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Experience with 2022/23 Tundra with 6.5' Box

Discussion in '3rd Gen Tundras (2022+)' started by Ray D, Jan 21, 2023.

  1. Jan 21, 2023 at 12:28 PM
    #1
    Ray D

    Ray D [OP] New Member

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    I have an opportunity to lock in an allocation for a 2023 Tundra Limited Hybrid TRD Off Road 4x4 with 6.5' box that'll be delivered in late March/early April 2023. My requested allocation is for the same truck with a 5.5' box but there's no allocation in sight for this truck and I need a truck by May/June 2023. I'm hesitant to take the 6.5' box as I'll be using the truck as a daily driver in addition to using it to tow our 28' travel trailer (5860 lb dry weight; 7500 lb gross weight). My questions for the owners of the 2022/23 Tundra with 6.5' box:
    • Does the size and turning radius of the truck cause real issues when driving and parking it in the city?
    • Do you find it solid when towing? I checked the specs and the Limited hybrid 6.5' box has a slightly higher payload rating but reduced towing capacity compared to the Limited hybrid 5.5' box.
    • How do you find it when traveling off road? Do you find yourself getting hung up given the longer wheelbase?
    Any other thoughts?

    Thanks.
     
  2. Jan 21, 2023 at 12:37 PM
    #2
    Kap1

    Kap1 New Member

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    Lol, I drive my 5.5ft crewcab mostly in the city and look for parking in the city multiple times a week.

    If you don't need longer bed, then DO NOT GET LONGER BED because you won't fit into majority of city parking spaces and you'll have to keep driving around looking for a big spot. Even if you find a spot that you can fit, you'll always be trying to squeeze in which is annoying.

    The 5.5 bed Tundra already has worse turning radius than my previous ram 1500, and 6.5ft bed will make it worse since truck will be longer. Bad for maneuvering around garages etc.

    If I lived out of the city and didn't need to worry about parking or maneuvering then I would definitely got a 6.5ft bed as that's what my ram double cab had before.

    If you need to improve payload you can always add HD springs or airbags.

    But for a city, if you don't need it then please don't get 6.5 bed. Each time you won't be able to fit into a parking spot, you'll be beating yourself up
     
  3. Jan 21, 2023 at 1:30 PM
    #3
    PBNB

    PBNB TRD Crew

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    Ray D, I like our 6.5' bed. It makes the truck long and parking in spots works best with the around view cameras! I haven't really had any issues with the turning radius. Just have to back up and add another point to the turning. I had a long F150 a few years back and it was similar. For towing it might be a bit smoother but I don't have a reference point other my Ridgeline which was like a car. You are adding about 1 foot to the overall length. If you plan to use the box to carry stuff, it does make for more capacity back there.

    So negatives are:
    - too big for little parking spots.
    - more work to make tight turns.
    - lower payload due to more truck.
    - Hard to find sliders/running boards that cover the extra foot of bed between the front and back wheels.

    Positives are:
    - Fit more stuff or larger items in the bed.
     
    Kap1 likes this.
  4. Jan 21, 2023 at 4:00 PM
    #4
    Taikowaza

    Taikowaza New Member

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    Ray D, you are so fortunate to have the opportunity to get a 6.5' bed! They are better in every way. Size and turning is not an issue. It is incredibly solid when towing. Off-road it is fantastic. The 6.5' bed is FAR more functional than the 5.5 for me. I can fit many items that would be impossible w/the 5.5. It looks infinitely better than the 5.5, which is woefully undersized. You will find that we 6.5' bed owners are a passionate bunch! This is understandable because we realize that we have it better than all the others lol :) GO FOR IT!!!!!!!!
     
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  5. Jan 21, 2023 at 6:19 PM
    #5
    R2theD2

    R2theD2 New Member

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    Agree with @Taikowaza. I have a 6.5’ bed on my 1794 and it is great. With all the cameras, parallel parking is crazy easy. Yes, you will likely have to look more for parking spaces. I parked next to a mini copper in a parking lot yesterday and it made that car look like a kids powerwheel…ha.
     
