Why I got a 6.5' bed

There were a few reasons why I wanted a 6.5' bed. The larger fuel tank was a big factor since we tow our travel trailer and our mileage drops to the 10-14 mpg. The other reason was the ability to put our dirt bikes with the tailgate closed.

With over 10,000 miles on the truck I've had zero issues with the truck. Because we tow I change the oil at 5000 miles. I've had the TSB updates done as well as the recall for retorquing the rear axle bolts. I put a 1" leveling kit on it, I didn't want to go anymore than that since when the trailer is hooked up the front end would be too high. I put some 33" snowflake rated all terrain tires and it has done great in the snow/ice and off road driving. I did hit a deer with the truck a few weeks ago but managed to slow down to about 25 mph before impact and it didn't so much as scratch the paint which really surprised me.

For what I use it for, it's a great fit.

 

I was on fence for debadging yours looks great, now imma do it, also 5.5 or 6.5' beds dont have a big difference for me, I ride streetbikes and go to track and need the 8' bed in order to close up the tailgate, either 5 or 6.5' bed and the tailgate is still down

 

I regret not getting the 6.5. I live in a city hence the choice for the 5.5 but it's limitations are already too apparent

 

I held out getting a 2.5 gen since I wanted the crewmax and a 6.5' bed. I'm glad you can fit two dirt bikes in with the tailgate up. I bought the truck and now I just need some bikes!

 

I think one thing this generation missed was the double cab. It looks out of proportion and screams "I could not afford the crew cab" just like all the other 4 doors on the market. The previous gen double cab was more forgiving visually and make considering it with the longer bed a reasonable option. Opportunity surrendered by the Toyo design team.

 

I really liked the design of the DC on the 2nd gen. I almost got one, not to mention it was definitely a little roomier then the DC's on 3rd gen.

 

Have you seen YouTuber Last Line of Defense’s 3rd gen Tundra? It’s a double cab and looks great. I believe @KroppDuster’s build is a DC as well. Great looking truck. I would be in a double cab if I didn’t have 3 rapidly growing kids and a dog.

Also, people might enjoy their lives a lot more if they didn’t worry what others might think about them based on the truck they drive, lol.

 

You can just say it, "I got a 6.5 ft bed because it's an actual truck"

 

Crewmax 6.5' bed is why I traded my 2020 in for the 2022. Well that and the ridiculous trade value at the time!

 

MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.

Spoiler Alert: Some people don't use their truck as a replacement family car. As hard as that is to believe, it's true. The only living beings that I carry in the backseat are my 2 dogs and I never hear them complain. lol. If we ever want to haul around people, then I'll use my wife's crossover.

Also...it's not about money, but I'm just gonna point out that the Double Cab actually has a higher base MSRP than both CrewMax trucks. See below from Toyota's own website.
Hate on it all you want, but I dig my DC. You do you & I'll do me. Cheers!

 

Thanks for the tag. LLD's built is indeed solid. @evergreenoffroad has the best build of any DC, in my opinion. He's rocking a full expedition build. #goals

 

One thing at a time I guess...

 

I've seen some double cabs with the 8' bed with a lift on them that look pretty darn good. I wouldve gotten the 8' bed if it had a crew max cab.

 

I wanted to get the crewmax 6.5' bed originally, but when I ordered my truck (Dec 2021), the waitlist for a 6.5' bed was like 4-6 months longer than 5.5' bed. For now I'm just going to have to go with tailgate extender with tailgate down with my bikes on back. With my Yamaha R1 in bed, I just needed about a feet longer bed and the gate could of closed. 6.5' bed would of been perfect. The tire doesn't even sit on the tailgate, it just sticks out the back further.

 

Let me know when you sell…

love your rig!

 

Appreciate that brotha! Its quite an expedition build for sure. I just installed hardwood floors in the Alucab! Designing out the cabinet work next which I'm super stoked for!

 

Real trucks have 8' beds...

 

Hold that thought for a second.



Sorry, what were you saying?

 

I disagree about the look. I always thought that the max cabs looked out of proportion regardless of the bed size, but especially with the short bed. Kind of like a chopped up SUV. And like many others we don't put people in our DC, just dog and gear... although I do agree it could be a little roomier.

 

I get made fun of by the old timers around my area, saying that 6.5 is too short to be anything but a grocery getter. I guess it makes sense when the 'short' bed used to be the 6.5

 

Back in the day that's what they all had.

 

I looked for a crewmax with a 6.5 but could not find what I wanted. I searched a 2K mile range for one, some places showed they had one but always the same thing that they were gone. I dirt bike also but to be honest I can still put 2 and maybe even 3 in the bed without issue. I can put one in and close the tailgate also. I carry one most of the time. So far so good and I really like the crew max, had a double cab 6.5 before this one. Haven’t missed much. But would have 100% bought a 6.5 if I had have found one I liked. I’ve go a

 

Yep. And those old “real” regular cab 8’ bed trucks couldn’t do half the tasks modern trucks can.

I can comfortably fit five people plus a big dog in my cab. I can put all five of our bikes in the bed. Or a week’s worth of off-grid camping gear. I can still carry 4x8 sheets of plywood with the tailgate down (which gives a flat surface of about 7’). Longest lumber I’ve hauled is 12 footers for a deck and cedar shutters I built. I can also easily tow more than those old trucks. I can also fit an entire loveseat couch upside down in the backseat of my cab.

I agree that my truck looks like a truck/SUV hybrid with the huge cab and short bed. This probably looks especially goofy to those who grew up around regular cab 8’ bed trucks, but modern trucks check so many more boxes. It’s all about the utility for me.

 

Agree. And regular cabs were always a non-starter for me being tall with long legs. Way too uncomfortable, no legroom, bolt upright backrest. Zero interior storage. It was sorta OK for a work truck but no way I'd ever do a road trip in a RC. Oof.

 

all the more reason 5.5ft beds are useless.

 

We lucked out and got a Crew 6.5' bed. We didn't order it, we started by ordering a Crew 5.5' in a different color but this one came along so we grabbed it. It is a long truck for turning and parking, but it fits tall people in the backseat and frontseat. That was one of our requirements. The bigger bed is nice to fit more stuff but pretty hard to reach the stuff up at the bulkhead.

I guess that's why we get a full operable back window so we can crawl into the box and get our stuff!

 

Indeed. But, more accurately...back in the day this is what they had:

The "Work Truck":


The "Hot Rod" truck (short bed):


Then, if you were a weirdo and wanted to be different while also reducing capability...you got the flair side aka the "Grocery Getter" :


Side note: My grandfather (who passed away years ago) has his 1979 F-150 Custom sitting in a field. Still trying to convince my Uncle, who now owns the property, to let me trailer it back to Nevada to restore it. Restored, it would basically be the top pic but in a factory brown color vs the blue. Maybe one day.

 

Or Baker's CHiPs desert runner:

 

And, funny after we were discussing old school pickups, I see this today at a local park. Looks to be in great shape for such an oldie. But look at that brutal seatback position. It hurts me just looking at it.