Pickup Truck Cab Styles

Pickup trucks come in multiple cab configurations, each made to meet different needs. Regular cabs are the most basic, while extended crew cabs offer the most passenger space.

We'll get into the differences between pickup truck cab types so you have all the info you need to make an informed decision.

When it comes to pickup trucks, you've got four cab options:

1. Regular cab
2. Extended cab
3. Crew cab
4. Extended crew cab

Each carmaker labels these cab styles a bit differently. For example, Ford refers to its extended cab as "SuperCab," Chevrolet uses "Double Cab" for the same configuration, and Nissan calls its extended crew cab "King Cab." Despite these differences, we’ll stick with the four labels above. Let’s see what they each mean.

A regular cab is the most basic pickup truck configuration. Regular cabs are sometimes called "standard cabs" or "single cabs," depending on the car maker.

Regular cabs feature a single row of seating for two or three passengers, and a single set of doors.

Think of it as the no-frills option—perfect if you're all about maximizing cargo space or if you primarily use your truck for work. Regular cab trucks usually have longer beds than their counterparts.

While there's no industry-standard size, most regular cabs are around 55-62 inches long.

Let's break down the good and the not-so-good about regular cab pickup trucks:

Pros: maneuverability, longest bed length, fuel economy.
Cons: cramped interior, can't transport more than two passengers.

The following popular trucks are available in regular cab configurations:

An extended cab, also called a super cab or access cab, is a step up from the regular cab. It adds space behind the front seats. It has two rows of seats, though the back row is often smaller than a full-sized back seat. Access to this area is usually through small, rear-hinged doors, sometimes called "suicide doors."

Think of it as the compromise option—you get a cramped back seat without sacrificing much bed length.

While sizes can vary between manufacturers, extended cabs add about 10–12 inches to the cab length, compared to regular cabs.

Pros:


Cons:


These popular trucks are available in extended cab configurations:

1. Ford F-150
2. Chevrolet Silverado 1500
3. Toyota Tacoma

Crew cabs bring the comfort of an SUV to the world of pickup trucks, without sacrificing utility. It features four full-sized doors and two rows of seating, comfortably accommodating five or six adults.

The crew cab shines as a family vehicle that also needs to haul cargo. Crew cabs offer plenty of interior space and comfort. This makes them suitable for long trips with multiple passengers.

Crew cabs typically add about 20–24 inches to the cab length, compared to regular cabs. This extra space usually cuts down your bed length, although many manufacturers offer different bed sizes to balance interior and cargo space.

Different automakers have their own names for crew cabs. For instance, Toyota calls it "CrewMax," Ram uses "Quad Cab," and Nissan refers to it as "Crew Cab."

Pros:


Cons:


The following crew cab trucks have the best combination of interior space, comfort, and versatility:

An extended crew cab is the most spacious pickup truck cab configuration available. Ford calls it "SuperCrew," Chevrolet and GMC use "Crew Cab," and Ram refers to it as "Mega Cab." It features four full-sized doors and two rows of seating, with extra legroom in the rear seats.

Extended crew cabs are perfect for long trips with adult passengers or for those who frequently transport clients or colleagues in comfort. Extended crew cabs add an additional 4–6 inches of legroom in the rear, compared to standard crew cabs.

Here are truck manufacturers that offer the extended crew cab configuration:

The right pickup truck cab type depends on how you plan to use your truck.

If you haul a lot of stuff and don't have many passengers, get a regular cab. It offers a single row of seats and the longest bed options. This makes it ideal for hauling large items.
If you need a big bed but also need to bring more than two passengers, an extended cab offers a practical solution. It provides extra storage or seating behind the main row, accommodating occasional passengers or additional cargo.

If passenger capacity and comfort matter most (but you still want a truck), an extended crew cab is your best bet. It offers four full-sized doors and ample seating for up to five or six people, making it the most comfortable and versatile option for both work and family use.

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