dadwolf2
Henderson,NV,USA
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Joined: 10/24/2004
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Each has it's pros and cons. I wouldn't list safety as a pro or con though in the short vs long bed debate!!
I bought a truck with a 2' shorter bed because I live in the city. I have a hard enough time parking the truck in some of these tight parking lots. I've seen people with quad cab long beds and they don't even fit in there own driveway.
I think the biggest benefit to a long bed is that you get to buy a regular, less expensive hitch.
2005 Dodge Ram 2500 CTD,4X4,NV5600,Pullrite superglide
2005 Skyline Rampage 289
Suzuki z400 & z250
Honda XR250
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skipnchar
Topeka Kansas USA
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Joined: 12/17/2003
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Long wheel base probably IS more stable but why stop there? A full sized Volvo or Peterbuilt would even safer than that. Just because SOMETHING is a better tow vehicle doesn't mean that something ELSE can't do the job perfectly well.
2004 F-150 HD 3,050 lb. payload
Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
We have enough YOUTH...how about a fountain of SMART
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mr. ed
Madison, SD (currently traveling the US)
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Joined: 02/06/2002
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I have a short bed truck and a manual sliding hitch to tow a 30' fiver. Because the fiver has an extended pin box (17") I have never had to use the slider. The fiver does come close to the truck's cab on a sharp turn but has never "kissed" it. I'm still glad to have a sliding hitch because there just may be a situation in the future where it becomes necessary. At that time, I'll be glad I have it.
In summation, a short bed truck CAN be used successfully if the features described above are utilized. (IMHO)
Mr. Ed (fulltiming since 1987)
2007 Hitchhiker II LS Model 29.5 LKTG
2007 Dodge Ram 3500/6.7 CTD/QC/4X4/SB/SRW/6-speed man/Big Horn edition
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The HitchHikers
Gold Bar, WA
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Joined: 09/04/2003
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With today's proliferation of extended pins coupled (no pun intended) with a slider the buyer has the choice.
My choice is the long bed. 
Steve and Gayle
2004.5 Dodge 3500 4X4, SRW, QC, SLT, LB, NV-5600, 3.73 AS, 325/600 Cummins
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lat471
Lebanon, PA
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Joined: 06/15/2007
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I really don't think the long bed versus a short bed is a safety issue or everybody would have long beds. It's like the SRW or DRW argument. What ever YOUR comfortable with. I have a short bed with a slider and don't gain anything by going to a long bed.
07 Cameo LXI F35FD3
R Taj-We-Haul
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colemanb
Tennessee
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Joined: 05/18/2007
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Am I missing something here with the "turning/maneuvering" size objections, or am I wrong to think that most full-size truck wheelbases are the same whether it's a long-bed regular cab or a short-bed extended cab?!?
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Texlawdawg718
Longview, Texas
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Joined: 08/14/2007
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I like my Long Bed 4 door F350, but it is hard to find a place to park sometimes. It is nice for the room though and it does ride better than my short bed did. I just park way out away from everyone usually, I need the exercise anyway.
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ah64id
Idaho
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Joined: 01/23/2008
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colemanb wrote:Am I missing something here with the "turning/maneuvering" size objections, or am I wrong to think that most full-size truck wheelbases are the same whether it's a long-bed regular cab or a short-bed extended cab?!?
Dodge has 2 wheelbases
140.5" is reg cab long box, or QC SB 4x4 turn radius of 44.2
160.5" is QC LB or mega cab. 4x4 turn radius of 47.0
I think the main debate here is once you choose your cab, usually a QC, what bed to get.
LB... you get 29% more storage space for 14% more WB and 6% more turning radius... the numbers have it 
'05 3500 4x4 SLT 5.9 QC LB SRW 6 spd, Pricol EGT and boost, 2" Level, Jacobs Exhaust Brake, Muffler Delete, Amsoil DIF, Smarty JR....
'07 Pioneer Spirit 18CK
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outdoorsman2007
In the Woods - Somewhere!
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Joined: 04/12/2007
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Let me answer your question - There is nothing safer about a long bed vs a short bed. That is why they make slider hitches (for short bed trucks) that can handle 18000 lbs.
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camping man
Central Fla.
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Joined: 09/01/2001
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I had a longbed before this truck, and I probably wouldn't have a truck if I didn't have an RV and a boat. I don't even need a bed on the truck really, just a place to mount the hitch.A shortbed is plenty for me, plus it fits in my garage, and it's less to wax.
05 Dodge 2500 Quadcab CTD NV5600/3.73rears
97 27ft.Sprinter 5er
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