Reg Cab, LB or Quad Cab, SB?

[John_M]

In about a month I'll be purchasing a 2003 or ordering a 2004 HO Cummins, 48RE, 4X4. Am currently leaning strongly toward the regular cab, long bed. I currently have a '96 Chevy, short bed with a back seat and have never had another person sit back there. However, I have often wished the truck had an 8 ft bed. I have no family or others who would normally use the back seat on a new Quad Cab Dodge. I cannot fit a Quad Cab, long bed into the garage space where the Dodge will park. The 8 ft. bed on the new truck will get much more use than the rear seat on a Quad Cab. I may have already answered my own question but I will ask anyway: Do any of you who have purchased a Regular Cab, long bed model wish you had purchased a Quad Cab, short bed instead and why? Do any who have purchased a Quad Cab, short bed wish you had purchased a Regular Cab, long bed instead and why? The Quad Cab would have the fold-down rear seat. A camper shell will be used on either model.



I would like the experience of others to help me make the right decision the first time.



Best Wishes,



John_M

 

[DieselpowerDude]

No brainer. Go with the reg cab long bed. The storage behind the seat is surprisingly versatille. I had my mobile office behind there for years in my 95 reg cab. Now I have 03 quad long bed, I would never get a sb. Its a truck after all, so it should fit at least a sheet of plywood or a real cabover camper.



considering your contraints you will not regret.

 

[DieselpowerDude]

BTW the 48re is a great transmission. NO ROWING gearsOo. Oo.



Can't believe the manual shifters go though all that work

 

[cpizz]

Considering the info. you have provided, the reg. cab would best suit you. I have a 3500 4x4 DRW reg. cab and the room behind the seat is quite a bit more than earlier models. If you still need more storage, just get a tool box. The only advantage the quad cab has over the reg cab; would be resale value. More people are looking for quad's than reg cabs.

 

[JThiessen]

QC/RC....

John, without knowing anything about you, I'll just relay my experience. In the last ten years, I've bought and sold 6 pickups, stating with a 4 banger Nissan. I just finally bought what I've really wanted all along - a 4 door diesel. If I were to go back and add up all the money I've spent in the last 10 years on buying and selling, and constantly getting bigger rides, I'd probably have a heart attack. Do you plan on getting married anytime in the near future? Kids? These trucks will last a long time, and you may find that you will need to upgrade in 4 years - and one never knows what the diesels will be like then, if they even exist at all. You mentioned that the QC long bed would fit in the garage. When I bought mine, that was a concern for me also. I measured the garage, and rearranged it so it would fit. When I got home, I found that it woudnt fit due to the width!!! (even though my 99 fit fine).



just my . 02...

 

[DBVZ]

The RC Long has been great for us. No kids will travel with us(grown) so if they come along they can bring their own trucks. The front seat is comfortable for 3, with foot and leg space relatively clear since the shift lever for the 48re is not on the floor. The cab space in the '03 RC is great, and unless you need room for more passengers you can provide more and better space for covered cargo in the bed for far less. The QC cab is something like $3 - 4 K more than the RC cab. A full length shell, color matched from Canopy's West, was under $1000.



The great thing about the RC Long is that it is on the 140" WB, so it is very manuverable. A U-turn is relatively easy, which is a big plus when pulling a trailer. The short WB works better for off road too.



Since your choices seem to be QC Short or RC Long, and you don't have extra passenger needs - go long. And as long as you are asking for advice - don't pass up the great tow mirror option and tow package if you plan to pull anything. They are well worth the small extra cost.



Finally, buy what fits your needs; not what you think the next buyer will want. What fits you best will fit someone else best when the time comes to sell, and they will be happy to find it. You should not have to put up with the "wrong" truck for years to make it easier to sell later. More people buy the QC because more buyers have a family to haul, but a lot of us are retired and don't need that passenger room for our travels. And the retired market is growing. It will be your truck. Buy what YOU want.

 

[John_M]

More info. from John_M

On the 12th of next month I will celebrate my 65th birthday so there is very little chance of new kids entering my life (I hope)! In celebration of this birthday, my current very good health and retirement, I am going to outfit this new Dodge with the Laramie package, protection package, tow package, trailering mirrors, Limited Slip, color matched hood protector,Dodge mud flaps, Dee-Zee FX running board, Turbo Liner spray in bed protector, color matched mid-rider (to haul my bicycles) canopy, etc. Any color will be okay as long as it is silver pearl coat. I'm going with the whole enchilada!



