Introduction
The primary difference between a short bed and a long bed is the size of truck’s cargo area. Short beds measure about five and a half feet in length, while long beds measure eight feet or more. The cargo area on a short bed tends to be better for everyday use as it is easier to park in urban areas with tight spots while providing enough cargo capacity for most standard tasks. Long beds have additional storage space which makes them better suited for hauling large items such as furniture, construction materials, and agricultural materials, making them better when towing trailers and moving large items over longer distances. Short beds are available with single or dual rear wheels giving drivers more options when it comes to utilizing the advantages of both types of beds. Short beds generally provide greater maneuverability in congested areas or during sharp turns while dual rear wheel short beds offer greater stability when hauling heavy loads along uneven road surfaces. In order to compare lengths side by side, an 8-foot model will actually be slightly larger than two 5-foot-6-inch models due to their cab widths being different from each other; the 8-foot model has a wider cab width than two 5-foot-6 models placed together.
Size Differences
Short Bed:
Length: 6.5 feet, Width: 78 inches, Height: 21.3 inches
Long Bed:
Length: 8 feet, Width: 78 inches, Height: 21.6 inches
Usability Differences
A short bed typically refers to a truck bed that is 6 feet or less in length, while a long bed generally ranges from 8 to 10 feet in length. This means that a short bed is typically more suitable for transporting smaller and lighter loads that won’t take up too much space. For example, hauling items such as wood planks, furniture, or lawn care equipment may be best suited for a short bed truck.
On the other hand, long beds are better suited for longer items such as appliances, construction materials, remodeling materials (i.e., dry wall), or bulkier items like large tree trunks or furniture that won’t fit in a short bed due to their extended lengths. Additionally, long beds allow for easy movement of ladder racks and toolboxes along the length of the truck’s tailgate. A long bed also provides better stability when hauling heavier loads than what can be supported with a shorter bed.
Cost Differences
Resale Value – Generally speaking, trucks with a standard 6.5 to 8-foot bed size will have more stable value over the long term when sold used than those with a long bed. This is primarily because there are fewer people looking for a used truck with a longer bed length, meaning that you may need to search wider for a buyer and are likely to get less money paid for it.
Gas Mileage – Gas mileage does vary based on the size of the truck’s bed. While size differences between short and long beds are often only one to two feet, those few inches can create enough air resistance to impact your gas mileage. For example, the midsize Chevy Colorado 4×2 gets 28 MPG on highways when fitted with a 5-feet bed but drops to just 22 mpg on highways when powered by an 8-feet bed model.
Repairs – The total cost of repairs can also vary depending on your choice of short or long bed. Since larger trucks often require new parts due to their heavy body weight and drag from its extra length, repair costs can be higher as well as things like replacement tires or suspensions which may need replacing more regularly due to weight distribution or uneven roads traveled upon over extended periods of time.
Weight Differences
The main difference between a short bed and long bed truck is the amount of cargo space that can be loaded. A short bed is typically around 5’ to 6’, while a long bed is closer to 8’. This means there is much more total area in the back of a long bed available for carrying loads. In addition, the size and heavier weight of the load often dictate whether it should be taken on by a short or long bed truck. For instance, larger and heavier loads such as large furniture typically should not be put in a short bed as it would require suspension upgrades or special wheel sets to avoid damaging the frame.
Another difference between a short and a long bed involves weight distribution and how it affects ride quality. For example, if carrying something such as cut logs, an evenly distributed payload will often result in better overall ride quality. With an even amount of weight distributed among all four tires, less shocks will be experienced over uneven terrain for both trucks – but especially for longer beds since their extra length provides more surface area on which to evenly spread the load over each wheel. However, this will also depend on other factors such as tire pressure level and drive axle ratio settings.
Appearance Differences
A short bed truck has a box that is typically about 6 to 8 feet long and shallower than what you’d find in a long bed. Short beds are more common than long beds as they are more maneuverable, lighter, easier to park, and provide more capacity. A long bed truck is typically around 8 feet in length and deeper than a short bed. Long beds allow for larger payloads since they have a greater capacity but they aren’t as maneuverable or easy to park as short beds.
The most significant difference between the two types of trucks can be seen by looking at their boxes side-by-side. A short bed truck (warm) will have shorter walls and will be less wide then a long bed truck (cold). The longer wheelbase of a long bed also makes it stand out compared to the shorter wheelbase of a short bed. Long beds also typically have bigger rear tires and an option for an extra rear leaf spring, making them ideal for heavy hauling applications such as towing trailers or cargo vans.
Ride Differences
The most noticeable difference between short beds and long beds is in size. Short beds are around six to seven feet in length and the long beds measure almost eight feet. This additional footage may be beneficial if you’re hauling a large load or require more space to access a toolbox, fuel tank or other component. It will also affect your vehicle’s overall weight rating and stability when towing a trailer.
A longer bed may also have an impact on overall handling and stability of the vehicle. When adding this greater length, wheelbase increases which can help enhance cornering, stability, road grip and ride comfort while taking sharp turns or curves at high speeds. Depending on the specific design of the truck bed’s frame rails, some long bed models feature reinforced front axles — such as a Dana 44 axle for three-quarter-and-one-ton trucks — meant to strengthen the core structure of the vehicle during high momentum activities such as offroading or pulling heavy loads with trailers.
Finally, overall ground clearance can also differ slightly between short and long bed models — components like rear bumpers often hang lower due to their extended length extending out from the body of the truck. This small discrepancy might make it more challenging for some drivers to clear higher obstacles when offroading — however this can be mitigated with aftermarket upgrades in most cases.
Conclusion
When deciding between a short bed and a long bed, there are several factors to consider:
1. Bed Length – The length of the truck’s sleeping area or “bed” is the primary difference between the two. A short bed is typically 6′-6.5′ in length while a long bed ranges from 8′-8.5′.
2. Cost – Long beds generally cost more due to their increased size and added amenities such as extra storage space or integrated toolboxes.
3. Maneuverability – Short beds are less likely to scrape their corner when making tight turns, allowing for more maneuverability and control. Additionally, short beds can generally fit into tighter parking spaces, making them more ideal for city dwellers or those in other crowded areas.
4. Cargo Capacity – While the amount of gear that can be carried in either bed depends on additional add-ons like heavy duty tarps and adjustable accessories, a long bed typically offers up to three times more cargo capacity than a short bed does.
5. Height – The height of both short and long beds relative to the truck’s cab is important to consider when selecting your option: shorter beds may be easier to get into, but longer beds provide greater ground clearance over uneven terrain which could aggravate entry and exit issues with a shorter truck model.
