Regular vs Extended vs Crew Cabs
The modern market is replete with a plethora of truck manufacturers, each offering various sizes, models, trim levels, and cabin and bed sizes. Navigating this expansive landscape can prove to be a daunting task, as the distinctions among them can become quite intricate.
While the differentiation between cab styles may appear straightforward on the surface, a more nuanced understanding is necessary. There exist three primary cab configurations: the two-door variant, the model with two small rear doors, and the version featuring four full-size doors. However, delving deeper reveals that these distinctions extend beyond mere door count. In order to provide you with a comprehensive comprehension, we will elucidate these discrepancies, ensuring that you are equipped to make an informed choice when visiting your local AutoNation dealership.
In a similar vein to automakers assigning distinctive nomenclature to their vehicle categories, trucks are no exception. For instance, BMW doesn't label its vehicles as sport utility vehicles; instead, it designates them as Sports Activity Vehicles. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is not categorized as a traditional sedan; rather, it is positioned as a four-door "coupe." This trend is also mirrored within the realm of trucks.
In a similar vein to automakers assigning distinctive nomenclature to their vehicle categories, trucks are no exception. For instance, BMW doesn't label its vehicles as sport utility vehicles; instead, it designates them as Sports Activity Vehicles. The Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 is not categorized as a traditional sedan; rather, it is positioned as a four-door "coupe." This trend is also mirrored within the realm of trucks.
Explaining the Different Sizes
Regular Cab
Ford, Chevrolet, and GMC share a common classification for their two-door light-duty models, referring to them as "Regular" cabs. Nonetheless, each manufacturer deviates from this shared designation beyond this point.
![2018 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab LT](https://media.assets.ansira.net/websites/content/f99308c70d3a4f548d414169f4381e02_c0x38-1000x429.png)
Extended Cab
The next size up is the "Extended Cab" which covers both two and four door versions with a second row of seats. Ford employs the terms "SuperCab" for its extended cab and "SuperCrew" for its four-door cab. In contrast, GM employs the terms "Double Cab" and "Crew Cab" for the corresponding styles. Toyota has christened its four-door version as the "CrewMax," while Nissan's largest variant is the "Crew Cab," contrary to the common misconception that the "King Cab" holds this distinction for the Titan. The different names used for this size are listed below for several of the common brands of trucks.
- Chevy - Double Cab
- Toyota - Access Cab
- GMC - Double Cab
- Ram - Quad Cab
- Nissan - King Cab
- Ford - Super Cab
![2018 Chevrolet Colorado Extended Cab z71](https://media.assets.ansira.net/websites/content/f6b3b22b01ae4c79b60ac48cee0b8953_c53x0-883x379.png)
Crew Cab
In essence, the presence of the term "crew" within the nomenclature signifies the largest and most spacious iteration of the truck. These trucks all have four doors, and offer the largest amount of interior space. This principle holds true, notably exemplified by the RAM 1500 Crew Cab, offering an expansive 45.2 inches of rear legroom, surpassing its counterparts from GM, Ford, Toyota, and Nissan. Below are the common names used for this size among several different manufacturers.
- Chevrolet - Extended Cab
- GMC - Extended Cab
- Ford - SuperCrew
- RAM - Crew Cab
- Toyota - Double Cab
- Nissan - Crew Cab
![2018 Chevrolet Colorado Crew Cab Z71](https://media.assets.ansira.net/websites/content/3e245c689ec740328cc77ac7a389f17d_c57x0-885x380.png)
Extended Crew Cab
This category is the largest of the large when it comes to interior space. Not all manufacturer offer a fourth cabin size option. This size will always have four doors, and a roomy read two seats. Following the trend above, different manufacturers can use different names for this size.
- Chevy - Crew Cab
- GMC - Crew Cab
- RAM - Mega Cab
- Toyota - Crew Cab Max
Picking the Best Size for you
While trucks continue to garner increasing popularity, manufacturers must exercise a strategic approach to body style, trim level, and bed size configurations. Notably, RAM, Toyota, and Nissan have foregone the production of regular cab versions for their light-duty trucks. Moreover, the limited availability of trim levels characterizes manufacturers who do produce such variants; a prime illustration is Chevrolet, wherein a regular cab Silverado is exclusively offered in the utilitarian WT form. Analogously, the two-door F-150 provides solely the XL and XLT trim options. Conversely, the Ford Raptor and RAM 1500 TRX exclusively feature four full-size doors.
