I am heading down to the dealership this Friday and finally will get to order the Duramax now that the LLY is available. I am set on just about everything I want or need but still have some indecision concerning the SB vs LB. We will be getting a 2500 CC 4x4. We pull a 31 ft trailer and I like the idea of having the 34 gallon fuel tank as opposed to the 26 gallon one on the SB. This truck will be a daily driver, mostly highway. Any pros or cons for either box? Tough to navigate?

Go for the short bed. Better looking and easier driving it around town.

I'd say get the longbed, if you're pretty much going to use it as a hauler, and won't be worried about parallel parking...

You could also get an aux tank, but with a 5th wheel hitch, I'd get (and got) a long bed.

My wife drives my crew cab long box a lot, and has never complained about it's ability to turn corners or park.

Plus, I can fit a 4 wheeler in the back with my tool box too.

I love my long bed.

I use my truck for work and kick myself everyday for not getting the long bed. Once you put a truck box in a short bed they're useless. Unlike conradv I cannot fit my quad in my truck without removing my toolbox and even then I can barely shut the tailgate.

.... some indecision concerning the SB vs LB. We will be getting a 2500 CC 4x4. We pull a 31 ft trailer and I like the idea of having the 34 gallon fuel tank as opposed to the 26 gallon one on the SB. This truck will be a daily driver, mostly highway. Any pros or cons for either box? Tough to navigate?





Sonnybear,


You didn't say if your trailer is a 5'er or pull type.


I have a short box, and I can't imagine a LONG box CREW cab. I know that people have them, but that is one long truck!!


Just be aware that there are 5'er options that make a SB a very viable solution. I have the PullRite Superglide, and quite frankly, it's the best fifth wheel hitch I've ever used, bar none, and I NEVER worry about my camper hitting my truck. I hook and forget it.


One reason that I can see to get a LB is for the fuel tank (like you mentioned), BUT really it's not that big of a deal with the SB, you just stop a little more often. Not really a biggie. As was also mentioned you could get a transfer type tank that would allow you to hual more fuel, and still be able to have a fifth wheel if needed. Also, if you have something that you regularly haul in the LB that would warrant getting one, that might be a reason as well. Otherwise, I don't know if the LB is really worth it.


Just my $.02 worth...


cadman_ks

i had a shortbed 99 C/K.... i have since grown older and wiser... but not that old or that wise..... a shortbed truck is for someone who needs a truck 10-20% and a SUV 80-90% long bed exact opposite... i drive all over town in a crew dually.... never any parking problems.... your gonna want to park any 40-50k$ truck as far from everyone else as possible..... you may want to consider if your trailer is a 5er are there any cab clearance issues?? if its not do you plan on getting one in the future?? there are tons of arguements either way... its mostly personal preference..... since its a 2500 it will never look as good as a dooley...... but for looks the shorty does look cool in a SRW the long looks.... well really long.... needs the dooley fenders to break it up....

If I'm not mistaken, the LB reduces the tow capacity a little bit as well, probably due to added weight of the longer frame and sheetmetal.

I'm a SB guy myself. The extra 18 inches on the wheelbase of the LB just makes it too dang long in urban areas. I'll just go with the Superglide when I get my 5'er. I have a trailer for my quad, and it'll still fit in the bed of my truck if need be anyway. With all that room under the back seats, I don't need a toolbox...

Are y'all trying to say that my truck is long?

huh?

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CDF_a.jpg

Loooooooooooooooooooong Bed with 4 tires in back only wayhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif


Geno

I like the CC LB because it's a superior tow rig. Longer wheelbase = more stability, the tail can't wag the dog as easily. And you get a little better ride with a long wheelbase.

Wait a minute. Duh. The Crew Cab LB 2500 was discontinued, wasn't it? I didn't think you could order it anymore, at least here in California.

