5.5ft bed usability
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New User
Joined: Aug 2017
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5.5ft bed usability
Hi guys and girls,
I own a 1998 extended cab with 6.6ft bed that I want to replace with a newer f-150. Possibly 2015 and up for its aluminum body and general improvements.
I definitely want to upgrade to Crew Cab as I want to replace my second car but not sure if Crew Cab with 5.5 ft will meet my requirements.
Currently with my 6.5ft bed truck I haul (for home use, friends, etc.) occasional building materials 8-12 ft, bulk mulch, topsoil, furniture, etc. Most places I have gotten bulk mulch/topsoil from have loaders with scoop as wide as my truck bed length so it is straightforward to fill it up. I am not sure 5.5 will be the same way.
So basically I am considering Crew Cab with 6.5ft bed if 5.5 won't do but 6.5 beds are rarer and obviously make the vehicle longer.
I'd love ro hear from 5.5ft bed owners if they regret (or happy) not going with 6.5 and why.
Thanks!
David
I own a 1998 extended cab with 6.6ft bed that I want to replace with a newer f-150. Possibly 2015 and up for its aluminum body and general improvements.
I definitely want to upgrade to Crew Cab as I want to replace my second car but not sure if Crew Cab with 5.5 ft will meet my requirements.
Currently with my 6.5ft bed truck I haul (for home use, friends, etc.) occasional building materials 8-12 ft, bulk mulch, topsoil, furniture, etc. Most places I have gotten bulk mulch/topsoil from have loaders with scoop as wide as my truck bed length so it is straightforward to fill it up. I am not sure 5.5 will be the same way.
So basically I am considering Crew Cab with 6.5ft bed if 5.5 won't do but 6.5 beds are rarer and obviously make the vehicle longer.
I'd love ro hear from 5.5ft bed owners if they regret (or happy) not going with 6.5 and why.
Thanks!
David
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New User
Joined: Aug 2017
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That's a good suggestion, thanks but I don't want to own a trailer. I can probably get away with hauling long items with 5.5ft bes down (only live 1 mile from lowhes, town road), but landscaping use is my main concern. In addition, difficult terrain in my backyard won't work with a trailer for truck bed mulching. Even maneuvering a truck is a PITA.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 3,274
Likes: 4
From: Seattle area
The SD in my signature was a CC long box, so I've driven the full size dragon before. I start with that because owning the Explorer showed me what can be done in parking garages when you're wheel base is not measured in zip codes. When I test drove the F-150 CC with the 5.5' box, I could go anywhere. But for some reason, jumping to the 6.5' bed made me a chronic curb clipper. To the point I was laughing during a test drive.
Putting all that out there, I'm glad I got the 5.5' bed every day of the week. But I wish I got the 6.5' bed every 4-8 weeks when I need the room for something. I'm guessing you need the longer bed more than I, so I recommend going with the 6.5' bed option. Honestly, it's almost embarrassing trying to bring home anything larger than a 8' 2x4 from the hardware store. I'm like a jouster running away from my opponent.
If you can't find the truck you want, order one. I ordered my truck and it was worth the wait. Get exactly what you want and nothing else!
Putting all that out there, I'm glad I got the 5.5' bed every day of the week. But I wish I got the 6.5' bed every 4-8 weeks when I need the room for something. I'm guessing you need the longer bed more than I, so I recommend going with the 6.5' bed option. Honestly, it's almost embarrassing trying to bring home anything larger than a 8' 2x4 from the hardware store. I'm like a jouster running away from my opponent.
If you can't find the truck you want, order one. I ordered my truck and it was worth the wait. Get exactly what you want and nothing else!
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 341
Likes: 2
You might be OK with the 5.5, if it's just the stuff you described. When hauling lumber, kayaks, ATVs, snowmobiles, and other longer stuff, that extra foot makes a big difference. I have trailers, but occasionally there are times where I don't want to pull a trailer, and prefer to use the bed.
I don't haul mulch, dirt, gravel, etc. with a pickup. Too much of a pain in the *** getting the dirt out, so I borrow a dump truck from a friend. If you don't know anyone, it's pretty cheap to get it delivered.
