Why all the long beds?

I’d never buy a sub 6’ bed which is why I never bought a 2 or 2.5 gen.

 

This was a big issues with the short bed Tacoma, which is only a 5 foot bed. I’d get 4 suitcases in the back and that would be it. Even the bed walls were so short that I couldn’t go up. 6.5 foot bed provides so much usability and honestly it’s not as long as people make it out to be.

 

Yeah, we had a 6' bed Tacoma with a tonneau cover and we'd totally max that out on road trips... and that was with bicycles on an external rack. Like you said, the short sides hurt its capacity. While I don't intend to criticize anyone on their bed size choices, I honestly don't see how people live with the limitations of the small bed. Might work for a daily driver with not much "truck stuff" to do but on road trips with more people? Maybe I just have too much gear? LOL.

It seems like many short bed owners might be first time truck owners who don't want a vehicle that is too long. But if they haven't really thought through their luggage/storage space needs vs. people space needs they may be surprised that even in such a large beast they have to triage their gear on road trips to see what makes the cut and what might have to be left behind.

 

For your viewing pleasure: https://www.tundras.com/threads/long-bed-lovers.21213/

There aren't any Gen3s in there yet. That should be changed.

 

I hate to poo on a good party, but per specifications:

Gen 3 "6.5' Bed" is 77.6" x 58.7" x 20.9" = 55.09 cu ft

Gen 2.5 "5.5' Soccer Mom Bed" is 66.7" x 66.4" x 22.2" = 56.90 cu ft.

 

2024 Sienna, which would do better for those image truck buyers. Although the Sienna would look silly with a lift and 37s on it.

The Sienna features 33.5 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 75.2 cubic feet behind the second row, and 101 cubic feet behind the first-row seats

 

We’re supposed to believe the new truck lost 8” of width? Lol.

 

It is funny that 1/2 ton pickup trucks have become the equivalent of these no matter how much lift and size of tires soccer dads put on them.

 

I have a friend who still has one of those... it's a 1979 or 1980 Caprice wagon. And he still uses it for occasional daily driving and "truck stuff". It's amazing how much lumber he can fit in it. But it is pretty much a neanderthal POS... no power, terrible MPG, zero creature comforts, basic AM/FM radio, no tech whatsoever.

 

I saw a dude on YouTube that had an old ford ltd wagon I think it was. He fixed the No power issues with a blown ls1 swapped. Sucker sounded nasty!

 

I keep trying to get this guy to do a full restomod with an LSx V-8, blown nor not. It would be very cool in its own way.

 

You can believe what you want, numbers aren't really open for interpretation.
Not sure about the whole truck, and since the discussion was regarding bed dimensions, that is what I provided.

 

Yet still on the road 44 years later! There is something to say about simplicity lasting a long time. Kind of why I went backwards to this 2018 Tundra dinosaur.

 

This owner is pretty eccentric and commutes mostly by bicycle. This and a similar 1979 or 1980 Caprice sedan are the only cars he has ever owned. The sedan is finally gone, but the wagon soldiers on.

 

Yup. I'm totally ok with it.

 

Back to the original topic of bed length............ for those curious which dealers have the long beds, almost exclusively, are Parker Toyota in Coeur d Alene and Autonation Spokane Valley. Regarding Autonation Spokane Valley, I was surprised when I walked their lot that they add three different protection packages automatically to every vehicle they sell (paint, dent and interior) so they. I forgot the price for the three packages as I would never buy from a dealer that adds BS to the sticker price without my having a choice; when I do decide to buy it will be with Parker Toyota as they are not corporate owned and don't add BS to the window sticker.

 

When I talked to my auto broker about my new tundra i had a pretty short list of requirements. 6.5 foot bed, factory tow mirrors, and silver in color. It took him 3 months to track one down, and it’s pearl white. But I sure love it.

 

For what it’s worth, I’ve always had 5.5 beds. First 6.5 with my 2024 SR5. And now I can never go back. It’s amazing what a difference that foot makes for everything from plywood through family luggage. Other than taking turns a bit wider in parking lots, there is no major difference in traffic

 

https://www.autoblog.com/buy/2015-T...le_Cab_Long_Bed_8_ft._box_164.6_in._WB/specs/

 

Speaking of the crew cab only. Extended cab is also a no go.

 

I wanted to get the 6.5 bed, think it looked better. After driving the 5.5 and seeing how atrocious the turning radius was it ruled out the 6.5'.

 

I also wanted a 6.5, no one around had one in stock that I liked. I just went ahead with the small bed because I have 3 different trailers to use if needed so no big deal breaker.

 

This is why I own both a 3rd Gen crew max 5.5ft bed and a 1st Gen doublecab 6 foot bed. 3rd gen for daily driving, family hauling and towing. 1st Gen for hunting/fishing/choring/lumber yard stuff. I can do all the things.

 

Different indeed! You can now haul 6.5’ long sheets of ply instead of 5.5’. Aunt Edna can also now ride in the bed, instead of on the roof.

 

I have a shorter box which suits my life fine as I also have a 14' cargo trailer and a bestie with a 1 ton dump.

I find the turning radius and the tow mirrors are awful. Two years in and I still hate the turning radius. Us Canadians get the tow mirrors on any top trim in 2022. I hate them. Surprised I haven't mowed down a pedestrian.

 

Funny.....we just googled if aunt Edna was on the roof 10 minutes ago LOL

 

I struggle to call the 6.5ft a long bed although I understand it's the longer option in 1794.

My understanding is the 6.5ft bed sells better overall which influences production decisions. I personally went the other direction...it was Hell running down a new SR5 8ft bed with double cab, so I feel your pain.

 

I specifically wanted the longer bed for two reasons.

1) I wanted more wheelbase for towing stability. I tow a 10,000# 28' trailer about 15,000 miles a year.
2) I wanted more space in the bed. I am often cramped even with the 6.5' bed.

I think the majority of the time, the extended cab + 8' bed would have worked better for me but I don't think they offered that in higher trims.

 

To me being old school, the 6.5 bed is a short bed and minimum bed size for a truck, 5.5 just makes it a large sedan without a trunk lid. 8ft bed would be nice if you could still get a regular cab. Otherwise the wheel base gets so long and you need 2 zip codes to park it. (I always tell my buddy that who owns a 3500 Sierra crew cab with a 8ft bed)

 

Late last year my father had to search for a long bed. We found one after looking at 8 dealers. He got a 2024. Now Late 2024, I had my pick of long beds at multiple dealers. Both are 2024s Not sure why it’s that way, but around here it was.