anyone regret getting a regular cab?
- Thread starter Wildcat
- Start date
warrpath4x4
Adventurer
I am on both ends of the spectrum lol, I am building a 79 K10(30) stepside but also have a 2007 Dodge Mega cab.
AbleGuy
Officious Intermeddler
We had a red K 2500 single cab long bed for 13 years and traveled all over western Canada, the Yukon and Alaska in it.
We specifically chose the regular cab so we could have the full 8 foot long bed for our overhead camper and still maintain the shortest wheelbase possible.
We did take out the rear window of the truck and crafted and installed a waterproof “boot” between the cab and the front of the camper. That allowed us to go back-and-forth between the cab and the camper without going outside.
We built a storage tray in the front of the camper, right up next to the boot, for easy storage of ready to grab gear like our cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars, etc. That was pretty useful since the single cab had such limited room for gear up front.
We specifically chose the regular cab so we could have the full 8 foot long bed for our overhead camper and still maintain the shortest wheelbase possible.
We did take out the rear window of the truck and crafted and installed a waterproof “boot” between the cab and the front of the camper. That allowed us to go back-and-forth between the cab and the camper without going outside.
We built a storage tray in the front of the camper, right up next to the boot, for easy storage of ready to grab gear like our cameras, spotting scopes and binoculars, etc. That was pretty useful since the single cab had such limited room for gear up front.
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
I like my standard cab Ranger in that it gives me a 7' bed and roughly the same footprint as a 4dr Wrangler.
Change that and it changes everything to a negative for me for a offroad truck.
But I need more than two seats day to day.
I have a Supercrew F-150 with a 6.5' bed that in theory combines the seating of my wife's Bronco with the cargo bay of my Ranger.
It is like driving an oil tanker.
My previous truck was a Supercab F-150 and as the rear occupant situation changes I will happily go back to a Supercab if they still make them by then. It is nice to have the storage back there if nothing else. I don't think I would go standard cab for a dd because of that (I didn't even before I had kids)
Literally night before last I was like Austin Powers in the hallway doing a 50pt turn getting out of a parking spot at a restaurant. (it took a spotter but I did get wiggled out without trading paint)
(
Change that and it changes everything to a negative for me for a offroad truck.
But I need more than two seats day to day.
I have a Supercrew F-150 with a 6.5' bed that in theory combines the seating of my wife's Bronco with the cargo bay of my Ranger.
It is like driving an oil tanker.
My previous truck was a Supercab F-150 and as the rear occupant situation changes I will happily go back to a Supercab if they still make them by then. It is nice to have the storage back there if nothing else. I don't think I would go standard cab for a dd because of that (I didn't even before I had kids)
Literally night before last I was like Austin Powers in the hallway doing a 50pt turn getting out of a parking spot at a restaurant. (it took a spotter but I did get wiggled out without trading paint)
(
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deserteagle56
Adventurer
One thing that hasn't been mentioned here, and may be a factor depending on how the truck is used, is fuel capacity. At least with Ford, a single cab truck gets a fuel tank of 29 gallons. A crew cab truck gets a 48 gallon tank. That's 19 extra gallons of fuel! Makes a huge difference in driving range!
BritKLR
Kapitis Indagatoris
Nah, always loved the look and functionality of a standard cab. Not sure what everyone is carrying in the cab but, never seemed to be a problem, even with the 1894 racked behind the seats.
Had the big f350 Crewcab and never liked dealing with it on the beach, parking lot or back country.
Our 94 Tiger is based on a standard cab k2500 and is 19 feet long and drives and fits perfect in the back country or Costco parking lot.
Had the big f350 Crewcab and never liked dealing with it on the beach, parking lot or back country.
Our 94 Tiger is based on a standard cab k2500 and is 19 feet long and drives and fits perfect in the back country or Costco parking lot.
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ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
Yes, yes, cool trucks to be sure but once again, love that house!
MOAK
Adventurer
Well, I had side boxes up on the fenders, ladder racks and a snap on tarp covering everything. As a painting contractor that traveled all over the central eastern seaboard I could have built out the back seat area to carry paint and supplies that shouldn’t get cold or freeze- ha- hind sight is 20/20. Only ever lost a couple gallons to freezing.
