F-150 owners

[cattleman99]

I had a run in with a cow and am currently looking at replacing my truck. Have yet to find one similar to what I had (options, bed length, price). Plenty with the 5.5’ bed.

Those of you who use your bed for truck things, do you find the short bed too short?

 

[Docsherm]

I have a 22 F150. I have always had a toolbox on my trucks, mostly F250s. With the shorter bed I don't and I kind of break even.

 

[Jerry V]

You will always be wanting a few more inches!

 

[powdahound76]

You will always be wanting a few more inches!

“Thats what”
- She

 

[mfox497]

I had a 2011 F-150 4 door with the short bed. I traded it in last year for a F250. I put over 200k miles on it and only changed oil/tires. The only issue I ever had with it was the short bed. I chose not to put a tool box in it because it would have made the bed even more un useable. Still can haul sheets of plywood just know it will hang out over the down tail gate.

That being said the truck was a pleasure to drive and incredibly dependable. Hoping to get 10-15 years out of my 250 now.

 

[mfox497]

Another thought. I haul water often in a 275 gallon tank. With the long bed I can get it over the rear axle better and seems to not sway it as much. Could also be going up from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton.

 

[powdahound76]

I have a 4 door with 5.5 bed.

Often wish for the 6.5.

Spent a lot of time driving a 4 door 1 ton with a long box.
Still miss it.

 

[Olen_4504]

Short bed here. If I need to haul anything that doesn’t fit in the bed I use a trailer.

 

[Srgt. Hulka]

I used to have a 79 F-150 with an 8’ bed. I now have a 16 Tundra with a 5’ bed. The short bed sucks. If you can, get a long bed.

 

[chevy_man]

I have 3 trucks with 8' beds.

I can close the tailgate with everything I put in there, except the snowmobile.
My tailgates would all be stripped of paint from gravel roads if I had to leave it down to fit dirt bikes, 4 wheelers, etc.


I fill the bed with stuff when hauling the camper, so I can't just add another trailer.

 

[BuildingConceptsllc]

I had to get a shorter bed because I had to buy a new truck immediately (Long story). I'm not a fan of the shorter bed, I miss my truck the way I ordered it a lot.

 

[lonegunman762x51]

6.75ft bed is better, gets more stuff over the axel and if you dropp the tailgate for sheetrock its all supported.

If you decide on an F250, just spend the extra 250 bucks and get an F350. You get better springs and higher gross weight. A camper package F250 is identical underneath to an F350 btw, same everything driveline wise.

My next truck will be a 6.75ft F350, camper package because I have a truck camper. It will be extended cab, not crew cab and Godzilla motor in gas. If they are allowed in 2024. Crew cab puts the camper roof downspouts right in front of the side view mirrors. When you open the door in the rain it fills the grab handle up with water,lol. Annoying.

 

[Lightning8]

As stated above I have the shorter bed that works 99% of the time for what I need and if I need more I pull a trailer or on a recent hunting trip added an extra cargo carrier to the tow hitch receiver for the big cooler

 

[eflyguy]

Those of you who use your bed for truck things, do you find the short bed too short?

No. I have a '03 FX4 supercrew, it has a bed extender. I've never regretted having the short bed, 20 years now.

The only "issue" I've had was the fuel pump failed a few years back, and had to drop the tank to change it. My daughter and her BF did it, for the cost of the new pump (<$200)..

 

[sam4886]

When I was looking for my crew cab long bed I found the dealers were clueless. Just look on auto trader and filter by everything else then look at pics. Its easy to tell when one has the longer bed, the shorts look like about 4 inches between the rear well and the back of the cab.

I have the 6.5 bed and a canopy so its not bad most of the time but I do miss an 8 once in a while. Definitely couldn't go any shorter.

 

[Hobo Hilton]

I have 2 Ford trucks... A long dually and a short flatbed (standard cab)... Before I head out I ask myself "What is the mission"? If I take the dually I just go ahead and park out in the lower 40 at Costco or Home Depot. If it's a run to the Post Office I take the short one...
There is no perfect truck.

