What size TV bed for a CC38EL

[scottcmb]

Hi people... is a standard 6.5 foot standard bed suitable to tow a CC38EL?.... I'm thinking about purchasing and importing a second hand Dodge Ram 3500HD Mega crew cab.... what are your guys expert thoughts?

Cheers Scotty

[spock123]

I personally like a long bed crew cab, truck rides better empty

[Kimber45]

with the right hitch and set up the length of your bed should not matter, other then your own personal choice. I would love an 8 foot bed but with 4 doors on my truck its already hard enough to find parking spots.

[rugersdad]

The long bed is a lot more useful as well as smoother. I started with a std bed and ended up with a long bed dually and it is night and day difference in comfort in my opinion.

[mlatter]

I'll throw in another vote for a long bed. Messing with a slider hitch is not worth it to save 1.5'. My next truck will definitely be a long box, and a dually if I can swing DW that far.

[Splashes3]

OP - yes, but to be safe, you should get a slider hitch. I had a slider for my CC 32WRL Silverback, pulled by my 2008 GMC 2500 crew cab, std bed...the rig had the cut-out front corners, and we never needed the slider, but it was always there if I did.

mlatter - I bet your 2009 2500 TV gets pushed around by that big, heavy CC 36CKTS....my 2008 2500 D/A did with our 32WRL CC Silverback...which was much lighter than your 36CKTS.

[mwdilday]

You need a dually for a CC 38EL. 18,000 lbs is just too much for a SRW. Long bed is better for such a rig for sure.

[mlatter]

Originally Posted by Splashes3

mlatter - I bet your 2009 2500 TV gets pushed around by that big, heavy CC 36CKTS....my 2008 2500 D/A did with our 32WRL CC Silverback...which was much lighter than your 36CKTS.

You would think so, but I have put 10's of thousands of miles on it and it has felt stable the entire time. Most of the miles were up and down the east coast from Nova Scotia to Florida once or twice a year since new.
I did add air bags to keep it level and Rancho RS9000XL shocks, set at the highest setting - those two things made a huge difference. Also the Demco Glide Ride pin box helps a lot with the feeling of being pushed around.
But I will agree that a completely stock setup would not be ideal for that truck/trailer combo.

[mlatter]

Originally Posted by mwdilday

You need a dually for a CC 38EL. 18,000 lbs is just too much for a SRW. Long bed is better for such a rig for sure.

I believe the '18 F350 SRW is rated for 18,000 for 5th wheel towing.

https://www.ford.com/cmslibs/content...tyPU_Nov27.pdf

[xd40c]

My F350 Crew Cab with 8’ bed and 42’ CC Silverback is damn near as long as a full size tractor and trailer. That said, I believe the extra wheel base does make it handle a little better.

[Indymule]

I can't speak to a short bed truck. I tow a 38EL with a F350 dually long bed and I can tell you that it handles great. I have been in a tight fit in a campground and the camper needed the full bed length to allow me to make the turn. Normal driving conditions you have plenty of room but at 62 feet total length, campgrounds can get really tight.

[Jim34RL]

I tow with a short bed truck a 2008, Dodge Mega Cab 6.7L Cummins. The trucks wheel base is longer than a Reg Cab Long Bed truck so, how can the ride be better in a long bed truck? For the model year 2008, the Quad Cab long bed truck has the same wheel base so, the ride is no different.

I would recommend that you purchase a slider hitch either a manual slider or automatic slider hitch for a short bed truck. The Demco Glide auto slider with the correct pin box will not need a puck like the Pullrite super glide hitch that does requires a adapter plate.

I am using a Demco Glide auto hitch with a TrailAir pinbox pulling a 34RL Cedar Creek.

[magi]

I pull a 2017 38el with a 2011 f350 short bed, SRW. I have only had to setup since the behind of this year. I have a manual slider, but have never had to us it yet because of the curved shall of the front cap, but it is nice to know if I get into an incredibly tight spot it is there.

Sent from my XT1080 using Forest River Forums mobile app

[brusso]

Originally Posted by magi

I pull a 2017 38el with a 2011 f350 short bed, SRW. I have only had to setup since the behind of this year. I have a manual slider, but have never had to us it yet because of the curved shall of the front cap, but it is nice to know if I get into an incredibly tight spot it is there.

Sent from my XT1080 using Forest River Forums mobile app

I pull a 17 38EL with an 08 f350 extend cab long bed srw with air lift 5000 and trail air. It handles just fine. Have done it for 2 years and about 8000 miles.

[cfiowa]

Originally Posted by rugersdad

The long bed is a lot more useful as well as smoother. I started with a std bed and ended up with a long bed dually and it is night and day difference in comfort in my opinion.

X2

[Rich5117]

Truck will pull it, but you will probably be over on cargo weight.

[tomkatb]

We have a ram short bed and the Anderson hitch. Turns far enough. Will cause tires to scrape sideways.

I have read from truck drivers they prefer the shorter truck for maneuverability. Easier to,park.