Never mind, I just read your other post. Congrats on the new truck kid.

 

I had the same issue when buying. The lariat screw I wanted was right there in the lot but it had the 5.5. bed. So i brought measuring tape, and after measuring i found the gate gives you like 2 more feet. My main load is a harley sportster so i needed about 7 feet long, so with the gate open the bike rear tire sits on the gate with no problem. (some may disagree with that) but most of the weight is on the end of the bed. Just get good tie downs, and anything you load will be fine.

 

And with the taller sides and tailgates of these newer trucks, when the tailgate is down, it more like 8 1/2 feet from front wall to end of tailgate so it's all supported wioth a 6.5 foot bed.