Bed conflict

[AFrisina]

I'm new to the board and have always been a mopar fan. I'm trying to find an '04 CTD Ram 2500 SLT Short Bed in Atlantic Blue but all I can seem to find are the standard 8 ft. beds. I drove my cousins 2500 8 footer and loved the way it rode, however it's a long truck and seems to be a PITA to park. Can you guys convince me to go the long bed route so I can take advantage of the incentives offered on the 04's as opposed to buying a new 05 and having to wait?

Thanks,

Tony

 

[John - K5AWO]

Well, for ten grand discounts being offered right now, I would learn to accept the parking issue and get familiar with it.



With my dually, I have learned to back into parking spaces. Much easier and almost no back & forth jockeying around. Each style truck has its' issues. Six foot box is great for a garage, duallies for hauling the big loads. In between... ...



I would pocket the $10K and go for an 8 foot box rig.



Just my 0. 02 worth...



Luck,

John

 

[AFrisina]

Thanks John,

I'm leaning that way myself.

 

[DPelletier]

Not to start a LWB vs. SWB argument yet again as both have thier place, but one interesting thing I heard is that a higher percentage of first time buyers bought short boxes vs. a higher percentage of 2nd time p/u buyers bought long boxes. Interesting, if true.



In my own experience, every time I bought less of a truck, I regretted it. Had a 1/2 ton and sold for a 3/4 ton that I sold for a 1 ton. Had a short box and sold it for a long box. Had a 2x4 and sold it for a 4x4. You get the idea and can probably see why I now drive what I drive.



I am NOT saying that SWB trucks are bad or that they aren't better in some circumstances.

Ultimately, only you get to decide what to buy.

Good luck



Dave

 

[AFrisina]

Dave,

Thanks for the advice, after much comsideration I called my dealer today and told him to make it a standard 8ft bed, since it's easier to get and it offers lots more flexability.

T

 

[MBFARMS]

It depends on what you want to do with it. I have a shortbed 2500 now and wished I had a long wheel base, but that is because I pull trailers. My 2003 Sundowner horse trailer that has a large neck on it and if I do not watch I am into my toolbox or cab. If you are just a daily driver with a boat or pulling everything with the reese hitch I would go for the short bed, but if there is any chance you are going to go the gooseneck route in the future I would go for a long bed.

 

[CougFan]

I would also get a long bed if I had it to do over again, I am currently trying to find a flat bed to put on that would work better for me. If you have motorcycles or 4 wheelers get the long bed because i cant get my tailgate up with the short bed with dirtbikes in it.

 

[AFrisina]

You guys both make good points in support of the long bed, I am going to go that route, however it's going to be a handful to park, that's ok though. Thanks.

 

[DGFoster]

I got the short box also this time,and wish I would have gotten the dually again,but for the price I payed for this is hard to argue.

 

[JWChessell]

My choice is long bed. There are few places to put things away out-of-sight in a pickup -- even with a shell anyone can look in the rear window and see what's in the bed. Both of my long beds have had a cargo box in the front of the bed -- the bottom is raised about 5" in the center so you can carry 8' 2X4s with the tailgate closed. Even with the box I still have about 6-1/2' of cargo area. I wouldn't be able to use a cargo box with a short bed.



Ditto on backing into parking spaces. You know it's easier all around when you see soccer moms backing their 11 passenger Suburbans into parking spaces at the market.

 

[PJereb]

I like my short bed, because of the tighter turning radius, and because it is easier to park. I drive a full size long bed dually all day at work, and I just wanted something a bit easier to drive for my personal use. Also you have to consider that I drive in an urban environment, with some parking lots and drive through places trying to cram 10 pounds of crap in a 5 pound box.



If I was going to haul sheetrock or plywood all day, I would have bought a long bed. Most of the time I run around empty, and when I do have something in the back, it is usually a bed full of dirt, gravel, or maybe a 3,300 pound pallet of concrete mix. A long bed isn't any better for any of those, because if you actually filled it to the brim you would be grossly overloading it even more than with my short bed. With how much storage space there is in the quad cabs, I can store a few tie downs, rope, a first aid kit, gloves, a pintle ball mount, and a few other goodies under the rear seats. You may decide that there is enough storage space for all of your stuff in the cab, and that you don’t need a box in the bed.



Anyway, you will be happy with a long bed, I would only rule out a long bed if it would not fit into your garage, or if you have to park it some place with spots designed for a mini cooper. With the rebates on the 2004’s and no rebates plus a wait on the 2005’s, I could see buying a long bed if I was in your position.

 

[AFrisina]

Thanks for all the help guys. Dealer was able to secure a short bed, I'm loving it.

 

[turboost]

My Duramax was a long bed with a short turning ratius, even compared to a 4 dr dually. I got a short bed CTD and think I am really going to miss the extra space. At first I hated the long bed but if you ever load your truck up you'll appreciate the extra 2 foot. I think if you are getting a 2wd get a short bed, if a 4x4 get a long bed if going for better looks.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by AFrisina

I'm loving it.

#ad

 

[AFrisina]

 

[RT66DOC]

AFrisina: When I first clicked on this thread I thought it was probably about relationship issues. :-{}



I see you found what you wanted - good luck with it. FWIW, I've never been bothered much by the parking issue with a long bed and I sure like all that space in the back - lotsa trips to Home Depot, the Tile Store, etc.

 

[rholcom2]

If you go for the long box, you can probably fit Stacks, and a tool box!!!! Now thats an incentive isnt it???

 

[CajunDieselMan]

When I buy garden soil by the yard, they load it into my truck with a bobcat. My long bed catches it all instead of having some fall on the bumper. Just a small thing, but ... ... .

 

[AFrisina]

Thanks for all the help fellow members. I've gone with the short bed. No regrets yet.

 

[txhawg]

Get the long bed. You won't regret it and it'll give you a better ride to boot.