Truck bed length is characterised by the distance between the inside of back door and the inside of the bulkhead. While measuring truck bed length, you will find that the exact number doesn’t match any lengths listed on user manual. This happens because most of the manufacturers round off their measurements to the nearest half-foot. Hence, if your truck bed measures 75″, you can choose the product listed for a 5.5-foot bed.So, here it has been discussed on how do I measure my truck bed (Both width and length)
How do I measure my truck bed (Both width and length) ? Well, you can measure your truck bed both lengthwise and breadth wise. To measure the length of a truck bed you have to start at the bulkhead and measure right up to the inside of your tailgate.
If you want to get the best bet to get an accurate measurement, you do not need to place the tape on the bottom part (floor) but simply run it straight down the length. Always make sure to keep it even and not move it away from the bulkhead.
Similarly, to measure the width of your truck bed you have to do the same thing that you did for measuring the length. However, you are going to measure from the one side of the bed to the other. You want to measure the inside part of the bed and not count the exterior sides of the truck.
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Types of Truck Beds
Different truck manufacturers have given different names to the truck beds for the unique aspects of their pickups. In addition to different truck cab configurations, all the truck beds have different names and options across brands. Let us discuss various types of truck beds, as well as how they compare.
STANDARD BEDS
As the name suggests, this is the default style of truck bed. Standard beds feature a flat rectangular box that can extend back behind the truck. Standard truck beds need to accommodate for the wheel well, but a part of the bed around the wheel should remain raised. These types of truck beds do not have any special looks; they look exactly what you expect a truck bed to look like.
The standard style of truck bed is simple, but it has the clutches of automotive branding. For example, the regular bed configuration on a Ford truck is known as Styleside bed, while on Chevy trucks it is known as Fleet side.
Toyota, on the other hand, does not create all of this Styleside vs Fleetside confusion. It simply calls this style of bed as regular. Regardless of their names, all of them provide similar functions.
FLARESIDE AND STEPSIDE BEDS
Just like Fleetside and Styleside, Flareside, or Stepside truck beds refer to the similar features. However, they provide clues to what they actually refer to. They both feature extended wheel flares, and steps located on the side of the bed. The extended flare makes room for the steps.
In this case, you can easily figure out the differences between the names. Ford names this design as Flareside, while every other manufacturer calls them Step sides.
This style of truck bed tends to cause some disagreements among a few truck owners. The foothold is useful, while some find the look of this style of truck bed unlikeable. Some models of Stepside or Flareside truck beds provide comparatively lesser bed space for this design.
Truck Bed Sizes
There are a variety of truck bed styles available in the market; besides that there are also a variety of length options for them as well. The bed style depends in part on the cab options and the specific model of truck; you can find small, medium and large options for bed lengths. Here, we have listed the approximate size of truck beds for different brands.
Ford:
5.5’
6.5’
8’
Chevy / GMC:
5.8’
6.5’
8’
Ram:
5.7’
6.4’
8’
Toyota:
5.5’
6.5’
You need to have accurate measurements of your truck bed if you are fitting your truck for a new accessory or planning to haul cargo on it. You can take the help of a friend to measure your truck bed carefully. You have to keep your measurements straight using the walls and rails of your truck bed and note down the same on a paper.
Steps To Measure Your Truck Bed width and length
We have categorised the steps of measuring truck beds into two parts; one is to find the dimensions and the other is to determining its haul capacity.
1. Finding the Dimensions of Your Truck Bed
Let us discuss the various ways through which you can find the dimensions of your truck bed.
Measure your truck bed’s length with the tailgate closed:
You can take the help of a friend to stretch a tape measure from the front left corner to the back left corner of your truck bed, on the inside area. The tape measure should run in a straight line that is even with the top of the bed. The tape measure should not sag in the middle; sagging from the middle may give you wrong readings. Note this measurement down on a paper and name it as “length.”
The next step is to find the width of your truck bed:
For this you need to hold one end of your tape measure against the inside of your truck bed’s left front corner. You can take someone’s help to pull the tape measure until it reaches the inside of the front right corner. Again, make sure to keep the tape measure in a straight line, taut line even with the top of the bed. Write down this measurement on a paper and name that number “width.”
Note: If your truck’s wheel wells are on the inside of the bed, you should measure the distance between them as well.
The third step is to determine the depth of your truck bed:
For this you can use your tape measure to find the distance from the bottom of the bed to the top, while keeping the tape measure parallel with the side of the bed. Make sure that the tape measure remains straight. Note this measurement and name it as “depth.”
The final step will be to convert the measurements into fractions if you are planning to buy accessories:
If you want to fit your truck bed to a bed rug or a Truck bed cover, you have to know its dimensions in fractions. To convert the dimensions into fraction, you have to simply divide the number of inches by 12.
If you want to use the metric system, divide your total number of centimetres by 100. Remember that many truck accessory suppliers round off the measurements. For instance, if your truck bed measures 5.4 feet or 1.6 m, you should buy a product having dimensions of 5.5-foot truck bed.
2. Determining the Haul Capacity
The second part of measuring the truck bed includes finding the gross vehicle weight rating, determining the weight of your truck and calculating your truck’s payload capacity.
Finding your truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating:
You can find this on a label on the driver’s side door jamb. The GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) can be defined as the total weight your truck can safely carry, which includes the weight of passengers and the truck itself.
Determining the weight of your truck:
The weight of your truck should be listed in your user’s manual or title. If you do not find it on the user manual, take your truck to a local garage or weigh station to determine its weight.
Calculating your truck’s payload capacity:
To calculate the payload capacity of your truck bed, you need to subtract the weight of your truck from its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR). That is the approximate weight your truck can safely hold – including the passengers and any small cargo you might have in the cab.
Review this easy-to-follow video tutorial on “How to Measure Your Truck Bed for a Toolbox” from RealTruck.com:
Conclusion
If you are buying a truck-bed cover for your truck or planning to haul cargo on it, you will need to measure your truck bed properly. If you are confused about how to take measurements, you can follow the above guide that we have discussed precisely. However, you have to call a friend as you may need his help to do the measurements. Always remember that a wrong measurement can lead to a lot future hassles that you may not want to face.
