Bed size matters.

[GCuzzy]

I'm starting the process of purchasing a used 4.5 gen 2500, Crew Cab Laramie. I'm somewhat discouraged not seeing 8-foot beds. Please comment on your 6.4 bed & do you wish you had 8ft. Currently I have a 2003 Crew Cab Laramie, with an 8ft.

 

[Timd32]

I think it's a personal use deal, buy what you want / "need", I don't think there is a need to settle for anything, just have to expand your search area. But usually that's NE folks like me expanding our area out West, not talking search out by us for Salt Belt rigs, it's horrible out this way.

For me 6.4 has been fine, I think my 1500 is a 5.6 that seems too small but really it works for that ride.

My personal set up, I have a bunch of trailers and rarely would need an 8' bed. Just my use really.

I've always been amazed at the super low mile 2WD CC 8' Bed that pop up from time to time, not super often, but when they do, they stand out for sure, they don't seem to sell quickly either. They seem to sit much lower and are very long looking compared to the normal 4WD stuff around here.

Good luck in your search.

This one from 2020 was what I was thinking about, only had 30k miles. It's a very old example, but just truck wise it looks huge in the picture, great looking color and condition.

 

[Diesel85]

My 2002 5.9l Cummins was a 4x4 8' bed and the quad cab. It was like driving a mini school bus.

I find larger vehicles easier to park and operate. I don't know why.

I still kinda of like long and large trucks...

 

[Topzide]

My '01 was the Quad Cab with suicide doors and 6.4" bed. The '14 is CCLB DRW and I also find it easier to park. All boils down to the need and use of what you'll be doing with the truck. Hauling heavy and large goods need the longer bed or trailer towing capacity. Camping for the weekend with more the 2 people and TT, a CCSB would work. Will say that the longer wheel base with the DRW is easier on my back and neck! Just a smoother overall ride. Have rode in CCLB SRW and there is enough bounce that bothers my back, even with tire pressure adjustments. Still working on the DW for a 5th wheel!

 

[JLandry]

Sometimes I wish my truck had a 10 foot bed.

John L.

 

[bcbender]

Had a SB once... cant haul lumber, have to do slider hitches or worry about hitting the cab with trailers... Just not for me and my useage

 

[Cummins12V98]

Had a 77 GMC shorty. Loved the truck but hated the SB. I call SB trucks "COMPROMISE" trucks.

 

[Jim W]

That's all I have ever owned are short bed trucks. I have found work arounds when I needed an eight-foot bed. Would I buy a truck with an 8-ft bed, no!

Why several reasons one, I want the truck to fit in the garage and be able to service the tuck with the garage door down in the winter. Garage is 26 feet deep. Second, I prefer a larger cab hence the Mega Cab truck which I can only purchase stock with a short bed. But the truck is the same length as a long bed crew cab truck for my model year.

As you can see, I tow a 5th wheel trailer with my Mega cab truck, I just use an auto slider hitch when towing. No issue with the trailer at all when towing. For the hitch I can remove this easily enough with a hoist if needed. Now when hauling lumber this is no issues either I have carried several times lumber over 8' or more. I simply attach a red flag to the extended lumber over the truck tailgate.

Just my $0.02

 

[BarryG]

As several have already said it is more a personal use thing. For me, 8ft is the only way to go for how I use mine. I had a short bed in my 96. While I had trucks previous to that they had all been long beds. I quickly found I did not like the short bed. Not that it didn't work I just realized I needed, well maybe preferred is a better way to put it, a long bed. I really like to have a toolbox in my bed. A short bed gets real short with one of those in there. Again just my personal preference for how I use my truck.

 

[wyosteve]

As mentioned, it really depends on personal use. I recently traded my 8 ft. bed for a megacab with 6.4 bed. Don't miss the 8 ft. at all and really like the extra storage of the megacab. My 8 ft. was mainly to set my auxiliary tank in, but don't really need that anymore.

 

[CoastyAV8R]

I like the ride of the long bed but for me it's more about the bed size and the need for space for dirt bikes, our camper, hauling wood, etc. The extra 18" doesn't make a significant difference to me when it comes to parking but I don't live in a city where it may make a difference.

 

[AH64ID]

Personal preference, but I'd never own a SB truck and would also often like a 9' or 10' bed.

 

[p-Bar]

8 foot beds rule. Always have owned one. Even have a 89 Dodge Dakota with 8 foot bed great for picking up lumber and sheet stock.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Disturbing, the SB is now called “Standard Bed”.

had to get rid of the “Short”.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Never owned a short bed truck . Never owned a double cab truck. I’m a regular cab long box guy,

 

[crispyboy]

Somedays the long bed would be nice to have but I get by fine with the short bed and it fits in the garage. When I go to the lumberyard or have to haul large or awkward items I just hook up a small utility trailer. I prefer the use of the utility trailer to keep things away from the truck that would possible dent and scratch it. Don't get me wrong I do haul things like fire wood and tools so the bed gets used often.

 

[Diesel85]

As mentioned, it really depends on personal use. I recently traded my 8 ft. bed for a megacab with 6.4 bed. Don't miss the 8 ft. at all and really like the extra storage of the megacab. My 8 ft. was mainly to set my auxiliary tank in, but don't really need that anymore.

My 2007 F150 is a regular cab 8' bed. But my 1500 EcoD is a 5.7' bed, however it's got the huge cab.

I sometimes carry sensitive computer equipment and it's nice keeping it in the cab, versus out in the bed. Especially during the hot summer or winter months.

So I have the best of both worlds.

I also got my truck to replace a SUV. So I wanted at least one vehicle for extra seating.

Though I do love the regular cab sometimes, for telling people, "Oh, I don't have room for you!"...

 

[Turbo Terry]

Regular cab you can say oh I don’t have room . In Wyoming we could get 4 in the front seat if the weather was cold enough and the wind blowing good just saying

 

[Regcabguy]

I'm starting the process of purchasing a used 4.5 gen 2500, Crew Cab Laramie. I'm somewhat discouraged not seeing 8-foot beds. Please comment on your 6.4 bed & do you wish you had 8ft. Currently I have a 2003 Crew Cab Laramie, with an 8ft.

I looked two months for a used white cabover shell. I have the 8' bed. The used lot had plenty of shortbed ones.

 

[Larry Willard]

I have owned pick ups for the last 49 years, all have been 8' beds. Never thought I would rather have a short bed, but have thought many times how glad I am that I don't have a short bed.