Long bed or short bed?

[Campster]

I was curious as to what size bed the fifth wheelers are pulling with. Is one size bed better for this then the other or does it even make a difference? Any advantages from one to the other?

Thanks

[08flagvlite]

Most come with the shorter bed, whether or not they have a slide out bedroom. That way it is cheaper for them to just stock one size queen bed mattress. IF they have a slide, they normally also have an east/west bed setup in them-(mattress sits side to side v. front to back) to get more floor space, and that shorter mattress adds 3 additional inches of floor space to the room. However, your feet might stick out if your'e over 5'11". Randy

[Campster]

Sorry, must not of been very clear. I meant truck bed lengths. Short bed or long bed..

[08flagvlite]

Yeah, I realized that error after I sent the post. MyBAD!!!!

[Glenn5995]

One is not "better" than the other. It is simply a matter of personal preference and needs. A long bed has the advantage of more cargo space and no concerns about the front of the fifth wheel hitting the cab. Down side is a wider turning radius when configured with a crew cab. It can make maneuvering/parking difficult, may not fit in some garages and if it you do much off road driving can make turns on trails difficult or impossible.

A short bed makes the truck more maneuverable with a tighter turning radius, but you have less cargo space in the bed and may need a slider hitch, either manual or automatic. You just have to decide what your needs are and what is more important.

[flyrotor]

All is opinion and preference, some like the shorter bed for advantages like Glenn has mentioned, I personally like the longer bed. I pull a bumper hitch trailer, not a fifth wheel, but my preferences are much more for using it to pick up lumber, hauling loads of wood bark, dirt, etc. And yes, as Glenn mentioned, I need a football field to turn around and I walk farther in parking lots.

[BOBFIDY]

However, your feet might stick out if your'e over 5'11". Randy .....

If your feet stick out of my 8' bed...I WILL NOT mess with you.

BOB

[wayne anthony]

Generally the longer bed has a larger gas tank, (used to be 28 gal. for short Ford, 38 for long, and GM 26 and 34). Wayne

[74bronco]

Originally Posted by wayne anthony

Generally the longer bed has a larger gas tank, (used to be 28 gal. for short Ford, 38 for long, and GM 26 and 34). Wayne

But the Dodge pickups have the same 36 gal tank...short bed or long.

[Rugged Brown]

I have a Dodge with a 6.5 ft bed and a large 120 litre gas tank. My fifth wheel is equipped with a Reese Revolution Pin which completely negates the need of a sliding hitch, even though I have one of those too. The dealer threw it in at the same cost as a fix hitch. I will strongly recommend the Reese Revolution. It works great, you can literally turn on a dime with absolutely no worry of hitting the cab.

[Labzy]

What truck do you have 'Rugged?'

We have the short bed and it is a big truck nonetheless....

You rarely see the true 8ft long beds anymore..........

[Rugged Brown]

I have Ram 1500 quad cab with the Hemi and 3.92 gears and added Timbren SES.

[Maxterra]

My two cents, the larger & longer the tow rig, the better the ride, handling, and steering will be (primarily tongue-pull trailers that is).
The shorter and lighter weight the vehicle is, it will be more prone to the trailer "driving" the truck instead of the other way around.

I don't know how many times I've seen a small vehicle rolled (or the evidence of the aftermath, skidmarks from L to R increasing in size) just over the crest of summit where it got the death sway going as soon as he
let off the gas on the downhill side.

I always see the guy who bought too small a vehicle, and then has to add overload springs, air bags, etc, etc just to make it function at all, and it still doesn't do the job adequately in towing capacity, power, breaking and overall safety.

After spending my entire life in RV's from tent trailers, campers, TT's, Minihomes, always bring enough tow-vehicle!

[Labzy]

Originally Posted by Rugged Brown

I have Ram 1500 quad cab with the Hemi and 3.92 gears and added Timbren SES.

Same, but we have the crew cab.

What is the 'Timbren SES'?

[Rugged Brown]

Originally Posted by Labzy

Same, but we have the crew cab.

What is the 'Timbren SES'?

Vehicle Suspension Kits - Timbren Suspension Enhancement Systems

[Glenn5995]

I am also using the Timbren SES:



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Fifth wheel hitched