For pulling a fifth wheel trailer do you have to have a long bed or does it matter?
Thanks

Your choice...if you choose the short bed, you will need to get a sliding hitch. That will give you the extra room needed during more extreme turns.

You can use either. Just have to have a slider hitch in short bed.

You beat me to it!

I have a short box, and a slider hitch. Had some very near misses with the previous truck and no slider. Have used the slider a couple of times, wouldn't have gotten the trailer into one spot without sliding it back, changes the way it maneuvers. I have draw-tite signature series - nice!:thumb:

Long bed.
When hauling a quad in the back I can get the tailgate up. When hauling a large trailer the extra wheelbase is much smoother and weight seems better 'centered' to the vehicle.

I went short box once. Never again (but that is a personal preference)

If they made a 10'box I would buy it in a """Heartbeat"""

You don't need a long box. Have pulled a lot of gooseneck and fifth wheel trailers without problems. I run my hitch in the middle position and can have more than a 90 degree angle. Unless you will want to have long box for other things I wouldn't get one. In other words, don't buy a long box just because some people here say it's much better, because it's not.

Also, I can fit a '04 sportsman 600 in my short box and am just able to shut the gate. Last time I checked the sportsman was the biggest and one of the, if not the longest quad.

I never liked longbeds, ever.
BUT, my dually is a long bed, for obvious reasons, and I wish it was a foot longer after tonight.
I just picked up a new 5th wheel camper a few hours ago. I have an over the bed tool box in my truck. After pulling into the driveway, I heard a crunch!
The camper hit the toolbox.
Now I have to fix my 3 hour old camper, and take out my brand new toolbox. The box wasn't damaged at all, but I have a 1 inch dent in the corner of the camper.
Anybody want to trade boxes? I need the "in the bed" type.

If I had a short bed, I would have done some serious damage!

kingfishracin (http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/member.php?u=29959):

Just got back from a California to Arkansas round trip for the holidays. I have a short bed box, and had a pull-rite 5th wheel hitch installed when i purchased the trailer. It's a Super Glide hitch, this thing is Great!! I had to make a few Uturns and no problems. It was fun watching people looking to see if it would clear....No problem!! I must admit i was very careful the first time i made the first tight u-turn, after that i dont bother to look back anymore...

Here's a link: http://www.pullrite.com/superglide.htm

carver1, sorry to hear about your trailer. I just installed a truck box (below the rails) for that reason.

Long box, (and I too would take a 10 footer if they offered it).
-No need to mess with a slider hitch.
-Your fuel tank is 8 gallons bigger, (a big plus when getting 10 MPG pulling and traveling cross-country).
-There’s also room for an 24” wide tool chest, and still room for the ATV with the tailgate down.
-You didn’t mention SRW or DRW. If you want a SRW, I’D buy a 3500 SRW, which I believe is only available with the long box, (please verify this).
-If you want to haul stuff, much more room.

Long box, (and I too would take a 10 footer if they offered it).
-No need to mess with a slider hitch.
-Your fuel tank is 8 gallons bigger, (a big plus when getting 10 MPG pulling and traveling cross-country).
-There’s also room for an 24” wide tool chest, and still room for the ATV with the tailgate down.
-You didn’t mention SRW or DRW. If you want a SRW, I’D buy a 3500 SRW, which I believe is only available with the long box, (please verify this).
-If you want to haul stuff, much more room.

:agreed: I have owned both, I prefer long beds. IMO real trucks have 8' foot beds.

Yes 3500 SRW trucks only are available with an 8' foot bed

Long box, (and I too would take a 10 footer if they offered it).
-No need to mess with a slider hitch.
-Your fuel tank is 8 gallons bigger, (a big plus when getting 10 MPG pulling and traveling cross-country).
-There’s also room for an 24” wide tool chest, and still room for the ATV with the tailgate down.
-You didn’t mention SRW or DRW. If you want a SRW, I’D buy a 3500 SRW, which I believe is only available with the long box, (please verify this).
-If you want to haul stuff, much more room.

AMEN!
a 10 foot box!:ro)

Hauling 15' material would be a lot easier!

