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Old 01-22-2016, 03:33 PM   #1
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Ram long bed vs short bed

Looking to buy a Ram 2500 or 3500 with the crew cab. My brother has a 3500 with the 8 ft ( long ) bed. Says it's great for his 5th wheel. He thinks backing a 5th wheel into a tight turn with the short bed would possibly cause the trailer to hit the cab. So for that reason he's glad to have the longer bed. However, he says the truck is so long, he has trouble parking sometimes. In fact, he says he's given up sometimes on parking & just gone home.

So my question is to anybody with a crew cab short bed. Any problems backing your 5th wheel? Do you ever wish you'd gone with a long bed?

Thanks,
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If this has been covered, sorry. I tried to search, but having issues with this tablet.
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Old 01-22-2016, 04:03 PM   #2
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First, I would encourage you to buy a 3500 if you plan to tow a 5th wheel. Minimal price difference, but substantially more payload. On the Ram, there is a difference in the rear axle between the 2500 and 3500, as well as different suspension between the 2. The 2500 is under rated to keep it under the 10K GVWR, but its better to just get the 1 ton the first time.

Second, it depends on what 5er you purchase. The newer 5ers have rounded caps, which allow you to turn 90 degrees without hitting the cab. You also have the option of a slider hitch, which will prevent damage to your cab.

Personally, for ease of driving all the time I prefer the 6.5 foot bed. I don't tow a 5er, but I would likely still keep the standard bed even if I did.
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Old 01-22-2016, 04:04 PM   #3
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Ram long bed vs short bed

I have a short bed (6.5') but not a fifth wheel. With a short bed you can get a slider hitch and not worry about hitting the cab with the trailer.

I kind of wish I had a long bed for when I tow with the golf cart in the bed. But a longer truck will require more room as your brother has stated. Good luck.
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Old 01-22-2016, 04:26 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by tuckerdog1 View Post
Looking to buy a Ram 2500 or 3500 with the crew cab. My brother has a 3500 with the 8 ft ( long ) bed. Says it's great for his 5th wheel. He thinks backing a 5th wheel into a tight turn with the short bed would possibly cause the trailer to hit the cab. So for that reason he's glad to have the longer bed. However, he says the truck is so long, he has trouble parking sometimes. In fact, he says he's given up sometimes on parking & just gone home.

So my question is to anybody with a crew cab short bed. Any problems backing your 5th wheel? Do you ever wish you'd gone with a long bed?

Thanks,
Tuckerdog1

If this has been covered, sorry. I tried to search, but having issues with this tablet.
I drive a F-350 (Ford) short bed with a Pullrite Superglide hitch to give me the best of both the world's you described. I have more payload capacity, reasonable length and don't have to worry about 5'er hitting the cab.

A lot of people worry about cost of a slider after spending 50k on a truck and 30k on a camper. I didn't and don't regret it.
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Old 01-22-2016, 04:33 PM   #5
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I have a 2015 3500 crew cab 4x4, SRW with an 8' bed. I'm using a B&W Companion hitch. Great to just pull out the hitch and have a full size bed to use without rails left behind. I'm towing a 36REQS and don't even know it's back there.
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Old 01-22-2016, 04:58 PM   #6
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3500 long box all the way! You'll get used to parking it. Just have to park a little ways further from the store. The difference in the 3/4 ton to the 1 ton is a lot beefier frame, brakes,suspension.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:07 PM   #7
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The difference in the 3/4 ton to the 1 ton is a lot beefier frame, brakes,suspension.
Same frame.
Same brakes.
Rear axles on the SRW 3500 are rated at 7000 lbs, on the 2500 are rated at 6500 lbs... hardly a "lot beefier".

As I stated, the 3/4 ton truck is limited by the class weight rating of 10K lbs. The actual capabilities between the two are pretty minimal. The coil springs on the 2500 have 500 lbs less capacity than the leaf springs on the 3500. Tow ratings are the same, the only difference is the class restriction on the 3/4 ton.

It is a pet peeve of mine when people post wildly inaccurate information on a forum in response to a legitimate question.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:14 PM   #8
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Didn't mean frame. Meant to say axle. But I love seeing the comments.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:43 PM   #9
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Having drove and pulled with both, im a long bed DRW fan. Yup, they are a bit harder to park, tight in the drive throughs, and gotta swing wider in the tight curves, but its worth it to me.

I have the B&W campanion slider hitch in my short bed f-250. The camper will hit the cab in the towing position. Slide it back, plenty of clearance. Its not a big inconvenience to slide it, but after having both I still prefer a long bed. If you want a tool box and firewood room, long bed is almost a must imo.

