In the market for a used F-150, king cab, whatever...I know, wrong time, but...I've had these since 1980...Problem is that NOW, most beds are shorter than 8'(prefer) but I have a 6.5' and that works....My dilemma is that I'm guessing about half I see advertised as 6.5' 'appear' to me to be shorter...Such as, my wheel is centered on the bed with about 2' forward, 2' rear and a 3' wheel well(7' long)...Bed may be little bigger as I have an 80" level on the cap rail inside...Most of these that I 'believe' are wrong appear to only have about a foot, if that, forward of the wheel well...Guess I'm asking if that determines they ARE ALL shorter than 6.5' and I can eliminate looking at them...All help appreciated...

 

if you are looking at a crew cab most of those beds are 5.5' you can get a 6.5' bed but those are few

the standard bed on the extended cab is 6.5' with 8' being optional

 

Easiest way to tell in pics if its a 6.5 bed is… basically the rear wheel is centered on a 6.5 bed. And yes most of the ones advertised as a 6.5 bed are indeed a 5.5 bed. I discovered that when I was looking.

 

I've been driving trucks since 1976. I've had 5', 5.5',6.2, 6.5', 7', and 8' beds. I currently have a crew cab 2007 Tacoma with a 5' bed and a crew cab 2014 F150 with a 5.5' bed. I've never, not once ran into a situation where something wouldn't fit in my 5.5' bed and a 6.5' bed would have helped. If it won't fit my 5.5' bed I need an 8' bed or a trailer. In fact it is easier to use a trailer anyway.

I have just under 8' with my tailgate down and can easily haul 12' lumber or kayaks. Having another 1' won't change that. The next size up in lumber is 16' and you can't haul that with a 6.5' bed either. It would be possible with an 8' bed or a trailer.

1/2 ton crew cabs with 6.5' beds are quite rare and the primary purpose is to be able to tow a lighter weight gooseneck trailer. But they start to get pretty long. I don't have an issue with a 6.5' bed on a super cab since they are the same overall length as a regular cab 8' bed or crew cab 5.5' bed. It comes down to how much room you need for passengers. If you think you have to have 6.5' then stay with a supercab and the smaller rear seat. But if I absolutely had to have a 6.5' bed AND a crew cab I'd buy a F250.

 

if you want 4 full sized door (crew cab), you aren’t getting an 8 box (In f150). Once you look at enough and focus on amount of cab forward of rear wheel you can pretty easily differentiate between the 5.5 and 6.5’ boxes.

as already mention more crew cabs with 5.5 than 6.5.

 

6.5 was the only ones I considered when I bought my used truck.

 

6.5 was the only ones I considered when I bought my used truck.

 

I've owned both the 5.5 and 6.5. I had the 6.5 and then went to the 5.5. If I were to do it again I wouldn't get anything but a 6.5 now. I don't use the bed that often, but when I use it typically the 6.5 would make things much easier. The convenience of the 6.5 beats out the parking issues that come with a super crew 6.5 in my opinion.

 

 

What have you used the 6.5' for that would not work in a 5.5'?

What use will you have for the rear seat?

If you look at a few you'll easily to able to tell at a glance from a picture which one it is. Don't go by description, go by pic