Mega Cab vs. Quad Cab

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

I would like to start off by apoligizing to those who have probably disscussed this topic how many times over the last few months. With that said, hundreds have looked at my post from yesterday (Absolute disaster has struck) and relize as a contractor that I need a truck ASAP. Within the next 2 days I must decide on a 06' Megacab or a Quadcab. I am one to research methodically, but time does not allow for this. Therefore, I am turning to fellow members of the TDR for guidence. I have zero knowledge and experience with these newer machines and would appreciate any wisdom and advice on the pros and cons. (Mega vs. Quad)

I have possibly made the mistake of test driving the Megacab this morning and now am feeling like I have been bit by the Megacab bug. I reallllly Liked!! With a family of 6 it certainly has the room. . From a contractor stand point, an 8 foot box is more feasible and therefore the Quadcab comes out on top.

Also, I like the 3500 Single Rear Wheel. Any feedback on Stability issues while towing a 31ft. gooseneck with Singles instead of Duals would be appreciated.

Avg. 17. 4mpg(Calculated) with the Blue Beast, I figured the new ones are not as good, but I am sure You will let me know.

Sorry for the long post, but Its crunch time and I must make a decesion ASAP. Thanks in Advance

 

[JWilmer]

First- The MC isnt a good candidate for a goose neck trailer... . I would verify this first!!

Second- I would personally buy a DRW truck with the load you mentioned

Third- 4. 10 gears would also be recomended... .



These seem to be the "imporant ones" as far as making a decision-IMHO-BJ

 

[ohnoitsyu]

I wanted an 8" bed and a fold-flat floor in the cab (at a lower level than the MC), so it was an easy decision to go with the quad cab - the MC just didn't have what I wanted.

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

JWilmer, wondering why You don't think it is a good truck for a gooseneck trailer. Pull about 17000lbs about 10-15% of the time.

 

[fkovalski]

... With a family of 6 it certainly has the room. . From a contractor stand point, an 8 foot box is more feasible and therefore the Quadcab comes out on top...

I think you need to look at Fords :-laf :-laf (easy there, it was a joke :-laf )





Seriously... if your contractor needs can be met with the 6' bed then consider the MC more. It sounds as if you are asking the truck to do dual duty... I guess you will have to decide what is it going to be used for more of the time. I deally, your work would dictate the longer bed. But think about this: you can always put the tailgate down for the occasional GB & plywd run ... most bid materials would delivered to the job site (?)



Personally, the MC does not work for me... but it may for you. Good luck choosing- keep us posted.



-frank.

 

[RankRam]

With a family of six the Mega Cab is a no brainer!



BTW sorry about the loss of the Blue Beast.

 

[mberry]

For the family, get the Mega. For the work a SRW will be fine as long as the trailer has good brakes and you have a good controller for the trailer brakes and you stay within the GCVWR. If you go with a manual trans, get the 3. 73. If you want an automatic, go with the 4. 10 gears.

 

[wcjp]

I bought an early 06' Mega. At the time the 6spd manual only came with 3. 73's. I only upgraded from my clubcab to the Mega for the cab room. I know some here on the board are towing 5th/GN with the Mega. Try a search and PM those members directly. I miss my 8' bed sometimes. I use the extra cab room daily.

 

[KParsons]

8foot

go 8 foot. you will be ****** the first time you need it, if you do not . kp ps long wheel base is a little more stable .

 

[ohnoitsyu]

If only I could have a Mega Cab with a lowered fold-flat floor, and 8-foot bed that I could more easily reach the stuff in the front of the bed (I have a shell), and DRW with the overall width of a SRW. All of this in the length of a QC w/ a 6-foot bed. Am I asking too much? Not yet... I'd like to have add a 6" lift with 37" tires and still be able to fit in my 7-foot garage. Sorry for going off-topic.

 

[Fear This: Cummins!!]

Can anyone tell me how much more room the '06 Quadcab has over my old '01 Quadcab.

 

[Double J]

Not sure about measurements but it's definately roomier. I'm 6'3" and no way can ride in the back of my 01 QC.



The 06 I can live with if I had to ride in the back.

