Long bed trucks offer a great degree of practicality, combining the large hauling and towing capacity of a full-size pickup with the convenience of an extended bed. However, this long bed can sometimes be too long for certain uses. Fortunately, there are several ways to shorten a long bed truck bed.
Remove the Bed
The simplest and most effective way to shorten a long bed truck is to simply remove the entire bed and replace it with one that is shorter. This method requires removing all the bolts that hold the bed in place and then replacing them with bolts from a shorter bed. The downside to this method is that it can be quite labor intensive and may require professional help if you are not mechanically inclined.
Shorten Bed Rails
Another option is to shorten the existing bed rails by cutting them with a saw or other appropriate tool. This option is less labor intensive than removing and replacing the entire bed, but it may still require some skill with tools and welding equipment if you need to re-attach any parts that have been cut off. Additionally, depending on how much you are cutting off, this method may make it difficult to attach certain accessories such as racks or tie downs.
Buy Bed Extenders
Finally, you can purchase special devices known as “bed extenders” which will allow you to extend your short truck bed when needed for extra storage capacity but collapse down when not in use so as not to take up extra space. These devices can be found in both manual and electric versions depending on your needs and preferences.
Conclusion:
There are several ways to shorten a long bed truck when necessary, each offering varying levels of effort or convenience depending on your needs. The most effective way is likely removing the entire bed and replacing it with one that is shorter; however, other options such as shortening existing rails or using special devices known as “bed extenders” may also be available depending on your preferences and budget.
