Difficult to start from a stop without slipping (manual trans)

I've noticed this 6 speed to be a lot more difficult to get going from a stand still without slipping the clutch... whether it is in 1st or reverse. In 1st I can do it without slipping the clutch if I either feather the clutch and throttle or if I hit the gas hard and quickly let off the clutch. But if I try a more moderate take off, it feels like I haven't let off the clutch enough and it has that brief slip feel. In reverse, I also get the slip feel when trying to back up slowly. This occurs even on flat surfaces. On slight downhills there is no issue as the slight roll to start is enough to avoid it.

Is this just the way the transmission is? I've driven manuals for 15 years and have never had an issue with slipping the clutch on flat surfaces before.

 

It's the short gears which are on purpose since it's an off road truck.

When I'm coming home from work and I'm tried, yes, it becomes such a drag to have to feather the clutch.