I just switched from the 2018 6' 5" GMC 2500HD to the 2024 8' GMC 3500. I had an auto slider so that was both Heavy and long so it at up a lot of my bed. With the longer bed, I could go to a standard non slider hitch which is lighter and saves a lot of bed space.

I will say the longer truck did take a little getting accustomed to but all in all it's not that much more to deal with. The first few weeks it did feel like a lot more to consider when driving, but I finally realized I was over exaggerating it. It does ride better even being the 3500 over the 2500 (yes 6 years may have some to do with it also).

Down side to the short bed is the slider hitch basically takes up from your current hitch setup to the tailgate along with the driver side of the hitch to the side rail for the handle(s) to move.

Pro to long bed is no slider needed but you can opt for one to assist with things like hitching and having access to the front compartment.

Another thing about the slider that I personally had issue with was the moving pivot point when backing. I never really got the hang of the auto moving point. For reference I ran the Pullrite Superglide https://www.pullrite.com/products/oe_puck_SG

We bought a 3500 HD HC 6.5 ft bed and I bought the B&W Companion slider hitch for added insurance. Haven’t used it
in 5900 miles of towing a 337. Think it was 2020 GM moved factory pucks back 3-4 inches behind center of rear axle. Some say you don’t need a slider hitch since GM moved puck rearward.

I've always had an 8' bed. It makes carrying sheet products easy, towing a trailer isn't a full time deal. Backing a trailer is a learning process, but doable. I've had fifth wheels and boats. Parking the truck seems to me easiest by backing into a space. I can have a low- profile rail-mounted tool box.

Thanks! Very good point about the amount of room a slider takes up. I had not considered that up until now.

Great intel on the move of the pucks rearward. I only learned of the puck system today. Thanks for the input!

Thanks very much for the input!

Another reasonable for going with 6.5 ft bed was so is wo

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Which GD 5th wheel do you have and does it have the turning point hitch? If so have you tried to use it on your tundra?
Now hands down I will say 8' bed as it gives you more room for stuff and normally gets you the bigger fuel tank.

Another question - will you ever be considering a bigger trailer? Even if your not skip the 3/4 ton and get a 1 ton, Why - better suspension, higher payload capacity. Too much truck is not a problem. In most cases they ride the same as a 3/4 ton truck. Also if you can be sure to get the rear sway bar. On the Ford that is in the camper package - very low cost add on.
Safe travels
Keith

PS and yes the 5th wheel backs different. I suggest finding a big parking lot a few soccer cones and practice backing into various imagined camping spots.. I am still learning with mine.

I use a Curt Crosswing hitch that gives me an extra 9" of clearance in my 6'4" bed RAM 3500. It is also only about 100lbs so helps with payload. I have not had an issue with clearance and my Solitude is a wide body so it is 5" wider than your 5th wheel. That might be a solution for you as well, even in the Tundra. I also agree with Yoda that if you are getting a new truck skip the 3/4 ton and go straight to the 1 ton.

Rob

The ride with the longer wheel base is better. You also have a little more weight to control the weight being towed. I had 1 short bed truck and only towed a TT. The short bed has very little room and I could not haul a sheet of plywood. The long bed crew cabs are long but I have had no problems parking, just park a little further away, make turns a little wider. Backing up a fifth wheel takes lots of practice, and sometimes it goes right in, other times not so lucky. I will never have a short bed truck as long as I am towing.

Brian

I just switched from a 2016 F350 SRW short bed to a F350 DRW long bed. It's a huge truck and it's taking some getting used to. But I sure like being able to make sharp turns without having to worry about tapping the cab.

Jim

I have long been a proponent of the benefits of a manual slider hitch. Regardless of bed length, but does make the shorter box a viable alternative. My 2022 F350 6.5 ft box has the pucks further forward than a similar GM product. I have never encountered a driving situation where the front of the cap came in contact with the cab of the truck . . . but, if I had to make a close to 90 degree turn (which would be an emergency situation for me) I would move the slider first.

Copied from my earlier post on this subject . . . it is a misconception that a manual slider hitch is only to provide additional clearance between front of trailer and truck cab. In my opinion, it is not “do you really need one?” . . . it is “why wouldn’t you want all the advantages of one?”

You can hitch/unhitch at any angle with the tailgate down for the whole process.
Backing is easier with the hitch in the rear position. it's almost as reactive as a travel trailer.
You can see the hitch head when hitching/unhitching with the slider to the rear.
You have much better access to the trailer front compartment with the hitch moved back.

The first thing I do on arrival in front of any campsite is slide the hitch back. The last thing I do when leaving a campsite is slide the hitch forward. Many have told me that this is “too much trouble” . . . but, moving that single lever when I get out to do a site inspection before parking or a final inspection before leaving, doesn’t seem like too much extra work for all the advantages provided.

Rob​​

For the record in 2020 GM changed the puck spacing in the bed, and the position, however it's not by much. The GN and pucks are still centered somewhat over the axle. Moving the pucks back 3-4" would be pulling a lot of weigh off the steer axle. IIRC it's something like 1" behind the axle but centered over the spring.

I used to tow with a 6.5 foot bed truck, when I replaced the truck I went with 8 foot bed this time and I like the towing much more. It rides better and I find less sway (the 5ver never really had much but I pull a large bumper pull for work). Only downside is harder to park, but I park in the back and need the extra steps anyway.