5.5' because a 157" wheelbase won't fit in the garage.

In 2.5 years I have't yet found anything that didn't fit, but would have with another foot.

If I was getting a truck that wouldn't fit in the garage, I'd get a Super Duty with a bed longer than 6.5. But I don't really need a truck, that's why I have a half ton like the rest here

Gotta have crew cab because I have a family and also dogs, and everybody goes in the cab all at once often enough

 

Beating a dead horse, but what do you regret about it? Just the look? I would sooner stop driving the F-150 than get the 6.5' bed. Not over looks or anything else, but I have driven the 6.5' bed trucks with CrewCab, and they suuuuuuck in a lot of parking lots. At least in more suburban/urban areas, wouldn't be an issue in somewhere like more rural Indiana as often. So I would have to have a pretty good reason to need that extra foot, which you always have no matter what you are using the truck for, versus maybe just renting a Home Depot Super Duty with an 8' bed for $20 for an hour.

I say the above because between my four F-150s, despite family trips, camping, helping multiple people move with tons of furniture, moving wood and drywall and whatever else, I have never once run into a situation where the 5.5' bed couldn't get it done. Could a 6.5' bed have done some of it a little easier, or with the tailgate closed (which is always ideal)? Yeah of course. But that is like two instances in all that time.

So if the day ever comes where I have to move that much stuff and the 5.5' bed is simply out of the question or I can't just rent a utility trailer from UHaul or whatever, then I will rent a truck from Home Depot for a couple hours. That small expense beats the hell out of constantly trying to park a truck that is another foot longer than the length these trucks already are. I know I mentioned it before but our vet has this crazy tight parking lot where they have a single row of parking spaces and the building is right behind, plus you can mix in a big transformer they have splitting the lot and a few guard poles to keep people from hitting the building. Even with my shorter Crew/5.5' bed, I have to Austin Powers out of those parking spots nearly every time if they are even a little bit busy, and that's utilizing every bit of the 360 cameras and getting wife-scared close to things around me. I think I would have to live there or just drive forward through the neighboring companies grass to get out with a longer truck. And that's just one example. So no thanks. Maybe one day when we don't have the kids and dogs that make the Crew Cab part so important and I can get a SuperCab or something I will appreciate more bed length, I don't have an issue with any of the bed lengths and think people trying to gauge their manliness or comparing them to minivans when they are friggin half ton trucks to begin with, many with lower payload ratings than minivans, is incredibly dumb. If you are that hard up for bed length and true truck feel, get a Super Duty.

 

Go big or go home.

 

I agree with everything said here. I will probably never go with anything bigger than the 5.7 bed. If I have to haul anything that won't fit in the bed then I hook up my 12' aluminum utility trailer. It seems that all parking lots spaces are getting smaller by the day and don't want to have to deal with the extra length on the back. But everyone has their own wants and needs and what they look for in a truck. I will always own a supercrew. My wife wants room to haul the grandkids around. If I wanted a real truck I would go with a superduty. I loved my F250 with the 7.3L in it but I don't haul or tow enough to justify the larger truck.

 

F350 Dually here I come!

 

Sorry, but F-350 is child's play. How about F-650 six door?

 

I love my 157 inch super crew, rides better,tows better,looks better! If I’m going to the mall we drive the wife’s escape which we nicknamed the go-kart!

 

Here is my 2016 F150 157” wheelbase. I swapped out the tow mirrors. Put ready lift 2”Coilovers in Front and 2” Block in Rear. Also Highly recommend the Banks Ram Air system. Couldn’t be happier with results. I’ve read and read on these forums about tire size. I went with 275/65/20 KO2. Truck sits 3.75” higher than stock.

 

I went with the 5.5 because my intention from the outset was to get a big utility trailer. 4'x8' sheets and kayak were going in the trailer or sticking out either way, so the bed length didn't matter much to me. I also find that by having nothing under the rear seats of the SCrew and a big Weathertech, a lot of stuff just goes in the back rather than the bed.

 

Both my brother and good friend have a super crew with 6'5" beds neither one will turn down a ride in my 5'5" bed truck.
My other brother and his son & son in-law have super duties with 6'5" & 8' beds and the same is true.
And the reverse is true of myself not turning down a ride in their trucks.
To each their own decision is the right one and even if you think you made a mistake your more than likely wrong.
As a old boss once stated "Quote" ( I thought I made a mistake once but I was wrong.)
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21 XLT 302a 5'5" bed PB with towing