Short, Regular, And Long Beds

[grimmysnr]

I am looking to purchase a new truck next summer but one thing that I keep getting hung up on is which bed to go with. Right now I have an ECLB and although it can be cumbersome to drive and park I have often found the extra hauling space very functional. I usually carry around a quad, dirtbike, and camping gear all of which fits in the bed with really no problems. I have used the truck to move a few times and have found that I can fit almost half a bed room in just one haul.

 

The truck I am interested in includes the All-Terrain package which means I can only get the ECRB or CCSB. I dont really do alot of passenger hauling but I kinda think a Crew Cab would be cool with the extra cab space. The short bed however just gets me, its almost like the Avalanches where the beds are like small sandboxes. For those of you with Short Beds, what all have you been able to put back there? Or is your bed mostly for just putting groceries in the back and thats it?

 

The next step would be the ECRB which I believe is the 6.5' bed. Well I have an 8' bed now and I was considering getting the bed extender with the new truck. I think I might be able to gain that extra foot and a half from the tailgate. The only thing I dont like about this is I cant secure the bed with a lock and cover. Granted the times I have really used all of my current bed probably are few and far between I guess its just those times I needed it I was glad to have it.

 

So I am wondering, for those of you with the different bed length. Have you wished you would have gone longer? Why? What is it about the Crew Cabs that really made it worthwhile to go with a shorter bed?

 

I realize there may be kids in the picture or your truck might just be a glorified grocery getter but maybe for those who do a lot of out doors stuff, do you regret the short bed?

 

I am just trying to explore all the different options because the All-Terrain package is extremely limiting on the configuration. Sometimes I really wished I had more cab space and then theres those times where I loved the 8' bed.

 

Opinions?

[Riverjet502]

It sounds to mean you just answered your own question. You like the 8ft bed! For the things you use your truck for why would even think of a smaller bed? I am in the same boat as you. 3 day weekends with boat and gear. Its manatory to have the 8ft box, the way trucks where ment to be. Some of these "trucks" with the small bed.. A couple suit cases and there full.. Just think about what your needs are then you will be happy...

[Matt_]

I personally don't have any use for a long bed. However, I wish my crew cab had a regular 6.5' bed.... But that extra foot wasn't enough for me to give up the CC or an EC.

 

I do my own construction work on my house; so that involves all of the supplies you would expect from home depot & such. Not to mention trips to the dump where a larger bed would come in handy. I also go to PA once a year for a camping trip and my bed gets loaded down with firewood & gear... would be nice to get another row of firewood in there. And for our ski trips, it is dissapointing how quickly a few bags of luggage fill the bed... BUT, 5 adults fit in the cab with plenty of room (6 when i had my 2005 bench seat.. my wife would sit center front)

[99silveradoz71]

It's a tough call to make. I went from a 99 ext cab with the 6'5 bed to my 08 crew with the 5'8. I will say there have been a couple times when I wish I had the space of the 6'5. I also have an enclosed trailer, so if I really need to do some serious hauling/moving, I can always use that. It's just a matter of whether you're hauling people or cargo and if cargo, what kind and how often.

[alaska511]

It is a tough call. I went from the 6.5 to the shorty, and missed it when I had to load the motorcycles on the trailer, or when I towed the travel trailer I had to have a buddy bring the bikes.

 

Most of the time, I never missed it. The shorty was fine, but when camping season came in AK, I missed the bigger bed, I will not lie.

 

The CC is sweet daily driver, and if you live in Anchorage, it is great around the city and in parking lots.

[hockeypro1411]

8' beds are nice because you can throw full sheets of drywall or plywood in the back and not think twice about it. From a hauling aspect, nothing will beat an 8' bed. The other nice thing about the 8' bed is that if you decide to put a toolbox in there, you go back to essentially having a regular bed, not a 3 foot long bed that's less functional.

