I haven't been able to find this. What's the bumper-to-bumper on a regular cab, long bed? My QC SWB has less than a foot of clearance in the garage, and I'm looking at long bed.

QC definitely won't fit, but I'm wondering if the decrease in cab size compensates for the increase in bed size. It *seems* like it should, but...

 

dont worry, a reg cab long wheel base will have the same length as your quad cab short wheel base- 229.7"

 

Here's what the 08 brochure says:

Regular Cab Short Box: 207.7" overall length, 120.5" wheelbase
Regular Cab Long Box: 229.7" overall length, 140.5" wheelbase
Quad Cab Short Box: 227.7" overall length, 140.5" wheelbase
Quad Cab Long Box: 249.7" overall length, 160.5" wheelbase
Mega Cab: 247.9" overall length, 160.5" wheelbase

 

oh i guess i was off by 2" for the QC/SB. i hope that wont affect whether his truck fits in the garage

 

Well at least you were over by 2 inches. If anything, he'll have an extra 2" to allow for the front license plate bracket.

 

but then you have to allow another 2" for the reg cab

 

Well, 2" I can absorb... barely.

I'm still waffling on whether I'm going to a 3500. To get payload for a full-size slide-in camper, I need a 3500 dualie (single wheel doesn't gain that much on a 3500). 3500 also pretty much requires a diesel.

I also need a longbed for the full-size camper. Which means I lose my garage unless I go to an RC. The garage is really nice in the northwest for rain/snow/cold.

Decisions, decisions...

(I also don't know if a dualie will leave enough room for my wife to park her car.... )

 

Well a dually adds nearly 20 inches to the width - it's 8 feet wide. Would that fit through the door of your garage?

I live in the Northeast, so I understand the idea of clearing the snow off, but I wouldn't base my decision on if it fits in the garage. I'd pick what you want or need, and suffer a little by having to clear off the snow. Plus, I think your wife might have an objection to you parking your truck in the garage and throwing her car out in the driveway.

If you are going to be towing a lot, go with the diesel.

 

Dang. Just when I thought by looking at some Ram dualies that it didn't look "that" wide.

We have a double-car/16' wide door. The truck and car would fit, but I don't know if we'd be able to squeeze by them. I've even been doing mental gymastics like "If I park backwards, on the other side of the garage..."

And, yeah... I'm trying to get the best of both worlds. IF I could fit in the garage, I'd be happy; but I'm a bit resigned to needing to be outside. if that's the case, a QC LWB dualie is going to be really interesting as a daily driver (if it's going to be outside, I don't need to reduce the length). 20" longer, 20" wider.

We are still trying to decide where we want to be in the next couple of years and what the best truck would be then. It seems like now is the best time to take advantage of "the economy is collapsing; if you have the money, now is the time to buy."

I could always put up a tent/canopy to protect against the sun/snow/rain, although I'd want the block heater to leave the truck outside when cold.

 

well, you shouldnt have to worry about leaving those dodges outside. they are tough, unlike those wimpy ferds, yotas, and chevys. i think you can get like a metal carport for about a $1k and that should protect your truck