85_Ranger4x4
Well-known member
My longbed crew cab F-150 has a roughly 34gal tank. As far as range it will run over 600 miles on the highway/interstate. Offroad is of course less and will vary.
29 gallons isn't 48 but is still substantial.
redthies
Renaissance Redneck
I love a regular cab (what those of us who were driving trucks before the 2000s called “single cabs”). I grew up with them, and have owned many. With 2 Weimaraners and a wife, I’m stuck in the quad/crew world. I recently went from a big crew back to a 3rd gen Dodge quad cab short box. It’s “small” compared to a long bed quad or crew. Feels like a sports car!
deserteagle56
Adventurer
Oh, absolutely...I owned an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost for 9 years. Trouble-free truck that got great mileage yet had all the power in the world. Here's a shot I took of the display on mine. 708 miles on the odometer since the last fillup with nearly 100 miles to empty - can't beat that.
But this being an overland forum - most folks don't use the F150 for overlanding, at least around here. Most overlanders use a 3/4 or 1 ton truck and don't get near the fuel mileage of the F150.
ThundahBeagle
Well-known member
Those of us who grew up in the 70's and 80's just called them pickup trucks. When we ever saw a crew cab for a road construction crew or something, it was a shocker!
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FreedomTraveler
Observer
P Nut, Gotta point out, Colt Servers " stunt truck " pictured had the engine mounted behind the front seats to keep from going nose down on the jumps... Ain't no reg. truck making that jump...
vintageracer
To Infinity and Beyond!
I am in the process of purchasing a single cab 1993 Dodge Ram 250 long bed 4WD 5.9 Cummins with a stick. Included in the purchase will be a nice utility bed that came off a 1985 Ram single wheel crew cab long bed I sold the guy I am getting this truck from. The ole 5.9 mechanical Cummins engines are reliable, simple, easy to fix anywhere there is a diesel mechanic and get good fuel mileage
My thoughts are to remove the factory PU bed, install the utility bed, make a rack that extends over the utility bed and the cab, install a basket over the front overhead rack area for spare tire and other items you normally do not need easy access to, install a roof top tent, use the rest of the rack for above storage of kayaks for whatever else, cover over the open area of the utility bed up the sides to the bottom of the rack, install a slider rack on the floor for water storage and other items. Use the rack side plates for mounting of other items as needed. Use the doors in the utility box for the kitchen. Install a 270 degree awning on the rack for easy deployment, battery system in the utility box with solar along with water heater, water storage tank along with tools and other items.
The older I get the more I am about small. Ya I know a long bed single cab truck isn't exactly small but for me it is a downsize over the crew cab trucks and old 23 foot GMC motorhome we still have.
I think it would be a good, reliable and simple camper setup to go offroad as needed or desired.
The good point of a single cab truck is it makes you THINK about what is really important to have on a trip and what is nice to have on a trip. In most instances what is important and what is nice are not the same!
My thoughts are to remove the factory PU bed, install the utility bed, make a rack that extends over the utility bed and the cab, install a basket over the front overhead rack area for spare tire and other items you normally do not need easy access to, install a roof top tent, use the rest of the rack for above storage of kayaks for whatever else, cover over the open area of the utility bed up the sides to the bottom of the rack, install a slider rack on the floor for water storage and other items. Use the rack side plates for mounting of other items as needed. Use the doors in the utility box for the kitchen. Install a 270 degree awning on the rack for easy deployment, battery system in the utility box with solar along with water heater, water storage tank along with tools and other items.
The older I get the more I am about small. Ya I know a long bed single cab truck isn't exactly small but for me it is a downsize over the crew cab trucks and old 23 foot GMC motorhome we still have.
I think it would be a good, reliable and simple camper setup to go offroad as needed or desired.
The good point of a single cab truck is it makes you THINK about what is really important to have on a trip and what is nice to have on a trip. In most instances what is important and what is nice are not the same!
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