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New User
Posts: 2
| We currently have a long box truck to tow our living quarters trailer (8' shortwall). We are thinking of switching to a short box. Is it harder to back into and get out of campsites with a short box? Any other issues we should be aware of? Thank you! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 720
 
| It is more manuverable with a shortbed, and even more so with smaller cab. But a shortbed also increases the chances of cab to trailer interference.
Shorter truck make easier to move in close quarters, less stable on highway. That's why you see big trucks divided into over-the-road long trucks, and short daycabs for around town deliveries. You can do one with the other, but it isn't ideal. |
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Regular
Posts: 78
| I used a short bed to tow a small LQ trailer (8' wide) for 5 years. When I got a new truck, I went back to a long bed. Easier to back and more stability going down the road. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 662
Location: Vanzant, Missouri | I tow a 3h w 8ft LQ with a short bed and have no problems. I did add the SB1 hitch extender to the trailer and I can jack knife it if I need to...Sets the trailer back 9 inches but still pulls smooth.Backs great. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Fort Madison, Iowa | If I had a square nose trailer, I wouldn't consider a short bed truck. I have a tapered nose trailer, 8 ft wide with 7ft LQ, with a short bed truck and I get along fine with tight turns and backing. I've had both and the next truck I buy, I'll be looking for a long bed truck. They ride nicer and it feels more stable.
Edited by horsin around 2014-04-28 3:47 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 489
| If it were my daily driver I would get a short bed, I have hauled both of my trailers thousands of miles with a short bed pickup and never an issue. If I were getting a vehicle that would only be used for the trailer I would get a long bed.
Edited by blackcows 2014-04-28 7:43 PM
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 Expert
Posts: 2453
Location: Northern Utah | It really depends on what trucks you are comparing.The original Ford Superduty (1999 to 2004) had a different front end from the current Superduty (2005 to present) The 2005 and newer Long beds turned as sharp as the earlier version Short beds did. I had a 2000 and a 2003 Shortbed trucks and with the changes in 2005, I bought a 2006 Long bed and again in 2011 and have been happy with the turning radius of the newer long beds.This is also true of the Ford F450. The wide track front axle on the F450 has a better turning radius than the F250- F350 trucks. So just be aware that there is more to the question than just a Short bed vs Long Bed. |
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Regular
Posts: 60
Location: Alberta Canada | I have hauled my three horse bumper pull with both a short box and long box truck. I prefer the long box hands down! If you ever haul with a short box on a windy day you will know exactly where the expression"the tail wagging the dog" comes from! I would take safety and stability over ability to fit into tighter spaces any day! My hauling truck is a one ton dually long box and I love it! |
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Short Box or Long Box Truck for towing?
