Which Truck Cab and Bed Sizes Are Right For You?

Things can get pretty confusing when trying to determine which cab and bed size is right for you. And that doesn’t even include terms like 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton trucks.

There are plenty of different cab and bed setups, and some bed lengths are only available with certain cab sizes.

To help with your next truck purchase, we’ll break down the basics for truck cabs and beds along with a few key tips to help you choose the best configuration for you.

Need help picking out the right truck model? Check out our list of the best trucks available right now.

Truck Cab & Bed Size Chart

The chart below shows the available cab and bed size configurations for each truck model. It’s important to note that some bed dimensions are only available with certain cab styles.

Make	Model	Min. Length	Max Length	Available Cabs	Available Beds	Max Cargo	Max Towing
Chevrolet	Colorado	212.7 in	224.9 in	– Crew – Extended	– 5’2″ | 6’2″ – 6’2″	1,543 lb	7,700 lb
Chevrolet	Silverado 1500	229.5 in	241.2 in	– Regular – Double – Crew	– 8’2″ – 6’7″ – 6’7″ | 5’9″	2,280 lb	13,300 lb
Chevrolet	Silverado HD	235.5 in	266 in	– Regular – Double – Crew	– 8′ 2″ – 6’10” | 8’2″ – 6’10” | 8’2″	7, 442 lb	20,000 lb
Ford	Ranger	210.7 in	210.8 in	– SuperCab – SuperCrew	– 6′ – 5′	1,905 lb	7,500 lb
Ford	F-150	209.1 in	250.3 in	– Regular – SuperCab – SuperCrew	– 6’6″ | 8′ – 6’6″ | 8′ – 5’6″ | 6’6″	3,325 lb	14,000 lb
Ford	Super Duty	231.8 in	266.2 in	– Regular – SuperCab – SuperCrew	– 8″ – 6’9″ | 8″ – 6’9″ | 8″	7,850 lb	37,000 lb
GMC	Canyon	212.4 in	224.6 in	– Extended – Crew	– 6’2″ – 5’2″ | 6’2″	1,580 lb	7,700 lb
GMC	Sierra 1500	229.6 in	241.3 in	– Regular – Double – Crew	– 8′ – 6’6″ – 5′ 8″ | 6’6″	2,250 lb	11,700 lb
GMC	Sierra HD	235.5 in	266.09 in	– Regular – Double – Crew	– 8’2″ – 6’10” | 8’2″ – 6’10” | 8’2″	7,442 lb	20,000 lb
Honda	Ridgeline	210.2 in	210.2 in	– Crew	– 5’4″	1,583 lb	5,000 lb
Jeep	Gladiator	218 in	218 in	– Crew	– 5′	1,700 lb	7,650 lb
Nissan	Frontier	210.2 in	224.1 in	– King – Crew	– 4’11” – 4’11” | 6′	1,610 lb	6,720 lb
Nissan	Titan	228.2 in	229.5 in	– King – Crew	– 6’6″ – 5’7″	1,680 lb	9,310 lb
Nissan	Titan XD	243.4 in	244.4 in	– Crew	– 6’6″	2,240 lb	10,880 lb
RAM	1500	228.9 in	241.8 in	– Crew – Quad	– 5’7″ | 6’4″ – 6’4″	2,322 lb	8,290 lb
RAM	1500 Classic	209 in	231 in	– Regular – Quad – Crew	– 6’4″ | 8′ – 6’4″ – 5’7″ | 6’4″	1,927 lb	8,240 lb
RAM	2500/3500	232 in	260.8 in	– Regular – Crew – Mega	– 8′ – 6’4″ | 8′ – 6’4″	7,680 lb	37,100 lb
Toyota	Tundra	228.9 in	247.8 in	– Double – CrewMax	– 6’6″ | 8’1″ – 5’6″	1,730 lb	10,200 lb
Toyota	Tacoma	212.3 in	225.5 in	– Access – Double	– 6′ – 5′ | 6′	1,685 lb	6,800 lb

What Are the Different Types of Truck Cabs?

The truck cab is where the driver and any passengers sit. The standard set of truck cab options include standard or regular, extended, double, crew, and mega cabs.

Standard or Regular Cab

Standard or regular truck cabs offer the traditional pickup truck look. Trucks with standard cabs have two doors and one row of seats, making this the smallest cab option. Regular cabs are the only ones you can combine with a long bed, so they are most often used for work trucks. Some popular models that offer a standard cab configuration include:

• Chevrolet Silverado
• GMC Sierra
• Ford F-150

Extended Cab

Extended cabs have four doors, but the back doors open backward, and this is the standard configuration for most modern trucks. The rear doors on an extended cab can only open when the adjacent front door is opened. Extended cabs have a small seat or extra space behind the front row, but not a lot of comfortable sitting room for any passengers in the back. Truck models available with an extended cab include:

• Chevrolet Colorado
• GMC Canyon
• Nissan Frontier King Cab
• Toyota Tacoma Access Cab
• Ford Ranger SuperCab
• Ford F-150
• Nisan Titan King Cab
• Ram 1500
• Toyota Tundra