Don't remember where I saw that, very likely I am wrong. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Ermm.gif

Edit: Looks like if this is the case, it WAS CA only. I can tell you that I didn't see ANY on the lots around here a month ago. I did go to the Chevy Website and was able to build LB Crew Cab, so looks like if they ever were unavailable, they are available again now.Edited by: Mjollnir

I insisted on a LB, so I settled for a extended cab, instead of a crewcab. I too pull a 31 foot 5ver, and wasn't sure how unmanuverable a LB Crewcab would be backing the trailer. Either would have fit into my garage, so that wasn't an issue. I have a 24 inch Hiway Products tool chest for storage, and can still load my 4-wheeler. Don't need to ever slide my 5th plate back when parking trailer. I think the 34 gallon tank is a BIG plus, (80 extra miles between fills when pullin, about 1 hours worth of driving). Manuverability when unloaded was never an issue for me. I think a LB looks great. If I could have bought a 10 foot box with the 24 inch tool chest, I'd a bought it in a heart beat.

If you have a SB truck and your trailer has an extended hitch pin (which 99% of late models do) then you won't have to worry about a expensive auto sliding hitch. Save your money and get a conventional slider just in case. The only time I ever had to slide the hitch is when I made a wrong turn down a dead end road and had to turn around. With the Reese slid back I could go over 90*. Never, even once, in all the trailer parks I've been in have I had to even worry about clearance while backing. You can't turn sharp enough while going forward to make the 5er hit the truck. Short bed fits in a garage or carport better, easier to manuver in town, better offroad (if you care), looks better (preference), smaller fuel tank http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Unhappy.gifand does not have as much room in the bed (good sometimes, sucks others). It's all in what you need.

Mjollnir - Don't know about CA, but I'm sure you can still get long beds: GMC site (http://www.gmc.com/gmcjsp/sierra/specs_vital_stats.jsp?vehicle=sierra2500hd)

Sorry, forgot to say with crew cabs. LB with CC. Right. Thanks. :)

I'm editing my other post...Edited by: Mjollnir

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Approve.gif Like my old daddy said, a short bed truck is like a short "thangy." It's ok around home but you wouldn't want to take it on the road.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif

Thanks for all the replies so far. I should of mentioned that I tow a travel trailer. Never know, might buy a 5'er one day. Dealer says I can try both on Friday before I sign the order. Lookwise, I think they both look good. Probably will drive 'em both and see if the ride is indeed different.

IMHO - I'll never get anything other than a long bed. If you're going to use the bed of the truck for hauling anything, don't "short" yourself. I know quite few people that regret one of two things about these trucks: 1)Getting an extended cab rather than a crew cab, and 2) Getting a short bed rather than a long bed.


I pretty sure a long bed will get you better money resale or trade in.

As my sig shows, and will be sitting in my driveway in a couple of weeks, CC LB is the way to go. I insisted on the Longbed for hauling and trailer stability and my wife insisted on the Crew Cab for the Kids, (Daughter and Dog). So, we compromised. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Big Smile.gif Edited by: DavesDmax

Get the long bed. I went from a short bed single wheel to a long box, crew cab dually this time. There is a HUGE difference in stability and drivability with the 30 foot 5vr that I pull. I also drive the truck everyday, and have no issues with it in town.


Jess

Long bed and "Dooley".


I had 3/4 ton trucks, cracked a wheel on one hunt with a camper on the truck and the horse trailer behind. I went to a Dooley for that reason. The unexpected benefit is the increased stability when towing or packing a load. I just sold the old K3500 and have a new one on order, only way to go for me.

count me in with the log bed folks .... I pull a long TT, like the larger fuel tank in our CC LB, and you can never have enough bed space ....


JimEdited by: JEBar

There is both pro and con for the LB and SB. There are a lot of good ideas out there and everyone has their reasons for buying what they have.


I went with the SB on a crew cab. It is a mighty big truck. I still remember my first extended cab about 7 years ago. Going from a regular cab LB with an approximate wheel base of 131 inches to an extended cab SB the wheel base goes to something like 143.5 inches. I noticed parking was a little bit more challenged, although not impossible. I knew going into the crew cab SB that I would add 9.5 inches more wheel base. The crew cab LB adds another 9.5 or 10 inches in a crew cab. Even a crew cab SB is shorter than a extended cab LB by about 4 inches if I remember.


