Buying 1st truck - advice on bed length

[dajogejr]

I don't like either Ram Box or Multi Function tail gate, but to each his own.

I’m in the camp of love ‘em (Ram box) and have my first truck with a multi function tailgate.
I can only say my 2015 that had ram boxes, traded in with just over 140K on the clock, never had an issue.
My 2023 design is different, push button electric Vs the old push button mechanical.
So far no issues, but… not a big sample size. It’s nice to store stuff in them that rarely get used, but you’re sure glad to have It when you do…. Keeping my ice scraper/brush and my ratchet ties downs in there is nice, no more bouncing around inside the cab.

I wanted the MFT for my new truck, I really, really like it. Paired with the factory step, very, very easy to get stuff in and out of the bed without leaning over the tailgate…. I took another member’s advice and siliconed the 4 bumper stops for it as they just twist to lock and I could see them getting lost/coming out.
I also bought the amazon seal kit for the tailgate. Pain to put on, crap instructions, but the sealing of the tailgate is much better. If I power wash a little can still get in, but so far from rain and normal weather, it stays dry back there.

Like you said to each their own for sure. I can appreciate and respect the thought process of more things to break eventually..

 

[spyder]

I don't know that I'd let a truck being dirty keep me from buying it, if it was what I wanted. I can clean it. Or I can have it professionally detailed for a couple hundred bucks. Sounds like a silly reason to pass on it.

 

[Idahoktm]

Are you claiming that 60’s Dodge Ram trucks had ramboxes?

We can't get people to stop calling 5th Gen Rams, Dodge Ram, now we have guys calling 60's Dodge trucks , Dodge Ram.

 

[AleksanderSuave]

This has always been my debate.
Came from a non-crew cab "standard" bed , to currently a crew cab/short length bed.
There are a few times I've missed the larger bed. Packing for trips is the big one.
Having to choose one or the other sucks. Having both is on my "want" list, not necessarily sure that I need it though.

I park a lot in the city, and similar areas, its already tough to fit a truck there. For hauling bikes...we use a locking thule hitch mounted carrier. That adds similar length to the standard bed, and reversing in a few areas has been a bit more difficult due to it.

Cant fit my truck in the garage now so thats irrelevant.
If you plan on keeping it long term, it might be nicer to get the larger bed. However...you can always add a hitch mounted load extender for longer lumber or similar, that the 9" or so of extra bed wont make a difference in. You can add a cap to add height to the lockable area..you can add a rack to the bed, and plenty of other accessories to increase your utility, that can be removed once you're done using it for that purpose and still give you what you need.

I keep my folding load extender under the rear seat, and it comes out whenever I need it at the hardware story. Easy enough to use. I dont want my bikes bouncing in the bed if they're laid down, so thats irrelevant to me, and its quick enough to use the thule rack instead of wasting time tying it down in the bed.

Ive seen guys having issues selling a crew cab truck with the 6'+/standard sized beds when they're ready to move on. Everyone in truck groups/forums loves to say thats what they want, but then nobody buys it in reality. Its why so few of them are made now.

 

[Jedi9]

Had to have the 6' 4", no brainer, especially with a toolbox. And they look good with a quad cab. I'd like more room in the back seat but I need the room in the bed.

 

[RVTRKN]

I’m not sure you can claim that. The first trucks with the rambox option are only just hitting 15 years old. I work with two people who have 2009 Ram 1500’s with ram boxes and they still look and work the same as they did when the trucks were new. Honestly, I am much less concerned with how they look as long as they keep things secure and dry. Honestly, if I was to buy a truck that I planned to keep for 15 or 20 years I wouldn’t have bought a Limited LOL. I wouldn’t even buy a Big Horn. I’d look for the lowest optioned Tradesman I could find.

I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should or shouldn't, if you like them, buy them.

Are you claiming that 60’s Dodge Ram trucks had ramboxes?

Look at the small compartment on bed.

 

[mikeru82]

I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should or shouldn't, if you like them, buy them.

Look at the small compartment on bed.

So what? Chevy did that too. That’s a far cry from ramboxes though.

