I have made up my mind that I am going to get a new (used) truck, based on three factors:

1. I just can't deal with the leather in my truck for another Texas summer.
2. I really need a long bed. Every time I actually use my truck like a truck, I find myself needing another foot or two of bed space.
3. I am tired of having a manual in city traffic, I'm giving in and getting an automatic.

I know I want to stay with the 06 or early 07, I prefer their interiors (and the 5.9). My dilemma is whether or not to get a regular cab or a quad cab. I honestly only use my backseat right now about 5% of the time or less. I think that parking a QC long bed truck in the city is gonna suck. I believe that the regular cab long bed is the same length as my current QC short bed, so I would be happy with it.

What are the community's thoughts on this?

What do you love/hate about your regular cab or quad cab long bed Dodge Ram?

I've been thinking about this for a while and I figured I would ask on here to get some good arguing points for both sides.

EDIT: Here are some images I made in paint showing my ideal setup with either. I plan on a 6 inch lift, 37 inch toyo mt's, and stacks.

 

If you know how to use your truck as a truck... then it shouldn't matter to you how 'hard' it is to park a QC vs. a Reg. cab. Just not enough of a difference to matter.... They are both going to require attention and planning.

I grew up in SA... If you stay way from downtown (which everyone but tourist should anyways) and don't have to park in a parking garage at work... then you'll be fine with a QC Long bed.

I drive all over Texas in my QC long bed auto... Downtown Houston medical center, Dallas, Austin (capital area) and all the way down to the valley. Doesn't matter where I am... I've always found a parking space I could fit (or hang out of) it.

 

Good point. I do stay away from downtown, but I work on Fort Sam, and they have a lot of poorly laid out parking spaces. In my QCLB, I find myself making multi point turns just to get into or out of a space because of the rows being too close or people parked crazy. I can only imagine a long bed to be a bit worse.

Thanks for the input.

 

I dont see the city driving being any worse there than in down town Atlanta and I drive my QC dually with spacers on the rear in atl. You do have to be on your toes but its doable.

After owning four door trucks I would never go back to a single cab unless it was off road use only, or if I had 2 trucks and one was a quad cab

 

I hate my cloth seats in my 06. The are uncomforable as all get out. I had the leather seats in my 2000 that were good for 7 days 10hr/day of driving and never had a back ache. They were heated also. Wish I could find a set of them somewhere.

I understand the heat thing. I use to use a towel on the drivers seat in the hot weather down here. That seat was shinny like glass.

I went from a 9 year ralationship with a 6 speed to a 48RFE auto in my current truck. I agree, the automatic is much better around town, but, when towing I perfer the control given by the six speed. (with exhaust brake)
When I bought my current truck, I could have bought the 6.7 and six speed auto. I really did not want all that emissions garbage on the engine, but really wanted the 68RFE tranny. I'm happy with the 5.9 I got but still wish I
got the 6 speed auto. I'm changing my rear ratio to help out the 48RFE temps
and pick up in first gear.

I've never owned a short bed truck. Somthig missing there.

Standard Cab vs Quad Cab. Get the quad cab. If your getting a 2500 it don't make no difference. You'll get use to the extra length. I love the storage under the back seat. Put a 50-70 gallons aux tank back there. You'll love it.

 

I don't have anything to tow, other than occasionally renting a boat during the summer. When I have towed, yeah it was nice having full control over the rpms. As long as I am able to tow, I have to look at the fact that 99% of the time I am not towing, so like I said, I'm giving in to get the auto.

I had an 03 single cab 1500 in high school, and it wasn't bad too bad on the behind the seat storage. Yeah the quad cab has more space, but if I have anything really big I can just toss it in the bed.

 

I went over these questions myself when I was shopping around. I don't blame you on the leather in the summer. It's why I didn't want it. The LB, I figured the same but at this point I'm not moving enough stuff that I'm saying "a longer bed would help". But at the same time I also don't have a toolbox back there. And if I did, like I do need, then there's even less space.

As for manual, in SA traffic is pretty busy, an auto would be easier, but consider if you need a manual for any work your truck sees.

As for LWB truck, you can do it. You will have to park out most times in the lots (better for door dings anyway). Anyone who can drive a truck worth beans shouldn't have much trouble. Of course there will be times where parking might come up but for the most part having the room in the bed for what you need the truck for will overcome and parking/driving considerations.

To me it seems clear you know what decision you need to make

I have a dog and a husband. The QC is just the right amount of space for us when we need it. The bed size might be tight when I put a toolbox in. I like to have all my gear/tools in the truck and I don't have that right now.

 

I can definitely drive worth beans but I can't help the fact that Fort Sam Houston is way overcrowded. There are times when I need to park somewhere, and there is literally only one or two available spots in the entire lot, and there is barely enough space between the parking rows for me to make a 5 or 6 point turn and wiggle into the spot. And that's in my QCLB.

I guess I'm just trying to find reasons not to get a regular cab, besides the obvious lack of a back seat.

Is there anyone out there with a regular cab long bed that regrets not getting a quad cab?

 

Uhggg yeah. Finding spots on base in the lot you need is tough. Oddly enough, even when you do wiggle into a spot there's usually a bad driver who will hit your truck for you. Ft Sam is an old base in an old part of town - which means everything is smaller in regards to roads and lots.

When I last drove a regular cab long bed was back in college. It was perfect really since it was just me. If I needed to go anywhere with a group I'd just hitch a ride in someone else's car. Saved gas money

If you're single you can probably get away with a regular cab and not have someone regularly hassling you about space.

 

I have the LB QC 48re 06 with cloth seats, and I love it. I find it comfortable for long drives, and I don't miss shaking hands with the shift lever in traffic one bit. As far as parking goes, it is a lot easier to get into those places that require a tight turn if you can back in. Going forward it does take about 40 acres to turn the rig around.

 

I'm on my second regcab. There's an enormous amount of storage room behind the seat of these 3rd. gens. The longbed was a necessity plus the ability to park anywhere. Driving around the block searching for parking doesn't work for me. We don't have kids or pets. I owned a '98 F-150 prior to buying my '98.5. That back seat area was lonely the whole time.

 

I know the feeling. I have to park it several times a day; I use the backseat about once or twice a week, if that.

 

No problems parking or maneuvering my long bed QC........my wife is fine with it also......but she is a country girl.
48E is fine, but mine is built to handle about 850 HP.

 

Love the quad cab, way more room, for junk and people, power back windows,extra storage under the seats, I have not had a reg cab pickup since 1987 always extra cabs. no problem turning parking, anything.

 

I don't understand the concern about the leather seating. My last two trucks with a combined 551,000 thousand miles have had leather interiors. It was 94 here yesterday and regularly get over 100 in the summer. I have have experienced no difference between the leather and the cloth seats my previous trucks have had.