I would have to agree with Got Juice? I had 1 short box. I'll always have a long bed simply because you can put a 8' pice of plywood in there a close the tail gate, But if they made a 10' bed I would buy it in a heart beat.
Good Luck Mike

For pulling a fifth wheel trailer do you have to have a long bed or does it matter?
Thanksjust get one of these and you can still have the bedhttp://hitch-buddy.com http://hitch-buddy.com/Images/5thBig.jpghttp://hitch-buddy.com/Images/5thBig.jpg

That "Hitch Buddy" is something I've never imagined...maybe a good idea if you needed to use or rent for a short time a 5th wheel trailer but didn't have the hitch! However, I wonder...a person could sure get in a jam trying to back up with one of those things...looks like a no no...

Why would it cause problems backing up? The hitch buddy is attached to the tow vehicle so it can't turn and the camper looks like it won't come close to the tow vehicle.

Long box, (and I too would take a 10 footer if they offered it).
-No need to mess with a slider hitch.
-Your fuel tank is 8 gallons bigger, (a big plus when getting 10 MPG pulling and traveling cross-country).
-There’s also room for an 24” wide tool chest, and still room for the ATV with the tailgate down.
-You didn’t mention SRW or DRW. If you want a SRW, I’D buy a 3500 SRW, which I believe is only available with the long box, (please verify this).
-If you want to haul stuff, much more room.

Your are correct. All GM 3500 trucks are long bed, SRW or DRW.

If the Hitch Buddy is attached so it will not turn, then that's a pretty good design. The way it looked, I thought it would turn. Glad you mentioned it.

Not much weight on the hitch end to hold trailer down in a strong crosswind.

Long bed! I have had a long, short and now back to a long.... The hitches are cheaper, you get a bigger bed and have room for a tool box.... IF you get a short bed get a Pullrite Superglide!

On tool boxes.... I have a low profile over the rail box... It is only 2 inches above the rails and I have plenty of clearance and still can slide plywood and objects below the toolbox.... I have seen different models of these and the prices depend on the quality... I bought my last one from Auto Zone for 159.00... IF you like a black painted one they are stock Items at Lowe's....

Ok, so here's a dilema:

Say I have a shortbed, but I want to be able to pull both a gooseneck and a 5th wheel. OK, I can put in a slider-type hitch for the 5th wheel, but where does that leave me with the gooseneck?

If I had a long box, I'd go with the B&W turnover gooseneck and then get the Companion--looks like a great setup to me. However, since the Companion isn't a slider, I think I'd be SOL.

You can get an offset goosneck ball that moves the ball further back in the bed, but that probably doesn't distribute the weight as well as it could, and that would also mean having 2 completely separate units for gooseneck and 5ver.

Surely someone with a short bed pickup had wanted to pull a gooseneck and a 5ver before...is there a single unit out there that does everything I want?

This looks like one scenario where a long bed really is a must!

Shortbed...Longbed won't fit in my garage.

I have had 1 shortbed truck in my life. For my use, a shortbed just does not cut it. My brother has the identical twin of my truck in a shortbed. And now that he is a tradesman he kicks his own butt about not getting a long box

Ok, so here's a dilema:

Say I have a shortbed, but I want to be able to pull both a gooseneck and a 5th wheel. OK, I can put in a slider-type hitch for the 5th wheel, but where does that leave me with the gooseneck?

If I had a long box, I'd go with the B&W turnover gooseneck and then get the Companion--looks like a great setup to me. However, since the Companion isn't a slider, I think I'd be SOL.

You can get an offset goosneck ball that moves the ball further back in the bed, but that probably doesn't distribute the weight as well as it could, and that would also mean having 2 completely separate units for gooseneck and 5ver.

Surely someone with a short bed pickup had wanted to pull a gooseneck and a 5ver before...is there a single unit out there that does everything I want?

This looks like one scenario where a long bed really is a must!


An extra hitch is probably cheaper than a long box. But I think you just have to buy two hitches if you want both a gooseneck hitch and a fifth wheel one.

Yeah, I still kinda prefer the look of shortbeds, but now that I'm running my own business to pay the bills, my truck is much more of a work truck than before.

My next truck will be a long box, and most likely a crew cab. Gonna be long...lol!

Long bed for me. I am a contractor and having a shortbed is NOT even an option.

Also the way I look at it is if im going to spend 40-50k on a new truck It had better be able to handle ANYTHING that I throw at it. Ive used short beds before and they are fine for most things...but when you need a longer bed there is just no substitute, and having a $50k truck that cant haul what you need it to...well thats just a waste of money. Oh yeah and the extra wheelbase is SSSOOOOOO much more stable while towing.

But thats just my opinion!!


Heres another vote for the 10' box:ro)

Heres another vote for the 10' box:ro)

WOW, and I thought I was the only one who thought that way!