 

[wade2big]

Another thought. I haul water often in a 275 gallon tank. With the long bed I can get it over the rear axle better and seems to not sway it as much. Could also be going up from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton.

Well over a ton in the bed of a 1500 had you sitting on your overloads for sure. Way too much weight and dangerously so but you aren’t living unless on the edge. Good call moving up to a beefier truck.

 

[Ks_Coyote]

I really like my F150 for the most part.
The shorter bed doesn't bother me, I've got trailers if needed.

 

[Hairball]

My 150 is good for small stuff that does not take up too much room but it kind of depends on how much you need to carry and how often. For larger items like plywood/sheet rock, and other large landscaping stuff, I use the 350 with the long bed. Beyond that, it goes in a trailer. If I could only have one, it would be a long bed in a 350 or 450.

 

[91Eunozs]

How often did you use all of what I assume was a longer bed in your wrecked truck?

Got the 5.5’ bed in mine because I like the shorter wheel base; have only used the entire bed once hauling mulch; usually just need a couple feet for bags of corn, etc. to fill the deer feeders, or to haul stuff to the dump/recycling yard.

Anything more and I just use an appropriate trailer.

I think the shorter bed looks better too.

 

[Bender]

F-150 all the way. Former Chevy guy and had a dodge company truck. The 6.7 bed is just right. If I ever get to pick my dream truck, it’s a dark grey f-250 with the 7.3 gas and a 6.7 bed or 8 foot. It should last forever

 

[wade2big]

F-150 all the way. Former Chevy guy and had a dodge company truck. The 6.7 bed is just right. If I ever get to pick my dream truck, it’s a dark grey f-250 with the 7.3 gas and a 6.7 bed or 8 foot. It should last forever

I had a 2014 4 door F250 4x4 gasser. 9-10mpg and a dog. Worst I have ever seen in a vehicle.

 

[CaptArab]

Well over a ton in the bed of a 1500 had you sitting on your overloads for sure. Way too much weight and dangerously so but you aren’t living unless on the edge. Good call moving up to a beefier truck.

I use a 275 ibc tote to water the garden out of an old half wrecked farm beater 4 door f150.

No way I'd ever even consider getting it out on the road. Nearly sinks the back end and feels sketch just going 15 mph down a gravel road.

 

[Bender]

I had a 2014 4 door F250 4x4 gasser. 9-10mpg and a dog. Worst I have ever seen in a vehicle.

The new 7.3 does 14-15. But I have a car for gas mileage. I want torque and no diesel maintenance issues.

 

[navynambu]

I agree, you need both a long and short bed. The price has really dropped on used trucks in the last month. Buy 2 low miles 4 or 6 year old trucks for a lot loss than you'll pay for one new one, drive them for 2 years, and sell and get all your move back.

 

[wade2big]

The new 7.3 does 14-15. But I have a car for gas mileage. I want torque and no diesel maintenance issues.

That’s better for sure. Mine was a 6.4 or whatever the big gas engine was at the time. Best I ever got was 11.2 on a 4 1/2 hour hwy trip.

I’m used to low mileage as all I have ever driven is pickups. Single digits sucked though. Small tank at something like 27gallons to boot.

 

[AMGtuned]

On my 2nd 4dr shorty. I have the BackRack brand "safety rack", as well as their removable rear bar. The rear bar uses the stake pockets for its uprights; slide in, slide out. No problem with; 16' stuff, 12'-6" trim brake, 32' ladders (17' collapsed), right down to 8' stock. Have not hauled the 24' plank yet, but did using the same system and my 2013 6' bed. It's all about position with super long stuff anyway.

Absolutely ZERO complaints about my truck though (2020 F150 SuperCrew, 3.5, 10spd, 302A, Sport, Towing, add leather). Been from ME to FL, and ME to VA on a few occasions, with wife + 3 and gear, totally comfortable.