The selection of a specific cab style inherently dictates the dimensions of the corresponding cargo bed. For instance, the GMC Sierra 1500 regular cab exclusively pairs with an eight-foot-two-inch bed. While the F-150 SuperCrew can be configured with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed, the pairing of the most spacious cabin with an eight-foot bed remains unattainable. Choosing the SuperCab necessitates foregoing the shortest bed option.
It is worth considering that accessing the rear passenger area in certain extended-cab trucks requires a certain adjustment, which could potentially pose challenges in confined parking spaces. For instance, gaining entry to the back row of the Titan King Cab and F-150 SuperCab involves a sequential process of opening the front doors and then manipulating a handle on the rear half doors, which swing outward in a counterintuitive manner, toward the bed of the truck. The augmented interior space within crew cab trucks corresponds to a greater external length, thereby warranting heightened caution when maneuvering in parking scenarios.
Before committing to a specific cab size, it is prudent to contemplate the intended utility of your forthcoming truck. Should your aspirations involve constructing a high-performance street truck, a regular cab pickup equipped with a potent engine—such as the F-150 with the 400-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine—paired with the shortest available bed, constitutes an auspicious starting point. The two-door configuration is also apt for those seeking a basic truck with ample room for one or two additional passengers, as well as occasional materials for home improvement projects.
Extended-cab models augment enclosed cargo space or provide adequate accommodation for young passengers, who may derive amusement from the act of opening the rear half doors. When the need arises for maximum passenger space, peak cargo capacity, or a fusion of both, crew cab trucks emerge as the preferred choice. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the shorter bed options available for crew cabs entail reduced cargo capacity compared to the elongated beds featured in regular and extended cab models.
In conclusion, irrespective of your specific requirements, it is important to avail yourself of a test drive at your local AutoNation dealership. Seeing and experiencing the true sizes of each brand's cabin size is usually best, although the basic guidelines discussed above can be used to help narrow down your search. If you have any questions about truck cabin sizes, or any of the models we carry please contact us.
The selection of a specific cab style inherently dictates the dimensions of the corresponding cargo bed. For instance, the GMC Sierra 1500 regular cab exclusively pairs with an eight-foot-two-inch bed. While the F-150 SuperCrew can be configured with either a 5.5-foot or 6.5-foot bed, the pairing of the most spacious cabin with an eight-foot bed remains unattainable. Choosing the SuperCab necessitates foregoing the shortest bed option.
It is worth considering that accessing the rear passenger area in certain extended-cab trucks requires a certain adjustment, which could potentially pose challenges in confined parking spaces. For instance, gaining entry to the back row of the Titan King Cab and F-150 SuperCab involves a sequential process of opening the front doors and then manipulating a handle on the rear half doors, which swing outward in a counterintuitive manner, toward the bed of the truck. The augmented interior space within crew cab trucks corresponds to a greater external length, thereby warranting heightened caution when maneuvering in parking scenarios.
Before committing to a specific cab size, it is prudent to contemplate the intended utility of your forthcoming truck. Should your aspirations involve constructing a high-performance street truck, a regular cab pickup equipped with a potent engine—such as the F-150 with the 400-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine—paired with the shortest available bed, constitutes an auspicious starting point. The two-door configuration is also apt for those seeking a basic truck with ample room for one or two additional passengers, as well as occasional materials for home improvement projects.
Extended-cab models augment enclosed cargo space or provide adequate accommodation for young passengers, who may derive amusement from the act of opening the rear half doors. When the need arises for maximum passenger space, peak cargo capacity, or a fusion of both, crew cab trucks emerge as the preferred choice. However, it is essential to acknowledge that the shorter bed options available for crew cabs entail reduced cargo capacity compared to the elongated beds featured in regular and extended cab models.
In conclusion, irrespective of your specific requirements, it is important to avail yourself of a test drive at your local AutoNation dealership. Seeing and experiencing the true sizes of each brand's cabin size is usually best, although the basic guidelines discussed above can be used to help narrow down your search. If you have any questions about truck cabin sizes, or any of the models we carry please contact us.
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