new buyer question: supercab: 5.5 foot or 6.5 foot bed?
02-03-2009, 02:33 PM
#1
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new buyer question: supercab: 5.5 foot or 6.5 foot bed?
Hi, I am shopping for for my first f150 and have a quick question for you guys. I'm looking for a 07 or 08 supercab but can not decided on which bed size. I like the usefulness of the longer bed but I am worried that the longer truck will be a chore for city driving.
Are there any quick pros and cons for the different bed sizes for the supercab?
Thanks.
Are there any quick pros and cons for the different bed sizes for the supercab?
Thanks.
02-03-2009, 03:00 PM
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Get the 6'6"
I have the Screw with the 6'6" bed. I go to school in dallas and live south of houston, texas. I do my fair share of city driving. The trouble of looking after that little bit of extra bed is definitely worth having the extra space. In the beginning the main reason I got the 6'6" was so that my fishing poles would fit in it no problem. I haven't really had many problems with it. I would just suggest getting the little dot mirrors that are curved. In my opinion go for the extra foot, it is worth it when doing any kind of work.
02-03-2009, 04:20 PM
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I have an '08 SuperCab with the 6.5 foot bed. I sought the 6.5 foot bed so I could put an atv back there with the tailgate up.
The SuperCab wheel base with 5.5 foot bed is 132.5 inches. (turn radius 43.6 feet)
The SuperCab wheel base with 6.5 foot bed is 144.5 inches. (turn radius 46.4 feet)
The SuperCab wheel base with 8.0 foot bed is 163.0 inches. (turn radius 51.2 feet)
compare these wheelbases (determines turning radius) with SuperCrews.
The SuperCrew wheel base with 5.5 foot bed is 138.5 inches. (turn radius 45.1 feet)
The SuperCrew wheel base with 6.5 foot bed is 150.5 inches. (turn radius 47.9 feet)
A couple of note. The Turn Radii listed are outside measurements... (curb to curb).
There is a difference no one I've seen on here made mention. And that is the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Rack Speed and Rack Ratio.
This determines some stuff too, and might be considered by you.
Long story short, the 5.5 foot bed for the SCAB has a rack speed of 43mm/revolution and a ratio of 20:1.
The 6.5 foot bed has a higher rack speed and shorter rack ratio. Ford designed this to turn quicker at the wheels so as to keep up with the longer wheelbase. I absolutely love my steering on my truck.
The specs for the 6.5 foot bed is 50mm/revolution and a ratio of 17.2:1.
Shoot, I don't know why I'm trying to relay information that I'm getting from here:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas.../f150_08bb.pdf
I'd say go with the 6.5 foot bed. You're losing little to no manueverability IMO as it's one foot of length to the truck, one foot of wheelbase but with quicker steering. Goodluck!
The SuperCab wheel base with 5.5 foot bed is 132.5 inches. (turn radius 43.6 feet)
The SuperCab wheel base with 6.5 foot bed is 144.5 inches. (turn radius 46.4 feet)
The SuperCab wheel base with 8.0 foot bed is 163.0 inches. (turn radius 51.2 feet)
compare these wheelbases (determines turning radius) with SuperCrews.
The SuperCrew wheel base with 5.5 foot bed is 138.5 inches. (turn radius 45.1 feet)
The SuperCrew wheel base with 6.5 foot bed is 150.5 inches. (turn radius 47.9 feet)
A couple of note. The Turn Radii listed are outside measurements... (curb to curb).
There is a difference no one I've seen on here made mention. And that is the Power Rack and Pinion Steering Rack Speed and Rack Ratio.
This determines some stuff too, and might be considered by you.
Long story short, the 5.5 foot bed for the SCAB has a rack speed of 43mm/revolution and a ratio of 20:1.
The 6.5 foot bed has a higher rack speed and shorter rack ratio. Ford designed this to turn quicker at the wheels so as to keep up with the longer wheelbase. I absolutely love my steering on my truck.
The specs for the 6.5 foot bed is 50mm/revolution and a ratio of 17.2:1.
Shoot, I don't know why I'm trying to relay information that I'm getting from here:
https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas.../f150_08bb.pdf
I'd say go with the 6.5 foot bed. You're losing little to no manueverability IMO as it's one foot of length to the truck, one foot of wheelbase but with quicker steering. Goodluck!
02-03-2009, 05:21 PM
#4
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I have a 08 super crew with the 6.5' bed.
This truck is not the easiest to park in tight parking lots, it can be done but not very pretty. I do tend to back into parking spaces when I can
Having said this I love the longer bed, My Nissan has a 4' bed and it us way to small to to anything with.
I will be putting a cap on the truck soon, With the 6.5' bed and cap it will give me a place to camp if needed, The 5.5' bed wouldn't be long enough
This truck is not the easiest to park in tight parking lots, it can be done but not very pretty. I do tend to back into parking spaces when I can
Having said this I love the longer bed, My Nissan has a 4' bed and it us way to small to to anything with.
I will be putting a cap on the truck soon, With the 6.5' bed and cap it will give me a place to camp if needed, The 5.5' bed wouldn't be long enough
02-03-2009, 07:04 PM
#6
02-03-2009, 07:29 PM
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I drive an 06 supercab 6.5 ft bed....love the carrying capacity and the size of the truck is much more proportional I think...Its a big truck and only 18 inches shorter than my dads 3/4 ton dodge 4 door long bed. Its not the sharpest turning truck and not the narrowest so parking in some lots can be a pain but I think its worth it for everything else you get like plenty of cabin room and plenty of hauling capacity......
Like said above I back in if its a tighter turn....
I usually dont park near anyother cars if I can help it just to avoid door dings and scratches so Its not a big deal....
Youll love either truck they are sweet!
oh yeah get the parking sensors if you can they are a big help when your backing up against other vehicles and objects
Like said above I back in if its a tighter turn....
I usually dont park near anyother cars if I can help it just to avoid door dings and scratches so Its not a big deal....
Youll love either truck they are sweet!
oh yeah get the parking sensors if you can they are a big help when your backing up against other vehicles and objects
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02-03-2009, 07:39 PM
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Dixieflier, welcome to the site and an excellent question. Am going to thro Eski a question, with this quicker turn ratio (something new to me) how is it at higher speed driving?
