Long vs Standard bed ride

[GMcLawhon]

I am looking at a new 2025 GMC 3500 HD Denali Diesel standard bed to replace my 2020 3500 GMC 3500 HD Diesel long bed. I am towing a 2021 Montana 3121RL and have had no issues and a great smooth ride with the long bed.

The standard bed I am considering has about same numbers with regard to weights so I think I would be ok there. However, I am wondering if the quality of the ride would deteriorate. I think I’ve heard stories that standard bed would not be as smooth because of the shorter wheel base.

What have you all experienced?

George

 

[jsb5717]

A little, yes. A longer wheel base provides a smoother ride. I’ve had both and have done just fine with both. Air bags can help mitigate a little added roughness. I personally prefer the long bed for both the ride as well as the ability to tight-turn without worrying about hitting the cab.

It’s really a personal judgement call that doesn’t compromise the safety aspect as long as the payload numbers work out.

 

[PSFORD99]

IMO , no 3500 or 350 rides that well. I found when towing they all ride well . Of course it's the empty ride you are concerned with . IMO I have the best of two worlds my truck is the Ram Megacab 3500 . Although it has a bit shorter wheel base than the long bed crew cab , it's longer than the standard new cab . So the ride is not too bad for a 3500 .

The single most improvement in ride on mine is getting the rear tires air down to 45 psi when empty . As far as the standard bed ( short bed in my world . ) I wouldn't own anything but a standard bed , have no need for a long bed ,and have no issues with fifth wheel clearance with the cab . I have never towed a fifth wheel with anything but a standard bed . Thats nearly 20 years .

 

[GMcLawhon]

Thanks. Btw I don’t use the truck that much without the trailer.

 

[PSFORD99]

Thanks. Btw I don’t use the truck that much without

Same here , and personally have never really cared about the ride , it is what it is . I spend six weeks in an rv park in Montana annually. So that’s the most the truck gets driven empty , soon as I get there I air the rear tires down, and go from there , air back up for the return trip home .

I can’t really compare the long bed to the short bed , it’s been well over 25 years since I’ve owned a long bed pickup , and they were just the standard cab .

 

[Scubado]

I have a 2025 GMC 3500HD Crew Cab Log Box. I use my truck for truck stuff when not pulling the 5th wheel. I love the long box other than when a need to make a U turn (without the trailer) and parking lots need a space and a half for the length. I had a 1500 Ram and the GMC rides better that the Dodge.
Long Box vs Short Box. Ride may be a little bit better, but I don't think that much of a difference. After all it is a 1-ton truck, and we are not buying them for the ride. Buy the best truck for you and your mission.

 

[DutchmenSport]

Thanks. Btw I don’t use the truck that much without the trailer.

That is probably your deciding factor. What do you use your truck for when NOT towing your camper?

Mine is a long bed, crew cab, dually. (It's long). I keep my tires aired up to the max all the time. It rides like a log wagon when not towing. But very nice "when" towing.

Years ago, I had a Chevy S-10 pick-up truck that I used the bed for, for a lot of things. The truck finally died (I literally drove it in the ground). When I had to consider a replacement, we were kind of in a position where we needed more passenger space. My brother-in-law advised me to get a mini-van. I asked him, what about hauling all the stuff I haul in the back of the pick-up truck. He said, "purchase a small utility trailer and then you'll have the best of both." Um...... that's exactly what we did. I purchased a smaller utility trailer that comfortably fit 4x8 sheets of plywood on the floor, laying flat. To this day (30 years later), I still have a utility trailer. Except now, it big enough to haul my John Deere mower and tractor. The fifth wheel hitch in the bed of my current dually, very seldom ever comes out because of the availability and easy use of the utility trailer. But the dually gives me the towing capacity I need and every tow is as comfortable as can be.

 

[Dfb]

Long bed? Standard bed? I have only heard of a short bed, long bed.

 

[PSFORD99]

Long bed? Standard bed? I have only heard of a short bed, long bed.

You probably didn't see my previous post . I agree long, and short bed . But I believe now we have what's called the long bed 8' , the standard bed I believe in the 6'-6" range ,and the short bed in like the 5'-6" range .

 

[Dfb]

You probably didn't see my previous post . I agree long, and short bed . But I believe now we have what's called the long bed 8' , the standard bed I believe in the 6'-6" range ,and the short bed in like the 5'-6" range .

Ohhh..

 

[B&L Mich]

GMC 3500 srw Crew and standard bed. I think it rides good. If I am not towing I do lower rear tire pressures some.

 

[ep4me]

I assume you are talking about ride quality when towing. Not much difference bewteen the two bed lengths. What improved the ride when towing the camper was the hitch itself. I went with the reese goose box but gen y is also an option I bet there are probaby some others out there. I have short bed(standard) and can turn 90 degrees with it and I still have a bed when unhooked. There are only 2 bed lengths for chevy 3500 8 foot and 6.5 foot aprox.

 

[Derby6]

IMO , no 3500 or 350 rides that well.