I pull a 32 foot travel trailer. I've had more than one occasion where I was glad I didn't have a bigger truck or trailer. A 32 foot travel trailer is longer to pull and park than a 5th wheel. Depending upon the hitch pin configuration of a 5th wheel, the 5th wheel can be as much a 1/4 shorter than a travel trailer of the same length in terms of overall vehicle length (truck and trailer together). As everyone has already pointed out, the sliding 5th wheel hitches work great if you do upgrade to a 5th wheel.


Unless you are thinking about hauling lots of stuff in the box, I personally don't see the need for the 8 foot box, although it is nice. But for mostly a daily driver and RV hauler, the 6.5 foot box works great.

I am on my 3rd short bed truck. My previous 2 trucks were long bed regular cabs. 2 before the shortbeds were long beds. Trucks are used on the farm and for RV hauling, and are not daily drivers.


To me it does not really make a difference. Having owned many short and long beds, I really have no preference.


Just got back from a trip to Florida. Went solo, not towing. Was able to go 425-450 miles between fill ups. I was able to time it right so I hit all the cheap fuel stops.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clap.gif


Cheapest fuel was between Wythville, VA and FL/GA border.Edited by: Pick

My vote is LB. I have had 2 SB and didn't care for them. If you don't want a truck get a blazer or sub.


I will never have a SB again.


BTW, short little girlfriend drive my LB dually crew all over the place. And no problems getting around Chicago metro areas. Hey I need the excercise anyways so parking out a ways is good.


Fifthwheel application is what I needed so the LB was a hands down winner. I didn't have to have a slider hitch like before (which sucked) a I love not worring about knocking out the back window when turning.


Go for it. Bigger is better:)http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Cool.gif

Are y'all trying to say that my truck is long?

huh?

http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/uploads/CDF_a.jpg

That truck should have one of those train horns!

If you pull a 5ver and don't find yourself in a lot of parking structures or crowded parking lots..... Long Bed


Otherwise go with the 6' bed. IMHO

Hey Hoot - I'd like to get Ranchhand full front & rear bumper replacements.... That'd add about a foot probably...

But I'm too poor. Maybe in a few years.

Look at it this way. When you have a crew cab and a long box, the box is definately in a different time zone than the cab!

I have a long bed and love it. Know that Ive had it for a while SB look kinda funny.


Like ZFMax said "Longer wheelbase = more stability" its true. I had a SB before with the same trailer and the LB pulls better.

I've had both: ext cab long bed and now a crew cab short bed. The short bed fits in the garage, the long bed did not. I would rather have the long bed, but usually buy my trucks second hand, so I get what I can afford at the time.


I look at this way, every time I look at my cc sb and wish it was a long bed, I realize I have something to look forward to next time I buy a new truck.


Get the long bed.

Well sonny youve heard many opinion. What do you think?

cwolfe I like your avatar.

Thank You

Well, I did it and we got a good deal. I got the truck for straight invoice, which is very satisfactory. I did talk to the sales manager and service manager about the 265's and said it would not be problem. They will back me if there any problems develop. They will also tortion up the front and reclaibrate the truck for the bigger tires. I ordered everything that I wanted except I decided against the XM and dual alternators. We got the 6 disc player and will use it frequently no need for the XM. I will be putting in an aftermarket DVD, Playstation and dual screens in the future. Total additional amps of about 20 amps. Did not see the need to get the extra alternator. Anyone have solid advice on why to get the second alternator? I can always call tomorrow and modify the order. I tried to color match the handles, but they could not do it. I will have to buy tahoe handles or have the black ones painted. I did get the chance to drive a 2004 2500HD CC D/A Ext. cab LB. It is nearly as long as a CC LB. The truck rode like a dream, so I defintiely ordered the the CC LB. The truck should be here in about 10 weeks. Can't wait.

Good choice

ditto........http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Just about all aspects but one have been covered in this thread and beat to death, so it's time to throw a log on the fire!


If you get a "dooley", it better be a 4WD, a 2WD "dooley" will get stuck on wet grass!