Uploaded February 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
If you’re buying a 3/4-ton or 1-ton pickup to tow a fifth wheel, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is this: Short bed or long bed?
I’ve owned three short-bed trucks and one long-bed truck. I’ve towed nearly 100,000 miles with a 43-foot fifth wheel — the same size trailer — using both configurations. Mountains, crosswinds, interstates, tight campgrounds… I’ve done it all.
Get free shipping on orders over $99 at Etrailer: etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001
Pin Weight, Payload and Pairing a Fifth Wheel with a Truck: youtu.be/cF1-aUtn69U
In this video, I break down:
The real difference in wheelbase and stability
Turning radius and daily driving tradeoffs
Fifth wheel cab clearance (and how people smash rear windows)
Slider hitches and whether you actually need one
Payload and utility differences
There’s a lot of advice online about truck bed length — but most of it doesn’t come from people who have actually towed large fifth wheels long term.
This does.
If you’re shopping for a Ford F-250, F-350, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Silverado 2500HD, or Sierra 3500HD — this applies to you. Because when you’re pulling 40+ feet of trailer down the highway, small differences matter.
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Connect with RV Miles:
RV Miles Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: rvmiles.com/milemarkers
If you’re buying a 3/4-ton or 1-ton pickup to tow a fifth wheel, one of the biggest decisions you’ll make is this: Short bed or long bed?
I’ve owned three short-bed trucks and one long-bed truck. I’ve towed nearly 100,000 miles with a 43-foot fifth wheel — the same size trailer — using both configurations. Mountains, crosswinds, interstates, tight campgrounds… I’ve done it all.
Get free shipping on orders over $99 at Etrailer: etrailer.com/vehicle-finder.aspx?etam=p0001
Pin Weight, Payload and Pairing a Fifth Wheel with a Truck: youtu.be/cF1-aUtn69U
In this video, I break down:
The real difference in wheelbase and stability
Turning radius and daily driving tradeoffs
Fifth wheel cab clearance (and how people smash rear windows)
Slider hitches and whether you actually need one
Payload and utility differences
There’s a lot of advice online about truck bed length — but most of it doesn’t come from people who have actually towed large fifth wheels long term.
This does.
If you’re shopping for a Ford F-250, F-350, Ram 2500, Ram 3500, Silverado 2500HD, or Sierra 3500HD — this applies to you. Because when you’re pulling 40+ feet of trailer down the highway, small differences matter.
******************************
Connect with RV Miles:
RV Miles Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/rvmiles
Shop the RV Miles Amazon Store: amazon.com/shop/rvmiles
RV Miles Mailing List: rvmiles.com/mailinglist
Mile Marker Membership: rvmiles.com/milemarkers
