Short Bed or Long Bed?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: West Texas
kevin24...gotta agree with you there...my wife doens't want to drive the shortbox though because she thinks it is too big! Plus it fits in the garage and there is NO WAY I could get a long box in there!
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: I'm lost somewhere in NJ -- can someone please find me?!?!?!?
When I need to haul a load, I wish the bed was 20' long. When I run empty, I wish it was 2' long. 8' long bed is a good comprimise. Also like the better ride of the long bed due to larger wheel base, and the big fuel tank. To each his own -- make up your own mind what you need.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Merced, Ca.
Right on Kevin....
Course in my case my wife and I both hold CDL's. Another point is, I called a 5th wheel dealer and the difference btween a regular 5th wheel hitch and a slider is about a grand. I think the difference btwn. long and short is $300.00?? It's only, what 12" + ask yourself if after a month you couldn't get used to it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
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From: CT
If you landscape (like I do) or do any heavy hauling in the bed, trust me, you'll be happy you got the 8' box. I still have TONS of garbage bags in my bed from a job that required many branches/leaves removed. I'm glad I got the 8'. The more room the better. (that 172" wheel base takes some getting used to though 
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 372
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From: Dayton, OH
Your wife won't want to drive it because it's too big
Gentlemen,
I have to hide my keys each night or the truck won't be there in the morning, And I get stuck with the Intrepid. It isn't fair!
Last edited by Jlower; Sep 29, 2003 at 10:40 PM.
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6
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From: Outside of Toronto Canada
SHORT DEFINATELY
You have an extra fourteen inches of les-manueverability. I have a utility trailer for lumber, logs, firewood. I keep the bed of my truck looking nice because a 50-thousand dollar truck is worth keeping nice. Besides, a 6'-10" shortbed is plenty long enough for everything I use it for. Believe me, it gets used. My 5th wheel hitch has a 12" slider and it works great. No problems manuevering with or without a RV behind me. Hey ... long is good for some, but even if I wanted to haul wood in it, which I don't, six-feet-ten-inches is plenty long enough.
You have an extra fourteen inches of les-manueverability. I have a utility trailer for lumber, logs, firewood. I keep the bed of my truck looking nice because a 50-thousand dollar truck is worth keeping nice. Besides, a 6'-10" shortbed is plenty long enough for everything I use it for. Believe me, it gets used. My 5th wheel hitch has a 12" slider and it works great. No problems manuevering with or without a RV behind me. Hey ... long is good for some, but even if I wanted to haul wood in it, which I don't, six-feet-ten-inches is plenty long enough.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 17
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From: Indiana
Well thanks for the info and advice.
I would still like to try to find out:
How does Ford compensate for the 8" long bed; is the wheelbase actually longer, do they stretch the frame/bed, or just add onto the bed length after the rear tires? Mechanically,structurally, etc.....is anything about the truck different when comparing a long bed to the short bed?
Concerning the gas tank size of the SB compared the the LB, is this an 'upgrade' when going to the LB, that you automatically get a larger capacity gas tank, ir is it an 'option'?
Can anyone verify the gas tank size, 29 gallon for the SB and 38 gallon for the LB? Correct?
Thanks again!!
I would still like to try to find out:
How does Ford compensate for the 8" long bed; is the wheelbase actually longer, do they stretch the frame/bed, or just add onto the bed length after the rear tires? Mechanically,structurally, etc.....is anything about the truck different when comparing a long bed to the short bed?
Concerning the gas tank size of the SB compared the the LB, is this an 'upgrade' when going to the LB, that you automatically get a larger capacity gas tank, ir is it an 'option'?
Can anyone verify the gas tank size, 29 gallon for the SB and 38 gallon for the LB? Correct?
Thanks again!!
Junior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 72
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The frame and Wheelbase are longer, and the fuel tank
is 11 gal more standard on the long bed.
The frame is the same tinsel (SP) strengh, just longer.
Same aplies if you get a CC, or SC, the fame is not streched,
it is longer.
is 11 gal more standard on the long bed.
The frame is the same tinsel (SP) strengh, just longer.
Same aplies if you get a CC, or SC, the fame is not streched,
it is longer.
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Junior User
Joined: May 2003
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As Bartles and Jame once said
" Thank you for your support "
haroutd.
As every one here has said, get what you need.
I drove a short bed Chebby a round for 15 years now, and
just got sick or hauling a 8' sheets of any thing, and having it hanging out the back end. Do I need a LB, no I wanted it.
