Long Bed or Short Bed--Your Thoughts?

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If you are going to go with the long bed you might as well go with the 3500 4x4. It is only a little wider.

 

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Hi Rambill, if your getting a QC and plan on pulling a 5th wheel then get the long box unless you like trying to stand up in your pickup while backing into the hitch. I have a long box my friend has a short box, guess who wishes he had a long box.

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1999, 3500, 6x6, slt, auto, 3. 54, Qd cab, ISB cummins, every option but CD player, running boards, tonue cover, front bushwacher fender flares, intense blue, agate interior. DD stage 1, PS boost module and elbow. towing 2001 26RKSS Tahoe 5th wheel, 1999 120hp 1800 bayliner,
as of 11-17 2000 21,500 miles.

 

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I have owned both, I also tow a 5th wheel. My choice is the long box, hands down. If you tow, the long box is the ONLY and SAFEST way to go, it is very possible to jack-knife a 5vr into the rear window of your truck with a short bed. The longer wheelbase also gives you a smoother ride.

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Terry S. '98. 4 Bright White Quad Cab SLT, 2WD, 12 Valves & the BIG "P" Pump! 3. 54, AT, Trailer Tow PKG, Camper PKG, OEM Cab Lights, 4" Exhaust Turndown, K&N Air Filter, 5th W. Hitch, Pace Edwards Roll-Top, Tint, 265 Michelins and turbo silencer ring AWOL!

BOMB'n in the NW.

23,200 miles - 10/20/00 Coming real soon, EGT, Boost & Trans temp all mounted on A pillar.

 

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LOONNNGGGG!!!!!!!

I surf a 10'er (yep hang 10 and all that stuff). With a camper top you can turn it into an off the groud bedroom, nice and roomy.

Also the added wheel base of the longbed will give you a premium 90mph interstate steamer!

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2001. 5, QC, 2500, 2wd, auto, 3. 54, 4 disc, long-bed, all the stuff, heated leather, patriot blue over silver, stock4now!

a real "country cadilac"

 

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I have to admit that I made the wrong choice when I ordered my 2000 QC in a Short Box. I personally like the looks better than the long box, but the short box is just not a practical as the LB. Just MO.

Cheers

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Y2K 2500, Auto, 4x4, QC, Short Box, Garnet Red, Westin Nerf Bars, K&N. Synthetic Lubes, Reese 15k Side-to-Side Piviot Hitch

1998 Sea Breeze 37 Ft Triple Slide 5th Wheel.

 

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Short

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98 2500 SLT, QC 12V, 4X4, Auto, 4:10's, SB, 285 BFG's on Mickey Thompson Challengers, LSD, Alpine alarm, Tekonsha brake controller, 5th wheel hitch, DeeZee stainless boards, Stull billet grille, MTX Thunder sub enclosure, Kenwood amp, Trans. temp gauge, CB radio, White/Driftwood, Camel interior. BINFORD TOOLS decal on rear window

 

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This is my first long bed and I'll never go back. I've yet to ever need to leave the tailgate down for anything. With my short bed trucks it happened all the time. I also think the proportions look better with the long bed.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, 275hp RV injectors, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

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The long bed is more directionally stable, particularly towing, because of the longer wheelbase.

Of course, there is a steroid and drug addicted little Red Rocket Ram on the left coast that hauls nothing more in the bed than a medium sized propane tank #ad
The owner of this li'l monster bemoans even the extra weight of the bedliner he had sprayed in it #ad
I think he removes parts, throws them up in the air, and discards them if they are heavy enough to fall to the ground #ad
However, the li'l Red Ram does well what he wants--squirts through traffic, leaves tires on the pavement, and generally disturbs the equilibrium of any passengers. . . gotta love it!!!

So, pick your bed length for the usage. Oh, yeah, I have the long bed and like it. OK, I gotta admit, there wasn't any choice in 1997, so my vote doesn't count and I ain't even voting in Florida.

 

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The first time you wish you had a long be is the beginning of the regrets. Life is too short for regrets. Don't do what I did with my very first truck order in 1976. I did not get what I really wanted and I still regret my decision to this day!

This time, I got exactly what I wanted.

#ad
#ad
#ad


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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, pressureloc. Hadley air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows and dash cover. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

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RamBill;

I didn't have a choice when I selected my rebated Y2K. Offer was for in stock units only.

I had 3 choices . . a QC 4x4 LB SLT+, a QC superfine red over silver short bed, and my ST long-one.

All but the ST was out of my price range. The wife really wanted the shortie . . but since she wasn't chipping in . . I selected the ST Longie.

The vehicle I traded in was a Ranger 4cyl xlt. A HUGE step up in vehicle, and I was really worried about the long box initially. Over 8 months in the vehicle and I'm sure glad I didn't select the shortie.

I have a brother-in-law that's a used car dealer. This may be bull . . but he mentions that for the 3/4 rams and the fords with the diesels . . high mileage doesn't effect the sale . . its the box. He will not buy a short box 3/4 from the auctions unless a customer specifically requests it. He mentions his customer base for the used diesels are mostly contractors after work vehicles. And that short boxes arn't common in commercial fleets. The shorties are for the 1/2 ton market in his opinion.

Again . . I'm just passing on comments . . and have no real facts to back that up . . but it made sence to me.

The previously mentioned comments from the other TDR members like 5th wheel towing, 8-10' cargo, cycles are more valid justification for topic.

Once I got used to it . . there are not too many places I can't get into . . its the width of the truck that makes me hunt for parking spots . . not the box.

Sorry for the rambling (get it RAMbling?) #ad


Just get the darn thing on order will ya! The sooner you are driving your ram the better your gonna feel.

