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What is Fleetside on a Truck?

The Fleetside bed style is a very common truck bed design. It was first introduced on March 9, 1958 by Chevrolet. It is the most popular style of truck bed in the United States. It has a wide bed with a flat side and the wheels are on the inside. This truck bed style was designed for ease of manufacturing and maximum hauling capacity.

The Fleetside on a truck is still very popular, outnumbering the Stepside 20 to 1 today. The good news is that pickup cargo boxes are easy to replace, so many owners simply switch between the two styles. Another popular style of box is the Sportsside, a hybrid between the Stepside and Fleetside styles. It features flared rear fenders and a half-step for bed access.

A truck’s bed style is determined by where the wheels are. Fleetside trucks have the wheels under the bed, which tends to reduce the bed volume. Stepside trucks, on the other hand, have the wheels on the sides. This makes the truck bed rectangular, while the wheels are wider than the truck cabin.

What is Fleetside Vs Stepside?

Fleetside pickups are far more common today than stepsides. Many owners will switch between the two depending on their personal taste. A Fleetside will have interior amenities that are not available on a stepside. In addition, Fleetsides will have periodic face-lifts.

Ford and Chevrolet are two manufacturers who offer trucks with either a flareside or a stepside bed. They both have different uses. Ford’s trucks have a flareside box style while Chevy and Dodge call theirs a stepside. Ford invented the flareside style in 1948 because it was easier to build a rectangular bed than to install rounded fenders after installing the wheels. The term “flareside” stuck and was adopted by other truck manufacturers.

Ford introduced several different trucks with stepside or fleetside beds in the 1950s. These trucks were designed to take advantage of the space that would be freed up when the fenders and steps were removed. These trucks also used the term “wedge” to describe their wheel well arches outside the bed. Despite the differences, the two bed types are functionally identical.

How is Fleetside Measured on a Truck?

In order to measure the length of your truck’s bed, you need to measure the inside of the sidewall and inside the wheel wells. Then, level your truck and write down the measurement. Then, you can tell what size bed you have. Then, compare the length of your bed to that of a similar truck.

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The middle group of trucks is also called a Quad cab in Dodge Ram trucks and the SuperCab on Ford F series trucks. These trucks typically have four doors. The beds in these trucks are either stepside or fleetside, depending on the design. Fleetside trucks are narrower than stepside trucks. They feature flat-sided tires on the outside.

The majority of truck beds are fleetside. This term is most common on pickup trucks made by GM, Dodge, Ford, and other manufacturers. These truck beds feature wheel arches that are integrated into the bed. This makes the bed easier to manufacture and increases the hauling capacity of the truck. Short-box trucks, on the other hand, are popular among hot rodders. Ford also calls these trucks styleside, and the bed size of these vehicles is similar to a fleetside bed.

What Does Stepside Mean on a Truck?

When shopping for a truck, it can be difficult to determine what “stepside” actually means. The term is used to describe a truck with a step at the end of the bed. Stepside trucks were once common on many manufacturers, but the design trend has shifted to a flat bed.

The term “stepside” was coined by Chevrolet, who were the first manufacturers to offer a stepside bed on a truck. Ford, Jeep, and Dodge use different terms to refer to stepside trucks. While “stepside” is the most common, other vehicles can also have “flareside,” “thriftside,” or “utiline.”

In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Ford introduced a styleside bed for their trucks. This style is similar to the classic flat-sided bed but has a more uniform rectangular shape. Ford also introduced flareside trucks, which have prominent rear wheel arches.

How Do I Know What Size My Truck Bed Is?

First, determine the length and width of your truck bed. Many pickup trucks have wheel wells that protrude into the sides of the bed. To measure the length of your truck bed, place a level measuring tape along the inside edge of the wheel wells and measure to the nearest part of the wheel wells. Then, write down the length and width measurements.

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You’ll need a measuring tape and pencil or paper. You can also use a pocket calculator or smartphone calculator to help you make a more precise measurement. Once you have the exact measurement, you’re ready to shop for truck beds and accessories. Just remember to round your measurements to the nearest half-foot if necessary.

The length of your truck bed will vary depending on its make and model. Manufacturers often round these numbers. The true length of your truck bed should be no more than a few inches longer than the advertised length.

How Can I Tell the Length of My Truck Bed by VIN?

The VIN is the vehicle identification number, which contains information about your vehicle, including its dimensions. You can use this information to determine the length of your truck bed. A tape measure is an easy way to get this information. Use the middle of the tailgate as a starting point and extend the tape length to the bottom edge of the bed. Note down the measurements on a piece of paper.

The VIN can also be found on your truck’s odometer. Oftentimes, a VIN can be found in the door jamb or on the driver’s side windshield. Using this number, you can check the bed length by comparing the measured length with the advertised one. The length of a truck bed will vary based on its manufacturer, so it’s best to compare the length of your bed to its manufacturer’s specification.

Another method of determining a truck’s bed length is to look up the VIN on the dashboard. This method will give you a rough idea of the bed size. The VIN contains information about the vehicle’s dimensions and equipment. Depending on the manufacturer, the VIN may include other information, such as the engine size, transmission, and interior specifications. You can also check the VIN online.

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How Do I Know What Size Tonneau Cover I Need?

There are a variety of tonneau covers available in the market today. In order to find the right one, it is important to get a good idea of your truck’s bed size. The measurements can be obtained from the manufacturer’s website or from the dealership.

The length of your truck’s bed should be measured from the back of the passenger cabin to the tailgate. Round up to an even number. The width of the tonneau should be approximately an inch longer than the width of the bed. If your vehicle is equipped with a bed liner, then you can simply subtract one inch from the total length.

The size of the cover should match your truck’s bed frame. Many manufacturers include metal brackets or built-in utility tracks, but some require you to purchase additional ones. The length of the truck bed is also important.

What is F150 Fleetside?

Ford trucks have two distinct bed styles – styleside and flareside. Styleside means that the rear fenders are on the inside of the truck bed, while flareside means that they’re on the outside. In the truck bed world, they’re often referred to as fleetside or flareside, although GM and Chevy call them stepside and styleside, respectively.

In 1957, Ford published a newsletter comparing its new Styleside with the Chevrolet Fleetside, which had been slated to be introduced on March 9, 1958. This newsletter was considered an important advance in the evolution of pickup trucks. It cited the Cameo as an example of an integrated body and compared the new ‘Fleetside’ design with the traditional styleside. The latter featured more space for cargo while still sharing the main body frame.

Fleetside trucks were the first wide pickups. Before 1958, pickup beds were narrow and incorporated separate fenders. The cab had a step so the driver could better access the bed. In 1958, Chevrolet designed a new type of truck bed and made the bed wider and flush with the body.

Learn More Here:

1.) History of Trucks

2.) Trucks – Wikipedia

3.) Best Trucks