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  6. Jan 21, 2023 at 7:25 PM
    #6
    ToyoMon

    ToyoMon New Member

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    Our '22 6.5 bed is our daily driver.
    I never had a problem parking because the box was too long, but only because the parking spot wasn't wide enough. I rarely park in the city with parallel parking but I've never ran into a spot where i think i would have fit in if i had a 5.5 bed.

    Like others said, definitely get the backup cameras. At the very least have the proximity sensors.
     
    Taikowaza likes this.
  7. Jan 21, 2023 at 9:31 PM
    #7
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    I had to search long and hard for the spec I wanted in a 6.5’ bed. To me, I bought a truck to do truck stuff and if you wanna do truck stuff the 6.5’ bed is infinitely more usable. Personally I think it looks a lot better and more balanced too, but I guess that’s subjective.

    I just got mine but I’ve had no issues parking but I don’t live in a big city so I’m not trying to parallel park it daily. It does take a few days to get a sense of “where you are” when you’re parking but that has to do with the new Tundra’s high waisted design not 5.5’ vs 6.5’ bed.
     
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  8. Jan 22, 2023 at 12:05 AM
    #8
    Bourbonator

    Bourbonator New Member

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    It's hard not to be an ass and say this, but I'll say it anyway, and sound like/be an ass.

    5.5 beds are for people who haul children around, occasionally put potting soil in the bed for their wives' garden projects, and live in cities where trucks are status symbols.

    If you tow regularly, added wheelbase helps. If you actually put stuff in the bed regularly, you've never wanted less bed space.

    It doesn't turn on a dime - park farther away from the store if you're not confident navigating it between parked cars. Parallel parking on the street downtown isn't bad if you grew up driving a pickup.

    We all have different wants and needs, so the manufacturers make something for everyone. Just be honest with yourself about your wants and needs, and you'll arrive at a bed length right for you.
     
  9. Jan 22, 2023 at 7:40 AM
    #9
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    If you tow, the added weight of the CM6.5 reduces the trailer tongue weight you can handle. If you do any off-roading or dispersed camping, the turn radius and extra length can be a real problem navigating trails.

    No matter what configuration you go with, you give up something that your truck won’t do as well. The compromise if you really want a 6.5’ bed without the reduced payload capacity and excess length is the DC instead of a CM.

    FWIW, I do lots of truck stuff with my tiny baby bed:
     
    Wallygator, Jackstraw and Kap1 like this.
  10. Jan 22, 2023 at 7:55 AM
    #10
    tkflyfisher7

    tkflyfisher7 New Member

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    I must say, Bourbonator took the words out of my mouth all around. If you can’t park a 6.5 bed, you probably should get a car for your daily driver. In fact, I would say man card “revoked” here. I park in regular spots daily and parallel parking is a breeze. For me, I use the bed all the time and would never consider going to 5.5. Towing has been a breeze (no travel trailer but constantly towing horses and heavily loaded dump trailer) and would not worry about the slight towing capacity reduction.

    I realize everyone has different needs and wants and perhaps I’m more on the utilitarian side of things rather than “I have a truck that doesn’t get used as a truck” side of the argument.

    Just my two cents.
     
    Wallygator likes this.
  11. Jan 22, 2023 at 8:12 AM
    #11
    DexterL

    DexterL New Member

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    umm no, longer vehicle is worse off-road plain and simple.
     
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  12. Jan 22, 2023 at 8:15 AM
    #12
    JDSTOY

    JDSTOY New Member

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    Bourbonator is correct on this. I went with a 5.5 foot bed on my 16 Silverado crewmax. Regretted it the whole time. The extra foot gives so much more room for carrying stuff. It also provides a better tow platform as well. The reduction in published towing capacity is of no real world significance. If a couple hundred pounds of max tow rating is a deciding factor, you need a bigger truck anyways. Parking is the biggest issue, but having driven full-size vehicles for most of my life, it is really not a big deal. The multitude of cameras helps out on this truck as well. It has some blind spots. My off-roading consists of flat fields and gravel trails with mostly gentle grades, so not much to go by there. Good luck with your choice OP.
     
