Has anyone downsized to a Maverick and finding the bed too small?

[maverickeric]

I'm looking to place an order, and have checked the Maverick out in person a few times. The price is right, 4 door is great for the kids, maneuverability, MPG even with Ecoboost, but my biggest concern is that I'm compromising on the truck bed and will be annoyed by the size more often than not. I've previously swore I'd never go smaller than a 6' bed - but here we are.

As a background I have an older single cab F150 8' bed as a part time "work" truck, and a SUV but looking to downsize so I only have one vehicle for all my needs. Part of that work is event production (tables/chairs/tents/bins/ladders) and another is property maintenance/handyman work for a few properties - I do max out the 8' bed a few times a year, but if this is the case I can expense a rental vehicle- cost isn't out of my pocket but the inconvenience of the pickup/droppoff hits me. Right off the bat I plan on getting a bed rack for ladder/extra long materials, and have a Yakima Skybox already which while unorthodox, is good for locked up tool storage - this is the only way I can see the size possibly being suitable.

So has anyone else gone from part time full size pickup truck usage to a Maverick and found the compact size just too frustrating? Or do all of the pros outweigh the con.

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[Chris_G]

I'm looking to place an order, and have checked the Maverick out in person a few times. The price is right, 4 door is great for the kids, maneuverability, MPG even with Ecoboost, but my biggest concern is that I'm compromising on the truck bed and will be annoyed by the size more often than not. I've previously swore I'd never go smaller than a 6' bed - but here we are.

As a background I have an older single cab F150 8' bed as a part time "work" truck, and a SUV but looking to downsize so I only have one vehicle for all my needs. Part of that work is event production (tables/chairs/tents/bins/ladders) and another is property maintenance/handyman work for a few properties - I do max out the 8' bed a few times a year, but if this is the case I can expense a rental vehicle- cost isn't out of my pocket but the inconvenience of the pickup/droppoff hits me. Right off the bat I plan on getting a bed rack for ladder/extra long materials, and have a Yakima Skybox already which while unorthodox, is good for locked up tool storage - this is the only way I can see the size possibly being suitable.

So has anyone else gone from part time full size pickup truck usage to a Maverick and found the compact size just too frustrating? Or do all of the pros outweigh the con.

My F-150 had a 6 foot bed, don't miss it.

 

[JennyJoannSuebeeMcNash]

Truthfully, I've only used the bed twice. What I'd really like to see if BestTop or Softopper come out with something to fit the bed, or for the camping industry to jump on the bandwagon to make a bed tent to fit.

 

[Sumo E]

Had to get creative with the small space

 

[RR - All the way]

Some people say size doesn't matter!!! Guess it depends on how you plan to use it and how often???

I have a long bed and will not miss it.

 

[Sumo E]

 

[maverickeric]

Had to get creative with the small space

This was another option I considered for any long materials, but if I'm sinking $1k into a bed rack/roof rack over the cab hopefully won't need this extender. I could fab up some side walls, netting, and plywood for the base along with this extender and add a fair amount of storage if need be.

 

[Mikknj]

Nope had an original Ranger 2004 - had the long bed on that. was good carried 2x4x8 just fine ... then went to a Tacoma 2003 with 5.1/2 in bed. That was fine same 2x4 x8 fit in the bed. Then I went to the Maverick 4.5 foot bed. Tailgate propped 1/2 way now I have a 5.5 ft bed again and the same 2x4x8 fits in just fine. I did take a huge load of yard brush heaping over the top of the cab. It worked just fine .. but that is where I saw the limitation - in the total volume of material it could haul. ( so what ) I made 2 trips. All in all this is the perfect size bed. But I would not go any smaller ( hyundai)

 

[kcamp317]

I have a 10' single axle trailer in my shop I will use behind the Maverick if I have to haul long things or stuff like a scoop of mulch or soil. I just prefer to let it take the beating instead of the truck bed.

 

[pawalsh610]

When I bought my 2001 Ranger the 6 foot bed was considered short (real trucks had 8 foot beds).
I lived with that truck for 20+ years and as with your experience I only wished I had the 8 foot once or twice a year.
The Maverick bed is short and if I was still hauling loose loads (mulch, top soil, etc.) it would be too short. However, with your expected use and a bed rack for ladder/extra long materials the Maverick should be a good fit. Many people make the mistake of sizing their vehicle for their 5-10 percent need instead of what they will use it for 90 percent of the time. Like you said when you need something bigger rentals are available.

 

[Wessss]

I’ve got a table and 6 chairs
in the box with the tailgate closed
also 8 tires standing up
with the tailgate closed
i was pretty shocked both times

 

[Jonny44]

I'm hoping it's ok. Going from 8' to 4.4' as well. I'll be haulin' glass (windshields) 1-2 days a week. I could fit 5 in my F150 (under the topper) and hoping to fit 4 in the Mav. I did the measurements with the tailgate down (on paper) and they'll fit. I'm just hoping the real world measurements are the same, whenever it arrives.

 

[Jah.]

For the few times you need it maybe a small trailer might be the answer . I had a foldup( 4 ft wide by 8 ft long unfolded )trailer that stored in my garage next to my motorcycle . used it to transport mc , gravel and mulch on occasion . this was when I had my f150 with 6.5 ft bed . the 2k tow capacity of the Mav would be enough but you could get 4k tow package if needed . I had the f150 to tow trailers that weighed over 5k . sold that gas hog 2.5 years ago when no longer needed to haul campers . campers gone before f150 . bought maverick for truckabity and small trailer ( 1k weight) towing . love mpg (24 city ) and smaller foot print . have used it to haul cinder blocks , mulch , bicycles and various other items in bed . Good enough for me . I have ecoboost fx4 .

 

[Jamro300]

I’m coming from a Ram 1500 to my EB Mav, and I have had 2 times where I wished I had a larger bed to pick up furniture. No complaints about the bed size but if you want to talk about infotainment that’s a whole different story……..

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