Double Cab

Double cab trucks have 4 doors that all open conventionally. Still, the rear doors are smaller than the front doors, and the rear seating space is still tight (though slightly bigger than space in an extended cab). Children and shorter adults may fit comfortably in the back row, but most adults would not ride comfortably in a double cab back seat. This is still a popular cab configuration, as it does provide decent interior room in a reasonably-sized truck. A range of bed lengths is possible with the double cab. Pickup trucks with a double cab option include:

• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Toyota Tacoma
• Ford Ranger
• Toyota Tundra

Crew Cab

Like the double cab, the crew cab has 4 regularly-opening doors and two-row seating. The main difference is that crew cab trucks have more interior room. The seats are larger and there is more legroom in crew cab trucks, making them ideal for transporting people and hauling goods. Adults can comfortably ride in the back row of seats, and the seats can usually fold up for more storage. Crew cabs cannot accommodate a short bed, but they can be used with a regular or long bed. Crew cab trucks are incredibly popular for use as passenger vehicles, and some models include:

• Ford Ranger
• Chevrolet Colorado
• GMC Canyon
• Nissan Frontier
• Toyota Tacoma Double Cab
• Ford F-150 SuperCrew
• Nissan Titan
• Ram 1500
• Toyota Tundra CrewMax

Mega Cab

Mega cabs are also 4 doors and extend the cab by nearly a foot. They offer increased storage space, reclining seats, and a ton of leg-room. Typically, mega cabs are only available for heavy-duty trucks, and they come with a significant price increase. You’ll only be able to get a mega cab truck with a long truck bed.

The Ram Heavy Duty 2500 and 3500 trucks are popular mega cab choices.

Crew Cab vs. Extended Cab vs. Double Cab

Each of these cab configurations offers its own unique set of benefits. Here’s a look at what each cab configuration has to offer:

	Crew Cab	Extended Cab	Double Cab
Size	Large	Small	Medium
Rows	2 Rows	2 Rows	2 Rows
Seating	5 or 6	4 or 5	5 or 6
Doors	Four full doors	Small rear hinged back doors	Two rows of front-hinged doors
Best For	Maximum amount of interior passenger space	Occasional travel with more than two people	Transporting passengers in a more compact size

What Are the Different Types of Truck Beds?

The truck bed is where the cargo goes, and it’s used to carry heavy objects. The standard set of truck bed options include short, standard, and long or extended.

Short Bed

The short pickup bed is about 5’8″ long, but it depends on the specific model and manufacturer. Short beds are a bit unconventional and are only possible with certain cab configurations. However, they keep the truck compact, making it easier to maneuver and park, and they still offer some hauling space for yard waste, small furniture, etc. Short truck beds are ideal for those who only have minimal hauling needs and are looking for a smaller overall truck.

Some pickup trucks that come in the short bed configuration include:

• Chevrolet Colorado
• Ford Ranger
• Toyota Tacoma
• Ford Ranger
• GMC Canyon

Standard Bed

Standard truck beds are around 6’5″, again varying based on the manufacturer and specific model. The standard bed is a common choice as it provides more hauling power than a small bed but is not as cumbersome as an extended bed.  For most hauling needs, the standard bed will be plenty. It offers more room than the short bed but is still small enough for most garages and parking spots.

Long or Extended Bed

Extended or long truck beds are around 8′ long, nearly two feet longer than the standard bed. Long bed trucks can carry the most weight, making them a common choice for commercial vehicles. Additionally, extended truck beds are often used to haul trailers. If you have to haul long lumber or other large items, a long bed truck may be the right fit. Keep in mind that you cannot get a long bed with all cab sizes.

• RAM 2500
• RAM 3500
• Chevrolet Silverado 1500
• Ford F-150 XL

How to Choose the Right Cab Size

In addition to things like a truck being reliable or being fuel-efficient, here are the most important factors to keep in mind when choosing a cab size:

• Truck Passengers. Will you commonly have passengers, especially more than one? If you have a big family or plan to use your truck to carry passengers, choose a cab size that provides enough legroom.
• Bed Length. Only certain cab configurations can support certain bed lengths. If you know you need a certain bed length to haul, then you’ll need to choose a cab configuration that can go with it.
• Driving Distance. Are you using your truck for jobs around your area, or do you plan to take it on road trips? If you drive many miles in your truck, you want to make sure it’s a fuel-efficient size and can accommodate passengers for long trips.
• Test Drive. Try out the different cab configurations in person to be sure you feel comfortable driving it.

How to Choose the Right Bed Length

There are pros and cons for each truck bed length. To choose the right bed length, consider:

• How You Use Your Truck. Is it primarily for work purposes, or do you use it as a passenger vehicle? You may not need an extended, or even standard, truck bed if you don’t haul too often.
• Where You Drive. Long truck beds are very common on construction sites and farms, but they can be hard to maneuver through city streets and tight parking lots.
• What You Haul. Even small truck beds have hauling power, so you can use them to move many basic items. However, if you’ll be transporting huge equipment or long items, consider a longer truck bed. Consider towing capacities as well.
• Cab Size. Based on your truck usage, you’ll have to pick a cab size that accommodates your passengers. Not all truck bed sizes are suitable for all cab configurations, so the type of cab you choose will impact the truck bed you can pick.