Choosing the right truck calls into consideration a number of important factors, including what you'll be primarily using the truck for, how big you need it to be, and what sort of price range you're working within. The dimensions of your truck bed are an important factor to consider if you'll be using the truck for hauling or construction work. Truck beds vary from between 5 feet and 8 feet long, between 5 and 6 feet wide, and between 20 and 25 inches tall, so there's a lot of variation for you to choose from when comparing bed sizes.
Ask yourself what you'll be using the truck for. What sort of material will you be hauling, and how much space do you need for it? Are you planning to attach a canopy at any point?
If you have a specific item that needs to be hauled, or if you haul a particular material regularly, take the dimensions of the item and use that as a basis for comparing truck beds.
If you will be hauling relatively normal sized loads and don't need your truck bed to accommodate special materials, consider going with a standard bed. The standard bed is the most popular and commonly seen truck bed, and it can range from 6 feet to 6.5 feet long. The width is fairly standard between 50 and 60 inches. The GMC Sierra is an example of a standard sized truck bed, with a 6.5 foot length and 50 inch width. The Nissan Titan is another truck with a standard truck bed, with a 6.5 foot length and 60 inch width.
If your needs call for more space in your truck bed, you can go with a long bed. The long bed is usually a foot or two longer than standard, between 7 and 8 feet. One of the big advantages of the long bed is that it can carry a 4x8 foot sheet of material with the tailgate closed. The Ford Ranger is a popular long bed choice, with a bed length of 7.25 feet and 61 inches width.
If you don't think you'll be requiring the space of a standard truck, there are short bed trucks on the market. Since short beds are less common, there is less of a standard bed size, although most are less than 5.5 feet. The Ford Explorer Sport Trac is an example of a short bed truck, with a bed size of only 4.5 feet and a width of 45 inches.
