2003 Quadcab- get long or short bed?

[gbraden]

I plan to purchase a 2003 DC Quadcab, SRW and wonder whether to get the longbed or shortbed. Regardless of whether long or short bed I will install a cab-high shell over the bed.

Initially I will use it to tow a travel trailer, but may later get a 5th wheel trailer (if have shortbed would get a sliding hitch for 5th wheel).

For years I've been driving a regular cab, longbed pickup with a camper shell. I just wonder how different it will be to drive around in the longer Quadcab? Thus I wonder whether I should get a longbed or shortbed truck. Driving and parking in congested areas is my main concern. I figure that when on the highway, there isn't much difference.

What do you folks think? Is the benefit of extra storage capacity of a longbed worth the extra hassle of driving and parking in congested areas? Are there other considerations, too?

Glenn Braden

 

[DiTrani]

You've pretty much nailed it. When you're on the highway I think the longer WB makes for a nicer ride, but it's a pain to park in urban areas, and sometimes just getting it around is a pain.



I live in a the city and thought that I could do the long WB since I have a driveway and a parking space at work. What I didn't anticipate is that I can not now pull into my driveway without 3-pointing it, and that I can not now back my trailer into my driveway (both because my street is so narrow). And I can no longer use my indoor parking space at work because the truck's too big to maneuver in the garage (luckily we have outdoor spaces too). Plus many of the metered spaces around here are not as long as the truck, so I can't fit in them. To sum it up it's a PITA and I wish I'd gotten the short WB, and just let the tailgate stay down when I put bikes in the back. I see a trade-in on an '04 in my future.



CD - '02 2500 HO/6-spd, QC, LB, 2wd

 

[stg2500]

I love my longbed. I think that they ride and look better than the shortbeds.



I have been in urban areas and generally can find a place to park.

 

[Double 6]

I thought about the same thing when I bought my truck, get the long or shortbed quadcab?

I decided on the shortbed as you can see in my sig. It rides a little rougher than the longbed but in the city it is nice to manuver in and around traffic also can park most places.

If you need cargo space for crossbed toolbox, auxilary fuel tank etc. get the longbed, otherwise the shortbed works great.

Go to www.pullrite.com for a quality sliding hitch for shortbeds.

 

[Fireman]

I got the Short bed on my Quad Cab for the ease of manuvering in close quarters, and it hasn't made much difference. I wish I had a long bed. I can't back my trailer into my drive with a short bed either. Thumbs up for the Pullrite Super Glide 5th wheel hitch.



Fireman

 

[GCuzzy]

Bed info

I was just in to my local Dodge Dealer checking measurements and discovered that the current model 2500 has 49. 5 inch from wheel well to well. On the 1500 new style it's 50. 5 from well to well. We can only assume that the new 2500 PU will be the same. My concern was due to the fast we have a Lance Camper. Best to you all.

 

[IdaH.O.Train]

Long Bed

Go with the long bed, especially if you are used to having a long bed in your current truck. My 2000 was a short bed, because I always thought they looked better and I didn't think I would ever really need the longer bed. Unfortunately, there were a couple of times when I wished I'd had a long bed. My 01, as you can see, is a long bed and I couldn't be happier with it. Sure the turning radius isn't the same, and it may be a little tighter to manuver in town and traffic, but the benefits of having a long bed far outweigh any minor inconveniences. Also, I have noticed that my trailer handles better with the long bed. You don't have always use all of your bed, but it sure is nice to have when you need it. Oh yeah, and they look cooler.

 

[SS]

I went with the short bed on my '01 for the reasons you stated - plus I think it looks better (opinions vary don't they?)



I believe the short bed on the '03 is shorter than the short bed on the '01. Something like 6'3" instead of 6'6" so I'm not sure if caps/tonneaus/etc. will fit from previous trucks. Long bed is still 8'.

 

[legbert]

don't get quad cab or 4 door

I have experience with both quad and regular cab CTD.



Story goes like this. Had 2001 quad cab, 4X4, LWB. Truck had everything except leather. Loved it, but was pain in arse to park anywhere tight and manueverability was almost non existent for any city type driving or parking.



Totalled truck with 44K miles when i fell asleep at wheel and smashed into a house. yes a house, it won. The front axle was destroyed like an accordian.



Well took insurance money and swapped for 2002 H. O. regular cab, 4X4, nothing power, vinyl and loving it. Bought off lot instead of ordering from factory. best choice if money is issue.



I didn't lose one penny in this whole thing except possible insurance hike in future.



Love the handling of regular cab. will never own another quad cab. if need extra room, don't buy a darn truck. get a cadillac!!!



or an SUV (did I say this). IMO SUV stands for Sorely Useless Vehicle.



I'm 26, driven P. U. all my life and know how to drive if i can stay awake. driving extended cabs are a lot more of a hassel then what they are worth. which isn't $2k plus of my money.



by the way my H. O. 2002, 4X4, no bells or whistles cost me $27,500 driven off stealer next day. Just tell them what you will pay and walk away if they don't like it. Hard yes, but saves a few weeks wages for a few days shopping!!!!!



Louis

 

[RHamner]

We had a long bed reg cab 94 4x4. when I went to a 2001 I went to a short bed Quad. 2" longer. I prefer it off road, and parking, and we tow a fifth. With Rancho 9000s on the back we're happy with the ride on 1 empty and 4 towing. For a longer bed I have an old truck bed trailer, and abuse that rather than the truck.

 

[BLee]

The other consideration is will it fit your garage. If I cannot keep a roof over it, I don't want it. My shortbet fits my garage with room to walk around it with the garage door shut. And I can park it at the mall without spending time looking for a space to hang out over.

 

[lsenus]

I have an '84 D-100 Shortbed reg. cab w/ a slant 6 gasser and a '99 2500 SLT Quad w/ a long bed. The short bed parks better, but the LDB Quad definetly rides better. If you don't mind wearing a kidney belt, go for the short bed.

Oh by the way, Ever try to get a sheet of ply wood in a shortbed? My brother can't. He always calls me!

 

[RHamner]

Blee Yes My barn wouldn't take a longer truck.



Isenus Are you telling us that a 3 year old truck rides better than an 18 year old short bed short cab truck. I would think so, but my short bed Quad cab 2001 which is 2" longer than a reg cab long bed truck Probably rides about the same as your 99 truck. The length is more like your 99 than your old one. Don't ya think?

 

[lsenus]

I was just refering to the the "bucking" effect that one gets with the short wheel base vehicles. My brother's 2000 2500 w/ V10 SB Quad rides rougher than my '99 LB Quad, and his '02 Dakota is even worse. Great for parking and around town and all, but give me the long wheel base on the highway any day.

 

[TowPro]

I got the long bed and love it, never had a problem driving all over Phila Pa streets or parking.



My Brother got the short bed, he hates it, can't carry anything over 8', then he put a tool box in it, man its as short as one of those explorer pickups now!

 

[cold Diesel]

Long Beds rule Can't fit my stuff in a short box and a foot and a half shouldn't make a difference in parking. Besides the box is what makes a truck more useful than a SUV IMO.

 

[JCockrell]

go long......

Back in to all parking spaces, rides better over the long haul, carry more toys, and looks better. IMHO