The only part of the entire purchasing decision causing any indecision is the regular cab/quad cab issue. As indicated above, I am leaning very strongly toward the regular cab because of the long bed but was wondering if those of you with experience had strong opinions one way or the other.



I certainly appreciate all the comments so far and hope others offer additional advice.



Cheers,



John_M

 

[Pit Bull]

John, I had a 2000 3500QC 4x4 and never used the back seat. Plus the 2000 would not fit in my garage. I traded last year for a 2002 3500RC 4x4 and could not be happier. Fits in the garage and fits my needs. I also think the designers of these trucks meant them to be regular cabs based on how good looking they are in the regular cab configuration. Also if you are not aware a regular cab pickup is safer in an accident then the extended cab. more structural support and also the seat will not collapse into the rear of the vehicle.

 

[Rosco]

I had a 2001 2500QC SB and I hardly ever used the back seat but I used the bed alot and always wished I had got the 8' foot bed. I then purchased a 2003 2500QC SB and within a month I was kicking myself for making the same stupid mistake again. So, after 5 months of ownership the first 03' was history and another 03' was sitting in my driveway but this time it was a regular cab with the 8' bed.



I would have liked another QC because the room is nice when it's needed. However, I plow snow so their were two factors I needed to consider. One, I need the shortest wheel base possible for maneuvering. Two, you cannot get the plow prep package on a long bed QC diesel and since I like my warranty intact the QC was ruled out.



I will say that up to now I have not missed the QC but, will I miss it in the future? Probably since my wife and I are expecting our first child. However, I use my truck for work and it was spec'ed out for that purpose, not to haul kid's around (that will be a 04' Hemi Durango's job).



Somewhere I read that "real men drive regular cab's" I thought it was funny.

 

[Fireman]

Well,

I for one, would't mind if my Quad Cab had two more doors. I never seem to have enough room. Oh, I don't have kids either. Just dogs.

Fireman

 

[jjohn]

long-short

Sounds like your going long bed REG. "BUT" If you are going to travel... . bike or bikes in the back - luggage in the rear of the Quad cab if convenient with the seat stored.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

I love my '03 Reg Cab. It is actually pretty big... Luggage will fit behind the seat without any problem. Plus, if I need to carry more stuff inside, I can just use my '01 QC.

 

[John_M]

jjohn

Your comments describe exactly a trip I made to the east coast about a month ago. I drove to New Jersey and what is known as "the high-peak region" of the Adirondack mountains in upstate New York to visit family and friends. I carried a sleeping bag and all my luggage in the back seat of my Chevy ext. cab and the mountain bike in the uncovered short bed. I slept in the driver's seat each evening. Well, by the time I reached the east coast, all the luggage was a mess from me trying to find things and the mountain bike was soaked. It poured rain the entire time I was back east. Anything on the bike that was not titanium or aluminum had a thick covering of rust. To make things even worse, while helping a friend haul sheet rock, plywood, lumber and insulation in the Adirondacks, I got stuck in thick wet grass on the side of a hill and each attempt to get out got me in even deeper. Limited Slip did not help at all in this two wheel drive situation. If I had slid about five more feet to the left I would have lost the truck into an 8' deep drainage gully. This region was very isolated and fortunately a neighbor (the only one around) about two miles away had a 4X4 Bronco and was able to pull me out. We celebrated with many brewskis and wine. I vowed I would never make a trip like that again.



That trip is what prompted me to make my Dodge 4X4 purchasing decision about one or two years earlier than I had planned. A HD Dodge regular cab with a covered long bed would allow me to haul bicycles on one half of the bed and sleep on the other half, with luggage stored under the bed. When not used for traveling, the bed could haul sheet rock, plywood and longer lumber (12 footers) I always seem to need for some project. Because this would be my first regular cab pickup, I want to get opinions from others about whether or not I am making a practical purchasing decision. Because I plan to keep this Dodge about ten years or so, I want to be as certain as possible that I am doing it right the first time.



I might add that the reason for the empahasis on bicycles is because I have permanent spinal cord nerve damage which prevents me from walking more than 200 yds or so. However, as long as my feet are clipped onto the pedals, I can ride the bicycle 25 or more miles. So, I ride.



