Short Box or Long Box
03-17-2017, 09:48 PM
#32
The 6.5 bed Screw definitely has a wider turning radius than the 5.5 bed Screw, I'm still getting used t that. I doubt there are any significant towing capability differences between the 2, given that 5.5 bed owners probably outnumber 6.5 bed owners by 30:1 or more.
The 6.5 bed Screws can be very hard to find on a dealers lot, especially one not in the higher trim levels. I looked a loooong time before finding a 157" WB 2wd Screw in XLT trim and had to go out-of-state to get it.
The scarcity of 6.5 bed Screws I think is more marketing related; most people would have a hard time fitting one in their garage. And you can still cram a fair amount of stuff in the 5.5 bed. Seems to be the same with Chevys or Rams or Tundras, the short bed Screws on the road greatly outnumber the long beds. I tend to haul a lot of stuff and garage parking is not an issue for me so the 6.5 bed Screw was what I wanted.
The 6.5 bed Screws can be very hard to find on a dealers lot, especially one not in the higher trim levels. I looked a loooong time before finding a 157" WB 2wd Screw in XLT trim and had to go out-of-state to get it.
The scarcity of 6.5 bed Screws I think is more marketing related; most people would have a hard time fitting one in their garage. And you can still cram a fair amount of stuff in the 5.5 bed. Seems to be the same with Chevys or Rams or Tundras, the short bed Screws on the road greatly outnumber the long beds. I tend to haul a lot of stuff and garage parking is not an issue for me so the 6.5 bed Screw was what I wanted.
03-17-2017, 10:34 PM
#33
Senior Member
In southern Ontario, I find there are a decent mix of 5.5 and 6.5 super crews. I would say there are still more than 5.5s but there was a healthy supply of 6.5s when I was looking March 2016. I was down sizing from a crew cab drw f350 8' as I now have a son. I couldn't bring myself to get a 5.5, just seems puny to me. I drive a f550 crew cab w 11ft dump for work also. I don't find any of the parking/ maneuverability, turning radius concerns raised by others but that may just be my points of reference. I find I fully loaded my 6.5 going camping, I can haul less Reno garbage, and I am about to build a new deck which I will have to get the lumber delivered, not going to mess with a 6.5 bed, maybe 8 tail down, with 16 ft lumber. I miss my 8 ft, would never buy a 5.5!
03-17-2017, 11:42 PM
#34
Senior Member
I went 2010 super6.5 to 2013 crew6.5. Was a bit apprehensive at first but was used to it quick. Dwd smoother ride and better towing.
Atv barely firs now with 6.5. Cant close the gate but I do strap it up so I can hook the travel trailer and not have the jack smash it. And in construction its a must for me.
The 6.5 has taken quite a jump in popularity lately but 5.5 is prolly 4:1 on the lots in the Okanagan valley, beautiful BC.
Atv barely firs now with 6.5. Cant close the gate but I do strap it up so I can hook the travel trailer and not have the jack smash it. And in construction its a must for me.
The 6.5 has taken quite a jump in popularity lately but 5.5 is prolly 4:1 on the lots in the Okanagan valley, beautiful BC.
03-18-2017, 08:26 PM
#35
Retired Car Guy
Not sure what vehicle you are coming out of, but for me - a first time truck owner - the SCREW with 5.5ft bed was a BIG vehicle to get used to. Now, its fine and everyday driving its no big deal ... except for parking lots. I imagine the long bed with an even longer wheelbase would be worse to park.
The short bed is fine for me. I carry a kayak in the bed with the tail gate down, using a hitch extender for extra support. I have Ford's bed extender gate thing ... the one that pivots into the bed or out onto the tailgate ... and that's been useful on occasion. I've never needed or wished I had the long bed after a year of ownership.
The short bed is fine for me. I carry a kayak in the bed with the tail gate down, using a hitch extender for extra support. I have Ford's bed extender gate thing ... the one that pivots into the bed or out onto the tailgate ... and that's been useful on occasion. I've never needed or wished I had the long bed after a year of ownership.
03-18-2017, 08:52 PM
#36
Senior Member
+1 for all of this. my '04 was a 5.5 and worked for everything i needed to do. if i was hauling anything that big, it was in a trailer anyway. however, if i had a longer garage, i'd have opted for the 6.5, because i'd be able to get another row of vari-kennels in front of my dog box. not to mention, the 6.5 configuration in what i was looking for were very hard to find.
Hi, 5.5' box to fit in my garage and fit in my driveway. Also for one piece driveshaft for smoother take offs while towing. With my tail gate down, I can carry 8' long boards with them only sticking past my tailgate by about 2" or 3"s. Works great for me.Last edited by j.digiacomo; 03-18-2017 at 08:55 PM.
03-18-2017, 11:37 PM
#37
Senior Member
I thought about going after a 6.5' box, since I liked that extra length on my previous truck, but I had to be honest with myself and admit there were only a few times per year when the extra foot mattered at all for me, while the tighter turning radius and easier parking would be nice every day. So far I've been glad I made that trade off.
One thing that has been a pleasant surprise -- since I was also thinking about doing the SuperCab to get the longer box with the shorter wheelbase -- is how much interior cargo room there is in the rear of the SuperCrew with the seats folded up. I've used that area a lot more than I originally expected to.
One thing that has been a pleasant surprise -- since I was also thinking about doing the SuperCab to get the longer box with the shorter wheelbase -- is how much interior cargo room there is in the rear of the SuperCrew with the seats folded up. I've used that area a lot more than I originally expected to.