shortbed vs longbed

[K_Arts]

Well, I actually have 1 of both... and here is my little story. When I bought my truck, I got a short bed just cause that is what I have always had. I love it... . but when the wife and I just went out and bought her truck we decided on a long bed due to us wanting a 5ver.

Overall here is my impression... taking out the mods, I have noticed that the long box ride is smoother, but from the hitch, my shortbox pulls better. Honestly this is the only difference that I have noticed. I personally don't mind putting the tailgate down when I haul stuff, so that wasn't a concern to me.

Just my $. 02

kev

 

[ProfWonka]

My vote is for the Longbed. Reason: versatility.

This is my 30th birthday present to myself (which I'll have to pay for through my 36th birthday. ) I plan on buying my next one for my 60th birthday (a brand new year 2031 Cummins. ) Sometime in the next 30 years, I'll probably have a 5er, or camper, or have to haul sheetrock.

I'm flying over to pick up my truck today, ordered on April 4th. Built May 15th. Arrived at the dealer(hopefully) last friday.

Then I get a full week to drive it the 2800 miles home!

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soon to be delivered:
2001 2500 DEETH QC, TOW/CAMP/PLOW/LSD

 

[hammong]

I rarely - and I mean really rarely, haul anything with my truck. But, when I DO have to haul something, it's almost invariably going to be longer than 6 feet. I have a toolbox in my truck that ties up 20" of bed space, but luckily for me it's not a deep one and I can fit boards, pipe, plywood, etc -under- the toolbox. I'd say that in 20% of the cases where I haul something (furniture, etc) - I have to REMOVE the toolbox because 6' just isn't enough.

Greg

BTW: Parking the LWB isn't a big deal. If you're a city dweller, or need to park in garages often (my truck won't fit HEIGHT-wise in the garages around here) - you might be better suited with the SWB -- but I'm not!



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Y2K Dodge Cummins QC 2500 SLT Laramie 4x4 Long Bed, 4. 10/Auto, Forest Green/Driftwood, 265x75R16 Michelin LTX, 6 speaker CD, Camper/Tow/Plow Packages, Westin Black Nerfs, Mopar bedliner, Ultra bright diamondplate toolbox, K&N Filtercharger, Autometer Ultralite EGT and Boost gauges in 2-gauge pillar w/tweeter, DD Stage II injectors, boost module, and boost elbow. Yee haw!
http://www.rints.com/hammond for photos!

 

[DonS]

Several responses above have stated that anything that can be hauled in a LB can be hauled in a SB, as long as you leave the tailgate down.
How about rock, gravel, sand, dirt, manure, etc. ?
Some of those, however, might get you to the GVWR of the truck before you could fill a SB with the gate up...

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2001(. 5) 2500 HO 6spd 4x4 QC LWB SLT+ Tow Pkg 3. 54 LSD, Shift-on-the-fly, Patriot Blue / Agate

 

[drag racer]

definitely long bed..... more = better #ad


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'99 3500 QC, 4x2, AT, white/agate, 4. 10 Dana 80 LSD, towing/camping package, Mag-Hytec DD trans. pan and rear cover, Auto Meter gages w/ pillar and dash pod, Cobra CB, Hadley Bulley horns, Mopar: bedliner, mud flaps, EVS II+ alarm, Rancho nerf bars, polished stainless accent panels, Air Lift SD air springs, Glasstite hi-rise camper shell

 

[Rcpilotlv]

just added my sig have to see if I did it right,RC

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99 quad cab slt shortbed auto 3. 54 gears lsd dd private label gauges, pyro egt transmission temp rhino bed liner smitty built nerfs diamond plating rail covers soon to own 02 eth/dee ordered

 

[WCrovo]

I have a SWB QC and love it. I think all the CTD's look awesome, I would be happy to own all three. Any choice would be a good one.

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2001 2500 tow, camper, SWB, ETH/DEE, 3. 54 Bright white,4 wheel discs.

 

[Patriot Diesel]

I have a toolbox in my truck as well. I couldn't imagine having a SB, love my LB. I don't haul everyday, but when I do I am reminded as to why I got a LB. We also have a 32' 5th wheel. Would not want to tow it with a SB. Not enough clearance for parking IMO.

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2000 2500HD QUADCAB CUMMINS, AUTO WITH 3. 54'S,LB,4x4,ALL OPTIONS MINUS LEATHER,UWS DP TOOL BOX,SPORTMASTER CUSTOM MADE SOFT TONNEAU,CARR STEP, VENTVISOR, 305/70/16 PRO COMP'S, RANCHO RS9000, RS5000 STABILIZER, AMSOIL 15W-40, PATRIOT BLUE/DRIFTWOOD

 

[boonsur]

I have a 4x4 QC/SB. I think it "hobby-horses" too much. I wish I had a LB. I think the ride would be much smoother.

 

[Okie-Go]

Longbed. I have an aux. fuel tank. With that I still have 6 ft of bed left. I pull a 5er and gooseneck. I can put my Honda 300 in the bed with the fuel tank and still shut the tailgate. It does fit in the garage also. Sounds like a no brainer to me.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red,cab clearance lights, trailer tow package,camper special, lock-right locker, 3. 54 gears,ez edge, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[MikeR]

To me a 4wd only looks proportional with a long bed. The Dodge nose with ext-cab is just too big to have an itty bitty bed behind it. Lots more use and better ride.

However,I like the looks of the 2wd ext-cab with a short bed,but that's only because it sits low to the ground the nose doesn't look so big compared to the 4wd.

Just my honest opinion.

 

[5thram]

Longbed. Don't forget the advantage in stability when towing. Only drawback is I have to remove the receiver hitch b4 I lower the garage door.....

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2001. 5 intenseblue 2500 ETH/DEE 4WD QC sportpkg, all the options but the cowhide, mostly stock. NRA, AMA member

 

[Pat_in_Utah]

LB here too.

- Tows more stable
- more room with toolbox
- more room underneath if aux fuel tank, compressors...
- bigger camper will fit
- just all around more versatile

Mt turning radius is pleasently good. Much better than my 89 GMC CC LB! I don't have a garage anymore, but my GMC BARELY fit my old garage.

Pat


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2001. 7 White Sport RAM 2500HD QC SLT 4X4 LB 3. 54 LSD Cummins Auto
My Ram Page

1999 21' Terry Lite Towable 5400# GVW
1990 Kawasaki KLR 250 Enduro

 

[ET]

long bed for me. i drive semi and drag 75' around every day so parking this isn't a problem and it holds more stuff.

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1999 2500 auto 4x4 3. 54LSD QC LB loaded w/leather white w/gray bottom, westin ss nerf bars, dodge bed liner, 3pc bug deflector, M/T classics 265/75/16 michelins (for now) tough country front bumper, ram tail light covers, fog lights, driving lights, and backup lights, galaxy 88, wilson 5000. more on the way

 

[machuri]

Offroading? SB.

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2001 2500 4x4 QC SLT+ SWB AUTO ALL OPTIONS WHITE/AGATE 315 75R16 BFG's 2" LEVEL KIT BANKS GIT KIT A PILLAR GAUGES RHINO LINER K+N STOCKLAND CAB HIGH SHELL
85 SUBURBAN 4X4 6. 2 DIESEL
24'RAMPAGE SPORTFISH W/VOLVO TAMD40 TURBO DIESEL
72'PALMER JOHNSON SPORTFISHER 2 12V92 DETROIT TURBO DIESELS

 

[Joe G.]

LB for me. The extra length is no problem and it holds more.

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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,DTT TC/VB,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver, KDP 160,000-NM-WT Insurance