I'm so Torn - 8' or 6.5' Bed

CaptainObvious · Jan 26, 2004

I've been researching the new F-150. I thought I had it all figured out...

XLT, 4X4, SuperCab, 8' bed, captain's chairs and most of the bells & whistles. MSRP $35,160...invoice $30,762.

Until, for some unknown reason, I looked into a Lariat...

4x4, SuperCab, 6.5' bed, leather seats, 3.73 LSD. MSRP $35,410...invoice $30,999.

For a few extra dollars I can be riding in luxury, but in return I have to sacrifice the 8' bed.

Is this really a big deal for hauling bikes? It's nice to be able to close the gate with the bikes all safe inside. If I go with the 6.5 I can get one of those Ready Ramps.. Heck, if I go 8' I'm still going to need a ramp, right?

The 8' can haul 2,260 vs 1,650 for the 6.5, but for bikes that shouldn't be an issue.

Decisions, decisions.

Can someone set me straight and talk me down from the edge?

ConqSoft · Jan 26, 2004

You should be able to close the gate on the 6.5' too. I have the SuperCrew, with a 5.5' bed, so I can't.

http://www.conqsoft.com/myimages/loaded_up.jpg

kenl · Jan 26, 2004

rv6junkie said:
I've been researching the new F-150. I thought I had it all figured out...

XLT, 4X4, SuperCab, 8' bed, captain's chairs and most of the bells & whistles. MSRP $35,160...invoice $30,762.

Until, for some unknown reason, I looked into a Lariat...

4x4, SuperCab, 6.5' bed, leather seats, 3.73 LSD. MSRP $35,410...invoice $30,999.

For a few extra dollars I can be riding in luxury, but in return I have to sacrifice the 8' bed.

Is this really a big deal for hauling bikes? It's nice to be able to close the gate with the bikes all safe inside. If I go with the 6.5 I can get one of those Ready Ramps.. Heck, if I go 8' I'm still going to need a ramp, right?

The 8' can haul 2,260 vs 1,650 for the 6.5, but for bikes that shouldn't be an issue.

Decisions, decisions.

Can someone set me straight and talk me down from the edge?

mx547 · Jan 26, 2004

if you care about looks, get the 6.5. otherwise, go 8.0.
you cannot close the tailgate on a 6.5. i used to put the bikes in, pull the tailgate up against the tires, then hook a tie down in the peg and in the latching mechanism on each side of the tailgate. it holds the tailgate up far enough that nothing comes out and it is very convenient. if you are pulling a trailer too, the tailgate will still clear the jack.

JWW · Jan 26, 2004

go with the 8'

regards
unhappy 6.5' F-150 owner wanting a 4 door 8' F-250 :ugg:

oldguy · Jan 26, 2004

Is it going to be an everyday driver? If so where do you park? Is your garage deep enough? That 8" may limit you of course we can all use the excersize walking in from the far end of the parking lot

WaltCMoto · Jan 26, 2004

Ive got the supercab,6.5
If you haul kids around, they might grow, and a crew cab would be a wise choise. Ive got 3 kids and we can get around, but its tight. My 6.5 bed will hold 1 full size bike with gate shut. Most of the time, the bed is empty cause its all in the trailer now.
The LSD is a must have option IMO.

rickyd · Jan 26, 2004

Ride in comfort, go for the small bed and find a trailer for your bikes..
Rick

Senior KX Rider · Jan 27, 2004

I have an 04 XLT 4X4 with the 6.5 bed. Looks much better and anything to big for that bed can go on one of the trailers

CaptainObvious · Jan 27, 2004

WaltCMoto said:
Ive got the supercab,6.5
If you haul kids around, they might grow, and a crew cab would be a wise choise. Ive got 3 kids and we can get around, but its tight.

For '04 they have added 6" to the rear section of the SuperCab so now it's within an inch of the Ram1500 4 door and Silverado Extended cab.

OldGuy, The truck will be an everyday driver and my parking space at work would have an 8 footer sticking way into the drive lane.

Thanks for the replys, it's very useful information.

mx547 · Jan 27, 2004

WaltCMoto said:
Ive got the supercab,6.5
My 6.5 bed will hold 1 full size bike with gate shut.

that's with the bike angled.

dirt bike dave · Jan 27, 2004

I fit 2 bikes (angled) in the 6.5' bed of my F150 Supercab, with the gate closed. Done this many, many times with various Ford trucks. Three full size bikes can be done, but it takes a little creativity, and you can't raise the gate the hole way.

