Short Bed, Standard Bed or Long Bed - Why?

[Shutterbug57]

I realize there is no universally right answer here. This is a bit like the 9mm v .45 debate. My question is why you chose the truck bed length you chose.

I went with the standard 6’ 4” bed because I need the room to store stuff. I will put a tonneau cover on it and will have enough security for the low value items I will have in the bed. We will be full timing in our motorhome and pulling the truck so stored items will be things like camp chairs, propane bottles, some basic tools, recovery gear, shovel, etc. I also plan to put molle panels on the bed walls to aid in organization.

Interested in your thoughts.

 

[ibike]

6’4” just look better to me.

 

[BossHogg]

It is a need thing, I guess. For example, if you plan on pulling a fifth-wheel RV, a long bed will guarantee clearance between the cab and the RV nose on high-degree turns. Of course, a "slider hitch" will do the same thing. Then there is the issue of navigating a drive-through, fitting into a parking space at the store, or a sightseeing venue. If you want to park a long bed in most garages, that won't happen.

I'm struggling with the issue of a full bed or a shorter bed on a new 3500. My current 3500 has the 6' 4" bed, and it has worked well for me for the past 10 years. But, the 5' 7" bed on my 1500 is noticeably too short, and the next time I buy a new 1500, I'm going with the longer bed.

 

[Mlarv5]

I have owned nothing but F150's with the crew cabs with the 5'5 bed. I like the extra room in the cab. I tend to haul more stuff in the cab (tools, luggage, etc) under lock and key, then in the bed. My wife and I are retired, so if we feel like heading to AZ and back we pack up and go.

I still have a 2023 F150 Lariat, my wife drives it mainly.

When I needed another truck I looked at Fords and Rams. I got closer to what I needed/ wanted in the Ram for a better cost.

It is the 6.4 bed Quad cab. My wife and I went on a trip to New Orleans at the beginning of the month. We took the Ram for the first trip. The cab felt small compared to what we are used to. It was comfortable with plenty of power.

When I go get supplies I use the Ram, (I build and install custom cabinets) I can fit 8 foot trim in the bed with the gate up. Sheet goods still hang over the gate. I can not haul as many tools in the cab, so some of them now go to the bed.

With me it is more about the cab not the bed. Any of the three beds lengths work well for me.

 

[Papa Red]

I'm old school, it's the 8' long bed for me and that's all I've ever owned and I've always owned a truck. No issues carrying anything.

Red

 

[Dean2]

I bought the 8' bed crew cab because my current pickup and my previous 1996 are not a daily drivers around town. It only gets used for pickup things like long distance travel, hunting, fishing etc. With a canopy on it, that has both side windows that open, it still fits in my garage, and I can carry the quad in it, covered up, and still have room for lots of other gear. Neither of the short bed versions allow me to get the quad in and have any room between the quad and the tailgate. On the long bed, there is enough room there to put a couple of quartered elk, or a couple of whole deer and still close the tailgate.

 

[Adamcr68]

6’4” just look better to me.

That’s the only thing I wish I had, I have the 5’7” bed, sometimes I look at my truck & think “ man that’s a short bed”
The 6’4” isn’t much bigger but feel like it would look more balanced, even with the crew cab

 

[Bmags]

Standard 6'4" for me. Easiest to haul an ATV in the back when I can close the tailgate. Crew Cab with the 6'4" is nice.

 

[turkeybird56]

I have the 5'7" bed and works for me. Would have liked a longer bed, but I bought my 5th Gen when they were 1st available, so not a lot of choices. But then, I do not haul anything big in bed, and since I have full tonneau, I just hook up my 14' stock trailer if need to haul/get bigger stuff.

 

[KeithP]

I realize there is no universally right answer here. This is a bit like the 9mm v .45 debate. My question is why you chose the truck bed length you chose.

I went with the standard 6’ 4” bed because I need the room to store stuff. I will put a tonneau cover on it and will have enough security for the low value items I will have in the bed. We will be full timing in our motorhome and pulling the truck so stored items will be things like camp chairs, propane bottles, some basic tools, recovery gear, shovel, etc. I also plan to put molle panels on the bed walls to aid in organization.

Interested in your thoughts.

Ahhh evolution. Standard used to be 6ft with a stepside bed. Then they stretched it out to 8ft. It became the standard and the 6ft became the “short” bed. Then came the fleetside bed which became standard over the stepside. Now we have 3 bed lengths to choose from and the stepside is non existent. So what length is really considered “standard” today?

