Community Forums

TB673 · 09-26-2018, 07:33 PM

[QUOTE=manwithnorv;4417241]I'm getting pricing on a GMC 3500 HD Denali, Crew Cab, DRW. Question: should I go with the 8' bed or the 6 1/2'. Will a 6 1/2' bed require a slide hitch? Will the 8' bed DRW be a pain to park anywhere and will the shorter bed make that much difference in the parking issue.

I hope to hear from folks who have the 8' bed and whether or not they love it or regret getting it. And visa versa those who went with 6 1/2' beds.[/QUOTE

If I'm not mistaken, Dodge is the only manufacturer that offers a short bed with dual wheels.

NDIrish · 09-26-2018, 07:36 PM

My first truck was a long bed. Then I had 4 short beds. My truck now is a long bed. When using the truck as a truck, the long bed is awesome. When using the truck as a car, the long bed can be a pain. The only drawbacks to a long bed are parking (especially in the city or parking garage) and tight cornering (drive through). I will hopefully never go back to a short bed

tbos1958 · 09-26-2018, 08:04 PM

[QUOTE=TB673;4421678]

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm getting pricing on a GMC 3500 HD Denali, Crew Cab, DRW. Question: should I go with the 8' bed or the 6 1/2'. Will a 6 1/2' bed require a slide hitch? Will the 8' bed DRW be a pain to park anywhere and will the shorter bed make that much difference in the parking issue.

I hope to hear from folks who have the 8' bed and whether or not they love it or regret getting it. And visa versa those who went with 6 1/2' beds.[/QUOTE

If I'm not mistaken, Dodge is the only manufacturer that offers a short bed with dual wheels.

You may want to check out the You tube videos by big truck big RV. One of their videos discussed what you can get new for a reasonable price.

stepside454 · 09-26-2018, 08:48 PM

We are considering a truck & fifth wheel to replace our totaled by hail motorhome in the future .
We are fulltimers , so the truck would be our daily . I’m certain my wife won’t drive a LWB . We test drive an 05 Ram 2500 4 door regular bed the other day & both love how it drives .
Hope a regular bed won’t be an issue

glennwest · 09-27-2018, 04:49 AM

Anyone who states have no trouble parking one had not been in a tight parking lot. Like ones on big construction sites. Three point turn just to get out much less backing in.

Piros1 · 09-30-2018, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm getting pricing on a GMC 3500 HD Denali, Crew Cab, DRW. Question: should I go with the 8' bed or the 6 1/2'. Will a 6 1/2' bed require a slide hitch? Will the 8' bed DRW be a pain to park anywhere and will the shorter bed make that much difference in the parking issue.

I hope to hear from folks who have the 8' bed and whether or not they love it or regret getting it. And visa versa those who went with 6 1/2' beds.

Long bed F450 pickup, turns sharper than any crewcab long or short bed out there. Not knocking any bodies trucks but drive one and you will understand. I’m on my second and never plan to go smaller.
On other trucks, no real advantage of a short bed on a DW truck other than length and it tides rougher plus can’t haul as much in the bed.

Jautry · 09-30-2018, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm getting pricing on a GMC 3500 HD Denali, Crew Cab, DRW. Question: should I go with the 8' bed or the 6 1/2'. Will a 6 1/2' bed require a slide hitch? Will the 8' bed DRW be a pain to park anywhere and will the shorter bed make that much difference in the parking issue.

I hope to hear from folks who have the 8' bed and whether or not they love it or regret getting it. And visa versa those who went with 6 1/2' beds.

I had an 8" DWR for 26 years and just never considered a shorter bed. My reply to the Mrs' was "If the mirrors fit, the rest will fit." Last one was a 2004 F350 Crew, Super Duty DRW 4X4 that I drove to work daily. Parked on the top floor of a parking garage in downtown Kansas City, MO. I scared some motorists coming the opposite direction on the ramps, but I never had a problem. It's all in what you want and can adapt to. You do need to be mindful of those you park next to, so they can exit/enter their vehicles.

Mark N. · 09-30-2018, 03:16 PM

Montana 5th Wheel, Ram 1 ton short bed, Andersen Ultimate hitch. Never a ever, a single issue.

Kbullwinkle · 09-30-2018, 03:23 PM

I pull a full size Saburban with a 40 dp....when it comes to parking ...if you can park a 40 rig with any length toad your in a group of drivers that don't worry about the length....weve cris / crossed the country several times...was never stopped by law enforcement once...they did however check our rig and TOAD out for all the right equipment as well as running our plates in just about every state we travled through....i guess that what they do right...if you have the ability to stay between the lines and not kill anyone...it's a plus.Getting into some off the diesel pumps is sometimes a lot of fun....especially when those SQUEEKY kids running the diesel pumps need to pass a common sense test on how to treat there customers...that was our biggest challenge....

Clomok · 09-30-2018, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xrated

Are you aware that 102" is the maximum width allowed by law for a non-permitted trailer or load?

I am, my 102” wide body toy hauler is 109” as shipped from the factory.

life2short · 09-30-2018, 03:56 PM

Bought a new 2500 GMC shortbed 4x4 in 2015 and hated it. Was wonderful for around town but towing a TT or 5th wheel was horrible. The ride was ridiculous, it had 20 or 22 inch wheels and was so unstable when loaded. I would say the saying "All hat and no cattle" fit that truck.

NMgypsy · 09-30-2018, 05:00 PM

I have a 1995 Dodge diesel extended cab with the 8 foot bed. I am very happy that I went with the longer bed because I have many more options then I would with a short bed. In the past I have put a Lance camper 11.3 I believe. Now I am towing a 32 foot fifth wheel with no problem. if I choose in the future to park my RV and travel in a truck camper I will have more choices. Also I have a lot more room for Stuff, and I have a lot of stuff.

mchlhailey · 09-30-2018, 05:03 PM

RAM 2500 CTD with short bed and airbags instead of dual rear wheels and it pulled my 40' Cardinal perfectly. I highly recommend an Anderson Hitch. No need for a slide and the hitch only weights about 40lb., so really easy to pull out of your truck bed at the end of a trip. No chucking and it's less $$ to buy.

rockfj58 · 09-30-2018, 05:04 PM

Hi, I just purchased a 2018 GMC Denalli DRW Crew Caba a few months ago. I could only order it with an 8’ bed.
I plan on buying a Fifthwheel soon and everything i’ve read said a 6.5’ bed is too short risking damage to both the cab and RV.
I’ve also read slider hitches are very awkward to run with.
Personally I was Leary of both a Dually and Crew with a full eight foot bed.
Not anymore, I love my truck. See attached photo.
Happy trails,

Frank

Quote:

Originally Posted by manwithnorv

I'm getting pricing on a GMC 3500 HD Denali, Crew Cab, DRW. Question: should I go with the 8' bed or the 6 1/2'. Will a 6 1/2' bed require a slide hitch? Will the 8' bed DRW be a pain to park anywhere and will the shorter bed make that much difference in the parking issue.

I hope to hear from folks who have the 8' bed and whether or not they love it or regret getting it. And visa versa those who went with 6 1/2' beds.