Bed length choice
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Tuned
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 428
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville, TN
Bed length choice
As I workup a build on line I am curious about bed length choices. I would like to go 6.5 but wonder if that has an impact on other things? Why does Ford offer a 5.5 and 6.5? Why not 7? Just seems odd.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 279
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 5,650
Likes: 243
From: GA
Most people don’t need an 8 foot bed and many don’t need a 6.5 foot bed but, it’s a nice step up from the 5.5 bed especially for those that have a family of 4-5 and they do things like a lot of camping.
In the end, it all comes down to what sells the most hence the reason most of the trucks on a lot have the 5.5 bed followed by the 6.5 and this is true for all brands.
Moderator
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 1,225
From: San Antonio, TX
Maybe he meant a 6' bed, to split the difference. The SuoerCrew 5.5' bed is offered as it shares the same chassis/wheelbase as the SuperCab with a 6.5' bed. It's an economy of scale thing. And it's has proven to be a good decision, being the most popular truck that Ford sells right now.
On the other hand, the SuperCrew with a 6.5' bed is not seen as often, as it has it's own dedicated chassis/wheelbase. As I've read here, in some parts of the country you never see one and can't find one to buy. Here in my part of Texas, I see them everyday and not just because I have one. Not just Fords either, I'm seeing more and more of the late model GM trucks configured that way.
On the other hand, the SuperCrew with a 6.5' bed is not seen as often, as it has it's own dedicated chassis/wheelbase. As I've read here, in some parts of the country you never see one and can't find one to buy. Here in my part of Texas, I see them everyday and not just because I have one. Not just Fords either, I'm seeing more and more of the late model GM trucks configured that way.
Cross-Country
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 7
My last two F150’s were 5.5’ and I opted for the 6.5’ in the 2022 that I just ordered. Hope to have the truck by the end of June.
Personally I think the 5.5’ box looks too small in comparison to the large cab so I went with the 6.5’ for looks and it will be more practical for hauling sleds and quads. I also pull a trailer (28’ aluminum) in the winter and the longer wheel base at 157” will mean more truck to the pavement.
Having said this: I agree that Ford should eliminate the 5.5’ and 6.5’ and go to a 6’ which will look great and also practical for hauling.
I’ll keep you posted on how it handles once it arrives.
Personally I think the 5.5’ box looks too small in comparison to the large cab so I went with the 6.5’ for looks and it will be more practical for hauling sleds and quads. I also pull a trailer (28’ aluminum) in the winter and the longer wheel base at 157” will mean more truck to the pavement.
Having said this: I agree that Ford should eliminate the 5.5’ and 6.5’ and go to a 6’ which will look great and also practical for hauling.
I’ll keep you posted on how it handles once it arrives.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 132
Likes: 35
All things being equal, I'd have preferred teh 6.5', but it wouldn't fit in my garage and I refuse to not be able to garage my vehicle. So far (about 5 months) the 5.5 has worked out well, including a 3300 mile route 66 trip with my wife, her sister and husband.
It will be interesting to see if it's big enough to haul stuff to our boat and also for tailgating next fall.
It will be interesting to see if it's big enough to haul stuff to our boat and also for tailgating next fall.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 52
Likes: 2
Have a 19 SCRW 6.5, just ordered same truck w 5.5 I prefer the 6.5, but that 12" shorter wheelbase is significant, and if i have something long i'll just drop the tailgate and secure.
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Moderator
Joined: May 2005
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From: San Antonio, TX
Or use a utility trailer. A truck with a 5.5' bed will still do a lot of work.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,778
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From: Down SOUTH
Most ppl want the little 5.5 bed to get around town, drivethru’s and / or fit in their carports.
For my applications & looks : I prefer 6.5 or 8ft
im use to a 176” WB super duty & wouldn’t park curbside IF I could
To avoid door dings.
For my applications & looks : I prefer 6.5 or 8ft
im use to a 176” WB super duty & wouldn’t park curbside IF I could
To avoid door dings.
New User
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 4
Likes: 5
Having owned a truck with a 5.5 bed in the past, I will never own another. For what I need a truck for (hunting, camping, hauling lumber, ATV etc), a 5.5 bed is damn near worthless and I would be better served with a 4Runner. Outside of having a deep enough garage bay and a slightly larger turning radius, I never have seen the downside. Having said that, getting anything above an XLT with a 6.5 can be difficult and usually takes a special order.
The Super Crew and a 6.5 is just too long IMO.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
From: Monterey
The 5.5 bed is designed for use with a crew cab to have an overall length that is close to that of a super/extened/double cab with a 6.5 ft box. The majority of truck owners with crew cab trucks are using them like a station wagon and bed length is not important. The 6.5 ft bed with the tailgate down works well when hauling 4x8 drywall or plywood sheet. When I bought a hardtop shell for my new truck in 2011 the dealer had only one 5.5 cap in stock with all the others for a 6.5 ft box.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 1,801
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From: Abilene TX.
TJ
Cross-Country
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 84
Likes: 8
From: Fairbanks Alaska
I ordered the 5.5 foot bed for my 2023. I'm one who believes real trucks have 8 foot beds. I'm downsizing from an F250 crewcab long bed to an F150. I just need to be able to haul things home that I buy that won't fit in a regular car. If I need more length I can leave the tailgate down. Maybe it'll fit in the garage of the home I'm purchasing. My current home has a garage that fit three f250 cc long beds... but I'll never have a garage like that again...
Mountain Pass
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 227
Likes: 75
From: Monterey
Having the 6.5 bed with the supercrew cab on my truck make it a foot longer but there were no supercab trucks available with the other equipent I wanted (36-gal gas tank, 3.55 locking differential, 4WD package). With the 5.5 bed I could not even fit our road bikes in the bed. The 6.5 becomes an 8 foot bed in terms of hauling sheets of plywood and 8x lumber which is a bare minimum for my trucks. Most trucks can only be bought with the 8' bed when they have a regular cab and the work truck configuration.