Why did you buy a 6.5 Foot Bed ?

[raybbj]

Hi Folks,

For those with a 6.5 foot bed.

I plan on buying a truck with an 8 foot bed. I see on this forum a lot of people have newer trucks with only the 6.5 foot bed. Assuming you knew you’d be towing a 5th with your new truck, what made you decide on a 6.5 foot bed?
I feel there are more advantages to a long bed than there are disadvantages.

Advantages:
-no need for a slider hitch
-more storage available (tool box, etc.)
-in theory, more stable towing experience
-48 gallon Fuel Tank (Ford, not sure about GM, RAM)

Disadvantage:
-Harder to park (parking lots, parallel parking, parking at home, etc.)

What was your deciding factor for purchasing a 6.5 foot bed?

Regards and Thanks,

Ray

[LV Naturist]

Maybe they hate making their bed and figure a shorter bed would be less work?

Sorry, I'm in the 8' bed group...

John

[Husker]

I have a 6.5 foot bed because my truck is long enough as it is.
If I had an 8 foot bed it would be even more difficult to turn tight corners or park in stalls.
It wouldn't fit in my garage.
And...still no need for a slider hitch

[Paul & Deb]

Hi Folks,

For those with a 6.5 foot bed. I specifically wanted a 6.5 ft bed for parking purposes and for easier backing in State and National Parks with narrow camp roads.

I plan on buying a truck with an 8 foot bed. I see on this forum a lot of people have newer trucks with only the 6.5 foot bed. Assuming you knew you’d be towing a 5th with your new truck, what made you decide on a 6.5 foot bed?
I feel there are more advantages to a long bed than there are disadvantages.

Advantages:
-no need for a slider hitch No slider hitch for me ... Andersen Ultimate does the job perfectly
-more storage available (tool box, etc.) I still have a diamond plate tool box that carries a ton of stuff
-in theory, more stable towing experience I've towed over 40 plus thousand miles with a 6.5 ft box and a large 5th wheel and have never felt "unstable"
-48 gallon Fuel Tank (Ford, not sure about GM, RAM) 37 gallon stock tank works quite well. Currently averaging 12.2 mpg on my new truck and that gets me an all day tow.

Disadvantage:
-Harder to park (parking lots, parallel parking, parking at home, etc.)

What was your deciding factor for purchasing a 6.5 foot bed?

Regards and Thanks,

Ray

See my direct responses in red​ above

[RVRunners]

Maneuverability and parking definitely a big plus for me. I also prefer the aesthetic proportions of the short bed 4x4. Have a slider hitch but have only used it in the maneuver position a couple of times. To me the biggest drawback is the smaller fuel tank with the short bed but I may consider an aftermarket replacement tank if that ever becomes a big deal. Good luck!

[johndeerefarmer]

When I started buying crew cabs I went to a 6.5' bed. It's long enough as it is. Throw a 8' bed on it and it's way harder to use it for a daily driver. It's hard to park and won't fit in a garage.

If you can stick with an extended cab the 8' bed is fine.

[John B]

A 6.5 bed, double (extended) cab is all that would fit in my garage (barely). I wasn't going to park my new $60k truck outside in the AZ sun. I also like the increased maneuverability of a short bed. I have slider and just make it SOP to use it whenever backing or tight turns. Also have room in front of the hitch for a below bedrail toolbox.

[bertschb]

Simple for me - my 6.5' bed truck fits in my garage with about 1" to spare. I don't need a slider, don't keep anything in the bed of my truck (tool box) and my 36 gallon fuel tank works for me. I would have got the 8' bed if it fit in my garage just so I'd have more room when hauling firewood or whatever.

[Jerryr]

Hi Folks,

For those with a 6.5 foot bed.

I plan on buying a truck with an 8 foot bed. I see on this forum a lot of people have newer trucks with only the 6.5 foot bed. Assuming you knew you’d be towing a 5th with your new truck, what made you decide on a 6.5 foot bed?
I feel there are more advantages to a long bed than there are disadvantages.

Advantages:
-no need for a slider hitch
-more storage available (tool box, etc.)
-in theory, more stable towing experience
-48 gallon Fuel Tank (Ford, not sure about GM, RAM)

Disadvantage:
-Harder to park (parking lots, parallel parking, parking at home, etc.)

What was your deciding factor for purchasing a 6.5 foot bed?

Regards and Thanks,

Ray

Went from an F150 to a F350 short bed. It's not very parking lot friendly. I have to back into spots as it is or I stick out too far. A long bed would be even more difficult to park.

Even with a short bed I don't find a need for a slider. My Andersen allows me at least 75 deg or turn when backing up. Anything more than the puts too much strain on the axles anyway.

I find the F350 diesel very stable when towing.

The 34 gallon tank gives me at least 300 miles of towing range. At 60 MPH that's 6 hours of driving. The only time it was a concern was a few weeks ago when I considered evacuating Florida due to Hurricane. I was concerned that I would get stuck in N Florida with no diesel availability. Next time I'll fill up 4ea 6 gallon cans and load them in the bed. That would give me at least 550 mile range. There is a Titan 55 gallon replacement available that is inviting. Only issue is it hangs down 2" lower than stock tank and I do occasionally drive into some rough dirt roads.

A long bed is way too hard to park in city or suburb parking lots.

If I were to get a long bed I would probobly go for an F450. Batter turning radius and loads of payload.

[backtrack2015]

I went with the short bed because I needed it to fit in the garage. We have hail here and I couldn't see leaving the truck outside if I could avoid it.

The short bed also has a higher payload rating (all things being equal) which saved my bacon. I was thinking travel-trailer when we bought the truck but I ended up carrying the pin-weight of a fiver.