Trucks come in different sizes, which affects the size of the truck bed. The measurements of the truck bed are important as they determine how much cargo or equipment you can haul. Sometimes, you want to acquire some accessories for the truck bed, or you want to install a toolbox.
Some of the accessories you may wish to buy for the truck bed include a cover, bed liner, or bed rails. Without the correct measurements of the bed, you probably won’t get anything else right.
Apart from hauling cargo on the truck, you may also want to use the truck bed for other functions. These, too, will require you to get the correct measurements of the bed.
A Truck Hammock
Do you have a hammock that you have just never find the right spot to hang? With a pickup, you won’t have to look for perfectly spaced trees anymore. A wide hammock, the type with wood bars on end, will perfectly hang along the length of the truck.
To get a hammock that’s not too long or too wide, you need to get the measurements of your truck. You’ll soon be gently rocking in the cool breeze.
DIY Pickup Camper
Don’t spend money on a camper shell that requires the effort of four people to put up. Instead, use your truck bed to make a personalized pickup camper. This you can quickly achieve by pitching a truck bed tent, building a custom cabinet, and fitting a foam pad.
A single truck bed will efficiently serve as a camp for one person. It can also be elevated to provide more space for more people.
Truck Bed Kitchen or Workshop
Among the things you can do with the bed of your truck is making custom cabinetry. Roll-out or fold-out cabinets or cubicles that can serve as storage spaces would be ideal.
During your camping outings, you can easily convert the cabinets into an impressive fold-out kitchen. Alternatively, diversify your carpentry skills to build a handy fold-out workshop. With a tool chest and work table, you’ll have ample space where you can complete your projects from just about anywhere.
Tailgate Lounge
This is a life-long honored tradition. It involves filling the truck bed with coolers and driving off to a field or parking lot where you set up a barbeque. You can do a lot more than just sitting on the open tailgate.
Consider converting the truck bed into an entire lounge. For a cozier arrangement, you could add a couch and a big screen at the back.
Taking Your Truck Bed’s Measurements
All these are fun and constructive ways to use your truck bed. However, they won’t come out perfectly without the right measurements of the truck bed. The best fittings should be measured out, so they aren’t too big or too small.
Here’s how to measure truck bed.
1. Measure the Length with the Tailgate Closed
With a friend holding the other end, stretch a tape measure from the front left corner to the back left one. Do this on the inside of the bed. Ensure the tape measure runs in a straight line, perfectly parallel to the top of the bed.
It won’t give you accurate measurements if it sags in the middle.
Note down this measurement and label it “length.”
2. Find the Width of the Truck Bed
Stretch the tape measure against the inside of the truck bed at the left front corner. For accurate measurements, have someone pull the tape until it reaches the front right corner. Remember to hold the tape measure in a taut line on top of the bed.
Record the measurement as label it as “width.”
Measure the distance between the wheels if they’re located inside the bed.
3. The Depth of the Truck Bed
The depth of the truck bed is the distance from the floor of the bed to its top. Keep the tape parallel with the side of the bed to keep it well stretched. Note down the measurement and record it as “depth.”
4. Convert the Measurements into Fractions
For fittings like a Tonneau cover or a bed rug, you may need to convert the measurements into fractions. Do this by dividing the inches by 12.
If you want to get measurements based on the metric system, divide the total number of centimeters by 100.
Keep in mind that most truck accessories measurements are rounded off to the nearest fraction. For example, if the bed of your truck measures 5.4 feet, you’ll probably get a product measuring 5.5 feet.
How to Determine the Haul Capacity
Now you know how big your truck bed is, but how do you tell how much weight it can carry? This is where your truck’s haul capacity comes in, and this is how you should go about it.
First, look for the truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating, which is usually labeled on the driver’s door jamb. It refers to the total weight the truck can carry safely, including passengers and the truck itself.
Secondly, determine the weight of the truck, which may be listed on the title or manual. If you can’t find it, take the truck to a local garage for professional weighing.
Thirdly, calculate the truck’s payload capacity. This you’ll do by subtracting the weight of the truck from the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating. This will give you the exact weight your vehicle can safely hold without overloading it.
Final Thoughts
You can put your truck bed into various uses, which depends on the size of this area. Before you install a hammock, a kitchen, or cabinetry, know how much space you have. This is the only way you can put it into good use.
Additionally, you also need to know how much weight your truck can carry. Remember you want to keep your vehicle in good shape for as long as possible. As such, you must avoid overloading it.
Learning how to measure truck bed isn’t hard and shouldn’t take much of your time. With a tape measure and a friend to help, you’ll be good to go.