 

[akmike47]

Another thought. I haul water often in a 275 gallon tank. With the long bed I can get it over the rear axle better and seems to not sway it as much. Could also be going up from 1/2 ton to 3/4 ton.

Well it's almost 2300lbs of water so...

1/2 ton trucks made to haul.....1000 pounds.

So obviously it's going to drive like crap being 2.5 times over the limit adding you in the mix

 

[SDBguy95]

Full size 4wheeler is the biggest thing I put in the box. Rear tires rest partly on the tailgate. Can't say Ive ever wanted a longer box.

 

[AMGtuned]

Photo of the rack I mentioned above. Although mounted on my old 2018; it's still the same SuperCrew, short box.

 

[n2ishun]

Best truck I ever had was a '72 F250 Camper Special with a 390 I punched out to a 410, C6 trans, dual tanks, AC, all the options and then a few I retrofitted like intermittent wipers and power windows.
Damn I miss that old girl....8 mpg uphill or down, loaded or not.

 

[Devildog]

Heavy Duty, Hard Tonneau Covers | DiamondBack Covers

Be ready for the next adventure and protect your gear in the bed with DiamondBack. The toughest, most secure truck bed cover that’s built in the USA and comes with a lifetime warranty.

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Get a Diamondback cover. It’ll hold up to 1500 pounds. I’m a builder and what doesn’t fit in the bed can easily be strapped to the top.
I have a Tundra and the whole rear window comes down I can run long stuff into the cab if I need to or I grab one of my trailers.

 

[dustingaunder]

All F150 owners =

 

[BCP]

I had a run in with a cow and am currently looking at replacing my truck. Have yet to find one similar to what I had (options, bed length, price). Plenty with the 5.5’ bed.

Those of you who use your bed for truck things, do you find the short bed too short?

The only thing I miss is that my 6' bed truck had a shell on it so when I was hunting/camping I sacked out in there rather than setting up a tent in a drunken stupor @ 11pm. Otherwise the 5.5 bed is fine.

If you really need a truck bed an 8' is the actual work truck bed.

 

[mfox497]

To everyone letting me know my f150 was overloaded with the water tank… I am well aware it was overloaded. I even had helper springs the last 2 years I did it. However the full story is I hauled water from one side of my property to the other. No public roads and barely over 10 mph. Sometimes you have to work with what you’ve got especially at the cost of a new truck now days.

Back to the original topic, I like the longer beds for sure.

 

[Lapuapalooza]

I used to have a 79 F-150 with an 8’ bed. I now have a 16 Tundra with a 5’ bed. The short bed sucks. If you can, get a long bed.

I’ve never had a 5.5’ bed. Always had 6.5’ beds. Until I had an 8’ bed for a while. I always regretted going back to the 6.5’ bed.

Just get an 8’ bed. Everything that you can for in a 5.5’ bed should fit in an 8 footer….

 

[rjacobs]

F150 are useless... I had a 2021 "max tow" F150 that could drag 14k on the hitch... Sounds great until you see your payload is only 1380 on the sticker... So you cant really even hook up 14k(10% tongue weight estimation) let alone GET MY FAT ASS IN THE TRUCK... LOL.

Even F250's are "mostly" useless. 250/2500's in any brand are only really built for states that cant register over 10k GVWR without becoming a commercial vehicle because as somebody else pointed out a 250 and 350 are MOSTLY the same usually just a rear spring change(on Ram and Ford at least).

 

[dustingaunder]

The Chevy 2500/3500 are identical except the 1 ton has an extra overload leaf and a taller block under the spring pack. The 10k GVWR is for tax purposes in some states. SRW 1 ton and 3/4 ton trucks are the same.

 

[DoctorBen]

2020 F150 Ecotec V6 and 6.5 bed.
Love it.
6.5 means mostly can close tailgate on bikes, which when throwing gravel, means no dents.
Practically, if I am doing lots of material hauling i hookup my trailer. So when moving my tractor or getting loads of lumber, etc, didn’t use the bed unless it was a quick Lowes run.

