Bed extension

[siliconwombat]

So we know what we want to do and from that we've figured out what we want in a truck. Trouble is a truck that fits our requirements is rare as rocking horse poop. Triply so when we'll be buying it in the UK.

The main points are cab and a half or full crew cab pickup. Manual transmission, preferably unleaded/gas and the real kicker, at least a 6'5" bed.

Its the long bed that's proving difficult.

So... what considerations would be required if I were to extend the bed of the pickup by max 2 feet. Chassis reinforcement, axle relocation, legal issues?

Any thoughts welcomed Also if you know of a make and model of truck that fits the requirements please let me know!

Tom

 

[MotoDave]

Seems like a F250 would fit your bill? Or are you looking for a smaller truck?

If you compromise and accept an automatic there are a lot of choices for you, ie Tacoma or Frontier, or any of the full size trucks. I think I'd rather have a truck with an auto than try to retrofit a longer bed and on a new truck.

Edit: Oops, didn't see you are in the UK. I have no idea of what's on the market in Europe.

 

[siliconwombat]

F250 certainly does fit the bill! Not too worried about bigger or smaller truck really but relative simplicity is important. Our 'plan' is to literally roam the world so mechanical reliability is quite important. Auto or manual isn't the end of the world but manual comes with less to go wrong.

There does appear to be a few F250 available in Britain but from what I can tell from the pictures they're pretty 'bling'. Are they capable off road? Its not the point of our journeying but not all our destinations have roads as we know them!

 

[Herbie]

Don't know about a gas engine, but I'm pretty sure there was a Ford Ranger Crew Cab with a long-bed available in the UK.

I was watching some random car buying show on Discovery HD here in the states called "AutoTrader" or "Auto Traders", a UK show hosted by Mike Brewer of "Wheeler Dealers" fame. Anyhow on one episode one of the vehicles shown was a 4-cylinder diesel Ranger Crew Cab, with what looked to be a bed long enough for a motorcycle, which 'round here means at least 7'.

 

[siliconwombat]

Interesting you say that as I (for some reason) was under the impression there was a long bed ranger. Haven't found any for sale but people don't seem to advertise bed length! Good to know to keep looking.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

I dont know what you ahve availabe in the UK pertaining to a F250, but we've traveled for 4 years with one that is bone stock. It's taken us on some serious Off-Road routes, even though this isnt what we normally do.

It's plenty capable, and with a 6' bed, crew cab or double cab available, both with gas or diesel, you have a ton of options.

Again, not sure what you have in the UK, but there are hundreds of hundreds of after market manufacturers to outfit the truck till the bank calls and asks for the credit card back:drool:

 

[dzzz]

Great shots Pat.

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Thanks Man, just thought I'd show him what a stock F250 is capable of getting you into...LOL

Notice I dont show any on the way out

 

[siliconwombat]

Lol, sorry I doubted it! Looks capable enough for sure, looks like an amazing trip too!

Im thinking maybe we're being too picky...

I had erred away from RTT due to expense and I liked the idea of just being able to crash out with no setting up. Looks like its going to be cheaper to buy a truck of any style and mount an RTT and I don't imagine they're too difficult to set up.

Im guessing the technical difficultys in extending an existing bed pretty much preclude that route.

Thanks for all the ideas Ill keep planning....:elkgrin:

 

[tedjohn09]

Great pics, Every Miles A Memory.
Where do you take them?
__________________
stuff for your bedroom

 

[Every Miles A Memory]

Great pics, Every Miles A Memory.
Where do you take them?

Canyonlands National Park