5'7" vs 6'4" bed

[nlahue]

Getting a crew cab bighorn with off road group. Trying to decide on the two bed sizes. For those with the longer bed how much does it hurt off road ability. Looks like only about a degree of breakover angle difference but not sure how much difference that makes. Mostly western us FS roads for camping nothing too crazy. Might get the mopar lift.

 

[WXman]

6'4" ALWAYS unless you want to park in a residential garage.....in which case 5'7" ALWAYS

 

[LaxDfns15]

I'd say as long as you're not doing a lot of climbing/crawling the bed length is not going to make a noticeable difference. If I could do it all over again I would 100% get the long bed with my crew cab. I gave that up with my Titan, and I miss it every time I put my lacrosse sticks in the bed (can't fit a 6 foot stick straight in the short bed). I don't park in a garage though.

 

[Ramroo]

I’ve had both. Long bed from here on for me. Much more room for stuff in bed.
Fits fine in my garage, parking is easy with cameras. I know you would be happier with your camping trips with a long bed, unless you can’t fit a long bed in garage.

 

[Threesuns1]

Welcome, 6.4 for me, I would have selected an 8' bed if it was offered in crew cab.

 

[beetlespin]

6.4 all day long. Had the shorty on my Ford Ranger and hated it. Incredible how a couple more inches really helps.

 

[Ramroo]

Getting a crew cab bighorn with off road group. Trying to decide on the two bed sizes. For those with the longer bed how much does it hurt off road ability. Looks like only about a degree of breakover angle difference but not sure how much difference that makes. Mostly western us FS roads for camping nothing too crazy. Might get the mopar lift.

The off road group will give you 1 inch more ride height, rear locker is good of course. No real difference in off road abilities of short vs long bed for what you are doing. Long bed for all your crap.

 

[397STROKER]

I have the 6.4, whish is was still a 6 1/2 foot bed. Hell, the 6 1/2 ft bed use to be the short bed. I would never go less if you really use the truck to haul stuff.

 

[Biggiehorn]

Some of us were blessed with length, and some of us were not. Those of us that weren't often find ourselves wishing that we could be like the big boys. Lol If I could go back, I'd go long bed all the way. I mean it all boils down to your intended use, but I could see way more value with having the extended bed than not having it. From a visual perspective, I think it also makes the truck look better balanced and more proportional as well. Improving both the looks and functionality is a win/win.

 

[Rlaf75]

Just for reference, this is my bone stock BTS crew cab with the off road package and 6.5 bed. I don't do any off roading other than the occasional improved dirt road when i have to. It's big for parking lots and does not fit in my two car garage as you can see from the picture but I won't buy a truck with a shorter bed

 

[MikeyHo808]

Off roading with the sheer size of this truck is crazy here in Hawaii, but as a crazy local, been there, done that back in the day.
Most trails here are made for Yota sized p.o.s’…anything bigger, trail rash is a norm.
Geez, my 3rd Gen fit in only two parking garages in Waikiki, and one of them, my roof would scrape the piping in it. Have yet to take this one into the land of stupid. No plans on it. That place is ridiculous. And this guy is way larger then my 3rd Gen. HELL NO.
But, I turned down a Rebel for my current Bighorn North Edition because of the 6.4 bed. Have not regretted it once. Minus the Off Road protection under carriage and interior, my Bighorn had a great package build to it, right off the lot. Also, it was the only 6.4 bed truck on island when I bought it. That uniqueness alone was a good enough reason to purchase it.
Love these trucks, no matter size of cab/bed, but I feel 6.4 bed trucks look more proportionate, especially when lifted. The 5.7 beds are very useful, and still very effective. But 6.4 is just that much more useful, and I’ve never heard anyone say the bed is too big. Have heard some say the 5.7 bed is too small. Each to his own. Get what fits your intended use. Having that extra bed length and space is just icing on the cake.
Sand, dirt, camping, light stuff, and move a bunch of crap is my ceiling with this truck. Old pic attached from day wheels and tires got installed. Trifold open and old tires in back, with choke space left.

A six foot table will fit flat, and you’ll be able to close the tailgate without it perched on it. Good luck

 

[wegasque]

...my 3rd Gen fit in only two parking garages in Waikiki, and one of them, my roof would scrape the piping in it...