C'mon GM, If you make a 10' box WE WILL BUY IT :ro)

Imagine the turning radius of a Ultrabox,Crew Cab.. DUALLY:ro)

i have a short box truck with a 36' fifth wheel. i installed a 1000 dollar slider and have never needed to use it. i could of gotten away with a standard hitch. it is nice knowing its there if i get in a bind.

Imagine the turning radius of a Ultrabox,Crew Cab.. DUALLY:ro)


If they built it with quadrasteer that would be one sweet truck!

If they built it with quadrasteer that would be one sweet truck!

Heeeey!

Now THAT would ROCK!:ro)

Buy a long bed. Ive only had a long bed for towing my 5er. I go camping with a friend who has a short bed. While he is out sliding his hitch Im sitting in my lawn chair with a cold beer in my hand. I guess if you want a shorter truck go with the auto slide hitch. Less chance of the OOOPPS forgot to slide the hitch in the pouring rain while backing ito the campsite. If all else fails do what I did and trade the wifes ford suv for a CC short bed. Now if you want to go out to dinner on friday night leave the long bed at home and take short bed. Long bed for towing short bed for fun.

I had a long bed and I hated the long wheel base when I wasn't towing! Terrible when trying to make U turns and in parking lots! Just sold it for that reason! Short bed!

For pulling a fifth wheel trailer do you have to have a long bed or does it matter?
Thanks
I have a shortbed with a old slider in the bed, and never had the need for sliding it back. When I mounted it I made a jig that was the same as my 5th wheel. I have and had f-350 and f-250 both have a heavy enought suspention to mount the hitch 8in back from the center of the rear wheel.
I could now make a 90 degree turn without breaking my back window with the camper. When got a new hitch I didnt get a slider and mounted it in the same place. I been doing it for 4 years and no problem. Do not do this if you have light duty truck.

Short bed! I have hauled 37 ft 5er, past few years, extended pin, "fixed" reese hitch. No problem. If extended pin is not an option for you (check with manufacturer), the auto slider is a sweet hitch, but dig deep at about $2300!

I have the goose ball in the "standard" position. My goose trailering has always been cattle trailers with the V-nose and have never had a problem with turning.

As for the 5th wheel, I had a manual slider but didn't like it. So I welded up a new middle section (between hitch head and rails) that places the hitch about 6" behind the center of the axle. No difference in the handling and the airbags absorb the extra. I can turn about 80 degrees with out a problem. IMHO, for trailer manuevering if you ever need to turn over 50 degrees you should have planned better. When backing in, always survey where you are going.

P.S. You can get in trouble backing up or turning with a long bed also if you don't use some common sense.

Long box or nothing for me although that 10' foot box does sound nice. I've got the B&W gooseneck hideaway ball in mine and love it. Every one around here with gooseneck in pickup just installs gooseneck adapter over fifthwheel king pin on their trailers and you're done. but everyone has their own preferences. me, I get a smooth bed that I can haul something in when trailers not hooked up

I pull a 39'6" Forest River All American Sport (17K lbs) anywhere I want to go with a CC Dually 4 x 4 & wouldn't trade it for the world :ro) . If you think about where you need to park & get around in a parking lot etc, you won't have any problems at all. I see a lot of reply's from members with Short boxes & I have just one thing to say: If I have to stop in an emergency situation:eek: , I would rather have the additional weight & stability of my longbox dually any day. BTW, how do you guys stop those shorties in a hurry if needed?

Trailer Brakes! And they work just fine!

I pull a 39'6" Forest River All American Sport (17K lbs) anywhere I want to go with a CC Dually 4 x 4 & wouldn't trade it for the world :ro) . If you think about where you need to park & get around in a parking lot etc, you won't have any problems at all. I see a lot of reply's from members with Short boxes & I have just one thing to say: If I have to stop in an emergency situation:eek: , I would rather have the additional weight & stability of my longbox dually any day. BTW, how do you guys stop those shorties in a hurry if needed?

I stop the same way you do. There is no difference in brakes between the long bed and short bed.;) BTW, my CC SB with a loaded trailer stops better than my 1987 Chevy 454 Reg Cab dually did solo.:eek:

I got the Long Bed. I can haul 4'x8' sheets of plywood with the tailgate up. Plenty of room even with a front saddle tool box.

Never pull your truck in anywhere you can't back out when you want to leave.

Long bed for me...even with a tool chest, there's still room for all the kid's stuff without having to plan what goes in first. I find the ride quality better. Larger fuel tank doesn't hurt either. The wife still can't believe I can parallel park the thing.

