short vs long bed
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From: Colorado
short vs long bed
Is there any real difference in the comfort of the ride between the 6 and 8 foot bed length? I'm setting up to order another 350 PSD and I'm beginning to think that the 8 foot box will give me more options selecting a slidein camper than will the 6' box. However, the camper will not be in the truck most of the time and I'll be dealing with a longer wheel base and much longer vehicle trying to maneuver around in malls and traffic, not to mention extra weight and fuel costs.
Any opinions?
Any opinions?
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From: Medford USA!
Re: short vs long bed
Originally posted by renaissanceman
Is there any real difference in the comfort of the ride between the 6 and 8 foot bed length? I'm setting up to order another 350 PSD and I'm beginning to think that the 8 foot box will give me more options selecting a slidein camper than will the 6' box. However, the camper will not be in the truck most of the time and I'll be dealing with a longer wheel base and much longer vehicle trying to maneuver around in malls and traffic, not to mention extra weight and fuel costs.
Any opinions?
Is there any real difference in the comfort of the ride between the 6 and 8 foot bed length? I'm setting up to order another 350 PSD and I'm beginning to think that the 8 foot box will give me more options selecting a slidein camper than will the 6' box. However, the camper will not be in the truck most of the time and I'll be dealing with a longer wheel base and much longer vehicle trying to maneuver around in malls and traffic, not to mention extra weight and fuel costs.
Any opinions?
A short bed is better off-road, but with a diesel (and its associated weight) I doubt you will be doing much of that.
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Here is why I got the long box...
- 38 gals vs 29 in the short. My V-10 needs all the juice I can carry.
- Tons of room in the bed... 6.5' vs 8'. 4x8 plywood lays on the floor with the gate closed. I can sleep under my topper and carry stuff at the foot of my sleeping bag.
- More stability towing with the longer wheel base. Something to do with the ratio of tow vehicle wheelbase vs length of trailer.
- The mouth-opened gawking effect... I bought my truck in Alaska and have since moved to Arkansas. The long box was pretty standard up in Alaska, but I have only seen a few long box trucks here in Arkansas. When I pull up in my 22' Crew Cab long box 4x4 the local boys stop, stare, and ask if I had to special order my truck to get it this long... I love it.
Edmo
- 38 gals vs 29 in the short. My V-10 needs all the juice I can carry.
- Tons of room in the bed... 6.5' vs 8'. 4x8 plywood lays on the floor with the gate closed. I can sleep under my topper and carry stuff at the foot of my sleeping bag.
- More stability towing with the longer wheel base. Something to do with the ratio of tow vehicle wheelbase vs length of trailer.
- The mouth-opened gawking effect... I bought my truck in Alaska and have since moved to Arkansas. The long box was pretty standard up in Alaska, but I have only seen a few long box trucks here in Arkansas. When I pull up in my 22' Crew Cab long box 4x4 the local boys stop, stare, and ask if I had to special order my truck to get it this long... I love it.
Edmo
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From: Bann, Germany
If like you said you plan on using a slide-in camper, go with the long bed. If you plan on hauling sheets of plywood SAFELY, go with the long bed. If you don't want the "chopped off" appearance (like the 4-door F150s,) go with the long bed. Larger fuel tank? You guessed it, go with the long bed.
Your truck is much more versatile and not much, if any harder to navigate with the 8' bed. Trust me, the streets and lanes here in Germany are way narrower to manoeuvre through.
People here in Germany drive with a sense of urgency and attentiveness that puts the USA to shame, with an accident rate that is much lower than N. America. Although not a written rule, it is usually the larger vehicle that gets the right of way, if and only if two vehicles approach a constricted area where either vehicle legally can go at the same time. As long as you heed the signs and don't pull and idiot (illegal) moves, you stay out of trouble.
Your truck is much more versatile and not much, if any harder to navigate with the 8' bed. Trust me, the streets and lanes here in Germany are way narrower to manoeuvre through.
People here in Germany drive with a sense of urgency and attentiveness that puts the USA to shame, with an accident rate that is much lower than N. America. Although not a written rule, it is usually the larger vehicle that gets the right of way, if and only if two vehicles approach a constricted area where either vehicle legally can go at the same time. As long as you heed the signs and don't pull and idiot (illegal) moves, you stay out of trouble.
