Bed size- any regrets?

It was a brilliant idea to offer a 6.5' bed with a CrewMax in 3rd Gen. I said it before, couldn't be happier.

 

If you don't need the space of a crewmax backseat , I'd go with the 6.5 bed all day!

 

I’d always wanted a crew max, but as time went on I realized the bed space would be better suited for me. No kids, no dogs anymore . I don’t always need the bed space, but it’s nice to have it when I do need it. The double cab is serves me perfectly.

 

Ha, I'm used to driving truck in SF, been doing it for the past 10 years for work.

The only issue is when I have to park in residential areas, and it's harder to find large spots.

Besides that, 5.5ft bed truck parks nicely into any parking meter spot, and if you drive a truck, you can park on yellow commercial meters, which makes parking in downtown a breeze.

 

I have the 6.5 and regret I didn't get the 8ft.

 

I fleet ordered/built mine with the 6.5. I have a 2020 with the 5.5. I put a pallet of material from time to time in the bed. With the Retrax XR cover and the pallet, I barely get the tailgate shut. When I travel to VRBO's I pack a Mini Max Big Green Egg with some accessories. I also bring a 65 Qt Yeti. The 5.5 gets small quickly if I want to keep the cover closed, which I do. I'm looking forward to the 6.5. Currently scheduled for build next week, and delivery first or second week of July.

Randy

 

True that....we went to Whistler for Xmas ....Family of 4 and that 5.5 bed was jammed to the hilt....but in saying that, it was the first time in 11 years that happened ( went from 2012 to 2023 both with 5.5 )

 

So, I had a 2018 DC with the 6.5 but the new DC has a tiny back seat. We went with the CM 6.5. The turning radius is worse on the 3rd gen, than the last one. With the extra foot, it's so much worse. I still like it, but damn this thing sucks to park.

 

Just bought a Crewmax 6.5. On my searches, only 6 of them in various trims in the US at a lot. Luckily one was 3 hours away, the dealer knocked off 4k, and delivered it for free to my door. Couldn't be happier! I'm hoping the 6.5 is enough, I'm coming from a Ram crew cab 8' bed. The 5.5 wasn't even an option in my eyes. I guess it's all what you're used to, this Tundra seems like a sports car in a parking lot compared to the Ram. 242 miles on the truck currently, glad to be here!

 

I have a 6.5' bed Supercrew F150 and its a little bit of a love/hate. I love it for toting my mountain bikes and stuff around and keeping out of the elements but it sucks offroad with the 157" wheelbase. Breakover angle is a serious issue despite being on 35" tires.

 

I simply would not buy a truck without a 6.5' bed. I haul all kinds of stuff and my Decked toolbox is back there. I wouldn't have enough space with a 5.5'. I would have liked a DC, but since the hybrid only comes in the crewmax, I had to get that.

 

I wanted a 6.5 Crewmax but it wouldn’t,fit in the garage.

I bought a 5.5 bed but have a diamondback cover that I can haul on top to make up for the “lost” bed space should it ever become an issue

 

5.5' bed for 13 years. No regrets. I don't haul a ton of stuff. Works great for camping/hunting etc.
I don't care for the 6.5' look.

 

No Regrets... 5.5 ft bed size

 

I got a CM baby bed back when the kids were still being hauled around and it served me well as an all around work/play/family vehicle. Once the kids were too big and cool to hang out, I went to a DC 8'.
Once you go 8', you won't go back.

 

It all boils down to your use. I don't haul much and prefer the shorter bed that is easier to maneuver in parking lots, which I use a lot more than hauling. I use a trailer for our dirt bikes. Also, if your wife will be driving it, I'm sure most women would prefer a shorter bed. Yeah, I know. Sexist. I'm not politically correct so I don't give a shxt.

 

If you don’t need a 6.5’ twice a month for work , you don’t need it.

 

Tell me about it. 95% of the truck I see has an empty bed.

 

I've owned Pickups with 8', 6.5', and 5.5' beds. It's just a matter of what you want/need/plan to haul in the bed versus haul inside the truck. if you have something in particular that you have in mind that you need/want the longer bed for then go for it.

I don't miss having an 8' truck bed and enjoy the increased interior space without the need to have a longer truck. As for 6.5 or 5.5? Meh. I thought the 5.5' bed might be a bummer but it's been fine. I can't haul 4x8 sheet goods flat with the tailgate closed with either of the shorter beds but I can lay 4x8 sheet goods flat in a 5.5' bed just fine with only 4" sticking past the end of the open tailgate, I can haul a motorcycle with the tailgate up and haul trash or firewood. Pretty much everything I need a pick-up for and if I need more room I hook up the 6x12 flatbed trailer sitting here to the truck but that's extremely rare.

 

I ordered the 6.5 bed after having the 5.5 in the 2020. I'm very happy with the decision. I use Retrax covers and the extra space makes a difference for me.

Randy

 

A general contractor can get away with having a 5.6” bed...heck, he could probably get away with having a 3’ long bed. But all the guys working for him need the 8’!

 

My builder who has done my shop / huge addition redo on my home / summer cabin / business for 28 staff........did it all out of a Chevy with a 6'5" box with a canopy and a rack. Said he is going to do his whole career with out a trailer LOL He probably very late 50's

 

Same here and I can make it work for all my situations. Worst case is I bring a trailer. I probably wouldn’t mind a 6’5” bed, but not really a necessity.

 

6.5 for sure, 5.5 is too short

My original opinion was absolutely no 6.5 bed and I actually turned down a blueprint Platinum because it had a 6.5 bed. Then I realized how much better they look leveled/lifted with the 6.5 bed and how little space there actually is in the 5.5 and changed my mind and ended up settling for a 6.5 bed Platinum in Supersonic red which wasn't a color I had even wanted and I'm not a red fan (if only I could go back and take the blueprint)

However the red is growing on me

 

When we got ours, we started off looking at a 5.5 CM in Lunar Rock. After many months were realized that we weren't ever going to get it and came across a Black 6.5 CM so we took it.

I do regret the color but not the 6.5. It is great with all the room!

 

I really really wish I had a 6.5

For people that actually used their trucks for actual truck activities, 5.5 is quite restrictive. Lumber, gear, blah blah is all restricted more.

 

Only this gen 6.5’ looks right.

 

I prefer the crewmax with the short bed. Looks more proportional. I hauled 12’ deck boards with it just fine just make sure you staple a red flag on the back haha. Also parking is much easier.