[RyanbabZ71]

It's a tough call to make. I went from a 99 ext cab with the 6'5 bed to my 08 crew with the 5'8. I will say there have been a couple times when I wish I had the space of the 6'5. I also have an enclosed trailer, so if I really need to do some serious hauling/moving, I can always use that. It's just a matter of whether you're hauling people or cargo and if cargo, what kind and how often.

 

same here

 

i needed cab space and the missing bed space isnt a huge deal. I had the bed loaded traveling for xmas. I also have one o those baskets that go in the hitch which helps storing cargo on trip.

[asilverblazer]

You have to park everyday, the shorter bed will be real nice then, so you will gain a nice feature in exchange for a little difficulty the few and far between times you need it. I've always had a standard bed length and never needed more.

[High Plains Drifter]

The minimum I would go is the 6'6" and that is with the extended, but that is me. I don't like the look of the short bed with the crew cab. I don't need to haul around any crumbcrunchers so extended cab is more than enough.

 

What I really like is the look of a pickup with just the bed. No ex or crew cab. They look great. But I needed some space inside to put stuff. If they only offered a short extended cab. That would be my ticket. As it is, my truck misses fitting inside my garage by about 8 inches.

 

But I'm rambling. 6'6" or 8' is the choice for me. Don't care for the 5'8"

[georgecdisc]

I went from a '98 Silverado RCSB to a RCLB. The additional bed space for me was very beneficial because I travel between MI and NH 4 times a year with a load of junk. Both trucks had/have a tool box, not to mention the '98 was a step side so the box was actually narrower. I went from being a strategic packer to not really caring how things fit in the bed once I got more space. Sounds like you are not at a critical point where bed space is necessary. If you can condense the packing a little you should be just fine with a 6.5' bed.

[96chevy7.4L]

Instead of a half ton and being stuck to a 5'8 or 6'6 bed. Just go up one series of truck and go CCLB. Not that big of a deal around town once you get used to it. BACK IN everywhere if you go this route. Don't even try an pull in it won't work. And the CCLB will keep the wife or girlfriend out if you have either.

[Trav_13]

I have had all three....2 Trucks with Long Boxes which were Regular Cabs that were great for the Bed Space, but no Passenger Room....I then went to a Half Ton Crew...Cab was Awesome, Hated the Bed....so basically now the last two trucks have been GMT-900's with the Extended Cab Standard Box configuration and I have found this to be a happy medium. If you are hauling 8ft of Cargo that often, you probably have a trailer.

[MS3DALE]

I prefer a regular-cab standard-bed (Or as it use to be called...short-bed!) but I need the extra room inside that an extended-cab has,so my last 5 trucks have been extended-cabs with the 6.6' bed.

I'm actually still looking for a '96-'98 regular-cab short-bed 4x4,I still think those are the best lookin' trucks GM ever made!

[ironhead3fan]

I loved my 1990 Chevy K1500 with the std cab, long bed. Hauling things with it were great. My needs have changed somewhat now, so I really like the ext. cab and the 6.5 ft bed on my new truck.

[orlan85]

When my friend and I had a construction business we drove an 05 Chevy 2500 CCLB. That thing was a monster and I loved it. We could fit 8' sheets of anything with no problem. We would also load the whole bed with tools without a problem. The Crew Cab was great too because we could easily fit anyone in the truck and still have all the stuff in the back. It was also great because when we would go to the bar after work we would put the expensive tools in the cab, so it always worked out.

 

Now that we closed up shop with the business, I purchased an 09 GMC 1500 CCSB. It fits 5 people very comfortably. I dont need the 8' bed for things around the house. If I need to buy drywall I just put the tailgate down. I still do jobs here and there, so yes the bed is small when you have to carry all the tools around and ladders and such. So to me I would rather have the 8' bed crew cab for when I need it maybe twice a year, but that means I would have to go to a 2500. The 2500 is too much truck for my needs and I dont need the 8' bed everyday. So thats what you have to ask yourself. I would love to have a crew cab duelly 8' bed but I dont need it.