Long bed or short bed?

[BobW]

I have a 94 TCD and am thinking of buying a 2005 quad cab 2500 manual shift. I have always had an eight foot bed,but I can't decide on a short bed or long bed in the 2005. The short bed is about sixteen inches shorter. Is there any appreciable difference in GVWR and combined GVWR? Is there any difference in towing capacity? Any driving impressions? My driving is mostly solo, but am thinking of a 26-28 foot trailer in a couple of years.

 

[RedDieselDawg]

I think the general deciding factor is use. If you haul 8' material a long bed makes more sense, if not a shorty is easier to park in town. Others can comment on wieght, but I think they tow about the same. Unless you want a 5th wheel trailer. I will say my QC-SB 4X4 2500 handles and rides well.

 

[bkroupa]

I bought an 8' bed because I needed one for my intended usage. I'd rather drive a shortbed in town for the manuverability/parking but my LWB rides better on the hwy. If you're considering a 5th wheel later a LWB is generally prefered for cab clearence without using a fancy/expensive hitch.

 

[Bertram65]

Here we go... it's personal preference. The short bed can tow more if you are talking SRW vs. SRW, I just checked check www.dodge.com to be sure. Figure out what you are going to use it for, try them both and make your own choice. Long bed/short bed discussions have turned ugly in the past.

 

[JThiessen]

In case you didnt already know, the new short box (since '03) is actually about 6'3" instead of the 6'6" that they used to be.

 

[klenger]

If you are considering a 5th wheel or gooseneck trailer, consider the LWB. If it's a bumper pull trailer, then a SWB will do fine. Considering that you are currently driving a LWB, and assuming that you don't have any problems maneuvering it, a SWB may be disappointing due to significant lack of bed space.

 

[agkrueger]

Do you plan on installing a tool box? This will turn a long bed into a short bed real quick and a short bed into almost a no bed at all.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

I just went from a 95 club cab LWB to a 03 QC LWB, I feel that the longer 03 turns sharper than my 95, but that is probably a percieved felling due to the better power steering on the 03. But as mentioned above if you put a tool box on a short bed,you don't have alot of bed left! If you haul a 4-wheeler or motorcycle I would stay with the 8 fter

 

[PatrickCampbell]

THE ANSWER IS LONG BED!!!!!!!



If you ever get a 5th wheel or gooseneck, you will not regret it both for clearance reasons and because having a long bed actually puts the pin weight RIGHT on top of the rear axle.

 

[ttreibel]

I went with the short bed so that I could still get the commuter auto rate on our local ferries. With the quad cab and long box I would be to long to qualify. Most the time I don't miss the longer box but I have to buy 2x4's each time I haul 12 foot sheetrock now. I also can fill up the back quicker. I only only once in awhile dish a curve with this truck it turns circles around my old Ford.

 

[Bertram65]

Why are people saying for a 5th wheel or gooseneck you need a long bed? Just get a sliding hitch, the weight is centered over the rear axle in a short box when the slide is in the forward position.

 

[SSchang]

If you plan to put a truck camper in the bed, get a long bed. I just bought an '04. 5 short bed, and found a camper designed to fit, but your choices are very limited. Even designed for the SB, the CG of the truck camper is slightly behind the rear axle. When I weighed the axles with and without the camper, the front axle was 100# lighter with the camper in the bed.



Scott

 

[AFrisina]

I started the same thread about a month ago. While there were several real good reasons to go with the long bed, I stuck with my decision, and waited for a short bed. I haven't regreted it yet.

 

[DPelletier]

As with most things, it depends what you plan to use the truck for. If you buy the SWB, make sure you don't have any plans to use the truck for:

- hauling motorcycles or quads

- 5er or gooseneck

- slide-in camper

You can use a SB for all those things, it just isn't as good.

Some of the examples above, such as the ferry length issue or mostly driving and parking in a large city would be good reasons to go with a shortbox IMO.

I had one shortbox and have no plans to ever buy another one.



Dave

 

[Carlsummers]

I have always driven SWB trucks... my current ride is a LWB. Took me about a month or two to get used to the extra length. Now, I like the extra length... nice ride, and not too difficult to park... I can also haul 8' lumber with the tailgait up... .

 

[GerryDrake]

Bed Length = Personal Choice

As others have said, it is TOTALLY up to what you are going to possibly use the truck for. I have had one short box, and had fun climbing in the hills with it, hauling my trail bike around, and occasionally wished I had the long bed. This was when shortbeds had to be half tons (75). Long beds since. As I wanted a heavier truck, the short bed was not an option when I got my 95 PSD (yeah, big mistake, I know) The diesel was not available in a short box by Ford until 96 or 97, so my decision was made for me.



Now that I had a choice in getting my CTD in 2003, I opted for the long bed. I didn't even consider a short bed.



Reasons for my choice of a long bed:

1. Having towed the same tag-along with both, the long bed was MUCH more stable in both side sway and vertical movement.

2. Having a 35' 5'er, we wanted a Dually, and that stabililty both ways.

3. While getting a slide in camper is not currently viewed as an option, it is not TOTALLY out of the picture, and I would want the long box not only for the CG to be forward of the axle, but not be limited to shorter slide ins.

4. The occasional load of lumberyard or dump run. . I have a toolbox behind the cab that takes up enough in the long bed.

5. If I ever get a quad, I better get 2, if you catch my drift.



Different strokes for different folks, but I never once regretted going with the long bed..... for OUR purposes...

 

[Po' Riggity]

I bought a LWB just because I never cared for the looks of the short bed... I love the long bed now!

Scott