Same with the cab configurations. Which cab is standard? The crew cab which is most prevalent in today’s market or the single cab that harkens back to the days when crew cabs were highly unusual but, unlike the stepside bed, is still available today?

 

[Tulecreeper]

Long bed for me for the cargo and towing capacity.

 

[Tray Burge]

RCSB for me, but my wife sure wishes it was longer.

 

[Crazyro]

For me it was both for looks and practicality. I've always loved long vehicles (if I could afford it, I'd get the Stretch My Truck guys to do me a Mega Cab long bed) and have always liked the look of the CCLB. Also loved the idea of the 6.4 so that's what I looked for. Practically, I also wanted to long bed to carry a golf cart. We no longer have this setup but still love the CCLB and the slightly shorter camper we tow. (yes, she's squatted a little because she's leveled so when towing, she drops somewhat; never been an issue tho).

 

[tron67j]

I have always been a LB person, all trucks were 8'. I like the extra room when towing a 5th wheel, can put a bunch of stuff around the hitch. I also will get things like sheet rock and 2x4s so can leave them covered until needed. I also hide presents in there as my truck fits in the garage with 3 inches to spare.

 

[truck2014]

The terminology has sure changed , but for me there is a long bed and a short bed . As far as Ram for a 2500 ,and up , I believe there is only the 6-4 ,and the 8 . no 5-7 . I had nothing for many years but a standard cab 8' bed . Which was the most common . Now for me since my 99 Superduty ,it's been a crew cab short bed , or if you will standard bed . But always a 1 ton .

I have towed fifth wheels ever since my early 99 Superduty with no issues with the cab clearance . Yes you have to be a bit more mindful backing , but have done it for years without hitting the cab . I did have a slider hitch , but rarely used it . I now have a steel Andersen . When I went to the 2014 Ram 3500 with the fifth wheel prep ,there were not a lot of choices for that system . So I went with a frame adapter on the puck system ,and my Reese slider , and from there to the steel Andersen which also fit the standard rail system that the frame adapter was . The Andersen sits the fifth wheel back a bit further giving a bit more cab clearance ,and again no issues backing.

 

[JEPomer]

Crew Cab with 5'-7" bed. Sufficient for my needs — towing a 5K travel trailer. Traded my 2012 Grand Cherokee with 260k miles for a 2024 1500 Tradesman base model.

The 2025 models were out and the dealer wanted to clear the old stock. Price with incentives was right for a travel trailer tow vehicle. I finally got used to the extra length and width over the Grand Cherokee plus a better tow capacity.

This RAM is certainly larger than my father's '60s era 8-ft bed pickups. Much more room PLUS a rear seat!

Yes, I do have a utility trailer for those few times I need to haul larger items.

 

[ppine]

Depends on your dominant use. I had a long bed extra cab Ford for 20 years.
Now I have a Ram 4 door with a 6'4" bed. The wheel base is slightly shorter. I sleep in my truck a lot and really miss the long bed. It was great for towing, and always had room.

The Ram is a little easier to park. A little better for passengers.

 

[Docwagon1776]

When I was young and did house framing part time and in the summers, 8' bed all the way. It just made it easier for dimensional lumber and plywood. Also easier to secure longer ladders without needing a rack.

Then there was more than than just me and maybe one passenger in the cab because family happened and extended cab/6.5 became the norm. I nearly bought an extended cab/8' bed F-150 instead of my Ram 1500 Express in 2012, but it was more a mental thing as I didn't need 8' any longer. In the end the real doors on the back of the 1500 extended cab vs suicide doors on the Ford mattered more, so back to a 6.5' bed.

I've never owned anything shorter than 6.5'. I could probably get by with one now the vast majority of the time, but a few times a year it'd be a bother.

 

[de1212]

I recommend the long bed.

I went with 6’4” (w/ mega-cab), and I also pull a long 5th wheel.

Occasionally, in tighter campgrounds, you’ll need a sharp backing turn which ABSOLUTELY CAN crunch your cab if you’re not careful. Additionally, as mentioned above, I frequently regret not having extra room for gear (when camping), or even when just moving large objects around town.

Only downside imho of a long bed is extra challenge of parking but from a utility perspective, a long bed can’t be beat!

Good luck!

 

[suicideking]

I wanted the short bed on mine. When looking, found a truck with a few more options, but it had the 6' 4" bed, so I passed.

Mine is a DD and I just don't need the extra length. I used mine for work a few years ago, but not at my current job. So I just wanted the short bed for easier parking and better handling. I don't use the bed that much and only got a truck for light towing and for the crew cab size.