMC 3500 Duramax/Allison long bed pulling 37.5 foot Alpine. I think short bed might be a bit bouncy with shorter wheel base. Truck came with slider that i have used when sharp corner backing is required. Easy to operate once you get used to it.I
I agree that the full bed doesn't look right with full crew cab bug love the look of full bed with the shorter extended cab.
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01-16-2019, 12:23 PM
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#18
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Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: loveland, co
Posts: 11
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I feel your pain.
I have been looking for a dually truck myself. Unable to find any long beds that haven't had their guts run out. Found a nice 2012 ram 3500 Laramie longhorn short bed. Long beds just don't seen to be available in my area. Was going to post a question about the problems associated w/ short beds, and 5th wheels when I saw this thread. Other than the weight of the slider hitch. Are there any other problems w/ shorts beds? That maybe the only truck I have available. My 5th wheel is 38' w/ four slides. Will that 2012 ram pull her with out any problems? Or should I start looking in other states for a truck? Thank you for your advise. I am sooo very frustrated. Starting to think mule team.
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01-20-2019, 09:32 AM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Oregon
Posts: 1,138
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sarahm
I have been looking for a dually truck myself. Unable to find any long beds that haven't had their guts run out. Found a nice 2012 ram 3500 Laramie longhorn short bed. Long beds just don't seen to be available in my area. Was going to post a question about the problems associated w/ short beds, and 5th wheels when I saw this thread. Other than the weight of the slider hitch. Are there any other problems w/ shorts beds? That maybe the only truck I have available. My 5th wheel is 38' w/ four slides. Will that 2012 ram pull her with out any problems? Or should I start looking in other states for a truck? Thank you for your advise. I am sooo very frustrated. Starting to think mule team.
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Comes down to Pin weight of trailer and payload of truck. That’s the starting point, then you will have to figure out your gear in the trucks and in the 5th wheel to see if you are close to the rear axle weight rating. The yellow sticker in drivers door jamb is your friend. I would imagine a 3500 SRW short bed will be close, not a lot of room for wiggle on weights. I’d love to see the door sticker on a Ram short bed duallys for kicks. Not that I’d ever get one
__________________
2017 Alpine 3661FL: For Sale
2021 Vilano
2020 F350 Crew DRW 6.7, 4x4, 10 sod auto, 4:10 gears
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01-20-2019, 09:59 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2018
Location: Mechanicsville
Posts: 478
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Just to clarify, these days they really have short bed trucks. It used to be either long bed or short, but now they have some 5' bed trucks, so I like to call 6' beds as standard bed.
Anyway I have a Ram 2500 standard 6'4" bed. I bought a slider hitch but have never used it. Most all of the newer 5th wheels have the rounded corners and have no problems with standard bed trucks. I like the standard bed because when not towing it's much easier to park and maneuver around in parking lots, etc. We previously had a long bed and my wife wouldn't drive it because of it's size.
Also, if I were starting over, I'd go right to the 1 ton 3500 truck. And if my 5th wheel was 35 ft or more I'd go straight to a dually. You can't have too much truck. Of course my wife wouldn't drive it.
Brand is personal choice.
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