2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Short Bed or Long Bed? Which to buy?

[BTackett]

Long story short, I had a 2001 QC short bed and sold it a few years back. Now I am looking for another and really not finding the short bed models with a 5/6 spd in E. Tn area. I am finding a few Long bed models. I know the short bed is 224 " and the Long is 244 ". My garage is 24' 10" so roughly that would give me 288" if I go with 24' and have 44" left over. I am confusing myself now. Anyway roughly 44" to spare and my garage doors are 10' wide instead of 9'.



I guess my question is how does the long bed drive compared to the short bed as far as turns, parking in lots , etc. Maybe some Pro/Cons about both.



I am kinda leaning towards the long bed just because I have never owned one and when I put the tool box in the back I will still have enough room to actually haul my ATV or a good load of wood.



Also , I read somewhere that the 2000-2002 models had a 2" higher suspension than the 1998. 5-1999 models? Any truth to that?



Any input would be appreciated.



thanks and I am glad to be back. Can't wait to find another Cummins and chime back in with everyone more often.

 

[EGroeneveld]

I drive daily a 2005 Quadcab 3500 dually. I'll never have a short bed because I have quads, a Polaris RZR, 4 trailers and haul wood, etc. . all the time. My work commute is 6 miles each way, but I ride quads about every other weekend so I use the truck as a truck. Longbed also gets you a bigger fuel tank which is important to me when hauling trailers.

 

[krtcummins]

My son has a short box, I have a long box. After driving my sons truck I found it to be way easier to maneuver in parking lots Etc. I think my long box rides better and of course it's better suited for "Truck" type stuff. It really comes down to personal choice. I like the way the short box looks over the long box. The short box would make a better off road truck due to the maneuverability issue.

 

[MChrist]

With the tailgate down, you can still haul an ATV in a short bed with a toolbox. Rear tires are resting on the gate.

 

[EGroeneveld]

Shortbed - small fuel tank, easier to park, fits in more garages, can get mega cab.



Longbed - larger fuel tank, dually available, better towing, hauls more stuff, no need for slider hitchs for a 5th wheel. Large ATV fits with tailgate closed. POlaris RZR fits with tailgate down.



Its a personal choice, its like argueing Toyota/Honda, Coke/Pepsi, Chevy/Ford.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have both a long and short bed trucks and it is considerably easier negotiating parking lots with the short box. It does make a difference. I recently bought a 2001 short box and I had the same issue, kept finding a lot more long bed trucks for sale. I'm glad I persevered until I found the '01.

I have a '98 short bed for sale but it's 2wd and I'm clear across the country from you in Washington.

 

[DZinger]

I have a shortbed just because I could not pass up the price. I love my truck, but I will never have a shortbed again. I two a good sized 5'er and I have a toolbox/fuel tank combo in the bed, but had to convert to gooseneck (which I will do again with a long bed truck as well because of all the room in the bed now).

 

[TboneMan]

As for parking lots, I have a long bed quad and have absolutely no problem in parking lots... ... I park only were I can pull through! A little walking will do us all some good. Seriously though, they aren't that bad to maneuver once you get used to the length.



I ONLY back into parking spots. It is far easier to swoop in and grab a 45 deg angle backup than try to back up 90 deg after the two adjacent vehicles (arriving after you) have parked on the divider line close to your truck.

 

[hwebster]

Okay, I guess there are reasons to buy a short box, but most of the time I am loading my box up with plywood, lumber, furniture (kids moving!) etc. Being able to have a whack 4 x 8 sheets with the tailgate up seems more secure for me and others...

Just personal preference I guess ;-)

 

[AH64ID]

I have heard every SB owner I know say at least once "I wish I had a long bed"; I don't know any LB owners who have said the opposite. If Dodge made a 10' bed I would have bought it.

 

[Grizzly]

I love my long bed. I've never had a short bed and I don't intend too either. Parking is no problem for me either. I, like TboneMan park in the lower 40 and pull through. With my dually I take up two spaces where there are no other cars/trucks around. If the parking lot is full, I only take up one space.



george

 

[Wooter]

Short vs Long Bed

Short will fit in garage w/tailgate down and park a whole lot eaiser.



For what its worth

 

[akshadow]

Doesn't apply to most folks but here in SE Alaska you get charged by foot for the ferry system. So I bought a short bed, but would probably not do it again. Seems forever wanting to haul stuff longer than bed,

 

[AWeiman]

i love having a short box. handles much better in tight spots than our mega cab which is longer. i would consider what you intend to use the bed of your truck for. other than 5 gal buckets of feed i dont haul much in the bed, thats why i own trailers. i think its easier to slid lumber or sheets of plywood off the side of a gooseneck trailer than pull them out of a truck bed. i know this may not suit everyone but instead of a tool box in the front of the bed i put two sidesboxes on. you can still fit a fourwheeler between them. i guess with owning a couple trailers i have never wished for a long bed.

 

[rrl989]

Had a SB for 10 yrs, great on a LD pickup. Went LB on my 3500, as a SB would really limit my use of a DRW truck.

 

[Missouri Mule]

I usually back into parking spaces. (There have been times I have had to back-up at church because two cars would park on both side of the thru lane and I did not have enough swing room to clear the last two feet of the truck taking a corner. )

But I need a long bed for work and after having a long bed for 14 years I wouldn't have anything else.

 

[BTackett]

Thanks for everyones response. I am trying to think long term as it will probably be my last truck at least until my two girls get out of school/college in about 15 years. It would come in handy hauling firewood which I do about all year long, hauling the ATV without a trailer, and also maybe finding an older slide in camper for deer hunting and having the long bed.



thanks again!

 

[Grizzly]

Sounds like you have decided what to do. The long bed is the most versatile, IMO.



george

 

[Arctic Taco]

I have always liked a long bed, even in town, although if I were a town driver I would have gotten an automatic. Long beds are just more versatile. Time to go flatbed now

 

[fred dog]

we have 2 cummins, both long beds, we much perfer the long over the short as you can haul more and the ride is so much better. It does require a few more acres to turn around. In a city enviroment the short is more manuverable and has the advantage. With that being said if i were in the city i would still have a long bed.