[aminter0]

Hey everyone, new to the forums. I am aggressively looking for my next truck. I currently have an 04 F150, but I need something not quite the caliber anymore, and something that retains value with some added miles... so with that said.

I have $21k ready to spend on my next truck, I am getting a double cab, but can't decide on the long bed or short bed. I have a TRX450, so if anyone has/has seen pictures of a quad in a short bed I would love to see it. I am just torn! But none the less, I can't wait for my Taco... Thanks!!

 

[bamma]

If you want something of lesser caliber, don't get a toyota.

 

[aminter0]

I didn't mean quality caliber, the F150 is terrible. I mean size...

 

[WilsonTheDog]

IMO, if you're going to REALLY carry stuff in your bed on a regular basis, go long bed.

 

[socalman22]

Long bed for sure u can close the tailgate, and you sure can put alot of stuff back there.
I searched for "quads in the bed" and saw some pics of what your looking for.

 

[Sony]

If you're gonna be hauling an ATV a lot then go for the long bed. I got the long bed to haul around supplies and stuff for scenic construction and the extra foot doesn't seem like much but it makes a huge difference.

 

[WhiteMagnaSport]

Short bed looks WAY better

 

[HDGreyRider]

I think the long bed looks fine on the DC, it gets down to the options and packages that you select. Eother way a 2x4 or sheet of plywood is extending out the back. Now I'm leaning towards the TRD Offroad DC, but it only comes with the short bed. 2 days ago I was locked in on the 6' bed.

Bank some of your 21 K and go with the 0 financing for 36 months.
You'll need the money for modifications later if you hang around this group... and I don't even have my Tacoma yet.

 

[DHanz]

I think the long bed looks fine on the DC, it gets down to the options and packages that you select. Eother way a 2x4 or sheet of plywood is extending out the back. Now I'm leaning towards the TRD Offroad DC, but it only comes with the short bed. 2 days ago I was locked in on the 6' bed.

Bank some of your 21 K and go with the 0 financing for 36 months.
You'll need the money for modifications later if you hang around this group... and I don't even have my Tacoma yet.

My friend has a DC LB that's a TRD. They might not be common but he has one. Unless Offroad means something else I don't have a Tacoma yet either and my head is spinning with all the differences between models.

 

[HDGreyRider]

My friend has a DC LB that's a TRD. They might not be common but he has one. Unless Offroad means something else I don't have a Tacoma yet either and my head is spinning with all the differences between models.

That would be a TRD Sport. Some differences - 6' bed is an option, 17" wheels, colored rear bumper, and a different seat than the TRD Offroad. My head is spinning too. If I can get my brain around the idea of a 5' bed then I'm going TRD Offroad. If not then maybe just a 6' bed SR5 with Tow and LSD.

 

[aminter0]

I think either one looks great, but for me it seems as tho the long bed is going to be more practical. Now to just find the right one at the right price...

 

[PiercedTiger]

It also depends on if you want a 5spd auto or 6spd manual. I got the SB because I hate auto's, and practically drooled when I saw the manual was a 6spd!!

Our expectations for a truck might differ. I was used to cramming everything I needed in a 4dr Corolla so to me the cargo space in the SB is HUGE (especially when I can still fit 5 people inside).

It's hauled everything I've needed:

• 8ft radiators and copper pipe to fix the house
• washer
• dryer
• 22cuft refrigerator (upright, held with ratchet straps to 4 d-rings)
• 8ft plywood ramp and rototiller or riding lawn mower
• tools (13gal and 20gal compressors, welder, 2 tool boxes, 180ft of air line, work lights, extension cords, heater, 2x20lb propane tanks, socket set, grinder, drill, floor jack)
• 4 bikes + baby trailer
• kitchen table + 4 chairs
• corner fitting computer desk
• dressers
• 1600lbs of wood pellets
• wood stove
• a friend's entire apartment contents

Basically anything I would need to haul so far without buying/renting a trailer or a U-Haul. Heck, we only got a van to move to our house because it was free (just put in gas) through our real estate company, and it was supposed to rain.

I've had the tailgate down for several larger items (mowers mostly), but I added 4 D-rings (for 6 total) and carry 4 ratchet straps all the time. So I just torque everything down against the rubber bed mat, and nothing moves! :thumbsup: I reinforced my tailgate with angle iron, but the newer 08's should have the stronger tailgate by now so just get the bed mat and add some D-rings!

like this:

 

[ElDiabloJoe]

Short bed looks WAY better

Lol, yep, the shortbed looks better.

Kinda like a blonde chick. Looks better, but performs poorly when needed and has a $hitty attitude attached to her large sense of entitlement.

Nope, I'll take the brunette or redhead that gets the job done with a on her face and asks for more.

FWIW-- You're getting a truck. When you need to haul stuff, the extra foot makes a big difference. If you're getting a truck just to say you have one or to look pretty, go with the truncated 5-foot bed. But when you need a truck to move stuff, you will be glad you have the extra foot.

If you just drive around town looking pretty and want to have an easy time parking, buy the short bed.

One man's opinion...

EDJ

 

[borderbrat]

Lol, yep, the shortbed looks better.

Kinda like a blonde chick. Looks better, but performs poorly when needed and has a $hitty attitude attached to her large sense of entitlement.

