Yea, its rediculous you cant get a lariat scab or any screw with an 8' bed, especially now that they dont let you do leather seats with the xlt

oh well, can always get a 250 or 350

 

Ya, but the rough ride and fuel to feed a truck you really don't need kinda kills that idea for me. I have had several F250s over the years, but back then there was some real benefits to the Diesel option that made the F250 worth it to me. But since the EPA has ruined the Diesel pickup IMO. I have decided to go back and stay with half tons, at least until the new 2016 EPA and CAFÉ standards ruins the 1/2 tons. Then I may be forced back into 3/4 tons rather I need one or not.

 

I would go for the 6.5ft for a few reasons. Side steps, Cargo system and extra space the 6.5 gives you. There's really only one reason to go for the 5.5 and thats if you don't have the space to park it. Plus it looks more in proportion than the 5.5.

 

I'm make one more point for the 5.5' bed which is very important for most truck owners, payload. GVWR is the same for Screw 5.5' bed and Screw 6.5' bed. Payload is down by about 250 pounds as the longer frame and bed weight more. There is nothing like having 5 200 pounds guys in the truck cab and being over GVWR without a drop of water in the bed or any trailer tongue weight. So, if you have long stuff that is light, get the larger bed. If you have short stuff that is heavy, get the short bed.

There was no 6.5' bed option in 2003. I had a Supercab 6.5' bed before my 5.5' bed Screw. There is exactly one thing that I fit in my old truck bed that does not fit in the current one with the tailgate closed, and I rarely need to do it because I have a trailer or I leave the tailgate down.

Turning circle is about 5 feet larger and an extra 12" of parking and garage spaces are not easy to find.

 

I would choose 6.5 for capacity and towing smoothness. The longer the better when it comes to hauling a heavy load. I carry an ATV a lot and it is nice to be able to close the tailgate and hitch up the trailer as well. With a 5.5 the ATV hangs off the tailgate and I cannot trailer.

 

I've gotta say, my father's 99 F250LD had a 6.5ft bed and my fullsize 4x4 ATV doesn't fit in it with the tailgate closed. It's not sitting on the tailgate, but the tires stick out far enough that the tailgate has to be left about three inches open (strap it up so that we can hook a trailer up). We've been able to make do, of course. I can definitely see that the 5.5ft bed would not be able to, however. I doubt I'll be putting my atv in the back of my next truck unless it's going to the dealer, though.

 

Late apex, why no tailgate down with trailer? I have no problem doing just that, putting an ATV in the truck bed and hooking up a trailer for more.

 

I cant run a trailer and tailgate down either. We have 4 trailers we use at our famileys buisness from 8ft upto 20ft and i cant tow any off them with the tailgate down. But nor can the Dodge's or Chevy's we have. They all hit the trailer jack jockey wheel.

 

Even if the crank cleared the gate it may not clear in a sharp turn.
I would drop my tailgate when launching/retrieving my boat but, only after I had a pretty straight shot.

 

Gotcha. I don't have any problems with my one landscape trailer, but I've done it exactly once, towed with quad in truck bed. Are your ATVs long enough that need the floor length of the tailgate too? If not, then you could remove the gate.

 

I dont have ATV's but i have 2 mountain bikes in the bed at times. The 5.5 is just a tiny bit to short to get them into but the 6.5ft bed is just right and gives me a bit of space at the rear for bags and luggage.

 

The 6.5 bed also allows for the side kick steps. I found a 2009 with the option on the lot and they are really nice.

 

I debated about this to myself a little when ordering mine. I sometimes hauled my snowmobile in the back of my 99 with the 6.5 foot box. I decided thats its just as easy to hook up my trailer if I need to haul my sled around as it is to put it in the box, if not easier to use the trailer. I went with the 5.5 box and decided when I need to haul my sled to just use a trailer. Besides it always bugged me driving with the tailgate down when I had my sled in the 99 anyways, especially on gravel roads. I figure to use the trailer and keep the tailgate up to avoid as many rock chips on the tailgate as possible.

 

Good point jdtech -

When deciding on my last truck ('08 Scab 5.5 bed) I was pretty concerned coming from a 6.5' bed on my '03.

Then my wife reminded me that I have a 16' trailer to haul anything that I can't put in the bed.

Like you say - a lot of times it is a lot easier to hook up the trailer and go rather than manhandle heavy/bulky stuff into the bed.

 

Here is the F250 at the top of Cottonwood Pass.

It also fits a tent.

Think my prospective new F150 will tote my 800lb ATV in the bed and my 24ft trailer with drag truck in tow?