I don't haul mulch, dirt, gravel, etc. with a pickup. Too much of a pain in the *** getting the dirt out, so I borrow a dump truck from a friend. If you don't know anyone, it's pretty cheap to get it delivered.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,914
Likes: 136
From: Burleson, Tx
It works. But if it's only every once in a while get one of these:
https://t.harborfreight.com/truck-be...der-69650.html
I made one and with my last truck (6.5' bed with an in the bed toolbox) I carried stuff as long as 20'.
https://t.harborfreight.com/truck-be...der-69650.html
I made one and with my last truck (6.5' bed with an in the bed toolbox) I carried stuff as long as 20'.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,475
Likes: 728
From: Calgary Canada
I've had F150 crews with both beds and here's my thoughts.
1) the 157wb. (6.5' bed) IS noticeably harder to park in urban areas. If where you park is busy enough that you have to take whatever spot is open, this is a real hassle. If you usually have the option of just parking a little further away, it's just a few more steps.
2) if you really use the bed for hauling gear or cargo or bulk loads, that longer bed is much more functional. It may be "only a foot" but keep in mind it's about 20% more area and volume. Also 8' lumber doesn't overhang the tailgate on the longer bed, if that's something you haul.
I really appreciate the extra space for the family camping trips in the summer, but through the rest of the year, it's all wasted space for me.
1) the 157wb. (6.5' bed) IS noticeably harder to park in urban areas. If where you park is busy enough that you have to take whatever spot is open, this is a real hassle. If you usually have the option of just parking a little further away, it's just a few more steps.
2) if you really use the bed for hauling gear or cargo or bulk loads, that longer bed is much more functional. It may be "only a foot" but keep in mind it's about 20% more area and volume. Also 8' lumber doesn't overhang the tailgate on the longer bed, if that's something you haul.
I really appreciate the extra space for the family camping trips in the summer, but through the rest of the year, it's all wasted space for me.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 6,801
Likes: 7
From: DFW, TX-GoldCanyon, AZ
It works. But if it's only every once in a while get one of these:
https://t.harborfreight.com/truck-be...der-69650.html
I made one and with my last truck (6.5' bed with an in the bed toolbox) I carried stuff as long as 20'.
https://t.harborfreight.com/truck-be...der-69650.html
I made one and with my last truck (6.5' bed with an in the bed toolbox) I carried stuff as long as 20'.
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Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2017
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Thank you so much for all who replied. I think I am now leaning toward ext cab 6.5 as the whole point of having truck is the large bed.
Perhaps I should go test drive a cc with 6.5 bed to see how "bad" it is.
Perhaps I should go test drive a cc with 6.5 bed to see how "bad" it is.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 5,889
Likes: 360
From: Mts. S. of San Francisco
That's probably the wisest choice. Good luck finding a long wheelbase to test. I will tell you this. The back seat on the F-150 crew cab is big enough for us to haul "most" weekend hauling tasks. It's probably almost as big as the box on compact pickup trucks. We refer to our back seat as "the gymnasium". The missus always tells people that it's big enough for 6 German Shepherds.
Thread Starter
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New User
Joined: Aug 2017
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That's probably the wisest choice. Good luck finding a long wheelbase to test. I will tell you this. The back seat on the F-150 crew cab is big enough for us to haul "most" weekend hauling tasks. It's probably almost as big as the box on compact pickup trucks. We refer to our back seat as "the gymnasium". The missus always tells people that it's big enough for 6 German Shepherds.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 60
From: N. Illinois
On the 5.5 foot bed? Been there, done that. The ride is worse, first, second, at least you can put 8 foot long items (depending on width) crosswise in a 6.5' bed and still close the tailgate. It saves bungee cording the few 2x4's I need once in a while, and allows me to close the lid and lock them up in the bed. When I get some trim or things when it's raining, it prevents the second trip I would need on a nicer day when im
already at the store today.
already at the store today.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,306
Likes: 32
I camp quite a bit and don't like pitching tents so I went for the 6.5' and now have a shell on it. Makes camping much more pleasant and I don't have to sleep diagonally in the back.
The ride is noticeably better compared to my 2012 XLT 4x4 with 5.5'
Parking is a little more difficult and my neighbors bitch about it sometimes because the back of my truck sticks out compared to their little BMW's and Minis in the community parking lot.
The ride is noticeably better compared to my 2012 XLT 4x4 with 5.5'
Parking is a little more difficult and my neighbors bitch about it sometimes because the back of my truck sticks out compared to their little BMW's and Minis in the community parking lot.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
Likes: 48
From: Abilene TX.
i miss my 6.5 ft bed. However when i haul 12 ft boards I usually don't buy many and I leave the tailgate up and tie them down good front and rear. and let them wave in the sky. I look lie a wench truck with the jin poles up!