TV: 8' truck bed, or shorter?

[blacklab]

Since I may be purchasing a new 3/4 ton Diesel truck (4 x 4, Crew Cab likely), I'll need to decide on bed length.

Besides cargo space, what are the pros/cons of a longer bed vs. a shorter bed for a TV towing an AS?

Thanks.

Cheers,

Bryan

[John Ware]

I had a SuperCab F250 with an 8' bed and as far as towing it was great. Finding a parking space unhooked was a different story. These days parking lots and garages are made for tiny cars. I also carried 2 sacks of concrete for added weight over the axles for traction.

[Bobbo]

Standard length trucks:
1. regular cab with 8' bed
2. extended cab with 6.5' bed
3. crew cab with 5.5' bed

An extended cab with an 8' bed is long.
A crew cab with a 6.5' bed is long.
A crew cab with an 8' bed is very long.

[tbrowne]

The standard bed on a new Chevrolet 2500HD Crew Cab is 6ft 8in long. That's a lot of space and should be sufficient for most buyers. 8ft beds are great for those that regularly haul long loads in the bed, such as plywood sheets. The standard bed is still a long truck but you will find one easier to park and maneuver than than one with an 8ft bed.

[SeeMore]

While the bed lengthchoices are listed as 6.5' vs 8', in reality the overall measurable difference, bumper-to-bumper, is 20" for the Ram line between like cab models. As mentioned above, the extra length is more than noticeable when parking in standard lots or maneuvering in decks. It may dissuade many spouses from ever driving the larger length after unhitching.

[jeffmc306]

After three years I’m happy with the 6’ 4” bed on our RAM 2500 Crew Cab. It’s manageable to park and still fits in the garage and tighter turning radius than an 8’ bed. Cargo space is manageable for our needs.

YMMV

[blacklab]

Here are the profiles of the 2021 GMC 2500.

Presumably, the new 2024 (available this Spring) will be the same or close. TBD.

Thanks.

Cheers,

Bryan

[Makib]

On Fords you get a larger fuel tank with the 8 foot bed I believe.

[Fungus]

So many considerations…

If you travel far away from home you may feel the need to carry more gear for the inevitable breakdowns of one variety or another. A bigger truck bed carries more gear. For example, on long excursions I carry spare brake assemblies and the tools to install them on the road. Trips close to home don’t require that gear because I can run home if needed or tow with three trailer brakes.

Is it a dedicated tow vehicle? No worries re parking it.

Will it fit into the garage? I’d prefer the biggest bed offered. However, my wimp garage won’t accommodate an eight-foot bed. And I surely don’t want to expose it overnight to the Austin crime wave. The shorter F-250 bed works fine for my style of camping.

[CRH]

I have a 8ft Crew. I like the extra cargo space.

[SallyForth]

We towed our toy hauler with an F350 extended cab with a 8-foot bed. The longer wheel based added to stability.

But, like a government job that consumes all of the money allocated for it, you will fill the 8’ bed of a tow vehicle as quickly as a 5-1/2’ bed.

[rideair]

As "Makib" pointed out, "Long-bed, bigger tank".

Not sure on the newer models, nor other manufactures, but on the 1999-2007 SD trucks (if memory is correct), the short bed had a 29gal tank, the long bed had a 38gal tank. I've personally got both kinds of trucks, and hate towing with the short bed, seems like I'm always having to stop for diesel.

Just a thought,

[Thiss]

I have an 8’ crew. I like the extra space, it looks cooler (I have a crew shortbed too and really had to get the right stance with a little lift to have it look just right) and the longer wheel base makes a more stable towing platform.

[rbs]

We always buy the CCSB, simply easier to maneuver and don't need the extra room. I seriously doubt you would ever notice any difference in ride while towing, probably not much if any otherwise. Believe me the short bed is hard enough to maneuver and besides the long bed wouldn't fit into my garage with any room to spare. Go drive both

[Silvr_Bullet]

Longer trailer longer truck, many ( not all ) camping experiences will be in camping spots where length is not an issue. Smaller trailers like shorter trucks to maximize the smaller lifestyle where length matters, that foot and a half shorter bed can make or break maneuvering into a desired camping spot. I lost one of my favorite camping spots going from a Grand Cherokee to a Ram 1500.

[gypsydad]

The 3/4T short bed is still a foot longer in wheel base than a 1/2T with short bed. Love the 3/4T for towing, but for towing with the AS, navigating parking lots, standard garages for some folks, the standard bed presents enough challenges. If your not carrying a lot of "stuff" and do not need a long bed, like others above mention...go with the short bed.

[Mollysdad]

Since I wanted to make a U-turn on a six lane highway, and park in a normal space, I opted for the 6.5' bed and extra cab (not crew cab).
I don't think the 4.5' bed offered enough carrying space, and I didn't need a big back seat (for the dog)

[blacklab]

Thanks to all.

Yep, lots of considerations to factor in.

And yes, some of our favorite campsites for our fishing expeditions have length limits that may preclude a CC + 8' bed + 27' GT.

Cheers,

Bryan

[RamRider]

I like the long bed (and crew cab) it's a lot easier to load up bikes, grills, chairs, generators, and other supplies. Our first consideration is travel and pulling our airstream, our secondary concern is parking at Walmart.

[glenrms]

And the turning radius is about the same as a freight train!