How the old saying goes . . "I'd rather be Ramin than Stroking" . . well wouldn't it be more effective with a long one?

Michael

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00 Driftwood 2500 ST QC ISB LB 5spd 3:54 LSD Tow & Camper Groups

my photos

 

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MY first was a reg cab Long Bed (1995)
When the quad cab came out in 1998 had to have one. Problem, with long bed would not fit in garage. Got the short bed for garage fit. Never had problem hauling anything long or short. Got use to the short bed and bought my 01 ETH in shortbed. I agree with the argument that if you pull a 5er I would go with the long bed, but I would also go with the 3500.

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Barry Horner
Lake Forest
Orange County, Ca

2001, SLT+, ETH, 6 speed, White quad cab, short bed, Sport, 2wd , 3:54 anti spin, Camper Special with trailer tow, 16x8 Forged Aluminum with 265x75 tires, Fog lights, Audio controls steering wheel mounted, AM/FM cassette with CD, Travel Convenience group, Keyless entry with remote, Leather agate heated seats. Line-X bed liner. ARE LS 2 tonneau cover. Pillar mount boost and EGT. EDGE EZ and soon to come McLeod clutch.

[This message has been edited by BHORNERIS (edited 11-20-2000). ]

 

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Long bed for sure! You can add a tool box and still have enough bed to haul stuff. I like the 6 speed too.

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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover

 

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For any off-road 4x4 trails, or for parking in-town a long bed combined with a quad cab is just too long for comfort in my opinion. I figured I had to decide between a short-bed/quad-cab and a long-bed/regular-cab. I picked the short-bed/quad-cab and don't miss the extra bed length (its still a long truck).

If I had a burning reason for the long bed I may have learned to lived with the limo-length version, but as it is I like the short bed.

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2001. 5 2500 QC, SB, 4x4, ETH 6-sp, 3. 54 LSD, SLT++ (everything but cab lights), White over Silver, Tan leather. 4-wheel disk brakes. Delivered 8/31/00.

 

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I've got a 2500 4x4 regular cab with long box. I went with the regular cab since I needed the turning radius for parking. I have to part in a parking lot under an office building. In this case the turning radius is very important since the distance between parking rows is a bit tight. If I were to buy a Quadcab, I'd have to go with the short bed to keep the same turning radius.

If turning radius isn't important then go with whatever you want.

I suppose I could have bought a cheap second car to drive back and forth to work, but then I probably would have bought a cab & chassis Ram for serious hauling with a flatbed instead.

 

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I had to go with the long bed in order to accomidate a very large slide-in camper. I have noticed, however, that everytime I end up hauling something, I am always glad I got the looong one as I always end up using every bit of length.

Also, you get six stake pockets instead of four and a larger fuel tank.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine oil temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper.


[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 11-21-2000). ]

 

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I opted for the Short wheel base. I live in a rural area where turning radius is a must, and I commute to school where parking is a major problem. I've looked at putting a 5th wheel in and have been told it's not a problem. Note: This guy is considered a wizard in his field.

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01' QuadCab 4x4 auto, 3. 54, MP 12-disc changer
MP tow hooks, Speedliner, UWS toolbox, Garnet red w/
driftwood. Pure Stocker

 

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Ask the wife or girlfriend.

Longer is Better; Size DOES Matter -- or you wouldn't be buying that BIG TRUCK right?

#ad

 

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I ordered mine with a short bed. I tow a 5th wheel and it works great. I agree that if you need the room to carry large items,the long bed is the way to go. I don't like the looks of a 2wd club cab long bed and I wanted the shorter wheelbase for getting into tighter spaces. It's all in the intended use.

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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

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I like the longbed. Every short bed model that I drove at the shop had a bouncy ride compared to the longer wheelbased longbeds. OR Get the long bed so you have two more feet to add lights/chrome trim/running boards to. The reason you get the long bed is up to you.

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Chris Timochko
1997 5sp 4X4, HX40, BD 4" Brake, Marine Compression, Custom Tuned Injection Pump, 370B Injection Nozzles, Delivery Valves, Governor & AFC Spring Kit, Psychotty Air, Water Injection, NOS Diesel Kit, 6" Chrome Exhaust System, No Smoke Valet Switch, McLeod Dual Disc Clutch, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins Chrome Kit, Optima Red Tops, Hadley Bully Horns, Hurst Line Loc, Goodyear Wrangler AT/S 305/70/16s. Test mule for Auto Wurks Diesel race program

 

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dude... where do you live? i live in the sunset district in san francisco. houses are 25ft wide and they share walls like townhomes. if i park on the street it has to be in front of my house where i can park in front of my drive way and 1ft away from my neighbor's driveway. if i park in my driveway my tailgate hangs into the gutter (completely blocking the sidewalk). if i park (where i usually do) in the garage i have to collapse a mirror to get in. if i have a motorcycle apart in the garage for service and my roommate parks in the driveway i have to park half a block away.

that's a main consideration in the city. probably best for a short bed here, even though i have a QC long bed. but there are certain places i just can't go in the city, that's why god invented motorcycles and sidewalks to park on.

my vote for long bed even with what i just said. i own property i work on, i own 2 motorcycles i show and move around (was 4 then i bought the truck). and now my girlfriend has me hauling crap for her and her friends.

if parking and manuevering aren't a problem **** go for a beast... . 4x4 quad cab long bed.

good luck with your purchase... . your gonna love it.

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regards,

peter
1998 24v 4x4 QC, SLT, Sport, Leather, Linex, snug lid, center line wheels, Smittybilt side steps,color matched fender flares, stull grills, tow hooks----first diesel, dodge etc. i'm in love!

FREE CARL!!