  13. Jan 22, 2023 at 8:18 AM
    #13
    gnc1017

    gnc1017 New Member

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    If it has the pano view all around cameras it will help the parking for sure. If not, the other cameras and sensors without it will still help but of course not quite as much.

    My 6.5 bed is a must for me and I love it. City driving and parking hasn't been an issue; however, that's a rarity and not a daily thing for me.
     
  14. Jan 22, 2023 at 8:29 AM
    #14
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    Nobody is arguing a longer wheelbase will not be as good in hardcore off-roading as a shorter one. What he said was that the the 6.5’ bed is fantastic, which doesn’t mean it’s better that the 5.5’ in certain situations.

    People just gotta be honest with themselves in what they are going to use it for. 20% of owners think rock crawling off-road capability is super important, but 99.99% of their trucks will never see a trail in its life.

    I spend a fair bit of time hunting, camping, fishing and venturing off pavement and would never go without 4x4, good suspension and a locking rear dif. but a little better break over angle is something people obsess over that just flat does not matter. If it really mattered that person would be in a Wrangler, Bronco etc.
     
  15. Jan 22, 2023 at 8:39 AM
    #15
    Toolslinger

    Toolslinger New Member

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    Having driven a Ram 2500 extended cab, 8' bed for the last 23 years, in cities, and towns with parallel spaces and tight parking garages, I didn't blink an eye at the 6.5 bed DC. Ok, you have to be a little careful... You have to back in to spaces rather than nose in... And, yea, you flat out will not fit here and there. It isn't a Civic, or a Mini. Personally I find it absurd I can't get an 8' bed in a Limited or higher. Why is it that manufacturers assume that if you really want a truck for truck things, you don't want creature comforts of the higher trim level? No cameras, or radar, or nanny crap, and I managed to not hit anything with the Dodge.

    More truck is always better than less truck, for real truck activities. If you're just getting a toy, that's another story, and no criticism intended.
     
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  16. Jan 22, 2023 at 11:32 AM
    #16
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    6.5ers with their entire extra foot of bed space:
    B76EC1FC-FAA0-4440-8E3F-5C87A9F18D47.jpg

    Seriously though, this is no different than the 2nd gen CM vs DC threads. It always turns into people telling others that their truck isn’t a “real truck”.

    If you want the maneuverability of a 1ton with less ground clearance and less than half the payload, the 6.5 Crewmax is for you. “No offense.” Lol.
     
  17. Jan 22, 2023 at 11:34 AM
    #17
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    good one lol:rofl:
     
  18. Jan 22, 2023 at 11:53 AM
    #18
    PBNB

    PBNB TRD Crew

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    Where did you find my photo?
     
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  19. Jan 23, 2023 at 6:22 PM
    #19
    Blitz79

    Blitz79 New Member

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    We found macho man randy savage. He can park a truck!

    I have a Taco with a 6 feet bed. I don't want to give up the 6 feet but the 6.5 Tundra wont fit in my garage. Yeah, I would much rather have the 6.5 bed but 5.5 will work just fine for most things.
     
    in_the_mud likes this.
  20. Jan 23, 2023 at 7:29 PM
    #20
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    But there’s no way the theoretical Elk I get next season will fit in a 5.5’ bed!!
     
  21. Jan 23, 2023 at 8:25 PM
    #21
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    You mean you’re not going to quarter it and pack it out?
     
  22. Jan 23, 2023 at 8:35 PM
    #22
    tkflyfisher7

    tkflyfisher7 New Member

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    Nope, just my opinion. Opinions aren’t right or wrong…they are just that, what one thinks or feels. My opinion is based upon my experience..as in the title of the thread “experience with 6.5 foot box”.

