I have the 6.5 bed on my '09 Screw. I went from an 03 Screw with the 5.5 bed, and I can tell you that parking and turning are definitely an issue compared to the shorter box/wheelbase. I dread having to pull in to a parking space with vehicles on both sides. If at all possible, I back in to parking spots (the backup sensor definitely comes in handy, and I hope to get the camera installed in the next few months).

With that being said, I love the longer bed and think it's worth the trade off.

 

The SCREW with the 6.5 bed barely fits into my garage. I'd never own a truck this long without the backup cam and backup sensors. As previously mentioned, the truck sticks out of most standard parking spaces. Turning radius is huge. The extra length does have its drawbacks and I'm not minimizing them.

I had an 09 with the 145 inch WB and the 2010 has the 157 inch WB and just seems like it rides a bit smoother. The extra length is not a big deal to me, you get used to it.

I've used every bit of that 6.5 foot bed on occasion and was glad to have the extra space.

No way I'd let my wife drive this thing, considering that she can barely park her car straight.

 

I initially took a Screw with 6.5' bed for a test drive. Then I took the 5.5' (the one I now own) for a test drive. The difference was very noticeable when turning.

After owning a pickup truck now for a few years, I also quickly learned to always back into parking spaces. I mean always.

 

The crew with the 6.5 ft box is definitely noticeable in parking ramps. When exiting and using the "corkscrew"(no idea what it's actually called) be prepared to have your tires rubbing the whole way down, no way around it. If you are rarely in bigger cities I wouldn't worry about it, the extra utility is definitely nice.

 

Get the 6.5' bed if you want it. I recommend the back-up camera and sensors. I have a screw with the 6.5' bed. I usually park a little further out in the parking lot to avoid door dings, but with the camera and sensors you can back into any empty space. The camera is very accurate and you can easily maneuver within inches of other vehicles in a parking lot.

It's a bigger truck, but you get used to it. The ride is excellent. I am really glad that I got the 6.5' bed.

 

I can't believe you guys and the big deal of problems a lousy foot creates. I have owned and driven them all a bzillion miles. That includes eight-foot bed Super Duties. Frankly, if a foot is so scary that you can't navigate, you'd better stick with a car... and certainly don't hook up to a trailer. I can see the difference between a shortbed and a true long bed (8 foot). The only deal with the longer shortbed (6.5) is the length fitting into a garage of a given length of today's screwy construction. The yesteryear 24' depth garage is no issue. The turning radius of the 5.5 and the 6.5 are squat in the real world unless you are banking to the stops. How often do you do that? For a goose or fiver, the 6.5 is petty much mandatory. Unless I am forced into it, I'll never go less than 6.5. At least I can still fit 8 foot lengths of material from corner to corner in the bed and still close my lid. For simple runs to the store, it's priceless to me. After two days of driving a longer bed, you will get used to it.

 

I'll throw this out there...The extra foot difference may or may not be a nuisance - really depending on where you drive the most. I occasionally have to go into urban areas and sometimes even need to use parking garages. This is sometimes tough with just the 5.5 bed supercrew. Also things like squeezing through the concrete curbs of a drive-thru is near impossible without scraping the sidewalls on the tires. If you live, work, and play in an area where none of these are an issue, get the 6.5 ft. bed. However, with the bed extender, there are few things I worry about throwing back there to haul around. (with the exception of 4X8 plywood, ect, in that case I just throw it in and let the bed extender rest on top of it to hold it down.

 

WIth the camera and beeper it is easy!

 

I've got a 2010 screw with the 6.5 bed. I have no regrets.

Initially the length was a big shock. I'm actually still getting used to it. It took some practice to learn how to pull into my garage. It's a tit fit. And the larger turning radius makes a bigger difference than I expected. I end up with one tire in the grass every time I back out of the garage.

When I'm out and about, I tend to avoid parking near anyone else, but I've done that with every truck I've ever owned.

The backup camera is a huge help, and comments from others here suggest that I could benefit from it even more if I learned to use it better.

But I've already been in situations where the larger bed was a big help. I'm a woodworker. The longer the bed, the better.

Bottom line, it's taking some time to get accustomed to the length, but I'm glad I got the 6.5 bed WITH the backup camera.

 

We just went from a Nissan Frontier to an 09 Screw 6.5 bed. Obviously a big difference. As others have stated, the reverse sensors and camera are great aids. We to, find it easier to back into parking stalls. The more we drive it, it is slowly becoming second nature, just like anything else.

 

What I really need to figure out is if I really need the goose neck option. If I don't need that as an option then I can just stick with the 5.5. Minor decisions but I will drive both before I purchase. I've driven buses before.

Kevin

 

I've driven both 5.5 and 6.5 beds before and to be honest, there is a neglible difference. I currently own a 6.5 SCREW and parking is not that difficult. I work on a compound with what seems to be like parking made for smart cars only, so I usually have to do a bit of maneuvering but no big deal really.

What matters to me is simple: Aesthetically speaking, I think the 6.5 on a Screw looks way more symmetrical. When the cab is as long or longer than the bed, then that just looks out of proportion. Compare the two side by side and it is a marked difference. I also bought a 73" entertainment center (plus approx 4 in for the packaging) and the whole thing fit inside my bed with the tailgate up. This makes for much better transport. Oh I also fit a refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, and miscellaneous things all on one trip! Seriously, need I say more?

Good luck!

 

lotsa good points in this thread.
i havent looked into it in detail but i think that the steering ratio has to be different on this new truck vs. the 2004 i had.
seems to turn better/sharper.
i am like others here, i try to park away from people in the parking lots to avoid door dings. i like to back in to spaces too.
cant say it takes much to get into a parking space. but only have about 3000kms on teh new truck and most of them are in the country.

 

I'm 100% the other way. I think the 6.5 is akward looking. More so on the 06-08 with the shorter cabs. The 04-08 5.5 was perfect. IMHO.

 

I have the 6.5' bed. No regrets. The backup sensors and camera make backing it a kid's video game - easy!

When the parking space isn't diagonal, and not enough room to swing the back axle driving forward, I simply back in. I'm sure to the casual observer, I'm doing something almost impossible. But the monitor (in the mirror) has angled lines showing where the truck will end up if the same course is followed. Turn the wheel until the lines point to the parking spot, follow the screen.

So parking really isn't difficult. I find the width with the towing mirrors more of an issue. Toll booths, and other narrow areas, make navigating a bit of a challenge. Worst case, this can require manually swinging the mirrors against the doors.

But 95% of the time, it's never an issue. The other times might require backing into a spot, or finding a spot further out that has a little more room.