SWB or LWB
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SWB or LWB
I'm having trouble deciding between a LWB or SWB super cab diesel. The LWB will be better to haul a slide-in pickup camper, but I'm concerned about the performance in the backcountry (pickup only, no camper). I travel in the western US and have always driven Jeeps and small pickups. I'm sure the SWB would be more maneuverable and less likely to high center. But my question is the difference really that great?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com
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From: Oregon-Take me wheeling..
well, a short bed verse a long bed is about 10-12 inches in wheelbase as far as i know. it may be a lil different. its obvious that a shorter truck will be more manuverable, but a longer truck will ride and handle better under laod. i perfer a short box over a long box any day. but thats just me
Idio
Idio
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From: Chatsworth, CA
I say go for the SWB because its an extended cab. My truck has an 8 foot bed but its a regular cab so the wheel base would be the same as a extended cab with a 6 foot bed. It gets pretty tight on some trails out here in Cali. I wouldn't want mine longer thats for sure!
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From: Senoia, GA
look at what i drive! i surprise a lot of people of where i go! i can usually keep up with little jeeps and landcruisers!
I heard a qoute and I really liked it....."Wheelbase is what you make of it!"
go with what you feel comfortable. I'd say get the lwb and be careful and think twice about where you go.
Hell talk to Ivan...me and him are in the same boat! We prolly have the 2 longest trucks here who wheel quite a bit!
-jason-
I heard a qoute and I really liked it....."Wheelbase is what you make of it!"
go with what you feel comfortable. I'd say get the lwb and be careful and think twice about where you go.
Hell talk to Ivan...me and him are in the same boat! We prolly have the 2 longest trucks here who wheel quite a bit!
-jason-
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From: Spokane, WA
I have a 155 inch wheel base. If you're doing trails it's a little tricky, I'd recommend a short wheel base for that. If you're more concerned about hauling a camper, etc. then stick with a long wheel base, they're more stable. For what it's worth I've done some stupid stuff with my long truck and have yet to get it high centered.
EDIT: Come to think of it my issue with trails is not so much the length of my truck as it is the width. Unless you plan on going to a Heep or something tiny this isn't going to change. I squeeze through some pretty tight spots and you should see the look on the dirt biker's faces when I come barreling down their little trails head on.
Jason is right, wheelbase is what you make of it. I do find that I have a much easier time climbing the steep slopes than some of the short rigs.
EDIT: Come to think of it my issue with trails is not so much the length of my truck as it is the width. Unless you plan on going to a Heep or something tiny this isn't going to change. I squeeze through some pretty tight spots and you should see the look on the dirt biker's faces when I come barreling down their little trails head on.
Jason is right, wheelbase is what you make of it. I do find that I have a much easier time climbing the steep slopes than some of the short rigs.
Last edited by ivanribic; Apr 15, 2004 at 05:19 PM.
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From: Auburn,Al
just dont be scared of body damage and use trees as a pivot point to make tight turns
i bet you think im jokin too
i hate a truck that dont have a long bed...especially if you are gonna put a toolbox back there
i bet you think im jokin too
i hate a truck that dont have a long bed...especially if you are gonna put a toolbox back there
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Joined: May 2000
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From: Senoia, GA
Originally Posted by 85351ho
just dont be scared of body damage and use trees as a pivot point to make tight turns
i bet you think im jokin too
i hate a truck that dont have a long bed...especially if you are gonna put a toolbox back there
i bet you think im jokin too
i hate a truck that dont have a long bed...especially if you are gonna put a toolbox back there
yay for body damage!-jason-
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Post Fiend
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From: Oregon
I have more problems with my width, than my length too. None of our fullsizes our optimal for tight trails, but as long as your comfortable with your body have lots of "character" than you'll be fine. You always know which trails Ho went down because there will kubota orange paint scraped off on the rocks...the trees... 
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From: Pittsburgh
Start LWB, then if you decide it's too much all you have to do is lop 16" out of the frame and weld it back together. My truck is the first fullsize i've wheeled (even though i haven't done much with it, yet. need better rubber) and i agree that width is a bigger issue than length. What i've done to pull tight turns is to plant the e-brake and shift into front range, rear neutral (twin stick is SOOO nice ), cut the wheels, and nail the gas. I have a 133" WB and measured that i can turn around in about 300" (25') from a stand still. that's over 10 feet better than what i can do just turning around normal.
Justin
My truck is the first fullsize i've wheeled (even though i haven't done much with it, yet. need better rubber) and i agree that width is a bigger issue than length. What i've done to pull tight turns is to plant the e-brake and shift into front range, rear neutral (twin stick is SOOO nice ), cut the wheels, and nail the gas. I have a 133" WB and measured that i can turn around in about 300" (25') from a stand still. that's over 10 feet better than what i can do just turning around normal.Justin
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From: Chatsworth, CA
You can also swap in some 2 1/2 ton Rockwell's both with full hydraulic steering and you'd be good to go! That would help you get around those tight corners. Wow a new SD PSD with Rockwells and 49" Irok tires sounds sweet! Just need the $$$$$$!
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i'm hoping with the lift and tires i can get farther down the trails with those heeps and zuki's. i've spooked a few people with my s/c l/b on the trails. i have full length running boards out of 2" x 3/8 pipe so i don't get alot of body damage by loving it up with a tree in a tight turn
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From: Florida Hill Country
Originally Posted by proeliator
. . . You always know which trails Ho went down because there will kubota orange paint scraped off on the rocks...the trees...
Last edited by rlh; Apr 16, 2004 at 10:14 PM.
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From: USA
If you're hauling a slide-in camper, go for the long bed truck, especially if you plan to pull a trailer with the camper on. I go off road with my Crew Cab long bed truck and yeah it's not great for tight areas, but out here in the CA desert things are fairly open so it's not a big deal. I have the early-Bronco for tight stuff