 

[JimTN]

Have a '18 4d SC with short bed It does everything I have needed, did tow a 7400# GVWR TT with no issues. I have packed it with 4 rifles and related ammo, equipment for 2 pdog/sage rat trips, everything taken on these trips was in the bed of the truck. I do have a locking tonnuea cover, and use a utility trailer as needed. I was limited to the 5.5' bed due to the size of the garage, I have about 2" to spare on each end, but the OH door does close.

 

[BoilerUP]

Generally speaking, extended cab standard bed trucks are the same length as crew cab short bed trucks.
I think they're intended to (snugly) fit in garages and be grocery getter family trucksters, which is why 90% of trucks on dealer lots are CCSB. My 2017 Silverado is a crew cab short bed.

All of that is to say...my next truck will be a crew cab standard bed. The short bed works for 95% of my uses, but that 5% is just enough of a major inconvenience to justify (to me) the marginal extra expense.

 

[MtnCreek]

I've got a crew standard bed. Stay away from parking garages.

 

[BCP]

F150 are useless... I had a 2021 "max tow" F150 that could drag 14k on the hitch... Sounds great until you see your payload is only 1380 on the sticker... So you cant really even hook up 14k(10% tongue weight estimation) let alone GET MY FAT ASS IN THE TRUCK... LOL.

You need a load balancing hitch for the bigger trailers.

Funny reading some of these posts. I remember when a diesel 3/4 ton chevy could tow 7500. 1/2 tons now are insane compared to 20 years ago.

 

[BoilerUP]

Gucci trim trucks = less payload.

Ford offers the Heavy Duty Payload Package with higher GVWR for a reason...but XLT only, because reasons.

 

[rjacobs]

You need a load balancing hitch for the bigger trailers.

a load balancing hitch does not magically make your tongue weight not be payload... You hook a 14k lb trailer to a truck you own ~1400lbs of tongue weight and thus payload.

All a load distributing hitch does is attempt to shift that weight from like 90% on the rear axle to more on the front to level the truck out. But the weight is still there. And generally the reason Ford(and other manufacturers) state that a weight distributing hitch is required over XXXX lbs, is because the rear axles are shit and without a load distributing hitch you would exceed the rear axle weight ratings... Its really a bandaid.

A 3/4 or 1 ton will drag 15k+ on the hitch with no weight distributing hitch required... might be a good idea, but generally not required from anything I have read. Ford for the 250/350 has 2 columns in the towing guide, one for non weight distributing and one for weight distributing. Its generally the same number, maybe 1k difference. Nothing like the F150 that is like 6k max but with weight distributing can go to 12-14k...

 

[BCP]

Gucci trim trucks = less payload.

Ford offers the Heavy Duty Payload Package with higher GVWR for a reason...but XLT only, because reasons.

I think the work truck ones are 2800 or 3300 now, probably because heavier springs in the rear.

My 2004 silverado had a max payload of 1300lbs, I don't know how it is I survived with such a low payload lmfao.

 

[Bigfatcock]

Best truck I’ve ever owned is a 2022 Camry with trailer.

 

[168BTHPM]

I had a run in with a cow and am currently looking at replacing my truck. Have yet to find one similar to what I had (options, bed length, price). Plenty with the 5.5’ bed.

Those of you who use your bed for truck things, do you find the short bed too short?

Yes, the bed is way too short. I have an F-150 Lariat with a 5.5' bed. I almost never use it to haul things because I have two other non-Ford trucks with 8' beds. The only time I drive the F-150 is to run into town with friends or grocery shopping. If you are stuck on getting a Ford with a short bed just buy one of the old Explorer Sport Tracs, save yourself $80K and still have all of the fun Ford bullshit to deal with.

 

[BoilerUP]

A truck with anything shorter than 8' ain't a truck, its a soccer mom vehicle for Dads

Nice stance bro wheels

 

[Redmanss]

Define "Truck Things". My truck things are different than yours for sure.