The first time I tried out modifying my air suspension was when I went into a parking garage at the Phoenix City Hall and I had that oh **** moment when I thought I might be too tall. Then I remembered I could lower it. I lowered it all the way and then proceeded to 'duck' under all the supports as I drove through the deck. It may not have been that close, but it did make me feel better.

 

[MikeyHo808]

The first time I tried out modifying my air suspension was when I went into a parking garage at the Phoenix City Hall and I had that oh **** moment when I thought I might be too tall. Then I remembered I could lower it. I lowered it all the way and then proceeded to 'duck' under all the supports as I drove through the deck. It may not have been that close, but it did make me feel better.

Funny how us humans will do the “duck move” while in their vehicle going through a parking garage. Human nature is a TikTok video waiting to happen.
I remember being in a Vegas Casino parking structure one day on vacation and I was parked next to this ridiculously giant Expedition and was like WHY THE F*** do we not have structures like this in Hawaii? If I had to go to traffic court, I would have to park about 20 minutes away, seriously. My truck don’t fit nowhere on this d**m island!
Leaving that Waikiki structure left stains, literally.

Ok, sorry for the hijack…continue on.

 

[SKT Customs]

I’m in the same boat as everyone else, the 6’4 bed is more practical and looks better in my opinion. I don’t see it being an issue off roading it, although I do wish they came with a one piece drive shaft instead of 2 piece. Once they’re lifted they look much more proportionate to my eye

 

[TCB77]

I would never get the baby bed again! I bought a new 05 Ram 2500 CC 4x4 long bed diesel and put 198k miles on it. Switched jobs and didn’t really need a diesel anymore and wanted something newer and different so I found a smoking deal on a 2012 GMC Sierra 1500 4x4 CC with the 5.75 bed and…… big mistake!!!! I now have had my Ram 1500 CC with the 6.5 bed for about 6 months and it’s so much better. If you use your truck for ANYTHING besides getting groceries, get the longer bed. Mine only has a leveling kit right now but I will soon be doing a 4” lift and 35”s. And like others have said, when they are lifted I think they look way better but that’s my personal preference. I live in Southern Ca so we don’t have really harsh winter weather so I’m fine with not parking in the garage.

 

[Idahoktm]

The length of the truck is not going to make a difference in the off-road capability that you're describing.

Before I bought my Ram, I had a Tundra with the 6' 5" bed for 11 years. The bed of my Ram being 10" shorter hasn't affected my ability to haul anything any differently than I did with the longer bed. With the 6'5" bed I still have to drop my tail gate to haul lumber and my dirt bikes. Other than losing the use of my backup camera, I really don't care if I have to drop my tail gate and it's pretty rare that 10" will change that.

I never considered the 6'4" bed because I don't like how it looks and I knew it wasn't going to affect the way I use my truck. The long bed just looks disproportionate to me.

 

[Av1]

I love my 1500 with the tiny bed, but really don't use it as a truck.

We have an older truck with an 8' bed and do my hauling and towing with that one. It's much better suited for those needs.

If I only had one, it would have the longest bed I could get.

 

[Dewey]

I miss my 6’4” bed now that the hunting season started. I was bummed the Back Country only came in 5’7” but thought I wouldn’t miss the 9”. Feeling a little cramped for space especially since I normally run a topper instead of my supplied tonneau cover. Might have to go the topper route. Nice having that extra height plus everything locked up nice and secure.

 

[MidnightExpre$$]

6.4 all day long. Had the shorty on my Ford Ranger and hated it. Incredible how a couple more inches really helps.

That's what she said....

 

[CalvinC]

I used to run an 8ft bed when contracting and couldn’t imagine making do with less.

But since I pilot a desk these days the 5.5 bed makes so much more sense. Allows me to daily drive and park it, and bed handles most anything 9” more would too.

If I went back into contracting I’d be right back to an 8ft bed, so to me the 6.5 bed is the worst of both worlds - long enough to make daily driving less fun, but too short to be materially more useful.

I find for me best solution is a 12 foot utility trailer I bought and modded for $1800 all in. Carries way more in volume and weight than any truck bed could dream, and I’m not shuttling around extra truck when I don’t need it. Of course probably only makes sense if you have somewhere free and accessible to store it; mines at home but if I had to pay to store it I probably wouldn’t have it.