Bed size matters.

[slowmover]

It’s the distance from cab to Axle Center that counts most for load carrying. Length & Height. (Cube).

Even Ford figured it out
https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-p...er-specials-are-rare-unusual-and-still-cheap/

Significant load rearward of axle center worsens risk on an already unstable vehicle as centrifugal force multiplies that weight. 10 becomes 100.

The frame is also not designed to carry weight without support at both of its “ends” (axles). What’s beyond the axles are only “extensions” (how to think of it).

Ideally, the engine would be farther behind the Steer Axle.

A pickup is a compromise. An old, bad design for modern use given the HMMV is now fifty years old and better conceptually for on & off road general utility.

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[Joseph Donnelly]

My 2013 is my first full crew cab (earlier trucks were club cab, quad cab at their largest in cab space) and first short bed. I prefer it. Much better turning radius than the crew/8' and it fits in my garage with room to spare. 8' long lumber, etc can hang out or I can bring a utility trailer for it. Check the turning circles now that the crew cab is full size, as well as wheelbases. You need a Wyoming county to turn around with a long bed, lol.

 

[endoscott]

Quote: "You need a Wyoming county to turn around with a long bed, lol."

LOL, true that, still love our long bed-lots of extra room for cargo in front of the 5th wheel hitch, great for towing, all of those things. It doesn't get to live in a garage, so no worries about that. I just plan ahead and think of a Wyoming county ahead of time if I can when I need to turn around. I like the Utah roads for sure....wide enough for Brigham Young to do a U-turn with his horse and carriage....

 

[AH64ID]

Turning radius was improved with the 4th Gen front axle. Hardly any difference for the added 9” of wheelbase.

I spend a lot of time on single lane roads and very rarely would a short bed make enough difference to be able to turn around where the long bed can’t. I can still turn around in all the tight spaces I turned my 05 around.

 

[Turbo Terry]

Yes fork lift drivers are hard on bumpers and tailgates

 

[Turbo Terry]

Extended cabs and long boxes are ok till you try to park them at our Costco

 

[bcbender]

Turning radius was improved with the 4th Gen front axle. Hardly any difference for the added 9” of wheelbase.

Also turning radius is better than that of the competitors... I drove all three in 2020 when I briefly considered if the grass was greener on the other side.. alas its not.

 

[gpintler]

Out west where just about 1/3 of all trucks carry a 4 wheeler in the summer, 8 foot beads are the standard. trying to carry your Honda in a 6 foot box can have some problems. My truck does have a bit of storage under the rear seat, but I put a nice tool box in the bed and 6' 6'' to park my Honda in. "their too hard to drive in town" then don't. Find your self a 7 year old Chevy Cruze for your in town car.

 

[slowmover]

Extended cabs and long boxes are ok till you try to park them at our Costco

As no CTD is as maneuverable as a car, parking at a distance is the actual answer. I usually study a sat pic briefly before setting out to find easiest ingress/egress to parking, same as with big truck. Same procedure in buying fuel.

Occasionally it’s a side street or even a back street entrance for store merchandise delivery at the chains. Just sidle on up nearer the entrance (remote employee parking area, sometimes). That’s a win as it’s also the better property exit.

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[Diesel85]

As no CTD is as maneuverable as a car, parking at a distance is the actual answer. I usually study a sat pic briefly before setting out to find easiest ingress/egress to parking, same as with big truck. Same procedure in buying fuel.

Occasionally it’s a side street or even a back street entrance for store merchandise delivery at the chains. Just sidle on up nearer the entrance (remote employee parking area, sometimes). That’s a win as it’s also the better property exit.

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That's what I do. If people are riding with me, they ask why I go that way.

I say because it's the "lesser chance" of an accident.