 

[geusterman]

I did contracting with a shortbed just fine... used a headache rack if I got stuck running for long stuff and over tail gate. I am SRW with 4K camper... no problem. Follow your heart for long-term happy. George

 

[klenger]

The 3rd gen QC is 3" larger than the 2nd gen QC. You need two trucks. A MC for the family and a QC DRW for work. I assume that you can't swing getting both. Only you can decide which is more important, but if it was me, I'd opt for the QC DRW. The MC has more rear seat leg room, but no more hip or shoulder room (although I have not actuallly looked at the numbers).

 

[lawdog]

I have a 203 Quad Cab short bed 3500 and I pull a 40' G'neck race trailer with a tapered nose with no problems. . Mine only weighs about 9500-10,000 lbs though... I have had no problems with the SRW. . I though about a dually now in a Mega cab, but I daily drive it 95% of the time and pull about 10 times a year in the winter and the SRW is better in the snow from what everyone has told me... SO. . The room is a no comparison in a Mega compared to the Quad... . Pics on bottom page of link... .



https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162766&page=2

 

[AMink]

When we were looking for a new truck to replace our 97 extended cab 8' bed, I thought the QC long bed was the answer. The kids are growing, and climbing in and out of the front door to get in the back seat is difficult for some. We looked at the QC's and were surprised that there wasn't a *whole* lot of additional room from what we had. I thought about it and realized that some of that 8' bed on my 97 was consumed by stuff that a) I rarely, if ever use, and b) what I do use fits in the storage bins and behind the rear seat of a MC. Done deal! MC for me. Yes, I do miss the extra two feet, but I will be getting a shell with a rack for the plywood and crap that I get two or three times per year. Or, as mentioned above, I'll leave the gate down. I don't have any experience with the GN, so I can't comment there, but I've seen a lot of 5ers in the back of short beds with no dents in the cabs. Since the MC is a long wheelbase, you'll still be as stable as a QC LB. Isn't this choice thing fun? Also sorry to hear about the old truck. Good luck.

 

[BDeMartile]

I regularly (30000 miles so far towing) pull 12-14k with a 2004. 5 6 speed 3. 73's quad cab lb 4x4 its a fiver with 3 axles flipped and stability is awesome. cab space is great family of 4 with friends always along. MC is nice but not good enough to give up the bed (real trucks haul plywood with the tailgate up). Just my opinion.

 

[AMink]

real trucks haul plywood with the tailgate up

:-laf :-laf I suppose you have a point there!

 

[NKenny]

Plywood fits well on a gooseneck flatbed (ie, the one pictured with Blue Beast in the Reader's Rigs Gallery). Although I have occasionally wanted an extra 2', most of the loads that concern me would need a trailer anyhow. For a dual purpose vehicle, the cab room and inside storage outweighed the lack of bed. I have, on occasion, used the rear seat folded down, as a sleeper.



If you pull a trailer with storage or living-quarters over the neck, be mindful of the backwindow when turning sharp or extend the hitch ball / neck. A standard gooseneck presents no problems.



As far as singles vs. duals, my single wheel trucks have always held-up to the task. Whether it be hauling horses, cattle, backhoe, tractors, implements, etc. Duals do it better, but don't be afraid of hauling with singles. If you spend time off-road, the traction benefits and tracking advantage of singles in rutted roads is a big benefit when towing. I've had it told me there is only one thing worse than a 4x4 dually off-road... . and that is a 2wd dually.

 

[sonorakitch]

As a General Contractor and builder of homes here in the valley, I find myself needing my pickup for both construction related activities and client related ones. Initially wanting a Quad Cab, I was sold on the Mega Cab upon test drive... the Quad Cab is fairly useless for hauling people in the back seat (if they are alive, anyways) and the MC backseat is larger than my neighbors Cadillac. Regarding the shortbed: I was also very leary of trying to make this work in a construction related activity, but I have found in the month of driving this truck that I have no problems. I have a utility trailer for the bigger loads anyways. One year ago I never would have though I would own a shortbed.



As for the GN/5'er you will be fine. I have had no problems in the first few inaguraul tows with my 28 foot 10,000 lb. Toughest thing is arching your neck enough to hitch up effectively. Well worth the trade off for the room in my book.



Get a MC... the famliy will love you for it.



~Chris