Who Says the 5-1/2 Foot Bed is Useless?
10-04-2016, 06:38 PM
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Who Says the 5-1/2 Foot Bed is Useless?
I don't, at least anymore!
I had to pick up some cedar for a pergola project I'm working on, and I was stressing about how I was going to get it from the lumber yard to my house. The cost of materials was slightly under their free delivery mark so I could pay $60 for delivery or I was thinking I could borrow my uncle's trailer. Then it dawned on me that I've got a truck and I need to make it work. My good friend had a bed extender he loaned to me (you can actually get a decent one for $60), so I decided to go that route.
Sixteen foot boards are actually no problem with one of these things, even with the 5.5' bed! If you need to haul a moderate amount of longer lumber, I think a bed extender is a worthwhile purchase. Then, when you're done with it, just break it down and then you don't have an 8' truck bed to deal with during every day driving and parking.
A pic of the cargo:
I had to pick up some cedar for a pergola project I'm working on, and I was stressing about how I was going to get it from the lumber yard to my house. The cost of materials was slightly under their free delivery mark so I could pay $60 for delivery or I was thinking I could borrow my uncle's trailer. Then it dawned on me that I've got a truck and I need to make it work. My good friend had a bed extender he loaned to me (you can actually get a decent one for $60), so I decided to go that route.
Sixteen foot boards are actually no problem with one of these things, even with the 5.5' bed! If you need to haul a moderate amount of longer lumber, I think a bed extender is a worthwhile purchase. Then, when you're done with it, just break it down and then you don't have an 8' truck bed to deal with during every day driving and parking.
A pic of the cargo:
The following 3 users liked this post by KP Texan:
10-04-2016, 07:16 PM
#2
Motor 10
Pretty cool
10-04-2016, 11:23 PM
#3
Senior Member
I've been driving a 5' bed in a Tacoma for 9+ years and I bought one of those to carry 12' kayaks. They work great. After buying the 5.5' F-150 the bed is massive. With the tailgate down it's just a couple of inches shy of 8', is much wider and deeper.
I've had regular cabs with 6.5' beds for years. So far I haven't found anything that I couldn't fit in the 5.5' bed that the 6.5' bed would carry anyway. That is why I have a 10' utility trailer. Might as well go to 8' rather than just 6.5'.
I've had regular cabs with 6.5' beds for years. So far I haven't found anything that I couldn't fit in the 5.5' bed that the 6.5' bed would carry anyway. That is why I have a 10' utility trailer. Might as well go to 8' rather than just 6.5'.
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MrLunchbox (10-10-2016)
10-05-2016, 05:06 PM
#4
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Is this adjustable?
10-05-2016, 05:17 PM
#5
I've been driving a 5' bed in a Tacoma for 9+ years and I bought one of those to carry 12' kayaks. They work great. After buying the 5.5' F-150 the bed is massive. With the tailgate down it's just a couple of inches shy of 8', is much wider and deeper.
I've had regular cabs with 6.5' beds for years. So far I haven't found anything that I couldn't fit in the 5.5' bed that the 6.5' bed would carry anyway. That is why I have a 10' utility trailer. Might as well go to 8' rather than just 6.5'.
I've had regular cabs with 6.5' beds for years. So far I haven't found anything that I couldn't fit in the 5.5' bed that the 6.5' bed would carry anyway. That is why I have a 10' utility trailer. Might as well go to 8' rather than just 6.5'.
The following users liked this post:
johnday in BFE (10-05-2016)
10-06-2016, 10:20 AM
#7
Senior Member
I don't, at least anymore!
I had to pick up some cedar for a pergola project I'm working on, and I was stressing about how I was going to get it from the lumber yard to my house. The cost of materials was slightly under their free delivery mark so I could pay $60 for delivery or I was thinking I could borrow my uncle's trailer. Then it dawned on me that I've got a truck and I need to make it work. My good friend had a bed extender he loaned to me (you can actually get a decent one for $60), so I decided to go that route.
Sixteen foot boards are actually no problem with one of these things, even with the 5.5' bed! If you need to haul a moderate amount of longer lumber, I think a bed extender is a worthwhile purchase. Then, when you're done with it, just break it down and then you don't have an 8' truck bed to deal with during every day driving and parking.
A pic of the cargo:
I had to pick up some cedar for a pergola project I'm working on, and I was stressing about how I was going to get it from the lumber yard to my house. The cost of materials was slightly under their free delivery mark so I could pay $60 for delivery or I was thinking I could borrow my uncle's trailer. Then it dawned on me that I've got a truck and I need to make it work. My good friend had a bed extender he loaned to me (you can actually get a decent one for $60), so I decided to go that route.
Sixteen foot boards are actually no problem with one of these things, even with the 5.5' bed! If you need to haul a moderate amount of longer lumber, I think a bed extender is a worthwhile purchase. Then, when you're done with it, just break it down and then you don't have an 8' truck bed to deal with during every day driving and parking.
A pic of the cargo:
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619F150ecocrave (09-14-2023)
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10-06-2016, 02:05 PM
#8
How would you ever make a turn?
10-06-2016, 02:13 PM
#10
Beer, Boats, and Trucks.
Take a sharp enough turn and you could take out somebody walking along the side of the road lol
The following 2 users liked this post by berty:
cmbezln (10-06-2016),
MrLunchbox (10-10-2016)