What kind of truck do you use?

[IrkedCitizen]

Tow hitch basket is an option

 

[Robobiss]

I have a ram 2500 with the 6.5 (or whatever it is) and haul 4 dudes and all of our stuff for a 14 day or so archery elk hunt. We did have a hitch hauler that only had a couple of yeti coolers on it. We wouldn’t need it with 2 or 3 people but with 4 it’s necessary.

It’s tight, but it works.

 

[Howard94]

Switching from coolers to kill bags will really help with your space issue. There is a good thread about them. https://rokslide.com/forums/threads/large-soft-cooler-kill-bag.327045/

Those look convenient. I’m a big soft sided cooler guy I’m gonna have to check it out.

 

[mike.adams.467]

I have a 2015 F-150 with an extended cab and a 6.5' bed. I have a cap on the back so I can camp in it if I want. In hunting season I carry my game cart, truck gear, packs, coolers, etc. and can load in an elk if I get one. It has served me very well. I generally hunt alone so I don't need a full size second seat.

 

[Browning98]

I love having an 8ft bed. But I often overpack and have a couple dirt bikes back there too

 

[TSAMP]

If your hunting with 1 or 2 guys and you do a topper, a 5.5' bed will be fine. I did it for 10 years. I crammed 3 guys worth a few times too and im certain I was over payload.

That said my new trucks a 6.5' bed because I wanted to be able to sleep.back there easier, and I have 2 full time dog boxes so it gave me more real estate.

 

[butcherboy]

Right now I use a 2006 Chevy 1500. I fill up the back pretty quick but stay under the sides of the bed since I don’t have a topper on it. Next truck I want a Go Fast Camper topper and maybe a decked system. Keep the truck I have now or something similar with an open bed for hauling crap. I usually don’t go very far hunting wise and can also pull a trailer with an atv and add more gear if needed. Definitely need a bigger truck than what I have now. It’s a gutless wonder.

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

You will be wanting for additional space in my opinion.

I have an 2018 F-150 extended cab with 6.5’ bed and will be looking for a supercrew long bed when the time comes. You get lots of great uses beyond hunting with the extra space.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[LongWayAround]

I wouldn't have a pickup with a bed that I couldn't sleep in. It's too convenient of an asset to be able to rack out in the back of your truck when you get somewhere.

 

[z987k]

I couldn't live with an suv. I use the bed way too much for things that wouldn’t fit. I’m also concerned with the payload of the f150. Granted I’ve never really weighed what I have in the bed but just last week I brought home 10 full sheets plus 2 partials of 5/8x4x10 type x drywall that would probably be pushing it in the f150. I could just use the flat bed but it’s not always convenient.

Then I don't see how a 5.5ft bed will work for you.

 

[rogerdoger]

My past work truck was a short bed, my wife called it the 4x4 grocery cart, only good for hauling groceries.. Personally I waited and looked high and low and got a long bed tundra. You will never regret a bigger bed. I never have to feel like a Tetris game before a trip. I rarely have to fill my cab with gear. The harder to park factor has not outweighed the extra storage.

 

[TSAMP]

Glad to see this truck thread is like all the other RS gear threads. Majority of people trying to justify why the "regular" one won't work for them and they need the HD/special version.

Fact is 50% of truck buyers could get away with a maverick, and 95% with an F150.

 

[z987k]

Glad to see this truck thread is like all the other RS gear threads. Majority of people trying to justify why the "regular" one won't work for them and they need the HD/special version.

Fact is 50% of truck buyers could get away with a maverick, and 95% with an F150.

50% of truck buyers could get away with a Honda Odyssey.

 

[KurtR]

I have the 5.5 bed in my tundra and fit every thing i need with no problem. Drive a crew cab long box for work and i hate driving that thing around the times the longer bed has been useful does not out way what a pain in the ass it is getting around in. If im close enough to the truck to sleep in i just kick the seat back.

 

[bz_711]

I'd like the swap for 2 reasons:
1)F150 more nimble on 4x4 roads (better sharp turning and squeezing thru tight trees)
2)over time I've drastically reduced what I bring on a trip. Started with large trailer, then hitch haul and car top carrier...now just a car top carrier. I've always taken a suburban or yukon xl and now it doubles as my camper as well.

It's crazy how little you really need once you've taken a few elk and got the process down. Pack, Bow, 1 tote of clothes, 1 large cooler with ice, 1 additional cooler with all my dry goods/food that I'll empty into a trash bag once I have meat to put in both coolers. Sleeping bag/pad and pillow...small target and I'm set.

I also like the paid off part of your swap!

Good Luck

 

[cbuck516]

I have a 2018 F-150 with 5.5 bed. It’s not perfect for sleeping in, but totally doable.

My biggest concern for you would be making sure you don’t get a lemon. I got my F150 at 60k miles and it has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned. The number of issues I’ve had with that truck in the last 100k miles has been insane. It’s never ending maintenance. If you are looking at a 3.5 eco boost you better made damn sure it doesn’t already have cold start rattle. They didn’t solve that issue until sometime around 2021 or later.

 

[SloppyJ]

My chevy dropped a lifter and I picked up a 23 Tundra with the 6'5" bed instead of the 5'5" bed and I'm really liking it. It doesn't look disproportioned and the extra room is really nice.

 

[GreenNDark Timber]

I couldn't live with an suv. I use the bed way too much for things that wouldn’t fit. I’m also concerned with the payload of the f150. Granted I’ve never really weighed what I have in the bed but just last week I brought home 10 full sheets plus 2 partials of 5/8x4x10 type x drywall that would probably be pushing it in the f150. I could just use the flat bed but it’s not always convenient.

That load is less than 1,000 lbs and not even half of the F150’s payload. It’s definitely not pushing it for what it will handle.

I have a 2016 F150 (bought new) with the 5.5 bed and a camper shell. I’ve prob made 8 or 9 trips out west in it and never felt I needed more space, but I wouldn’t want to do it without the shell. I do typically bring a hitch hauler with one large cooler on it. The only time I wish I had the longer bed is when sleeping in the shell. I can sleep diagonally but it requires a platform across the entire bed which prevents you from being able to sit up comfortably.

 

[5MilesBack]

I'm the wrong guy to ask.......I like my space, and comfort, and I'm pretty set in my ways. I fill up the 8-foot bed with topper on my old F-350, and fill up my old Toyota with topper that I tow behind it. Wall tent base camp with awning, tables, cook stove, grill, 200qt cooler, 120qt cooler, camp target, cot(s) and padding for 1-3......space fills up fast. Then you need space for the large sets of antlers, etc, as well. I'm not going to strap them to the hood.

But........if you're not setting up a full base camp and just taking camp on your back.......ya, a short bed could work.

 

[Fireflyfishing]

It’s not a cybertruck…