Nope, I'll take the brunette or redhead that gets the job done with a on her face and asks for more.

FWIW-- You're getting a truck. When you need to haul stuff, the extra foot makes a big difference. If you're getting a truck just to say you have one or to look pretty, go with the truncated 5-foot bed. But when you need a truck to move stuff, you will be glad you have the extra foot.

If you just drive around town looking pretty and want to have an easy time parking, buy the short bed.

One man's opinion...

EDJ

don't let greysky hear you say that she likes guns

 

[WilsonTheDog]

If you just drive around town looking pretty and want to have an easy time parking, buy the short bed.EDJ

I am rather handsome but that's going a bit too far. Loading my truck and going to the dump once a week isn't quite "driving around looking pretty", nor is the many other times I've used the truck bed for various other reasons.

I do find it interesting that some folks find the type of vehicle you drive to be indicative of their "manly" status. I guess some of us are endowed by our Creator and don't worry about such trivial things.

But, like I said in my first post, if you haul a lot, get the long bed. :thumbup:

 

[PiercedTiger]

Lol, yep, the shortbed looks better.

Kinda like a blonde chick. Looks better, but performs poorly when needed and has a $hitty attitude attached to her large sense of entitlement.

Nope, I'll take the brunette or redhead that gets the job done with a on her face and asks for more.

FWIW-- You're getting a truck. When you need to haul stuff, the extra foot makes a big difference. If you're getting a truck just to say you have one or to look pretty, go with the truncated 5-foot bed. But when you need a truck to move stuff, you will be glad you have the extra foot.

If you just drive around town looking pretty and want to have an easy time parking, buy the short bed.

One man's opinion...

EDJ

hmmmm.... Maybe you didn't read my post.... Seems I've hauled quite a bit for a "pretty, truncated" truck. As for parking.... Yeah, it's nice being able to pull into small parking lots or parking garages without hitting anything. Or navigate tight ATV trails for fun. Shorter wheel base also means I'm less likely to high-center it so try following me sometime.

 

[ElDiabloJoe]

Wasn't trying to flame, bro.

Just saying, in this world of truck-popularity there are those that use them as trucks, and those that don't really. One's need for the truck should be a strong determinate factor in which bed one selects.

Not hatin' on the small bed folks, just pointing out my observations of reality.

EDJ

 

[PiercedTiger]

Wasn't trying to flame, bro.

Just saying, in this world of truck-popularity there are those that use them as trucks, and those that don't really. One's need for the truck should be a strong determinate factor in which bed one selects.

Not hatin' on the small bed folks, just pointing out my observations of reality.

EDJ

Perhaps a different choice of words should have been used then.

Either way, if you're looking at a double cab at around $25-$30k bed is only ONE of the factors you need to consider. I finance for 5 years so it has to last for 5 years. Meaning I have to be HAPPY with it still in 5years. That means I don't want to get sick of trying to fit in small parking areas, being unable to turn around on tight roads or trails, deal with a tranny I don't like, etc. Same goes for if you constantly need to haul large items (bikes, atvs, etc), deal with lots of stop n go/construction, etc.

Personally, a trailer (preferably enclosed) is a better option for atvs/bikes/etc than a ramp and the bed. I've had ramps fall so I'd choose trailer over bed if given the choice almost every time.

The part that bugs me is the long bed has a lower weight capacity than the short. (1360lbs vs 1305lbs SB vs LB, both auto and 1385 for 6spd) I know it's only 55-80lbs, but with a larger bed I'd expect to load up more mulch, gravel, dirt, concrete bags, etc. The ONLY thing that extra foot buys you is more room for LONGER things like ATVS or bikes so they don't ride on the tailgate. If the LB had, oh say, 100-220lbs more capacity then maybe. But I can load more weight in a SB if I stack it up, and the extra size of the truck doesn't get in the way rest of the time. As it is, either bed will need the tailgate down for plywood sheets, drywall, or anything else in standard 8ft lengths so LB vs SB is pointless to me about that. If anything else the extra 80lbs of capacity would let me stack up more of them! :lol:

 

[ElDiabloJoe]

Perhaps a different choice of words should have been used then...

Yeah, I seem to have that problem a lot around TN. I don't mean to piss people off and come off like an ass. I'm not an ass. It just sounds that way a lot I guess. Something to work on, I guess. I try to be a contributing participant here.

Anyhow, thanks.

EDJ

 

[PiercedTiger]

Yeah, I seem to have that problem a lot around TN. I don't mean to piss people off and come off like an ass. I'm not an ass. It just sounds that way a lot I guess. Something to work on, I guess. I try to be a contributing participant here.

Anyhow, thanks.

EDJ

Yeah I know what you mean.... :lol: I can be rather blunt too and try to watch it..... :ugh3: Especially on these LB vs SB and auto vs manual thread. :lol:


Still, the thing that surprises me is the longer bed being able to carry less weight. I can understand the whole curb weight and GVWR thing so a longer truck is heavier so that takes away from cargo capacity (same with heavier auto tranny, bigger engine, etc). I would just think they'd bump up the GVWR for a longer truck. Whats the point of a bigger bed if you actually have a lower weight rating that the smaller one?!? If I had a bigger bed I'd be thinking "oh, I have more room for mulch now.", but in reality I'd have to put in less than you can put in a short bed. That doesn't make sense to me.