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Old 08-03-2014, 09:10 PM   #1
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Truck Bed Length

So I'm buying my first truck in a couple months and then the 26BH shortly after that. Any advise on truck bed length (5.7 vs 6)? I prefer a short bed as it would be easier to maneuver around town. Thanks in advance.
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Old 08-03-2014, 09:28 PM   #2
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I may be misunderstanding you, but 6' is a short bed. What model truck you looking at? Using a 4-door Dodge as an example, the way I understand it is that the overall length of the truck is the same on a 5.7' or 6' bed. The 5.7' is the mega-cab, which adds extra cab space but takes it away from the bed. The 6' is the quad cab. Smaller cab, but more bed. No difference in maneuvering around town.
Toss a true 8' long bed in there, that could be a behemoth around town.
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Old 08-03-2014, 09:32 PM   #3
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Mine is 6.5' ... a long bed 8'.

I like my 6.5' bed, my dad has 5.5' and I personally think it's to short when you need to use your truck as a truck.
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Old 08-04-2014, 05:50 AM   #4
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We tow our 264BH with a 2014 GMC Sierra crew cab with the "standard" box which is 6.5'. Although I haven't had any problems at all getting around in traffic or getting into tight camping spots, a short bed truck may give you a little more maneuverability. It's just a matter of getting used to the extra length. The longer wheelbase does give you a better, more stable tow vehicle. Overall, it isn't going to make that much difference.
All the manufactures use a different term to describe truck bed length. For example: General Motors has 3 different sizes, short box at 5.5', standard box at 6.5' and long box at 8'. Not all bed sizes are available on all models.
Good luck with your decision.
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Old 08-04-2014, 06:35 AM   #5
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For stability towing you want the ball/hitch as close to the rear axle as possible. BUT the difference between a 5.7 and 6 is not enough to worry about. Pick the one you like the best.
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Old 08-04-2014, 06:47 AM   #6
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I have the 6.5' and I love it. Not too big but big enough to get all of my hunting gear and fishing stuff into. And you can put 8' boards in it too if need be. If you ever are considering a fifth wheel, I'd go at least 6.5'.
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Old 08-04-2014, 07:53 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pawpaw View Post
All the manufactures use a different term to describe truck bed length. For example: General Motors has 3 different sizes, short box at 5.5', standard box at 6.5' and long box at 8'. Not all bed sizes are available on all models.
Good luck with your decision.
To muck that up even more, it depends on what generation of truck you are talking about. My 2008 Sierra has a short bed which in that generation of GM truck is 5' 8".
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Old 08-04-2014, 08:49 AM   #8
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Howie- you're absolutely right.
The truck I want to buy is a 2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel Crewcab built to tow. The only bed configuration is either a 5.7' or a 6.4' (my mistake)...8' not an option. So like you guys said, there probably won't be any difference in towing the trailer. The 6.4' is rated to tow a few hundred lbs less so I'm leaning 5.7'.
Thanks again for all the responses.
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Old 08-04-2014, 09:15 AM   #9
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To muck that up even more, it depends on what generation of truck you are talking about. My 2008 Sierra has a short bed which in that generation of GM truck is 5' 8".
That is true. I forgot about that in my Dodge example. I think they changed in 2010?
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Old 08-04-2014, 11:42 PM   #10
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With most truck beds I think you will find the distance from the rear tires to the bumper will be the same on short or long bed trucks.
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Old 08-05-2014, 04:03 PM   #11
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I love the 8 ft beds. Lots room for golf cart or rzr or teryx.(2013 or older) and generator, fuel, water, bikes, whatever.
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Old 08-05-2014, 04:21 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Spur View Post
The truck I want to buy is a 2015 Ram 1500 Ecodiesel Crewcab built to tow.
Not trying to start a brand war because I really like the new Ram 2500 and love the idea of the Ecodiesel... but the Ram 1500 quad cab with the lightest trim (and most available payload) is a MAXIMUM of 1300 lbs payload and 7800 lbs towing. When I punched the numbers into Ram's site, it only gave me the option of the 6-4 bed with the lightest trim.