    On another note, Macho Man Randy Savage..he’s not me, but my aunt went to school with him and his brother and we’re friends. Ohhhh Yeahhhh!
     
    SC4333 likes this.
  23. Jan 23, 2023 at 9:00 PM
    #23
    Kentucky Tundra

    Kentucky Tundra New Member

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    Pulling a 28 ft camper is a good reason to purchase the 6.5 ft given the longer wheelbase if your traveling any distance. i'm guessing you would have trouble in the city with either so you might as well get what you want. Other things I would consider as Blitz said above, will either fit in your garage? Will I install a lift kit anyway and if so will it make up for the level of offroading I do?
     
  24. Jan 23, 2023 at 9:13 PM
    #24
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    Just to throw this in the mix, don’t forget that the 32 gal gas tank is standard on 6.5’ bed on SR5 and above, you have to make sure it’s added as an option on the 5.5’ bed trucks. It’s unbelievable that the majority of these new Tundra’s on the road have a tiny 22.5gal tank.
     
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  25. Jan 23, 2023 at 9:23 PM
    #25
    worksjo

    worksjo New Member

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    Sure but the rack on it will be at least 6.5’ wide
     
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  26. Jan 23, 2023 at 9:56 PM
    #26
    DimaA

    DimaA New Member

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    I love this truck with 6.5 ft bed . I previously owned 5.5 ft bed and always felt like I needed longer bed to fit longer items.
     
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  27. Jan 23, 2023 at 10:18 PM
    #27
    TampaRD Pro

    TampaRD Pro Cunning Linguist

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    Lots.
    That's what she said... :rofl:
     
  28. Jan 23, 2023 at 10:42 PM
    #28
    sn_85

    sn_85 New Member

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    THIS. I wrestled with this decision as well. I knew I had to get a truck with a 6.5' bed to haul a camper and was excited to hear the 3rd gen Tundra was coming in the CM 6.5' variant. After doing a ton of research, had a deposit on a Limited CMLB, I ultimately decided against it. The payload was anemic, 1400lbs or so at the door jam. It just wouldn't do and ultimately I went with a Ram 2500. So far I like it but I do worry a LOT about reliability down the road however a domestic hd was the right thing since Toyota doesn't have an HD or at least a HDPP to their trucks.

    Here's the thing though dimension and size wise, my Ram HD Crew Cab SB is actually shorter in length than a Tundra CMLB by like 7-8" and width is pretty much the same. And I actually find the turning radius in the Ram HD to be really good which many have complained about on the Tundra. So from a size and maneuverability standpoint it's actually better than the Tundra. The Ram HD just sits taller so it has the appearance of being larger when its not. So my Ram HD is smaller than the Tundra, offers much more payload/towing and has more ground clearance from factory. This argument isn't just limited to the Tundra though. When you start getting 1/2 ton trucks from any make with 6.5' beds they are pretty much the same size as their 3/4 and 1-ton brethren that they don't make as much sense. If you're going to deal with the size of a Crew Max/Super Crew with 6.5' bed you might as well step up to an HD truck and reap the payload and towing advantages. You get neither with 1/2 ton trucks. My personal opinion, I would only get a Crew Max in the short bed variant or a Double Cab.
     
    Last edited: Jan 24, 2023
  29. Jan 24, 2023 at 4:43 AM
    #29
    Wallygator

    Wallygator Well Zippedy Da Do!

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    I am not short enough for a 5.5 bed. Can't sleep in it so a 6.5 bed is mandatory. Who would buy a truck BED you can't sleep in?

    Besides that, it isn't a truck unless it's a double cab. The crewmax is just an over sized mini van with a stroller carrier that is open to the elements.

    A crewmax painted in white is the worst and slowest model Tundra ever produced.
     
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  30. Jan 24, 2023 at 7:25 AM
    #30
    PBNB

    PBNB TRD Crew

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    Not a Tundra but same idea "tiny bed"IMG_7539.jpg , this owner put his camper over top of that little bed. Trying to make the truck bed longer...
     
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