5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed: Which One Should You Choose?
The term “short bed” refers to a bed measuring between 5 and 6 feet in length. The length of a “standard bed” generally ranges between 6 and 6.5 feet.
For something a bit more challenging, try a full-size truck with a bed of 5.5 to 6.5 feet. If you typically transport heavy loads, you might consider installing a 5 1/2 or 6 1/2 Truck Bed Storage. If you need more payload capacity, you have to consider one between truck bed options.
Would you like to know which is better, between 5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed? It is not necessary to worry anymore. I’ll explain all the differences, similarities, advantages and disadvantages too. Let’s find out what they are.
5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed: Comparison Chart of the Key Differences
| Specifications | 5 1/2 Truck Bed | 6 1/2 Truck Bed |
| Size: | Short size beds | Standard size beds |
| Material: | Polyvinyl chloride | Polyvinyl chloride |
| Brand: | Pittman Outdoors | Pittman Outdoors |
| Water resistance: | Yes | Yes |
| Item weight: | 17.5 Pounds | 15 Pounds |
| Weight limit: | 3000 lbs | 800 Pounds |
| Product dimensions: | 50″L x 21″W x 52″T | 72″L x 12″W x 55″T |
In-Depth Comparison Between 5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed
When manufacturers introduce new model years, they usually change bed sizes. In the past, two options were available – “short beds & standard beds.” Well, let’s check them out below.
Applications
Generally speaking, 5 1/2 beds are available on medium-sized pickup trucks such as the Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Tacoma, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline, and Chevrolet Colorado. Normally, these beds combine space for a full-sized “crew cab” and “extra cab” (different manufacturers use different terminology).
In most cases, 6 1/2 bed trucks are paired with a crew cab that has one normal size door & another half-door, otherwise known as a “suicide door. “ Full-size trucks such as F-150, Toyota Tundra, Chevy Silverado, and Ram 1500 using 6 ½ bed trucks. This kind of standard bed comes with either a “crew cab,” a “standard cab,” or a single cab. They are full-sized cabins with full-size beds.
The winner of the game was obviously the 6 1/2 truck bed. 6 1/2-footbeds are available with a “standard cab” and only 2 doors if you desire a short wheelbase, a popular size among off-road enthusiasts.
Usefulness
A 5 1/2 bed vehicle is one with four doors where your passengers can sit. Since there are no suicide doors, they do not have to worry about half doors. Besides snowboards, you can store outdoor gear, 150-quart coolers, camping gear, or whatever recovery equipment you might need for off-roading. With 5 seats and 4 doors, you can have your entire family comfortable.
Generally, large beds (6 1/2 feet long) are the most useful size because most lumber is sold in 6-foot increments. It seems proportionate, but most people will be between six feet tall. In fact, if you plan on using a topper during a camping trip, you can lay down in the back. However, most slide-in campers are able to accommodate truck beds of this size.
From my experience, if you’re planning to use the pick-up truck on weekends, a 6 1/2 standard bed is about right. Additionally, the truck should be short enough to be able to drive it from home to work on a daily basis.
Features Of 5 1/2 Truck Bed:
- 5 1/2 beds fit around and over your truck’s wheel wells in order to provide a usable sleeping area throughout the bed of the truck. A tailgate mattress is also included.
- Redesigned battery to increase reliability and performance when used with the integrated rechargeable pump.
- A new valve cover design ensures faster inflation and deflation while maintaining your customized firmness during the night.
- Re-engineered fabric makes it even more durable for outdoor use.
- A side insert (PPI AC5) is also available to make your Airbed function as a regular air mattress.
Features Of 6 1/2 Truck Bed:
- A top-quality PVC construction is used on a 6 ½ truck bed. The material is 12 inches dense and fits trucks with a bed size of between 6-6.5 inches. It can carry a maximum of 800 pounds of weight.
- This portable DC-powered air pump has a 16′ cord and fits beds with a 6′-6.5′ length.
- Weight is distributed evenly with the comfort roll system. Wheel wells can be easily accessed through cutouts in the mattress.
- The coils and the air surround the wheel wells.
- Sadly, this 6 1/2 truck bed cannot fit 5 feet wide beds. Fits only mid-sized truck beds, up to 6-6.5″ wide.
- The air mattress for a truck bed provides a safe, comfortable, and convenient method of camping in a truck bed.
Design
Original air bed truck bed 5 1/2 air mattresses are available in multiple sizes to fit mini, mid-size, as well as full-size trucks with long & short beds. It has cutouts on both sides; thus, it can fit around a pickup truck’s wheel wells. As a result, an entire section of the 5 1/2 truck bed can be used for sleeping. Using the built-in pump, the 5 1/2 mattress can be inflated & deflated instantly.
“Airbeds Lite” 6 1/2 air mattresses truck beds are available in multiple sizes to suit compact, medium size, and full-sized trucks with long & short beds. A truck mattress has cutouts on both sides that allow it to be fitted around a truck’s wheel wells. As a result, 6 1/2 truck beds can be used as a sleeping area. In the packaging is a portable
Both the 5 1/2 and 6 1/2 Truck Beds can be connected to all kinds of trucks, but the 6 1/2 is the winner here.DC inflator pump connected to a 16-foot power cord. A 12″ thick mattress is evenly supported by integrated coil support.
What’s In The Box
5 1/2
- Bed air mattress
- Carry bag
- Tailgate Mattress
6 1/2
- Mattress
- Carry Bag
- Pump
- Patch kit
Price
The price of a 5 1/2 Truck Bed Tailgate Air Mattress is $275.85 on Amazon.
The price of the 6 1/2 Truck Bed Lite Mid-Size AirBedz Mattress on Amazon is $149.99.
5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed: Which One To Pick?
Is there a better and more affordable option between 5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed? Yes, let’s clarify that now. You can expect a smoother ride with the 6 1/2 that is less prone to sliding around on ice and snow.
Whenever you need to parallel park or park in small spaces, consider the short truck bed 5 1/2. As for the screw 5 1/2, it measures 145″, which is a little larger than the regular 6 1/2 truck bed.
Consumers will have to decide which truck bed to buy based on their preferences in the end.
FAQs.
Is a 5.5 truck bed long enough?
5 1/2 Truck Bed is barely short enough for you to feel like there isn’t much bed space. If you want to use something like a 4 wheeler or a motorcycle, then you’ll need a 5 1/2 bed extender.
How many trucks have 6.5-foot beds?
A 6 1/2 ft crew cab bed is available on the F-150 lineup, but the Super Duty models such as the F-250, F-350, & F-450 have an 8 feet crew cab bed. Every F-Series crew cab has the same amount of second row legroom – approximately 43.6 inches.
Conclusion
5 1/2 Vs 6 1/2 Truck Bed: what is the best option? For smaller pickups and trucks, the 5 1/2 truck bed is best, as well as the 6 1/2 truck bed for full-size pickups and trucks.
A crew cab with a 6 1/2 standard bed is a better choice if living space is important to you. In this way, not only will you be able to sleep, but you will also have lots of space in the cabin.
You should select your preferred one according to the car model, styling, affordability, and personal preferences as well.
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