Last edited by hughesm1; Dec 28, 2003 at 08:37 AM.
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From: Colorado
Originally posted by hughesm1
Your truck is much more versatile and not much, if any harder to navigate with the 8' bed. Trust me, the streets and lanes here in Germany are way narrower to manoeuvre through.
People here in Germany drive with a sense of urgency and attentiveness that puts the USA to shame, with an accident rate that is much lower than N. America. Although not a written rule, it is usually the larger vehicle that gets the right of way, if and only if two vehicles approach a constricted area where either vehicle legally can go at the same time. As long as you heed the signs and don't pull and idiot (illegal) moves, you stay out of trouble.
Your truck is much more versatile and not much, if any harder to navigate with the 8' bed. Trust me, the streets and lanes here in Germany are way narrower to manoeuvre through.
People here in Germany drive with a sense of urgency and attentiveness that puts the USA to shame, with an accident rate that is much lower than N. America. Although not a written rule, it is usually the larger vehicle that gets the right of way, if and only if two vehicles approach a constricted area where either vehicle legally can go at the same time. As long as you heed the signs and don't pull and idiot (illegal) moves, you stay out of trouble.
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Farms of Duplin County
Long bed for all the reasons mentioned above. Manuevering is not an issue, I have no problems wheeling the CC LB around anywhere. The trick for parking spots is to back in.
I lived in Germany for 12 years and like Hughesm1 said he has no problems, and the roads in Germany would scare the majority of American drivers in some cars for that matter.
Get the Long bed
I lived in Germany for 12 years and like Hughesm1 said he has no problems, and the roads in Germany would scare the majority of American drivers in some cars for that matter.
Get the Long bed
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From: Back in the TX Coast
Longbed it just looks so much better, like hughesm1 I live in frankfurt, germany. I may not make any u turns but i can make one hell of a 3 point turn in NY minute. Curbs are like fiats just a little speed bump. Like someone else said back into your parking space makes for an easy out in case the lot gets crowded.
Just my $.02.
Manny
. Like someone else said back into your parking space makes for an easy out in case the lot gets crowded.Just my $.02.
Manny
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From: Colorado
is there any greater weight carrying capacity in the long box. I KNOW I can get more in but is the GVWR any greater? I guess I can look that up myself in the data bank, can't I?
It appears (if I read the chart correctly) the long box is 158" wheel base rated 3730# and the short box @ 142" wheel base is a little more at 3895#. My novice guess is the larger weight number for the short box is due to the fact it carry's 10 gallons less fuel for starters. In any case the difference in carrying capacity is negligible when you consider the chart numbers are probably conservative and the structural design is probably over-engineered by a cautious company....although, I have no intent or interest in testing that theory out.
It appears (if I read the chart correctly) the long box is 158" wheel base rated 3730# and the short box @ 142" wheel base is a little more at 3895#. My novice guess is the larger weight number for the short box is due to the fact it carry's 10 gallons less fuel for starters. In any case the difference in carrying capacity is negligible when you consider the chart numbers are probably conservative and the structural design is probably over-engineered by a cautious company....although, I have no intent or interest in testing that theory out.
Last edited by renaissanceman; Dec 28, 2003 at 01:31 PM.
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Fort Knox, Kentucky
WOW,
This one brought the Deutchland drivers outta the woodwork!!! Everybody wanted to talk about Germany. OK, OK, I'm jumping in too, brought back a lot of good memories (lived in Germany 1990-94). Had a blazer then, no probs with the towns or the narrow strass. Don't think I would take my SD with me though. Renaissanceman, bottom line is (my opinion) go with the 8ft for crew cab. I have an 8 with ext cab, have had more height probs (garages) than turning probs (although I have given up on the U turn unless I'm in a field. The 8 is the only way to go if you are going to haul at all. My opinion
Regards.
This one brought the Deutchland drivers outta the woodwork!!! Everybody wanted to talk about Germany. OK, OK, I'm jumping in too, brought back a lot of good memories (lived in Germany 1990-94). Had a blazer then, no probs with the towns or the narrow strass. Don't think I would take my SD with me though. Renaissanceman, bottom line is (my opinion) go with the 8ft for crew cab. I have an 8 with ext cab, have had more height probs (garages) than turning probs (although I have given up on the U turn unless I'm in a field. The 8 is the only way to go if you are going to haul at all. My opinion
Regards.