I was building a house, and wasn't going to drive myself nuts
having lumber 8' 10' 12' 16' long stuff hangin' out the back, or have to pull around a trailer. But you said that you would use it for hauling, but not everyday driving, well IMO the LB is a very nice option to have in your case, but I'm not you, u r. I love my LB,
B_tch to turn from time to time, but when u swing the Big A_s truck out, people give you room...;-)
ALSO there is no need to worry about the structure of a long bed,
it's as strong as they come, even with the CC.
" Thank you for your support "
haroutd.
As every one here has said, get what you need.
I drove a short bed Chebby a round for 15 years now, and
just got sick or hauling a 8' sheets of any thing, and having it hanging out the back end. Do I need a LB, no I wanted it.
I was building a house, and wasn't going to drive myself nuts
having lumber 8' 10' 12' 16' long stuff hangin' out the back, or have to pull around a trailer. But you said that you would use it for hauling, but not everyday driving, well IMO the LB is a very nice option to have in your case, but I'm not you, u r. I love my LB,
B_tch to turn from time to time, but when u swing the Big A_s truck out, people give you room...;-)
ALSO there is no need to worry about the structure of a long bed,
it's as strong as they come, even with the CC.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Los Angeles safe and warm
When I finally decide on a truck it'll be my daily driver but I may end up with a camper as well. Isn't it true the shortbed can carry a heavier although shorter camper?
I also live in Los Angeles where a smaller turning radius will often be of some advantage. I will be getting Crewcab.
I see most prefer a LB.
I'd like to hear more pros for the SB.
How about off-road. SB must be better, right?
And if a longbed rides better because of the longer wheelbase how come the SB doesn't ride better at least empty?
I'm leaning towards the PSD. Would that effect anyone's opinion SB vs LB? The overall range is comparable with 29gal diesel vs 38gal gas.
Maybe I'm trying to justify the fact I like the look of the SB a little more especially as a 4x4.
I also live in Los Angeles where a smaller turning radius will often be of some advantage. I will be getting Crewcab.
I see most prefer a LB.
I'd like to hear more pros for the SB.
How about off-road. SB must be better, right?
And if a longbed rides better because of the longer wheelbase how come the SB doesn't ride better at least empty?
I'm leaning towards the PSD. Would that effect anyone's opinion SB vs LB? The overall range is comparable with 29gal diesel vs 38gal gas.
Maybe I'm trying to justify the fact I like the look of the SB a little more especially as a 4x4.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 987
Likes: 3
From: Bass Lake, CA
WELL, only you can decide...but...
appearance wise = long bed. short looks a bit goofy.
garage = short in most cases. take a tape measure to the dealership to be sure.
turning radius = short bed, but not by much!
driving range = long bed!!!!! i get fuel on sundays, and wednsdays due to the 29g tank. it is the only time i wish i had a long bed.
my other truck is a long bed, and i have never once needed the extra length, thus i bought a sb.
although i like the look of a longbed, you cannot see it when your driving, and screw everyone else on the road, it's my truck.
so i vote, decide for yourself.
good luck either way!
appearance wise = long bed. short looks a bit goofy.
garage = short in most cases. take a tape measure to the dealership to be sure.
turning radius = short bed, but not by much!
driving range = long bed!!!!! i get fuel on sundays, and wednsdays due to the 29g tank. it is the only time i wish i had a long bed.
my other truck is a long bed, and i have never once needed the extra length, thus i bought a sb.
although i like the look of a longbed, you cannot see it when your driving, and screw everyone else on the road, it's my truck.
so i vote, decide for yourself.
good luck either way!
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 519
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From: New York
i decided on the long bed for several reasons, main reason MORE ROOM, most sheet rock/plywood is 4x8, you can fit a 4wheeler no prob with room for my deer and stocked fishing cooler
, you can just fit more then a 6'bed. its more usefull overall. its long with the SC but you'll get the hang of driving it. i been workin with big equipment most of my life so it wasnt anything new. if your not worried about any of the above, get the 6'. if space is not an issue then neither should this question. go for 6' if you dont need the space. good luck with the new truck
-bigdawg
, you can just fit more then a 6'bed. its more usefull overall. its long with the SC but you'll get the hang of driving it. i been workin with big equipment most of my life so it wasnt anything new. if your not worried about any of the above, get the 6'. if space is not an issue then neither should this question. go for 6' if you dont need the space. good luck with the new truck-bigdawg