Short bed 6.5' or long bed 8'

[MNTraveler]

We are looking at trucks. Specifically the Chevy Silverado 2500HD. We will be towing a 2014 High Country 343RL. I have read in other towing websites that you need the 8 foot box. Otherwise you have to go with the slider hitch. Can you use the 6.5 without having to get a slider hitch for this rig?

[DQDick]

We have a short bed and a slider hitch, but have never had to use the slider. I even back in a U around a single wide mobile home once. Joyce watched and it was close, but I never needed to use the slider. I'd still have one though, just in case.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yeah my Buddy has a Short bed towing a newer SOB with the curved front cap and No slide hitch and he never has a problem,the old 5er's without the curved front cap then yeah you need a slider for sure

[Dam Worker]

I think most RV brands want to sell fifth-wheels to long box and short box trucks, therefore they have designed the front of the fifth-wheels along with extended pin boxes to take into account the popularity of short box trucks. My old fifth-wheel the pin was directly under the pin box. Not much clearance even with an eight foot box.

Tom Marty

[BB_TX]

Good friend towed his older SOB with squared off lower front corners with his short bed and no slider and knocked out his back window on a tight back in turn. Traded for a newer Monte with contoured lower front corners and, with a little more caution, never had another problem with the same truck.

[bullroc3]

Advice - find a 3500 Silverado. You won't regret it. If I had done that in 2006 I would be still driving it.

I had a slider in the '06 short bed and never used it. The new truck does not have slider.

[dhuhn]

I put a pullrite slider hitch on my short box Chevy, works great, it's an auto slide so you don't have to lock it or unlock it in place.
It slides every time you turn so you don't have to worry about hitting cab of the truck. Very happy with it.

[mhs4771]

If you read some of the other RV Forums, you can find folks with newer curved front 5ers and short boxes that have still had contact. If you are very very careful you can probably get away without the slider, but that one time you let your guard down could be the time you have contact.
Also agree, go for the 3500, not that much more, but more peace of mind.

[1retired06]

Long bed!

[stengels]

The lighter weight of the short bed gives you a little extra weight to play with. We have a slider but have never needed it.

[Mike117]

I have Short bed Chevy 2500. I also have the same trailer model you mentioned. I put in a pull rite slider. I never wanted to risk damage to the truck or RV. It works for me. You spend a lot of money for both vehicles. If you go with the long bed I suppose you won't have an issue. I already had the truck.

[pkbridges77]

Since you're buying, 3500 LB. I blew the window out of my SB and was paranoid ever after until I got the LB.

[bigskyjimmy]

Yeah but you have a 2004 that would be a problem with a short bed but NOT a newer Monty quote]Originally posted by pkbridges77

Since you're buying, 3500 LB. I blew the window out of my SB and was paranoid ever after until I got the LB.
[/quote]

[WeBeFulltime]

I tow our 2012 Montana with a short bed and don't have a problem...haven't even come close to hitting cab.

If it was me and I HAD to have a Chevy I also would go with a 3500 long bed but would make it a SRW instead of dually. No, I'm not afraid of dually as I was a trucker for 20 years but just thinking of wife and other family that might want/need to drive my truck.

I would want the long bed only for the additional space.

[woodman]

In my opinion, there are two reasons that an owner with short box truck doesn't get a slider: 1.) it costs more money, both in the unit and the install, and 2.) you need to install a "dedicated capture plate" to the 5th pin. I have a Pull-Rite Superglide hitch on my short box F-350 and have found any number of times, that it was worth every penny I paid. It's entirely stress free. In addition, I can remove the entire unit very easily and have a clean box if I desire, i.e., nothing showing or obstructing. BTW, have witnessed several units and trucks this year, with damage in making short turns, usually when in situations they hadn't expected. My advice, if you can afford it, get one.

[jimcol]

I have always had a shortbed and always had a slider. My 2006 doesn't have the rounded nose. Have to slide it to get the 5'er in my driveway. We just make it a practice to slide the hitch back when we enter a campground. By the time we leave we know if we need it back to exit. If not we slide it forward before hitching up. Either way it is no big deal to slide it and it makes maneuvering the unit a lot easier. Have only had two occasions in 11 years that I needed it outside of a campground or getting into the driveway. It's just not a big deal to use.

[bethandkevin]

I do not have or feel the need for a slider in my SB. I did blow out the back window once, but that was with our old 5'ver with a square nose-and then it was my own stupidity trying to hitch sideways. I have put Hannah in some very tight places and never ever came close to contact with the window or cab.

[richfaa]

Don't think you absolutely need a long bed as the short bed and a slider will solve any issue you may have. We just wanted the extra room afforded in the long bed truck. IMO it is a issue of personal choice.

[chris199]

I second the recommendation to go 3500. If you go diesel...the engine brake is a HUGE advantage. I have 80,000 miles and still on original brakes.

[pkbridges77]

quote:Originally posted by bigskyjimmy

Yeah but you have a 2004 that would be a problem with a short bed but NOT a newer Monty

True, and it's the only 5er we've had. So maybe the LB/SB is a moot point with newer rigs? But, I will say...this is the first LB I've had in 30 years, and it was sure nice to load a piece of Sheetrock in and close the tailgate sure is a pain in close parking lots tho. Just takes a little better planning.