Thats interesting--I've got 100's of thousands of miles on empty F350's. I think the ride is nice. Looking to buy another work truck in next year or so. It will be a Long Bed F250 or 350.
To the Long vs Standard vs Short Bed question. I doubt it changes ride enough to even notice. That being said, I would not go to a shorter bed.
You are used to a Long Bed and will miss it.
Good chance you will always be thinking/worried about turning clearance which is no issue now unless you set hitch way back in bed or get a sliding hitch.

 

[PSFORD99]

Thats interesting--I've got 100's of thousands of miles on empty F350's. I think the ride is nice. Looking to buy another work truck in next year or so. It will be a Long Bed F250 or 350.
To the Long vs Standard vs Short Bed question. I doubt it changes ride enough to even notice. That being said, I would not go to a shorter bed.
You are used to a Long Bed and will miss it.
Good chance you will always be thinking/worried about turning clearance which is no issue now unless you set hitch way back in bed or get a sliding hitch.

A couple things , have been owning pickups now for 55 years . long bed ,versus the short bed , I prefer the short bed crew cab ,don't care much for the looks of a long bed crew cab . Have had several , back in the day it was the norm , short beds not as common ,but still around . Had several of the regular cab long beds ,because that was what was the most common . My first crew cab was the early 99 Ford Superduty 7.3 diesel short bed , did not miss the long bed back then , or now . I started towing a fifth wheel with the 99 short bed , so yes I am well aware of cab clearance , and have been towing a fifth wheel now for 21 years all with a short bed , 4 different fifth wheels . 2 different trucks , and not once an issue with clearance .

 

[scottz]

I would not own anything other than a long bed. If you use your truck for other things besides towing an RV, as I do, only a long bed will carry a sheet of plywood or 8' lumber unless you want to leave the tailgate down. However, it is a personal preference, get whatever works best for you.

 

[Derby6]

did not miss the long bed back then , or now . I started towing a fifth wheel with the 99 short bed , so yes I am well aware of cab clearance , and have been towing a fifth wheel now for 21 years all with a short bed , 4 different fifth wheels . 2 different trucks , and not once an issue with clearance .

I get it lots of folks tow with short bed. My comments are my thoughts/opinions I shared for OP's consideration as he is used to a Long Bed.

 

[PSFORD99]

I get it lots of folks tow with short bed. My comments are my thoughts/opinions I shared for OP's consideration as he is used to a Long bed .

Me as well , thoughts , and opinions. As well as my experience with a short bed , and for a better choice of words , the scare tactics of hitting the cab , and putting some of that to rest .

 

[Dfb]

Had a mega cab ram with the Anderson hitch.. Trailer hit cab.. Long bed now and dually..

 

[PSFORD99]

Had a mega cab ram with the Anderson hitch.. Trailer hit cab.. Long bed now and dually..

As said in a previous post 21 years towing a fifth wheel with a short bed . First 14-15 years with a manual slider , that I never used . Went to the steel Andersen , wanted a hitch I could remove myself away from home ,so I had the bed clear to haul my inflatable pontoon boat to the lakes fishing when in Montana for the summer with the RV . So for the past 6-7 years it's been the Andersen with a Ram 3500 Mega cab .

I have more clearance with the cab with the Andersen than I did with the manual slider , because of the way the adapter for the Andersen is mounted on the kingpin . I have no doubt someone can make contact with their cab . Not to sound over critical , there are a lot of mistakes one can make with a fifth wheel ,dropping them on the bed of truck , hitting the cab , driving off still pugged into a pedestal , etc etc etc etc .

I have no idea how you hit your cab with the Andersen , and the Ram truck . As said I have the adapter mounted setting the fifth wheel back away from the cab as far as possible . I am sure you were aware there are two different positions for the adapter . Of course the fifth wheel itself , all depends on the position of the kingpin mounted to the fifth wheel ,some extend further out then others , the contours of the front cap, specifically made these days to allow more clearance with the cab for backing ,and turning .

 

[Dfb]

As said in a previous post 21 years towing a fifth wheel with a short bed . First 14-15 years with a manual slider , that I never used . Went to the steel Andersen , wanted a hitch I could remove myself away from home ,so I had the bed clear to haul my inflatable pontoon boat to the lakes fishing when in Montana for the summer with the RV . So for the past 6-7 years it's been the Andersen with a Ram 3500 Mega cab .

I have more clearance with the cab with the Andersen than I did with the manual slider , because of the way the adapter for the Andersen is mounted on the kingpin . I have no doubt someone can make contact with their cab . Not to sound over critical , there are a lot of mistakes one can make with a fifth wheel ,dropping them on the bed of truck , hitting the cab , driving off still pugged into a pedestal , etc etc etc etc .

I have no idea how you hit your cab with the Andersen , and the Ram truck . As said I have the adapter mounted setting the fifth wheel back away from the cab as far as possible . I am sure you were aware there are two different positions for the adapter . Of course the fifth wheel itself , all depends on the position of the kingpin mounted to the fifth wheel ,some extend further out then others , the contours of the front cap, specifically made these days to allow more clearance with the cab for backing ,and turning .

I was guaranteed the trailer and cab would be no problem. While backing into the drive at a near 90, bang, window broke and cab dented. I think the mega cab has a shorter bed. I have also dropped the trailer on the truck. Now have 1 ton dually and no more problems.. They gave my money back on the hitch. 1200 damage to cab and window..