Shortbed or Longbed

[tank45]

I am probably going to upgrade to a Dodge 3500 in the very near future. I pull a 2013 Avalanche 345TG. I would really like to get the megacab but am worried about clearance issues because we boondock 90% of the time. I have read everything I can find about slider hitch vs. no slider hitch vs simply getting a longbed and not worrying about it. What I read is that it is very easy to pop a back window or dent your cab on uneven ground or when truck is going uphill and trailer is pointed down. A lot of folks say they have been using a shortbed without slider for years without a problem, just be careful. I called B&W and spoke to them about it and was told that for 2013 and later Dodge shortbeds,more people reported damage, when using sliders, to their tailgate area than cab damage. My question to you folks that don't use sliders is this... do you boondock on uneven terrain and have you ever had any problems doing so? Any pucker factor moments? Thanks!

[bsmith0404]

I had been through some pretty uneven terrain with my old 6' bed and older rv. I was more concerned about the top of the bed than the corner of the cab. I had bed rails, they got removed after the first trip to gain additional clearance. I can't even imagine a scenario where the trailer would have hit the cab due to uneven terrain. Each trailer is different, but I've never heard of that. For me the only cab worry was in cornering, but even that wasn't much of a concern

[1jeep]

I would never go back to a shortbed truck! not even towing related, its nice to put a sheet of plywood in the back and close the tailgate.

[Javi]

Ain't got no use for them sawed-off pickup beds... I'd run the salesman off that tried to sell me one..

[1jeep]

Funny thing is I always get a better price on the long bed as they cant move them off the lot unless they a re a stripped worked truck.

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by 1jeep

Funny thing is I always get a better price on the long bed as they cant move them off the lot unless they a re a stripped worked truck.

I'll try that on my next truck salesman....

[TomHaycraft]

Originally Posted by Javi

Ain't got no use for them sawed-off pickup beds... I'd run the salesman off that tried to sell me one..

X2

Get over the fear of the length and simplify your towing setup. I'm glad I did!

[1jeep]

Originally Posted by gearhead

I'll try that on my next truck salesman....

you can try it but it might be more of a location thing, in the northeast there is nothing but short beds, it seems nobody wants a long bed up here.

[bsmith0404]

Originally Posted by 1jeep

you can try it but it might be more of a location thing, in the northeast there is nothing but short beds, it seems nobody wants a long bed up here.

That's why you can get a better price, nobody wants them. If the dealership has them on the lot they have trouble getting rid of it. It was the same situation when I bought my dually. It had been on the lot over 6 moths and the dealership was wanting to move it. Got a great deal as a result.

[tank45]

I decided to go with SRW longbed. I use pickups for a lot of things and the plywood comment above fits me too.... long bed can sure be useful. Went to the dealership yesterday... they sure are proud of their product. This will be the first pickup I've ever owned with an auto tranny. Just gotta keep working on the price through; we shall see if we can meet somewhere in the middle. Thanks for the input.

[bsmith0404]

The plywood part is nice, but now I've added an auxiliary fuel tank. Maybe I should buy a truck with a 10.5' bed

[tank45]

Oh, one other question for anyone who owns one. The 3500 SRW with the Cummins and the Aisin transmission only comes with a 3:42 rear end ratio. The specs say that this tranny has the same first gear ratio as the 3:73 so its plenty low enough to get moving well. Has anyone used this 3:42 in mountainous areas and if so, did it do well? My fiver GVWR is 14,100 and we are in the mountains constantly.

Thanks

[tank45]

Got the SRW longbed Laramie last night. Man oh man.... have things changed a bit since my 2005 quad cab. It will take me a month of sundays to figure out all the bells and whistles. Ordered the B&W Companion for the drop in puck system and it should be here by the 29th, which is fine since I don't think we will be able to hit the road before July 4th. Enjoy your weekend folks... I'm off to the San Juan for a couple of days for fly fishing!

[R JOURNY]

Too late cuz I just saw your posts today. We bought out 2012 Ram Laramie 3500 SRW from Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho , the WORLD'S LARGEST Dodge dealer. Best price and every thing was by phone or online. Best decision I ever made. Congratulations! You will not be sorry with your purchase.
ENJOY!

[R JOURNY]

Short bed, by the way.