6'4" bed or 8'0" bed

[Furby781]

I am looking at getting a 2019 Ram 3500 Crew Cab. I am not sure which bed size to get. I plan on using this truck to haul 5th wheel and Bumper pull campers for work. Also, would you recommend SRW or DRW?

 

[star_deceiver]

Here’s some more info to chew on... where does your trailer and payload sit?

 

[JSMITH8505]

Campers are fairly light, and from a weight perspective, you'll be hard pressed to come close to needing the Dually. Unless you're towing over 12,000 lbs, I'd go with a Single Rear wheel model. In snow, I'd have a single rear wheel model anyday over a dually.

I have a long bed, Dually 3500 that I use for Hot Shot hauling, and frankly, I've only needed the extra capacity a handful of times, and NEVER when hauling single 5th wheel campers. Only when using my gooseneck trailer with LOTS of freight on it.

With a Single rear wheel model, you'll have lower tire expenses, (and you will go through tires when hauling), buying 4 instead of 6, and your mileage will be slightly higher from lower rolling resistance.

As far as the bed.... I like the longbed, simply because it gives a bit more storage space, and helps out when backing into and out of tight spaces, allowing a 90% angle without fear of hitting the rear of the cab with the trailer. But they make sliding 5th wheel hitches which supposedly allow ease of movement in a short bed.

You may even consider doing a cab and chassis and putting a hauler bed on the back. (CM bed, ER model). and just forgoing the box bed altogether.

I have the 3.73 gear ratio, which has never lugged or had any issue starting out. The .410 has a higher weight capacity, but lower fuel mileage.

So, my choice for you would be longbed, single wheel, 3.73.
Good Luck!

 

[392DevilDog]

8' bed. I won't buy another shortbed, unless I can get a 2nd truck and it is a Powerwagon and that is only cause they do not make it with the long bed.

It just is so much more useful. I have actually found it easier to maneuver our camper and with the back up camera I find myself parking in spots I would have just passed up with my other truck.

I agree about the single rear wheel. If you are getting the 3500 you will be fine, the dually does at capacity but at a cost.

Good luck on the purchase, keep us posted.

 

[Ram3500Owner1971]

I have a SRW 3500 LB. You'll find that the LB has a longer wheel base, which adds more stability than you get with a short bed and it's narrower wheel base.

I tow a bumper pull camper, and it does it with ease. Just came back from San Juan and Carson national forests.

The longer wheel base will help with lane drift and being pushed by the wind. The longer wheel base gives the rear end of the truck more leverage at the hitch to keep it straight.

I didn't need the dually for my loads. Max loading is 28,000 lbs GCW, 20,800 hauling, and 4000 payload. You need a pretty big camper to get past those numbers. Not saying it's hard to find one you'll need a bigger truck for, but I always wondered why anyone would buy something so large they'll spend a house payment in fuel just to get it to the destination for a weekend.

 

[madtrucker2016]

I am looking at getting a 2019 Ram 3500 Crew Cab. I am not sure which bed size to get. I plan on using this truck to haul 5th wheel and Bumper pull campers for work. Also, would you recommend SRW or DRW?

bigger wheel base truck handles differently with longer wheel base .I have a 6.4 bed and seems to ride and handle very well

 

[Papa Red]

I always get the 8' bed. I am a custom furniture maker so when I go on lumber runs I can easily carry 16' lumber with the tailgate down. I like having the extra room in the bed for whatever I need the truck for.

Red

 

[slim chance]

i have the 8' bed on my 2500 SRW ... my trk has the puck 5th whl system with a B&W Companion hitch ... i figure the difference is about 20" between the 6'4" and 8' so because i leave the hitch in all the time i just about break even and the hitch weight helps smooth out the ride

 

[RamHemi5.7]

When I see ANY truck with a short bed I just laugh to myself and kinda shake my head. Might as well buy an old el Camino if your gonna have a short bed.