I pick up a DRW 3500 laramie 6.7 cummins next week....wont have to fool with the slider no more.
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Old 01-22-2016, 06:49 PM   #10
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I have never had a short bed truck to pull a 5'er so cannot give you a difference in towing comfort. If you are going strictly with the Ram there are few considerations to take into account based on current model year. If buying used then you really need to do some homework.

2500:
Does not give you an Aisin option only 68rfe
Rear is only 3.42 with Cummins
Cummins is the same as 3500
Frames are same as 3500
Air suspension for rear
5th wheel prep option
exhaust brake with Cummins

3500 SRW:
Rear options are limited to 3.42 and 3.73 with Cummins
Rear air bags are option
Aisin 69 version in 2014 and newer. Beefier shaft.
5th wheel prep option
Exhaust brake with Cummins

3500 DRW:
Every rear is available, but come mostly with 3.42 or 4.10 if max tow. Very few 3.73's out there.
Aisin option
Rear air bag option
5th wheel prep option
exhaust brake with Cummins

Then there are the mega cab options too.

What you did not mention was the weight and/or length of the 5'er you were looking at which might give you even more specific information from a member with a similar setup.

Is it easy to park, no. But I do it and get a little extra exercise in the process.

There are some comments that a long bed is better for towing comfort vs a short bed, but again I have not done both so cannot confirm.

I would go with more truck than you need when it comes to 5'th wheel towing. Some have said the 3.42's struggle with 10K plus towing and pull in 5th gear to compensate.
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Old 01-22-2016, 07:02 PM   #11
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3500 SRW:
Rear options are limited to 3.42 and 3.73 with Cummins.
Incorrect. Ram 3500 with the SRW and Cummins only comes with the 3.42 axle. Gas engines will allow you other ratios.

Once you go to the DRW, you can get 3.42, 3.73 or 4.10.

Literally the ONLY mechanical difference between the 2500 and 3500 SRW is the 500 lbs difference on the rear axle due to the leaf springs or air bags. The parts are all the same outside of the suspension.
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Old 01-22-2016, 07:59 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the comments. I don't currently have a 5th wheel, or have a specific one in mind. Just planning for the future. Want to get something that would fit "most" anything we might consider.

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Old 01-22-2016, 08:00 PM   #13
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Let's please not turn this into a I know more than you kinda thread.
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Old 01-22-2016, 08:34 PM   #14
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Let's please not turn this into a I know more than you kinda thread.
I hope this comment isn't directed at me... I'm simply trying to provide TRUTHFUL information, therefore correcting false info. If the OP would prefer to listen to speculation and false info, I will respect his wishes and stop posting factual information.
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Old 01-22-2016, 08:44 PM   #15
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Spoon is correct. I never understood why Ram made the 3.42 the only available ratio for SRW cummins trucks. If you go with the gas option, they are no 3.42 ratio ( which would be useless in a gas engine) and 3.73 is standard and 4.10 is optional.

Now, since 2014 I think, the 2500s have a coil spring 5 link rearend. The SRW 3500s are still leaf sprung.
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Old 01-22-2016, 08:58 PM   #16
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Spoon is correct. I never understood why Ram made the 3.42 the only available ratio for SRW cummins trucks. If you go with the gas option, they are no 3.42 ratio ( which would be useless in a gas engine) and 3.73 is standard and 4.10 is optional.

Now, since 2014 I think, the 2500s have a coil spring 5 link rearend. The SRW 3500s are still leaf sprung.

I can't speak to the new Rams but my 2005 3500 SRW Cummins has a 4:10 rear end.
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:04 PM   #17
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We have a 2013 3500 srw crew cab (6'5) box. Love it. A slider hitch removes the problem of hitting the cab in a tight turn and the truck is great as a driver when not hooked up. I traded my 2011 Laramie drw long box for this truck and have not regretted the trade. Mine has the Cummins, 3:42 rear, and the Aisin transmission. It's a beast and hauls my 351 RSTS beautifully. Either way you won't go wrong but the short box is somewhat more "user friendly".

FYI with the 3:42 I'm turning around 1900 rpm at 60mph getting 13 mpg. Unless you really need the extra towing capacity I see no reason to go to a bigger ratio. Typically the payload will limit you before the towing capacity.
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:10 PM   #18
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We're Ford folks.......but look at our TV and 5th below. We cannot make a full-lock U-turn without buying a new rear window. We have a non-slider B&W that fits the factory "puck" mount.
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:33 PM   #19
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I can't speak to the new Rams but my 2005 3500 SRW Cummins has a 4:10 rear end.
Yup, not doubting you. Im not sure when they started but I've looked hard at trucks for awhile and I know the 15s and 16s are 3.42 for srw.
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Old 01-22-2016, 09:56 PM   #20
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I guess maybe they could be trying to get better fuel mileage?? I'll find out in another 10 years when maybe I can afford a 2016 LOL. I priced out a 2015 DRW a few months ago 72k
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