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Old 10-20-2017, 07:50 AM   #1
Wheelhouse
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Which bed length is best??

Presently we are traveling with a 2003 F-350 XLT Super Duty 4x4 long bed. The truck runs great but feel it is time to let it rest and get some newer. Talking to others its been kind of a toss up for the bed length. Dealer and owners say the longer the bed, the smoother the ride, but parking can sometimes be an issue in the cities.
Others have said the short bed runs good and handles well and parking isn't the issue like the long bed.
My wife and I are a little puzzled which to buy. Hopefully the forum answers will help us with the decision. We would hate to buy a new truck and smack our foreheads later saying we should have bought the other type bed, ugh.
 
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:05 AM   #2
1retired06
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Having pulled with both, only a long bed for me. No need for a slider, more cargo space. We have a crew cab long bed dually, and have never been unable to find a place to park despite the length. The rear fenders on the dually are what we have to be careful about.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:14 AM   #3
GLS3950
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I would not have a short bed, I like to be able to a sheet of plywood with the tailgate up. Yes parking is more difficult ut I just park out, don't mind a little walk.
With a short bed you may want to get a slider hitch. Short bed will probably have a shorter turning radius. In the end it's up to you, since you already ha e a long bed yup know what parking is like.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:25 AM   #4
grumpylane
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my 2 cents. no extra pieces on hitch to go bad if you buy a sliding hitch. definitley hauling full size lumber. oh and not worrying about smashing the cab when backing in. senior moments lol
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:35 AM   #5
BB_TX
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You don't say what cab you currently have, but my 2012 crew cab long bed F350 SRW can definitely be a problem parking, especially in lots where the spaces and lanes are narrower trying to squeeze in more spaces. But like others, I much prefer the long bed for carrying more "stuff" in the bed when towing and hauling 8' lumber with the tailgate closed.

But there are those who prefer a short bed. Very much a personal choice.
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Old 10-20-2017, 09:34 AM   #6
DQDick
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Have a Dodge Maxi Cab and a Pullrite slider. When the rear seats are down it's a station wagon back there. Would not give up the inside space and with the Pullrite I don't ever have to make adjustments or watch the cab when backing. For my money it's the best of both worlds. Is the Pullrite expensive, yes but small $ when compared to the truck and it's built right so it's the last hitch I'll have to buy.
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Old 10-20-2017, 09:37 AM   #7
Lenny K
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All my trucks have been long beds and the extra storage is essential for long trips. I find that by backing into a space the hips are now not a problem for myself or for the other drivers parked along side.
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Old 10-20-2017, 10:31 AM   #8
Razrbk
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For my lifestyle (retired & fulltime), I have a Ram 3500 SRW CC Short Bed 4x4 with Pullrite auto slider. It meets my daily driving and towing needs.
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Old 10-20-2017, 11:25 AM   #9
Loneoak
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We have a crew cab and long bed. Wouldn’t have any other way. I agree with the others, less maneuverability and more difficult to park, but the extra space is worth it. Not having a sliding hitch is an added bonus. When we are home, we have a car which we share with our daughter. Great for the odd trip downtown.
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Old 10-20-2017, 12:54 PM   #10
twindman
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If you are like me and put your vehicles in the garage, you should measure your garage and then check the specs. I have a Chevy only because it is 6" and 12" shorter than the dodge/ford shortbeds. It just barely fits in the garage with about 18-24 inches at the front so we can walk around it. Any other truck wouldn't fit.
If you park outside or in a barn, etc get what you want.
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Old 10-20-2017, 12:56 PM   #11
richfaa
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Our truck is not a daily driver not even close. We purchased it to pull a fairly heavy Montana and no other reason. We never shoehorn in any parking space we look for "dually parking spaces" The truck is strictly a tow vehicle. Heavy duty, rides rough solo, Crew cab, long bed but it tows great.
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Old 10-20-2017, 01:39 PM   #12
Wheelhouse
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Excellent responses and I thank you for your inputs. I like most have always had the long bed with a crew cab. The extra length allows me to put my security blanket on (Husky tool box, lol) to carry what I do not want in the truck or 5'er.
Being in construction for 35 years, those little jobs for plywood, sheet rock and lumber do not seem to end, lol.
Thank you again, I am looking at the 2017 Ram 3500 6.7 diesel crew cab Lariet Longhorn, long bed.
Everyone have fun be careful of the other drivers.
Happy trails all.
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Old 10-20-2017, 02:49 PM   #13
Loneoak
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Quote:
Originally Posted by richfaa View Post
Our truck is not a daily driver not even close. We purchased it to pull a fairly heavy Montana and no other reason. We never shoehorn in any parking space we look for "dually parking spaces" The truck is strictly a tow vehicle. Heavy duty, rides rough solo, Crew cab, long bed but it tows great.
I regularly take four parking spots, parking right in the middle. This way no one can bang up my doors. I pick spots far from entrances.
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Old 10-20-2017, 03:05 PM   #14
BuilderBob
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I won't have any thing but a DRW long bed to pull my 5er with I hate sliding fifth wheels
more bed space for all the other junk.

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Old 10-20-2017, 04:10 PM   #15
My09Ride
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Guys Figure it out. If I could have gotten a short bed dually From Ford I'd have it.. In 09 I couldn't.. My short be is much nicer to drive w/o the long wheel base? I just set it up properly. Ride good with proper adjustment handling great, and no problem with the morride extended kingpin. I've even pulled a 53' 102" wide. I you are going heavy in the bed go for the long bed dually,& deal w/ it
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Old 10-20-2017, 07:11 PM   #16
Beau2010
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Long bed dually. In the East, streets and parking spots are narrower/smaller. Have had to fold in mirrors to get thru or park in places but would not have a short bed or SRW towing like we do.
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Old 10-20-2017, 08:52 PM   #17
Texan
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It looks like the consensus is long bed. I had the short bed before this one and i carry a 60 gal. fuel tank. With the s.b. you just don't have the room for much and as others have said you need a slider hitch. Also like others i always try to back into places and with the rear camera i can park within 2 or 3 inches of the the car in front or i guess i should say behind me.With the big ranch-hand bumper in the front i can never seem to park close enough and the back end sticks out to much.
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Old 10-21-2017, 05:07 AM   #18
airboatart
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I have towed with both to me the long is the way to go, more room and less worry. As for parking i have Ext. cab not a full 4 door a few in. shorter.
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Old 10-30-2017, 06:08 PM   #19
Templef
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Bigger is better, hitch,in bed box,cooler, spare fuel, other needs, with room to spare in a long bed, you don’t want others to know ur short in the bed! Just sayin...I went from 2006 f350 drw to a 2015 f350 srw with air bags great combo.
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Old 10-30-2017, 07:07 PM   #20
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We have towed with 2010 F250 6.5 bed towing Mountaineer 36ft 326RL
Towed our 2013 Montana 3725RL with 2012 F350 DRW
Now towing with 2017 F350 SRW 6.75 bed with a new HiJacker Autoslide hitch
We like all three trucks and each performed well for us.
We had a list of likes and dislikes for each truck.
Our current truck is just our current expression of what we think we want.
It's just a choice that each person must make before going down the road.
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