Long Bed owners. . . .

[6 Speed]

You folks with long beds, in either 2500 or 3500 truck lines.

How does that affect your ability to haul/tow anything over the shorter beds.

Also, can a goose neck be fitted on the long bed/is it advised that you don't?

4x4 added to the above?

 

[mtofell]

The main advantage is you can run with a non-sliding (less expensive) 5th wheel hitch and not EVER have to worry about smashing the trailer into your cab. And, of course, you can fit full sheets of plywood and drywall in the bed with the gate closed and not look like fool like me with them tilted up resting on the gate.

And, when you're moving your mother-in-law in/out of your house you can make 3 trips to my 4

Truth be told I'd really love to have a long bed but I just do too many grocery runs. The 4X4 thing doesn't change a whole lot that I know of. In my area (Oregon) 95%+ of the trucks are 4X4.

As for the Gooseneck thing, there are a lot of options with newer trucks for attachments w/o bedrails. I just got a 5th wheel hitch with a single cutout between my wheel wells and some rails that go under the bed. Some have a 4 point attachment. I've been researching and reading for months on this stuff and still feel like I know nothing.

 

[drittal]

Long bed can do anything a standard bed can, except maybe fit in your garage.

 

[sandawilliams]

Long bed can do anything a standard bed can, except maybe fit in your garage.

I have the 8' bed on my 2014 2500 purposely to haul my atv while pulling my bumper pull camper.

 

[Dmopar74]

The longer wheelbase helps with towing stability, but is negligible until you get up to heavy loads imo

 

[6 Speed]

The main advantage is you can run with a non-sliding (less expensive) 5th wheel hitch and not EVER have to worry about smashing the trailer into your cab. And, of course, you can fit full sheets of plywood and drywall in the bed with the gate closed and not look like fool like me with them tilted up resting on the gate.

And, when you're moving your mother-in-law in/out of your house you can make 3 trips to my 4

Truth be told I'd really love to have a long bed but I just do too many grocery runs. The 4X4 thing doesn't change a whole lot that I know of. In my area (Oregon) 95%+ of the trucks are 4X4.

As for the Gooseneck thing, there are a lot of options with newer trucks for attachments w/o bedrails. I just got a 5th wheel hitch with a single cutout between my wheel wells and some rails that go under the bed. Some have a 4 point attachment. I've been researching and reading for months on this stuff and still feel like I know nothing.

So, how would having an 8 foot bed hamper your grocery runs?
Limited room at the grocery parking lot?

 

[6 Speed]

Long bed can do anything a standard bed can, except maybe fit in your garage.

Yup:

And I'll likely need the long bed and 4x4.

 

[mtofell]

So, how would having an 8 foot bed hamper your grocery runs?
Limited room at the grocery parking lot?

Yep.... parking lots are a PITA even with 6.5' bed. I can only imagine that extra 1.5' doesn't make it any easier. Although the rear sensors and camera do help A LOT.

 

[6 Speed]

I'll be checking back for further comments, but other than that, thanks so much.

 

[Skrap]

Well, a lot of people complain about our 2500 truck being a ***** to park in the city and there is some truth to it. I have the Mega Cab and it doesn't bother me me much. For me it's more a matter of width not length (personal problem too) as I don't like door dings. Honestly, if Ram made the Mega Cab with an 8' bed I'd be first in line to buy it and enjoy every second of it.

 

[reek]

Well, a lot of people complain about our 2500 truck being a ***** to park in the city and there is some truth to it. I have the Mega Cab and it doesn't bother me me much. For me it's more a matter of width not length (personal problem too) as I don't like door dings. Honestly, if Ram made the Mega Cab with an 8' bed I'd be first in line to buy it and enjoy every second of it.

For me, its a matter of height. Not sure how that would calculate in on a personal level.......
My 1500 short bed was so much easier to park than my 2500. Only difference is the 2500 sits higher and thus harder to guage position for me. Told the wife that buying a bigger truck didn't help make me a bigger man since I now park like a girl. Sorry lady forum members, its a joke.

 

[mtofell]

For me, its a matter of height. Not sure how that would calculate in on a personal level.......
My 1500 short bed was so much easier to park than my 2500. Only difference is the 2500 sits higher and thus harder to guage position for me. Told the wife that buying a bigger truck didn't help make me a bigger man since I now park like a girl. Sorry lady forum members, its a joke.

^^ Yep, the hood on these 2500s is like trying to look over a mountain. I've largely gotten use to it but it still does make the front clearance difficult. Front parking sensors would be super nice.

 

[cptwing]

Got the 8 foot bed with a regular cab, did not want or need the back seat. I wanted my truck for a truck and 2 1/2 seats is enough, my kids are long grown and on their own. As far as a gooseneck mine came with the gooseneck fifth wheel prep package from the factory so no big deal there. Just remove the plastic caps insert the ball and safety chain loops. As others have said no need for a slider on the fiver hitch either, and with the ram factory set up. There are no in bed rails to deal with, just remove caps and insert hitch into the 4 holes and lock in place. The most obvious reason I went with 8 foot bed was cargo space with a 9,750# rear axle and 6530# payload they do make short bed duallys, does not make much sense to me though.