Bed length choice
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 8,458
Likes: 722
From: Calgary Canada
For a homeowner who might want to carry 8-foot sheets once or twice a year, every bed size, even the 5.5 footer, works just fine. For someone who does it regularly, or on a farm or commercial truck, yeah that extra length is really handy. Awesome to have the choices, each has their application.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
From: Monterey
For a homeowner who might want to carry 8-foot sheets once or twice a year, every bed size, even the 5.5 footer, works just fine. For someone who does it regularly, or on a farm or commercial truck, yeah that extra length is really handy. Awesome to have the choices, each has their application.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,778
Likes: 287
From: Down SOUTH
They are improving tho.
My 2016 F350 & 2020 Ranger are pretty quiet & tight compared to older model S/Cabs.
I wanted the Ranger with Longer bed so that meant SC option only unfortunately.
My 2016 F350 & 2020 Ranger are pretty quiet & tight compared to older model S/Cabs.
I wanted the Ranger with Longer bed so that meant SC option only unfortunately.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
None of my SCABs had rattling issues and I've owned several since 1992, a 1992, 1997, 2006, 2011, 2017 and 2020 My 2014 was a RCSB.
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 1,225
From: San Antonio, TX
Doesn't look like you owned one long enough. After the 4 door SuperCabs came along, 99 and later, they would rattle pretty bad on a rough road after they had a few years/miles on them.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 2,474
Likes: 24
From: ME
How long is long enough? The rear doors don't rattle on my dad's 2001 F250 SCAB.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 19
From: Louisiana
As somebody who has always ordered an 8 foot bed, or for the 2016 F150 6.5 foot bed. I was forced to get a 5.5ft bed on the new F150 Lightning. Dont do it, the 5.5ft is for anybody practically using their truck just makes everything harder. It looks funny, cant fit a lot back there and that 6.5 bed makes for a nicer ride.
My vote is to get the 6.5 foot bed, you wont regret it.
My vote is to get the 6.5 foot bed, you wont regret it.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 1,159
Likes: 33
From: Utah
In my recent search for a 2022 EB coming from a late 1999 F250 CC, I would have gotten a 5.5 if the deal and options were right, but I did prioritize a 6.5 and ultimately did get the longer bed length. I do think the proportion of the truck is better with the longer bed and certainly more useful, but I also agree the 5.5 would work most of the time and for more customers. Personal preference is the deciding factor.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 235
Likes: 84
We get hail at least once a summer so my truck has to fit in my garage. A 6.5 will fit with about 4 inches to spare so I go with the 5.5 because it lets me pass between it and the garage door while keeping the garage closed. I find that very convenient when it is -20 in the winter with a 30 mph wind blowing.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 292
Likes: 25
I have a 03 F150 crew cab and a 04 Dodge 2500 crew cab, both with the short bed. There are many times that I wish I had an 8' bed as I now often travel with items longer than 6.5 feet. My next truck will have an 8' bed with a fiberglass cap, and be a crew cab. As far as garage length, I can park both of my trucks back to back inside the garage and close the garage door. I do need to remove the hitch though. 
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2019
Posts: 1,307
Likes: 310
My ‘03 F150 doesn’t rattle and I’ve owned it since right about this time in 2007.
They definitely didn’t rattle before I changed the rotted cable sleeves on both backs doors, either.