Bed choice, and why
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 669
Likes: 179
I don't mind pulling one of various trailers that i have for the odd times the short bed is too small. Most of the time I find the 6.5 foot bed adequate and the often appreciate the agility of my short bed crew cab. If all they offered was a 8 foot box I'm sure I'd get by with it.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 10,156
Likes: 1,369
From: Chaz
Could a rack solve that problem with either size bed and works much better than leaving the tailgate down? Especially if you have other stuff in the bed.
if you carry it frequently there are plenty of more permanent rack options and if it’s infrequently they sell those ones that pop up/down pretty easily so it doesn’t always have to be there.
if you carry it frequently there are plenty of more permanent rack options and if it’s infrequently they sell those ones that pop up/down pretty easily so it doesn’t always have to be there.
I have my dually for sale and scaling down to one truck, a CCSB. I will just have to grab my trailer when needed.
But I haven’t been hauling material around in the last few years. Not common enough to sweat it.
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 2,969
Likes: 2,407
From: Ridgway, CO
I would use the trailer. In fact I usually haul the sleds on a trailer because I have the toolbox, counterweight, and plowing sundries taking up most of the bed.
I think there is less than 16 inches difference between the two SD beds.
Certainly it is up to what people use their trucks for. I want the shortest WB I can get with more interior space than a reg cab but I do not need nor want a crew cab. That and a "short " box fits in my garage, remains maneuverable for plowing driveways in the mountains in the winter, can haul people and gear in the cab and it does the same work as longer trucks. That is just why I made my choice. I have driven and owned enough CCLB trucks to know that isn't what I need or want anymore. I have tried them all, reg cabs, super cabs, quad cabs, crew cabs, mega cabs and short and long beds, srw and drw, you name it. My last three have been SCSB trucks, perfect for my needs and thankful Ford still sells them that way.
I think there is less than 16 inches difference between the two SD beds.
Certainly it is up to what people use their trucks for. I want the shortest WB I can get with more interior space than a reg cab but I do not need nor want a crew cab. That and a "short " box fits in my garage, remains maneuverable for plowing driveways in the mountains in the winter, can haul people and gear in the cab and it does the same work as longer trucks. That is just why I made my choice. I have driven and owned enough CCLB trucks to know that isn't what I need or want anymore. I have tried them all, reg cabs, super cabs, quad cabs, crew cabs, mega cabs and short and long beds, srw and drw, you name it. My last three have been SCSB trucks, perfect for my needs and thankful Ford still sells them that way.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 789
Likes: 231
8 foot. If you put in a 1.5-2 foot wide truck box, you still have 6' to work with.
Also with cap, can fit 10 foot conduits inside with TG closed (low corner in back to high opposite corner in front).
Even with truck box, can fit 4 x 8 sheets inside, under the box (out of the weather with cap).
Also get enough fuel to do 400+ miles towing with no fuel stop.
Also with cap, can fit 10 foot conduits inside with TG closed (low corner in back to high opposite corner in front).
Even with truck box, can fit 4 x 8 sheets inside, under the box (out of the weather with cap).
Also get enough fuel to do 400+ miles towing with no fuel stop.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 498
Likes: 18
From: Santa Fe
For years I wanted the long bed on the F150 as it’s perfect size for my need and I usually add the shell on it and I occasionally camp in it as it fits my 6’4” size with long bed. Yet it can be painful parking in city streets, and going off road during hunting trips, the shortbed does offer advantages at times. Now that I’m shopping for a Superduty, very glad the shortbed is slightly bigger than the 6’6” as the 8’ would be too long for my need knowing it does offer beneficial at times. It really depends on each’s overall needs. If I own a bigger 5th wheel RV then I probably would go for a LB.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,463
Likes: 537
From: Wasilla, AK
It is a much easier to load/unload a trailer than to load/unload a truck bed. Especially if the item is heavy and you have a front end loader handy.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,340
Likes: 4,363
From: SW VA
Not for me. Trailer means I have to bend down and pick it up. Truck bed means I can just slide it out and it's already at belly-carrying height. No lifting.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 2,044
Likes: 1,336
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2023
Posts: 298
Likes: 107
From: NJ
6.75 bed for me. Proportionally I think the truck looks tight with that bed length on a Supercab. Also, I wanted to try to stay somewhat maneuverable as my F150s I had in the past. Use case wise, I'm going to be pulling a travel trailer ~26-28 ft long, so the wheelbase ratio of my truck is perfectly suitable to that length.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 764
Likes: 194
From: Elephant Butte NM
what tax deduction? I have had 8ft beds since 1999 and always will to haul a sheet of drywall, plywood or 2x4's and I don't have an issue with the 5W hitting the cab.