Ford F-150 Crew Cab Short Bed Length

The Ford F-150 pickup truck is one of the most popular vehicles in the United States. With multiple cab and bed configurations to choose from, buyers have options when it comes to cargo and passenger capacity. One of the most space-efficient configurations is the Ford F-150 crew cab short bed.

Exact Crew Cab Short Bed F-150 Length

When shopping for an F-150 crew cab with a short bed, you may be wondering—just how long is the short bed on a Ford F-150? Here is the exact length:

• 67.1 inches, or approximately 5.5 feet

That comes out to just over 5 and a half feet in length. The width between the wheel wells is 50 inches, giving you a decent amount of usable cargo space while still allowing for easy maneuverability and parking compared to a longer bed.

To give some more perspective, here is how the F-150 short bed dimensions compare to other bed lengths:

• Long bed: 97.6 inches (over 8 feet)
• Standard bed: 78.9 inches (6.5 feet)
• Short bed: 67.1 inches (5.5 feet)

As you can see, going with the short bed option gives up just over 1 foot of bed space compared to the F-150’s standard bed length. For many truck owners, that is a worthy trade-off to gain better drivability and space optimization.

An Overview of Crew Cab Short Bed F-150s

A crew cab refers to a rear-seat cabin that has four full-size, front-hinged doors, providing comfortable seating for up to 5 or 6 passengers. The short bed option refers to the 5.5-foot cargo bed length, compared to the 6.5- or 8-foot standard bed lengths.

Together, the crew cab and short bed provides a balance of passenger room and cargo capacity. The crew cab gives rear passengers convenient access inside, while the short bed provides ample space for hauling equipment, luggage, supplies, and other gear. It’s an ideal configuration for families, outdoor enthusiasts, contractors, and anyone needing a pickup with versatility.

Key attributes of the Ford F-150 crew cab short bed include:

• Seating for up to 5-6 passengers
• Four full-size, front-hinged doors for easy access
• 5.5-foot all-steel cargo bed capacity
• Up to 3,270 pounds maximum payload capacity
• Can tow trailers up to 13,000 pounds

Now let’s take a closer look at the bed length and dimensions.

What Can You Fit inside the Short Bed?

A common question truck shoppers have is what type of cargo can actually fit inside that 5-foot short bed once a truck cap or tonneau cover is installed.

So what can you haul? Here are some examples:

Tools and Building Supplies

• Drywall sheets (may need to angle slightly)
• Plywood sheets up to 4′ x 8′ (any size works if stood vertically)
• Lumber up to 12 foot long boards (angled)
• Ladders up to 16 feet (angled)
• Full toolbox or chest

Outdoor and Recreation Gear

• Fishing rods and tackle boxes
• Camping equipment (tent, chairs, cooler, etc.)
• Mountain bike or kayak (may need extender)
• Hunting gear (tree stands, rifles, etc.)

Everyday Items

• Up to 18 grocery bags
• Suitcases for a family
• Small furniture (dressers, tables, etc.)
• Appliances (washer, dryer, fridge, etc.)

As you can see, the 5.5 foot short bed allows you to carry quite diverse cargo. With an extender or by angling long items diagonally across the bed, you can make even more fit.

Short Bed Pros and Cons

Now that we’ve gone over the key dimensions and hauling capabilities, let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of choosing an F-150 short bed versus a standard or long bed configuration.

Short Bed Benefits

• Enhanced maneuverability in tight spaces
• Easier parking
• Better weight distribution and handling
• Full access to rear passenger doors
• Provides usable bed space while maintaining shorter overall length

Short Bed Drawbacks

• Less overall hauling capacity than bigger beds
• Not quite enough room to fully secure longer items flat
• Might need bed extender for extremely long cargo
• Resale value may be slightly less than trucks with more bed space

When equipped on the crew cab model, the short bed strikes an optimal balance for many truck owners. The only major downside is diminished cargo capacity compared to a standard or longer bed. But for a lot owners, that trade-off is worthwhile to gain the crew cab’s spacious rear seating and the short bed’s excellent drivability.

How Other Factors Affect Cargo Space

Beyond just bed length, there are some other considerations that affect usable cargo room on your truck. Factors like wheelbase length, ground clearance, and whether the truck has two-wheel vs. four-wheel drive impact interior dimensions.

Key things that change cargo capacity on short bed F-150 models include:

• Wheelbase – Shorter vs. longer wheelbases impact bed space
• Lift kits – Suspension raises reduce depth slightly
• 4WD/2WD – 4WD models lose a couple inches of interior width
• Bed caps – Can take away up to 4 inches of height space
• Bed liners – Thicker liners reduce depth

The best way to maximize short bed capacity is going for a 2WD truck with factory specs (no lift installed) along with a low-profile bed cap and thin liner. But even if you customize those aspects, clear communication with the dealer when ordering ensures your truck’s bed provides the dimensions and space you expect.

Short Bed F-150 Models Available

Ford produces several different models of the F-150 with a crew cab and 5-1/2 foot short rear bed. So which ones can you order in this versatile truck configuration?

The following 2022 F-150 series models are available with a short bed crew cab:

F-150 Trim Levels Offered with Short Bed Crew Cab:

• XL
• XLT
• Lariat
• King Ranch
• Platinum
• Tremor

Both 4-wheel and 2-wheel drive variants can be configured this way too. So buyers have lots of styles and performance options when seeking out a short bed crew cab F-150.

The only exceptions are the Raptor high-performance off-roader and big luxurious Limited trim—Ford produces those two exclusively with larger beds. But all other models give configuration options for the extra passenger room and just-right bed size that this truck layout provides.

Getting the Right Truck for Your Needs

At the end of the day, choosing the F-150 bed length comes down to balancing your passenger, cargo hauling, and driving requirements. For some, the superior maneuverability and versatile capacity of the 5.5 foot short bed makes perfect sense. For others seeking to maximize truck bed real estate for work or play, a bigger bed is a smarter fit.

We hope this detailed look at the Ford F-150 short bed specs, dimensions and capability gives you all the information needed to feel confident selecting the best truck for your lifestyle. With the crew cab configuration, you don’t have to sacrifice rear seat comfort and accessibility to get a pickup well-suited for navigating tight spaces.

So take the time to fully weigh your priorities in terms of cargo, towing needs, drivability and seating arrangements. If the numbers above tell you the short bed hits that optimal configuration sweet spot? Then climbing into that cabin-stretching, just-right-sized F-150 could make for one very satisfying truck ownership experience.