Long -vs- short box ext. cab?

[Iron Cowboy]

Been looking at trucks. I have had a short box ext. cab before so I know how they are but found a deal on a long box ext cab. that hasnt sold yet, mmmm maybe for a reason? Can someone thats had one chime in on what the long box is like for every day driving? A real pain in parking lots etc or not that bad? is it THAT big of a difference? I would think the extra room would be real easy to get used to being all the times in the past I cursed my short box. whats every ones opinion?

[BoxMN]

I have short box ext cab now, and hope to get long box for next truck regardless of ext cab or crew cab. My box is bigger than most (crew cab) trucks nowadays, and its not big enough. Those little 5 footers are a pit.a.

If not parking in downtown, I don't see how it could be bad, as I always park farther out anyway, so I just pull into a twos-slotter and pull through to the opposite, just easier to leave when you don't have to use reverse. Learned it is easier that way from a buddy who uses crew cab full box SuperDuties, and we never have probs parking that big ol thing! ha! But we don't use it downtown Mpls or StPaul either...

Good luck.

[gunmunky]

I currently have a 1/2 ton ext cab short box. I wanted another crew cab but I couldn't get the 6 1/2 ft box (1/2 ton) with the crew. My truck before this one was a 1 ton crew with an 8 foot box. I stopped counting all the times I wish I had the crew cab and/or the 8 foot box back. I never had a problem parking, you just have to be aware of how big the truck really is. I always park at the end of the lots anyway. If you are going to park it in a garage make sure to measure it before buying.

[JeffB]

I would have liked the long box, but I wouldn't have been able to get into the fridge or freezer in the garage. I guess I decided to go with the crew cab short box and will pull a trailer if need be.

[sparkyaber]

Iron- most everyone thinks that those long boxes are ugly. I on the other hand buy a vehicle for function, not fashion. I have a crew cab long box and would not trade it for anything but another crew cab long box. With a topper I can have a truck full of stuff and not worry about any one getting into it. 8 foot ladders, 8 foot sheets of anything, all fit with the tailgate shut. If you have to haul people, I suggest looking into a crew cab, those rear seats just stink to put adults in. The only draw back is that you now move into a 3/4 or 1 ton trunk, since, as to my knowledge, no company makes a crew cab long box in a half ton. Many people buy a truck just to have a truck, it really depends on what you plan on using it for.

Good luck.

Oh, parking it does suck, my truck does not get called a semi from my friends for nothing.

[fishorgolf]

I had a crew cab long box that I never wished I would have sold as it was the best truck I ever owned. The reason I sold it was that every time the wife drove it it seemed like she ran into something or another. We also had a young child and as others have said parking is a whole new deal with this truck and she got tied of always having to park a block away in lots. But still my next truck with be the same thing.

[deadeye]

Im with most of the guys on here. Once you have one and get rid of it you realize how much you miss it. I would take a long box any day over the short box.

With a topper on it its gonna hold all the stuff you could want to carry and makes a really nice place to sleep for a impromptu camping trip.

Really, its not that much harder to deal with than a short box. If your driving a big truck, whats another 2 feet to deal with? At least you will be able to fit everything into it and have a bit of room to spare. Its easier to deal with a little extra room rather than come up short.

[311Hemi]

Plenty of room to haul, I am sure it's an easy parallel parker!!

[The_Duckslayer]

I had a long bed extended cab and did not have any problems with it. I really miss being able to get some plywood or sheet rock and being able to put it all in the back and close it up too yet! I will be looking for a long bed when I trade the GMC Jimmy off in the spring! Take care and N Joy the Hunt././Jimbo

[MN Mike]

I have or have had all the long box configurations, Reg Cab, Ext Cab and Crew Cab, I highly doubt I'll ever go back to a short box, the long box is just too handy!

Parking has never been a issue although you do tend to avoid ' tighter ' areas.

Holy smokes Hemi !?! That thing must have a 1/2 doz hangar bearings on that buggy! Looks like a great snowmobile pullin' rig.

Mike

[Surface Tension]

Ex cab and 8' box here. I can't zip into a parking space like I can with the Neon. Still you get to know how big a swing it'll take to get her lined up. I don't look at long boxes as extra room, I look at short boxes as less room. Last camping trip or trip to the lumber yard, less room wouldn't cut it.

Only downside is finding a used ex cab and 8' box used is harder to find now.

I was truck shopping and I see they make the boxes even shorter.

I guy need a place for his stuff.

[harvey lee]

I have an ext cab with a 6' box. I thought about a crew cab with a 8' box but I was afraid it would not fit into my garage.

The added room would have been nice for the few times I could have used it.

[dan z]

Plenty of room to haul, I am sure it's an easy parallel parker!!

now thats a truck that can do some haulin, mega cab for room for six beefy guys and a 8' foot box for all the beer:)

[Black Bear]

I have an 04 Silverado with the ext cab and long box. All my buddies have the standard ext cab or crew cab silverados with the 6.5' boxes. I would never own another truck with an 6.5 foot or smaller box. I do work in the cities but rarely drive my truck downtown.

[Dozer]

[elkrivermn]

Ford F-250 extended cab with a 8' box you will not catch me buying anything with a box shorter then a 8 footer. I want a truck not a grocery bag hauler

[Down2Earth]

I think you just might have answered your own question. "hasn't sold yet", "good deal". If you're going to own a long box for a few years and then get rid of it you should really low ball this dealer because you are going to have a lot harder time selling one then a short box. I'm guessing there is a reason the new car dealers have 20 new short box crew cabs sitting on their lot and maybe 1 long box. If you are going to haul 8 foot sheets of plywood/sheetrock etc. weekly or run the thing into the ground then I would by the one you would rather have. For the one or two times a year I haul those things I have a trailer that is also used for the 4 wheeler and lawn mower I use. I guess I use my crew cab short box to tow the boat, put the dog kennel in the back, and pull the fish house. Long boxes do make a good old wood hauling trucks in their later years though.

[311Hemi]

Is that a custom truck? I didnt think they made MegaCabs with a long box.

Yea, it's a custom truck. Your right, they don't make the mega with a long box. This post got me wondering if they did....that's when I found that pic.

[Fishin Dood]

Originally Posted By: 311Hemi

Plenty of room to haul, I am sure it's an easy parallel parker!!

now thats a truck that can do some haulin, mega cab for room for six beefy guys and a 8' foot box for all the beer:)

I don't know if I would want to be in that truck on the ride home. A weekend with 6 beefy dudes...and an 8 foot box full of beer...

[deadeye]

^lol ya, that might get a bit stuffy!!