 

[HSKR R/T]

I'm not trying to convince anyone that they should or shouldn't, if you like them, buy them.

Look at the small compartment on bed.

I don't think that was a factory option.

 

[CalvinC]

So what? Chevy did that too. That’s a far cry from ramboxes though.

If that counts, don’t forget Nissan did it on the first Titan, too.

Back when they had ideas and not just financing for bad credit.

 

[RVTRKN]

So what? Chevy did that too. That’s a far cry from ramboxes though.

Ya, but over time they looked ragged. AGAIN, who cares about my opinion, buy what you like.

I don't think that was a factory option.

If you google Dodge A200 trucks, you'll see many of them, they are OEM.

 

[Dewey]

I've had both short and long beds. You won't notice much difference driving them and 9" will hardly make a difference in what you can or can't haul. The major difference is how the truck looks. The long bed is ugly and the short bed isn't.

 

[Pikeman_66]

View attachment 188037

that might fit in the garage of these newer homes. Lol

 

[mikeru82]

that might fit in the garage of these newer homes. Lol

Nah, it's probably too tall

 

[strinos]

I don't know that I'd let a truck being dirty keep me from buying it, if it was what I wanted. I can clean it. Or I can have it professionally detailed for a couple hundred bucks. Sounds like a silly reason to pass on it.

Well, they just reduced the price by another 3k. That truck is for someone, just not for me, and everyone else who's seen or smelled it.

 

[firecadet613]

Well, they just reduced the price by another 3k. That truck is for someone, just not for me, and everyone else who's seen or smelled it.

Setup a search on Cargurus, the right truck is out there.

Once you find it, Google the vin to find it on the dealers website and download the free carfax.

 

[killerformula]

I have the 6’4 bed and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I do a fair amount of truck stuff with my vehicle and haul things somewhat regularly. Helpful hint; you can haul several 2x4’s with the bed closed in the 6’4. Just put them diagonally.

IMO it depends on what you’re doing with the truck when you decide the bed length. I bought a truck because I needed it to do truck things. The 6’4, 33 gallon tank, 3.92’s I figured helped me maximize the trucks capability, and that was how I made my decisions.

I also think like others have said that the 5 foot bed looks a little small to me on a crew cab. When you look from the side it looks like it’s 2/3’s car with a little bed. I guess I just miss the look of a single cab long bed though.

 

[Pikeman_66]

I have the 6’4 bed and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I do a fair amount of truck stuff with my vehicle and haul things somewhat regularly. Helpful hint; you can haul several 2x4’s with the bed closed in the 6’4. Just put them diagonally.

IMO it depends on what you’re doing with the truck when you decide the bed length. I bought a truck because I needed it to do truck things. The 6’4, 33 gallon tank, 3.92’s I figured helped me maximize the trucks capability, and that was how I made my decisions.

I also think like others have said that the 5 foot bed looks a little small to me on a crew cab. When you look from the side it looks like it’s 2/3’s car with a little bed. I guess I just miss the look of a single cab long bed though.

Agree fully with your look comment on the short bed.

 

[strinos]

Update:
I let that green truck go and picked up this gem.
Really well-equipped '21 Laramie 6'4".

Thanks for the advice on the bed length. After a few days of daily driving, I'm not regretting the longer bed at all. It's a big truck and takes some getting used to, but I love it.

 

[spyder]

Sweet, good choice. You'll now likely never know how much the short bed sucks when actually using it as a truck. That extra 9 inches makes a big difference sometimes. Folks that say it doesn't just don't use the bed for truck stuff and it shows. I still wish there was an 8' bed Megacab that isn't a ridiculously priced aftermarket setup. If there was a factory one I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

 

[firecadet613]

Sweet, good choice. You'll now likely never know how much the short bed sucks when actually using it as a truck. That extra 9 inches makes a big difference sometimes. Folks that say it doesn't just don't use the bed for truck stuff and it shows. I still wish there was an 8' bed Megacab that isn't a ridiculously priced aftermarket setup. If there was a factory one I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Or the short bed will fit in the garage (just barely)!