Pickup truck beds, sometimes called boxes, are available in a few different lengths, depending on the truck. For the most part, there are usually three different bed sizes for pickup trucks:
- Short
- Standard
- Long
Autobytel explains that many buyers consider the length of the bed when shopping for a pickup truck. That said, exactly how long is a long bed truck? Typically, a long bed is 8 feet long, a standard bed is 6 feet 5 inches long, and a short bed is roughly 5 feet 8 inches long. It's important to note that these are average measurements , so the exact lengths may differ by a few inches depending on the manufacturer.
Making Sense of Pickup Truck Bed Sizes
Eagle Ridge GM says most pickup trucks come with multiple options such as:
- Two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive
- Light duty or heavy duty
Light duty trucks, or 1500s, deliver payloads that range from 1,500 to 3,000 pounds and can haul a maximum of 12,000 pounds. These types of trucks are more commonly owned and can handle the average person's towing and payload needs.
Heavy duty trucks, the 2500 and 3500 series, typically have a payload of around 6,500 pounds and can tow a total of 20,000 pounds. These trucks are engineered for buyers who regularly need to haul exceptionally heavy equipment.
Most pickup trucks are known as conventional trucks, meaning the cab and the bed are two separate parts that are attached to the same frame. With conventional trucks, customizing the cab and bed length is a breeze , thanks to their engineering.
Pickup trucks like the Honda Ridgeline feature unibody construction, as mentioned by Carid. This means the truck is one solid piece and does not come with different cab and bed options.
Pickup Truck Bed Sizes
The bed of a pickup truck is what sets trucks apart. Whether buyers are looking to haul farm equipment, ATVs, or bring home a new oven from the hardware store, that rectangular open space found behind the cab is typically what has them shopping for a truck. For this reason, LiveAbout suggests that buyers consider the size of the bed when shopping for a new truck.
Not everyone needs a long truck bed. Back when trucks were purchased for work purposes only, they almost all featured an 8-foot bed. But now that trucks are used for a variety of jobs, the sizes vary. For some individuals, a 5-foot-8-inch short bed will do, while others might still need the long 8-foot bed.
When looking for a truck, you want to assess the length of the bed. According to Autobytel, you can determine the size of a truck bed by multiplying the length of the bed by the truck's width. If you don't have a measuring tape available, you can use the placement of the gas filler flap to help gauge the bed's size.
Pickup Truck Cab Sizes
In addition to the bed, buyers should also look into the different sizes of a truck's cab. The cab is the area of the truck that holds the passengers. The varying features of a truck's cab usually include the following:
- Number of doors
- Types of doors
- Number of seats
There are four common types of cabs:
- Regular or standard cab
- Extended cab
- Double cab
- Crew cab
Eagle Ridge defines the regular and standard cab as a traditional-style pickup truck with two doors and one row of seats. This type of cab fits a maximum of three people and does not have much cargo space, if any, behind the seats.
The extended cab features four doors; however, the back doors have a rear-hinge, meaning they open backward. These rear doors can only be opened after the front door on the same side is opened. The rear-hinged doors typically provide access to either a small row of seats or additional cargo space.
Double cabs offer more space and comfortable seating. They feature four doors that open like a normal door, though the rear doors are smaller than the front doors. The rear seating also has less legroom than the front area. Also, it's worth noting that a double cab is the most commonly purchased style of truck because it offers a comfortable interior without overdoing it on size.
Crew cabs are very similar to double cabs. The only difference between the two is that the crew cabs' rear seats offer more legroom. Naturally, this also means that their rear doors are larger. This difference is not obvious, so many people have a difficult time telling one apart from the other.
Pickup Trucks With the Longest Beds
Many of the best pickup trucks on the market come with short, standard, and long beds. These include trucks from the following manufacturers:
- Chevrolet
- GMC
- Ford
- Ram
The 2019 model of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has one of the longest beds out there. Its new and improved bed, the Durabed, features better versatility and storage than the previous models. Web2Carz states that the Durabed adds 10 cubic feet to the standard size bed and 14 cubic feet to the long bed.
The GMC Sierra 1500, the cousin of the Chevrolet Silverado, also provides ample storage and options when it comes to bed length. Its short, standard, and long boxes are all equal to the Silverado's. Even more impressive is the fact that the Sierra's 5-foot-8-inch bed actually provides more cargo capacity than Ford's and Ram's 6-foot-4-inch standard-sized beds.
Not all pickup trucks are made equal. When shopping for a new truck, the size of the bed matters. It's important you know what kind of performance you need from your truck and take that into consideration when choosing the truck for you. If you're looking for a daily driver that can haul some basic household gear, a short bed will work just fine. Looking for an everyday construction truck? Then, you may want to consider the classic 8-foot-long bed.
Information and research in this article verified by ASE-certified Master Technician Keith Canete of YourMechanic.com. For any feedback or correction requests please contact us at research@caranddriver.com.
Sources Used:
https://www.autobytel.com/trucks/car-buying-guides/truck-bed-size-and-length-comparison-133347/
https://www.web2carz.com/autos/buying-and-selling/7883/full-size-pickup-trucks-with-the-biggest-beds
https://www.liveabout.com/pickup-truck-box-configurations-3274030
https://www.eagleridgegm.com/understanding-pickup-truck-cab-and-bed-sizes