For me, the 6.5' bed is fine, espeically for a daily driver. If Ford made a 7' bed like my old Ranger longbed, that would be great. But I would have no need for an 8' bed unless I routinely hauled 3 bikes,

XRpredator · Jan 27, 2004

I do the same as mx547. While I'd like to be able to shut the tailgate, I don't want to drive a land yacht either.

to each his own.

Treejumper · Jan 27, 2004

I can get 2 bikes angled in my 6'3" bed on the Ram with gate closed.

firecracker22 · Jan 29, 2004

I have a little tin can pickup and really, while width is an issue, length is not. I can pull the tailgate up with a tiedown like someone else mentioned and it's convenient and secure.

Looks and convenience wise, I prefer the smaller trucks myself. I do not have a big trailer to pull nor large/heavy loads to haul, so a longbed 3/4 ton diesel just doesn't seem to be very necessary although all of my friends bought them for the "fuel mileage."

CR Swade · Jan 29, 2004

Ughh...I rather like my diesel land yacht, I feel like Gilligan rolling down the road, plus I've got mucho room in the cab and the bed (incase Maryanne wants to get frisky :yeehaw: )

Patman · Jan 29, 2004

I have the shortbed F250SD and next time around I think I'll get the long bed. I typically have a bed rail mounted tool box in the back which means no way the yailgate will go up with a bike in the back unless it's angled corner to corner of the available space. Not a big deal until I needed to haul 3 bikes AND tow a trailer to Dirt Week! I pulled the toolbox and when we picked up the trailer we let the air out of DougRoosts KTM300's tires and was just able to squeeze the tailgate closed. My XR284 & Montesa 315R have a tighter wheelbase so they worked with air in the tires. If you are looking for style points then the shortbed is the way, if you are looking for a more usable truck then the 8' bed is THE choice.

zio · Jan 29, 2004

geeze... is it that important to get the gate closed? Other that being able to actually fit more gear & crap, I've never really wanted for a longer bed. And I've never had anything fall out the back of my itty bitty Toyota. Occasionally I'll throw a bungee or extra tie-down on some particular piece of cargo, but otherwise I just toss any loose stuff between bikes or close to the cab & sail away.

va_yzrider · Jan 29, 2004

Cargo nets help keep your stuff secure in the bed in case you need to leave the tailgate down. I had the same dillema when looking for a new truck and have been happy with the 6.5' bed so far. The only thing I don't like is picking up a load of plywood, but you just have to be a little careful on acceleration.

gwcrim · Jan 29, 2004

I see no need for the 8" bed. Like Zio asked, what's the big deal about having the gate down? I've driven over 900 miles with the gate down, bike loaded, and lots and lots of gear stowed up to the bed rail.

The Ready Ramp folds into a bed extender, right? That and the 6.5' bed the hot set up to me. Nice & short for daily driving, long enough when you need it.

mx547 · Jan 29, 2004

zio said:
And I've never had anything fall out the back of my itty bitty Toyota.

i drove a toyota for years. once i had a fully loaded gear bag fly out on the highway. luckily, i just happened to see it in the mirror.

70 marlin · Jan 29, 2004

Bigger is better! Two bikes forward, one bike backward. Tailgate closed with 24" of RV behind. It's the only way to travel. By all means get all the bells & whistles. Even if runs the price up.

MX-727 · Jan 30, 2004

You get a truck so you can haul stuff. It's nice to be able to be able to pick up sheets of plywood, or a couch, or mattress set and still close the tailgate. Why don't you wait and find the Lariat with the 8' bed?

bbbom · Jan 30, 2004

8' bed of course, but then I've always said "Bigger is Better" and don't forget the gashog 460 - it's fun to watch the needle move to the left as you step on the gas! :joke:

We couldn't live without the 8' bed, but then we haul 5 bikes & pull an 18' trailer when we headout to ride. Not sure what we'll do when one more kid moves to a bigger bike, it's already like a big puzzle to cram the bikes & gear in the truck!

For a daily commuter though, no way. I love driving the F250 but I'll take my Bronco for ease of parking and maneuvering any day. You can get nice interiors on the fullsize trucks too, mine is quite comfy with leather, sunroof, great soundsystem. Just what we need for road trips as long as the gas station isn't too far away.

CaptainObvious · Jan 30, 2004

MX-727 said:
Why don't you wait and find the Lariat with the 8' bed?

The Lariat only comes with a 6.5...no 8' option.

Thanks for all of the replys. Since I'll drive the truck 90% of the time with the bed empty I think I'll go with the Lariat with a 6.5' bed.

Now if I can just find one in the Tornado Red...

I'm so Torn - 8' or 6.5' Bed

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