Make sure your payload numbers are ok before you buy. Nothing worse then dropping $35K on a truck that doesn't meet your needs for towing.
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Old 08-05-2014, 04:41 PM   #13
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9200 # on the Eco diesel.
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Old 08-05-2014, 05:21 PM   #14
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9200 # on the Eco diesel.
9200 MAX on the Eco diesel... The quad cab lowers it, 4x4 lowers it, higher trim lowers it.

I went to their website (http://www.ramtrucks.com/en/towing_guide/) and went to "look up my vehicle" and punched in the specs listed by the OP. I assumed SLT trim, because I think that is the lowest trim level. It has 1,299 payload and 8800 lbs towing ( I mistyped when I wrote 7800, my bad).

If you get a more loaded Ram like the Big Horn, you drop down to 7800 lbs towing, but still have 1,299 payload.

Its certainly a great sounding truck, especially if you tow light. For an RV though, its limiting in payload and tow capacity.
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Old 08-07-2014, 07:12 AM   #15
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we have a long bed (8 foot) so we can put 12 foot Kayak and bikes in bed and still pull the TT, and when working around the home still put a 8 foot sheet of plywood in it with the tailgate closed.
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Old 08-07-2014, 07:27 AM   #16
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X2 on the 8" bed.
More towing capacity in Ford, more stability towing, more room for "stuff".
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Old 08-07-2014, 08:31 AM   #17
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Driving around town will be different no matter which bed length you choose. I don't do much "street" parking and I walk more than I might if I owned a small car, but I enjoy it. My wife says "take my car" and I jump in my truck. I back into a parking place because it's easy with the backup camera and gives better visability than looking over the fenders. You will get used to whatever you pick but it will be different. I can't imagine not having a pickup truck in the driveway. If I went outside and saw 2 cars in my driveway I would go running like a crazy man trying to wake myself up from this nightmare......just kidding.
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Old 08-07-2014, 10:18 AM   #18
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Not trying to start a brand war because I really like the new Ram 2500 and love the idea of the Ecodiesel... but the Ram 1500 quad cab with the lightest trim (and most available payload) is a MAXIMUM of 1300 lbs payload and 7800 lbs towing. When I punched the numbers into Ram's site, it only gave me the option of the 6-4 bed with the lightest trim.

Make sure your payload numbers are ok before you buy. Nothing worse then dropping $35K on a truck that doesn't meet your needs for towing.

I appreciate what you're saying. The payload number freaked me out at first. I plan to buy the Laramie trim level. With four of us in the truck I'm left with a little over 600lbs. of payload. If I purchase the JayFlight 26bh I'll be a little over in terms of payload. However, I'm more concerned with the GCVR of the truck. After subtracting everything I should be left with 7900lbs. of towing. The 26bh maxes out at 7000lbs. so I think I should be fine. Would you agree?
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Old 08-07-2014, 02:25 PM   #19
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Its ultimately up to you, since you are the one driving. Your tongue weight will probably be 700 to 800 lbs. That would put you about 100 or 200 lbs over your payload numbers. I personally wouldn't be comfortable doing that, but chances are that you will never have a problem. The important numbers to be mindful of are your axle rating and tire ratings. You don't want to exceed your axle ratings. Make sure your tires are rated for the weight you are putting on them. I like to have at least 10 or 20% extra weight rating on tires. My Tundra has E rated tires that can handle almost DOUBLE my trucks GVWR. I like overkill =)!

I know plenty of people that are over their payload numbers and never had a problem. I know that the numbers the manufacturers use are often arbitrary. They want to deliver maximum payload numbers with minimal warranty issues, so it is a compromise when they land at the payload numbers.

I would GUESS that if you tow infrequently (less then 16 times a year) and are slightly overloaded relatively few times you will likely have no problems at all. I know my luck though... I would get in an accident and be 10 lbs over payload and get sued civilly.

The Ram sounds like a great truck though. My buddy has a newer Ram 1500 with the 5.7 Hemi and LOVES it. My next truck will likely be a Ram 2500 with the 6.4 Hemi. Whatever you decide I hope you enjoy it, drive it safely and have lots of fun camping brother!!!
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Old 08-07-2014, 02:59 PM   #20
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I have two trucks with 6.5 beds, ext cab and crew. All my previous trucks had 8' beds. I must say there are plenty of times when I miss that 1.5'.....
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