death of regular cab pickups

John0829 · Mar 19, 2023

I was in a discussion about this very thing sometime back. There as a time I said I would never have a crew cab truck for the reasons that have been listed but NOW I have an extended cab GMC flatbed dually and crew cab Tundra and length not withstanding I would want nothing else.

We first started using one when we started towing a travel trailer, using it as a place for the K9 to stretch out and storage for things we might want while on the road without having to stop and retrive it from the camper. We no longer travel but I still prefer the extra cab space.

It is amazing the amount of things that end up in the back of the cab to keep dry or secured and since SWMBO and I usually go shopping in one or the other instead of the car (not sure why we still own it) to make one trip do it all, all the consumable purchases (her shopping) ends up in the back of the cab and the building supplies, machine parts or whatever else gets to ride in the bed.

Do I miss having an 8' bed, not really, if I have a need for items longer than either truck bed can haul safely I take a trailer.

Jstpssng · Mar 19, 2023

Shenandoah MF1760 said:
I have a Crew Cab Dually with an 8-foot box. The trouble is at 22 feet long it's getting harder to park and maneuver.

It gets turned away at carwashes and in the last parking spot I backed into both rear tires with sitting on the lines.

My Colorado also barely fits into designated parking spots. Either the rear is taking part of the spot in back of me, or the front bumper is sticking out into traffic. And it's the shortest they made... now GM has done away with the extended cab and only offers full 4 door models.

Diggin It said:
Why? And other than cramming people in a smaller than normal backseat, what is the point of the ex-cabs?

You obviously haven't ridden in the back seat of the 4 door trucks. They are more comfortable than the front seat of your Taurus.

I preferred the extended cabs of the era of your new ride. There was room for kids if you had them. I was travelling all over 4 states, leaving home for 3-4 weeks at a time. I was able to keep my dog, laptop, and all of my gear locked in the cab, yet there was room in the back for my ATV or snowsled, depending on time of year.

I even carried my cordless phone...

You can still get a regular cab pickup if you want it. Most dealers don't keep many on hand as there isn't much demand. I also suspect the people who do buy them aren't prone to trade every few years; That means fewer are available for people to buy used.

jyoutz · Mar 19, 2023

big bubba said:
agreed, why i went w/long bed yrs ago when the "extended cabs" were 1st coming out in early 90's. at least there was the option back then. nothing against luxury pu's, but if i were buying new again, would be tough to meet my needs w/what's avail now.

I have a long bed quad cab. Nice but it don’t turn on a dime. In the forestry community, the popular name for these trucks is “six-packs.”

coobie · Mar 20, 2023

I need 4 doors..

two_bit_score · Mar 20, 2023

I won’t be trading my Chev. 2500 crew cab long bed in anytime soon. But I would like to get a standard cab dually, cab and chassis at some point.

With a crew cab you have to either clean out the back seat of all your stuff so passengers can fit or can’t haul passengers with all the stuff in the back seat.

Standard bed or flat bed it will be 8’.

scaredychicken · Mar 20, 2023

went with a friend this afternoon to pick up a truck that he bought this week. 1.5 hrs each way, he drove it home, I drove his car back.

he bought a 1989 Nissan Regular Cab, 4x4, 5 speed standard, long bed pick-up. He's very happy with it - should be a fun project for him

My wife had a 1991 Nissan King Cab, 2wd when we were dating. I had a 1986 Nissan King Cab 2wd a bit later on - loved that truck, but the family outgrew it (5 of us) and I sold it (regret doing so)

I like the Ext Cabs because things can be packed inside and stay dry, then there is no need for a canopy, and loading things is much easier.
I do not need a Crew Cab at this point - we had one for a few years
I would like 4x4
I prefer a long bed

My current pickup is a '93 Silverado C2500, automatic (required), 2 dr, ext cab, with 6.5 foot bed, high rise canopy, low kms. There is no point in trading up yet, i love it.

check · Mar 20, 2023

Very interesting discussion. Ever since I have been driving trucks starting in 2004 it has always been an F150 Super Crew, and the dog crate takes up 2 of the 3 back seat spots! So, I always got the bench Front seat so I could carry 4 people plus the hound. Love the space and soft ride. Will never go back to a sedan! (Wife drives a 4Runner, and even our daughter wants an SUV.)

Diggin It · Mar 20, 2023

While looking, I was even considering something with a utility body so I'd have compartments along the sides. Back seat on a PU would serve me no purpose at all.

I found an '02 Suburban in near perfect condition with under 70K miles. Municipal Ex-K9 with the dog cage between the two rear doors ... pass through, plus all of the rear area covered with aluminum panels with tie downs. Would have been ideal, but I had to pass on it for several reasons.

But it gave me the idea that I could pull the rear seat out of anything and do a similar rack/cage/pass through type rig. I don't know if I'll try that on the Tahoe, but it could easily be done on a 4Dr PU.

mikester · Mar 20, 2023

Mtsoxfan said:
I need a longer bed area more then I need seating for 4

What I meant to write, I want a longer bed area more than I want seating for 4...

What, a 4 foot bed isn't enough? Most trucks drive around hauling nothing but air and generate TONS of carbon dioxide doing it.

5030 · Mar 20, 2023

Interesting. Seems as though automakers are adding back seats and doors but making the beds shorter and that don't work for me as I use my F350 Ford pickup truck for a farm truck and I need an 8 foot bed and use it all the time. Actually, an even better option (though I don't want to spend the money) is a flat bed retrofit. I agree that the short bed 4 door trucks have their place (for soccer moms to cart groceries) but not here. Besides, I think they look corny.