Best Wishes,



John_M

 

[ladyjaine]

Long Bed

I got a regular cab long bed and I dont regret it a minute. I knew I wanted that 8' bed length to carry my tent. (long story) That's what I got. I put a cap on it. There's plenty of room for junque behind the seats. I carry sewing machines back there all the time.



On the advice of a friend who drove to the same campsites I did, I went for 4WD. That's another one I do not regret.



The instant I saw the towing mirrors, I wanted them. No discussion, no go home and think about it. I might tow once a year. But those mirrors are great for a defensive driver.



Jean

 

[Pit Bull]

Re: Long Bed

Originally posted by ladyjaine

I got a regular cab long bed and I dont regret it a minute. I knew I wanted that 8' bed length to carry my tent. (long story) That's what I got. I put a cap on it. There's plenty of room for junque behind the seats. I carry sewing machines back there all the time.



On the advice of a friend who drove to the same campsites I did, I went for 4WD. That's another one I do not regret.



The instant I saw the towing mirrors, I wanted them. No discussion, no go home and think about it. I might tow once a year. But those mirrors are great for a defensive driver.



Jean

Jean

I saw an 03 black 3500 regular cab 4x4 HO with the 48RE at the dealer's the other day. WOW that baby looked bad to the bone Jean why no training wheels ??? If those mirrors will clear the training wheels will clear

 

[sdbelt]

I don't know if this will matter to you or not, but when I went to trade my '95 reg cab long bed Dodge Ram in, the biggest complaint I heard from the area dealers was that without an extended cab, there wasn't nearly as much value for it.



Being that the truck was nearly 10 years old, there wasn't much value anyway, but it appears that the resale market prefers quad cab over regular cab.



Personally, I got a quad cab long bed, even though my friends thought I was crazy getting the long bed. Sure I only "need" it a few days a year, but when you have it, it sure is nice.

 

[Pit Bull]

Originally posted by sdbelt

I don't know if this will matter to you or not, but when I went to trade my '95 reg cab long bed Dodge Ram in, the biggest complaint I heard from the area dealers was that without an extended cab, there wasn't nearly as much value for it.

I know dealers would never say anything to get an advantage in a sales situation:-laf If you were driving a QC short bed they would tell you no body wants a short bed truck. If you would of been driving a QC long bed they would tell you that they are too long and nobody wants them, or it is the wrong color or it is 2wd and only 4wd's are selling. Don't ever believe a car salesmen

 

[John_M]

Many thanks to all for the thoughtful and complete responses.



You've convinced me that my original inclination to purchase the regular cab, long bed is the correct one for me. My '96 Chevy is now being advertised for sale in local directories and friends tell me it should sell quickly(Isn't that what friends are supposed to say?). The Chevy is still in excellent condition and has been good, reliable and inexpensive transportation these last 7. 5 years. But I feel now is the time for me to move up to the Dodge/HO Cummins package.



If registration and insurance are the same for the 2500 and 3500 I'll order a 3500, Reg Cab, SRW if one is available for the 2004 model year. Otherwise, it will be a Silver Pearl Coat, 2500, Reg Cab, Long Bed, HO Cummins, 48RE, 4X4, 3. 73, LSD, Laramie Pkg, Trailer Tow group, Trailer Tow mirrors, Light group, Protection group, Heated seats, Hood protector, DeeZee FX extruded aluminum running boards, Turbo Liner, Mud flaps, and any other neat accessories which are available at the time I place the order.



Again, Thanks and Best Wishes to all.



John_M

 

[ralphr]

I just got back from shopping, and read this post. I only occasionally have the grand kids ride in the back, and sometimes go out with some friends and they also ride in the back seat. But running errands it is real convenient to put all that "stuff" in back with the seat up. I also have a tool box, (a big one at that 30" wide), but rarely put anything in there since it is a hassale, (IMHO).



Any way my 2cents Worth.

 

[Elk]

Hello John, I see only one problem with your purchase, there is getting to be way to many silver 03 dodges running around our area. ha ha ha. One thing I might recommend is talking to Jason at Northwest Custom in Fairfield Washington , he makes some awesome mud-flaps that would keep that next boat you buy from getting dinged up. I have them on my truck and if you would like to see them let me know and I will drive it to the course so you could check them out.





Tim