I have a long bed because I think a shot bed truck is just a car with a bigger trunk.

Now I have tell you a funny story about this topic.

O.K. It was spring time down in St. George Utah. Alot of "Snowbirds" come down for the winter because of the weather. Me and my Dad went to lunch at Shonney's. We sat by the window and had a good time watching all the "Snowbirds" try to park all them extra long RV towing pick ups in the parking lot. They had crew cabs, extra cabs, super cabs you name it. Man we had a good time making fun of them "old farts" pulling up, backing up, pulling up again, backing up again, and then saying to heck with it and ended up takeing up two or three parking spots. At the time I had a 92 GMC 6.5L reg cab long bed and my Dad had a 86 F250 reg cab long bed.
Now here's the good part.
My Dad sold his F250 and bought a 96 GMC extra cab short bed. I asked my Dad why and the heck did he buy a shot bed and his reply was. I needed it to fit in the garage and I didn't want anybody to laugh at me down at Shonney's

That's my long bed vs short bed story.:ro)

Ok, so here's a dilema:

Say I have a shortbed, but I want to be able to pull both a gooseneck and a 5th wheel. OK, I can put in a slider-type hitch for the 5th wheel, but where does that leave me with the gooseneck?

If I had a long box, I'd go with the B&W turnover gooseneck and then get the Companion--looks like a great setup to me. However, since the Companion isn't a slider, I think I'd be SOL.

You can get an offset goosneck ball that moves the ball further back in the bed, but that probably doesn't distribute the weight as well as it could, and that would also mean having 2 completely separate units for gooseneck and 5ver.

Surely someone with a short bed pickup had wanted to pull a gooseneck and a 5ver before...is there a single unit out there that does everything I want?

This looks like one scenario where a long bed really is a must!

ok coyotekid, this is what you need if you want the fith wheel hitch and gooseneck ball. if you have the rails for the fith wheel, get the gooseneck adapter plate. i did a quick search on the net and this was the first pic i found.

I have a CC / LB. If you cannot park a truck like this then you don't need to be driving on the highway. I have always parked away from the crowd. In the old days it was to keep the paint on the truck and not on the edge of someones door. Now I still want the black paint on the black truck, but the extra excercise isn't bad either.

My last truck was an EC / SB and I much prefer my CC / LB truck. The ride is better, it is very stable when towing and the 34 gallon fuel tank is nice...could be bigger (the tank)!!!

Plus I can get 2.5 to 3 yards of mulch / compost in the truck at one time!!! Very nice!!!

MaxRock

ok coyotekid, this is what you need if you want the fith wheel hitch and gooseneck ball. if you have the rails for the fith wheel, get the gooseneck adapter plate. i did a quick search on the net and this was the first pic i found.

That is the setup I currently run on my rig. Mine is made by Reese, but there are many other manufacturer's

http://www.reeseprod.com/

I'm running a short bed truck with the B&W turnover ball hitch. I also have the B&W Companion hitch as well.

I have the Companion hitch set back to its farthest setting and have had no problems. I have gotten into some tight spots without any issues and am very comfortable with this setup. My 5th wheel has an extended pin and corners are rounded.

I probably can't do a complete 90 but can get pretty close. I couldn't do a 90 with my bumper pull either.

I'm running a short bed truck with the B&W turnover ball hitch. I also have the B&W Companion hitch as well.

I have the Companion hitch set back to its farthest setting and have had no problems. I have gotten into some tight spots without any issues and am very comfortable with this setup. My 5th wheel has an extended pin and corners are rounded.

I probably can't do a complete 90 but can get pretty close. I couldn't do a 90 with my bumper pull either.

I have the same setup. No problems.

I can probably get to about 75° on a turn. Sharper than a bumper pull?

Long Bed of course, I love it!! MaxRock you got it right!!!

I still want GM to make one with a 10 foot long bed!

GM , you listening?

Only with rear steer too.

If they built it with quadrasteer that would be one sweet truck!


yes.


GM needs to make a Mega cab Ultrabox w/ SFA, quadrasteer (available even w/ duallies), 285/85 tires on 18" rims standard, dmax w/ twins (stock), under the bed tool box (like the Ridgelines have), what else ?

Running a shortbed with a slider 5th whl hitch but have never had to use the slider in the rear position. Trailer is 321/2' with exended pin box so shortbed has not been a problem so far,if it is have the slider if needed.):h