21 January 2016, 15:52
eezridr6-4 or 8 foot bed
I do not think one truck does it all.
I have a 3/4 ton cummins Ram megacab 4X4 (short box). As long as a quad cab long box. Positives is it get 21 MPG on the highway (just bought diesel yesterday for $1.61. Ton of room to carry 5 adults. Will pull anything I want and can carry all you hunting gear inside the cab. Downside: too heavy for off road and will beat you to death off pavement.
My hunting / farm buggy is a 96 GMC 1500 extended cab 8' bed 4X4. 2000 lbs lighter the the Ram. Floats over stuff that would sink the Ram, smoother riding in the rough stuff. Not as comfortable as the Ram, will pull 1/2 the load and cannot carry as much stuff inside out of the weather. Gets 5 mpg less gas mileage than the Ram.
Tradeoffs...
21 January 2016, 19:35
Gatogordoquote:
Originally posted by eezridr:
I do not think one truck does it all.
I have a 3/4 ton cummins Ram megacab 4X4 (short box). As long as a quad cab long box. Positives is it get 21 MPG on the highway (just bought diesel yesterday for $1.61. Ton of room to carry 5 adults. Will pull anything I want and can carry all you hunting gear inside the cab. Downside: too heavy for off road and will beat you to death off pavement.
My hunting / farm buggy is a 96 GMC 1500 extended cab 8' bed 4X4. 2000 lbs lighter the the Ram. Floats over stuff that would sink the Ram, smoother riding in the rough stuff. Not as comfortable as the Ram, will pull 1/2 the load and cannot carry as much stuff inside out of the weather. Gets 5 mpg less gas mileage than the Ram.
Tradeoffs...
Basically exactly the same combination I use, Dodge Mega Cab Cummins short box and my ranch truck is a 2004 Dodge Ram 1500 (one bench seat, standard truck) 4x4 with a long bed and mud tires. Like most 4x4s it will allow you to get stuck farther from help, but thru hard earned experience (favorite saying from Ben Franklin, "Experience keeps a dear school, but a fool will have no other.") I almost never get stuck anymore on my place, until the next time.

BTW I just bought diesel Tuesday in Sulphur Springs for $1.58, cheapest I've ever bought for this truck.
22 January 2016, 20:42
Willquote:
Originally posted by Gatogordo:
it will allow you to get stuck farther from help

23 January 2016, 05:38
Sean RussellOne of each--
4 dr 8ft one ton for hauling and goose neck trailer
4 dr f-150 short bed for everyday driver---its also cheaper
28 January 2016, 19:40
Jason PThis may be the toughest question that I have seen on AR!
I had a long bed before my current truck. It was a 2000 F-350 long bed
Pro's- Great for work. When I was building our cabin, I could haul A LOT of material. Loved the long bed for long hunting trips.
Con's- Parking, not as good to handle in the hills. Back end slides more (snow)...
My current truck is a 2012 F-350 Short bed. Enough room to fit my ATV. However, that will take up all of my space! Handles much better!
Overall, for my needs, I will go with the short bed. But, there is a solid argument for the long bed!