anyone got a reg cab & 8' bed

[Duluth Diesel]

As much as I love my 2002 regular cab, I find myself wishing I had gone for the extended cab long bed now that I have a son. Otherwise I like that it turns sharper than longer trucks. Personally I think that short bed trucks are silly. My next one will be a crew cab 1-ton dually 4x4 CTD. Probably 2006.

 

[Udaloy]

std cab - no way

Ok, there's no way I'll own another standard cab, whether or not it has an 8 or 6 foot bed. I took myself and four other people on the trip to VA, and it was comfortable (I was driving though). The pluses out weigh the minuses by a large margin. Of course, when you're pulling a 40 footer, you're not worried about two feet on your truck's length (that's a wagon train and a half !).



As far as driving the truck by itself, it has a much better ride than the shorter truck, and not that terrible of a turning radius. I'd imagine that two wheel drive trucks would have an even better radii.

 

[abdiver]

Drove a Quad 1-ton (single rear wheels) 4x4 CTD this evening it was OK it was fine on the open road but naturally in tighter quarters a reg cab 8' box would manuver better. I am used to driving 10 wheel dump truck and also pulling a 24' trailer with a 16 ton dozer on it. Being I am on the coast Hwy 1 I am used to tight spots. Decisions, Decisions, sales person didn't know much not to my surprise. Next time I am in town I will hopefully have a bit more time to spend checking them out.

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

My 98 was a regular cab w/ a 8' bed. I traded it for an 02 QC and would not have a standard cab again. It is essential for the dogs, camping gear, luggage, groceries, and the occasional guest. Unfortunately, I didn't get the 3500 DRW in 02. So I traded it for the 04, Duh! However, I like the four door model even better than the suicide doors. I have not found turning or parking an unmanageable ordeal, maybe less convenient, but not unmanageable. Also, I wouldn't even consider anything but an 8' bed. My . 02.

 

[abdiver]

My 98 was a regular cab w/ a 8' bed. I traded it for an 02 QC and would not have a standard cab again. It is essential for the dogs, camping gear, luggage, groceries, and the occasional guest. Unfortunately, I didn't get the 3500 DRW in 02. So I traded it for the 04, Duh! However, I like the four door model even better than the suicide doors. I have not found turning or parking an unmanageable ordeal, maybe less convenient, but not unmanageable. Also, I wouldn't even consider anything but an 8' bed. My . 02.

Ol'TrailDog

Your comment "Unfortunately, I didn't get the 3500 DRWin 02 " Is the Dually that much better in your opinion? What were you using your 02 QC for that the 3500 DRW works out better? I am asking as I find that it's always nice to have a bit more truck. I test drove the SRW 3500 Really look forward to your reply

Thanks Bill

 

[DPelletier]

abdiver,

I also bought a SRW truck in '01. 5 and traded it in on my current '03. In addition I also have a 2004. 5 SRW and offer the following comments for your consideration;



- The DRW's are not needed for trailer towing moderate sized trailers or 5th wheels as long as the DRW GVWR isn't required for the pin weight. I have four trailers of varying sizes and configurations and the SRW does fine and you can't notice the difference except with our large single axle job trailer which is top-heavy and unstable. The DRW is a little more confidence inspiring towing that particular trailer.

- The reason I need a DRW is for my slide in camper (2350 dry, 2714 dry/loaded, 3217 wet/loaded). For all but the smallest and lightest slide-ins a DRW is required IMO. And even with a smaller one, the dually is much nicer to drive. I extensively modified my '01. 5 SRW to carry the camper and there simply is no comparison.

- The usual arguments against DRW's are;

- a pain to park. For me this isn't a big deal, but then I don't live in a huge city (100,000 people or so). I can get my dually through any drive through. If the mirrors clear, the rear fenders do too.

- The cost of two extra tires; I can't take this argument seriously. Between my truck, camper, trailer and bikes/gear, I have over $100,000. 00 invested in my rig. I just can't make myself worry about an extra $300. 00 for tires every 2 years.

- The DRW sucks off-road; This one is true, but I don't take my truck off-road other than gravel roads and logging roads. If I'm going seriously off-road I take my '02 TJ Jeep. It all depends what you bought the truck for, I bought mine to tow/haul my camper and trailer and other stuff.

- The DRW isn't as good in the snow. This is true, although with good tires, weight in the back and 4wd, I haven't ever run into a problem despite using the truck to go back and forth to the ski hill all last winter.



Buy what you need. Not everyone needs a dually. I am now a 8' box only type of guy. Anytime I've bought a SB, I've regretted it. For me, you can never have too much truck. If Dodge comes out with a 4500, that's probably what I'll get next time around.



Cheers,

Dave

 

[Ol'TrailDog]

My main reasons for going to the 3500 DRW was because I cut firewood for two homes, one of them is a good distance away, and to haul a heavy old 8' camper. I also wanted to be set up to haul a gooseneck trailer for future plans.



I also have an x-lined flatbed which is so very versatile that I get that silly smile when I load up the firewood, back it under the hoist and put the topper 'shack' on or off in minutes, load the camper, pull a gooseneck w/o worrying about the bed rails, install the 'dog pen' made out of cattle panels in minutes, or load a bloody ol' elk carcass, and much more



Dave responded with some good points. In addition, a search will scrounge up several lengthy pro/con discussions on DRW vs SRW. To reinterate "they aren't for everyone", but if you think you will need one, get one so you won't be wisha, coulda, shoulda and throw away serious money upgrading like I did. Some folks have even decided they no longer had use for a DRW and morfed it into a SRW.