If you’re shopping for a midsize pickup, understanding the Chevy Colorado truck bed size is essential before making a decision. The bed dimensions directly affect what you can haul, how many passengers you can bring along, and how the truck handles on the job or trail. The Chevy Colorado offers different bed lengths across its cab configurations and model years, so choosing the right setup matters. In this guide, you’ll learn the exact bed dimensions for each cab style, how payload capacity changes, and which bed size best fits your hauling needs.
Bed Dimensions by Cab Configuration
The Chevy Colorado truck bed size depends entirely on the cab you select. Regular Cab, Extended Cab, and Crew Cab each balance passenger space and cargo capacity in different ways.
Regular Cab Bed Measurements
The Regular Cab is the most basic configuration and offers the longest bed available on the Chevy Colorado.
- Bed length: 72.3 inches (6 feet)
- Bed width at floor: 50.6 inches
- Bed width at top rail: 67.2 inches
- Bed depth: 21.4 inches
With no rear seats taking up space, this setup maximizes cargo room. It works well for contractors or anyone transporting long materials like lumber, pipes, or ladders.
Extended Cab Bed Options
The Extended Cab, also called the Extended-Access Cab, adds small rear-hinged doors for occasional backseat passengers. Historically, it came with two bed length choices.
- 5-foot bed: 61.3 inches
- 6-foot bed: 72.3 inches (available on earlier models)
Around 2023, Chevy discontinued the 6-foot bed option for the Extended Cab. Today, only the 5-foot bed is offered on this configuration.
- Bed width at floor: 50.6 inches
- Bed width at top rail: 67.2 inches
- Bed depth: 21.4 inches
This bed handles most job-site materials while keeping the truck easier to maneuver in tight spaces.
Crew Cab Bed Measurements
The Crew Cab is the most popular configuration and comes standard with four full doors. However, the trade-off is a shorter bed.
All Crew Cab models include a 5-foot bed measuring 61.3 inches long.
- Bed length: 61.3 inches
- Bed width at floor: 50.6 inches
- Bed width at top rail: 67.2 inches
- Bed depth: 21.4 inches
This bed works well for daily driving, family use, and moderate hauling. It comes with useful features like an EZ Lift and Lower tailgate and an available spray-in bedliner.
How Bed Size Affects Payload Capacity
Your Chevy Colorado truck bed size influences how much weight you can safely carry. While bed length alone doesn’t set structural limits, it affects how weight distributes across the axle.
Maximum Payload Ratings
- Regular Cab, 2WD, 4-cylinder: Up to 1,597 lbs
- Extended Cab, 2WD, 4-cylinder: Up to 1,550 lbs
- Crew Cab, 4WD, V6: Around 1,440 lbs
Payload changes based on engine choice, drivetrain, suspension, and added features. Always check the door jamb label for your specific vehicle’s Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR).
Why Longer Beds Handle Weight Better
A 6-foot bed lets you spread heavy or bulky loads more evenly over the rear axle. This improves ride quality, stability, and safety when hauling uneven cargo.
Choosing the Right Bed Size for Your Needs
The best Chevy Colorado truck bed size depends on how you plan to use your truck. Here’s how each option performs in common scenarios.
Hauling Lumber and Building Materials
- 6-foot bed: Fits 8-foot lumber with the tailgate down, extending effective length to roughly 80 inches
- 5-foot bed: Works for shorter cuts or 4×8 plywood loaded diagonally; use a roof rack or trailer for longer items
Pro Tip: A bed divider or cargo management system prevents shifting during transit.
Towing and Trailering
Bed size doesn’t change towing capacity, which reaches up to 7,700 lbs with the V6 engine. However, a longer bed gives you extra room for tools, tie-downs, and camping gear alongside your trailer.
Off-Roading and Overlanding
Many off-road enthusiasts prefer the 5-foot bed. It pairs well with truck campers and rooftop tents while maintaining better approach angles on trails. Bed racks, drawer systems, and canopies fit neatly without sacrificing maneuverability.
How to Measure Your Cargo Needs
Before deciding, take stock of what you typically haul.
Step-by-Step Cargo Assessment
- List common items you carry (lawnmower, generator, ladder, plywood, etc.).
- Measure length, width, and weight of each item.
- Check diagonal loading options since the bed floor is narrower than 48 inches.
- Add 6 to 12 inches for safe loading and unloading space.
- Compare your numbers to bed specs.
A 61.3-inch bed handles items up to 6 feet when secured tightly. A 72.3-inch bed manages most 8-foot items with the tailgate down.
Bed Accessories That Fit Each Size
Your Chevy Colorado truck bed size determines which accessories will work properly.
Factory-Installed Options
- Spray-on bedliner
- EZ Lift and Lower tailgate
- CornerStep rear bumper
- Built-in bed lighting
Popular Aftermarket Add-Ons
- Tonneau covers (roll-up or hard folding)
- Bed extenders (add 2 to 3 feet when tailgate is down)
- Bed racks and overhead canopies
- Drawer systems and under-rail mounts
Most accessories are designed for either the 5-foot or 6-foot bed. Confirm fitment before purchasing.
Model Year Changes Affecting Bed Size
Chevy has adjusted bed availability over the years, which matters if you’re shopping used.
Key Updates from 2023 to 2025
- Extended Cab no longer offers the 6-foot bed; only the 5-foot option remains
- Crew Cab continues with the 5-foot bed across all trims
- Regular Cab was discontinued in the U.S. after 2022
Today, the 6-foot bed is only found on older Colorado models or in commercial fleet use.
How to Verify a Truck’s Bed Size
If you’re buying a used Chevy Colorado or verifying a listing, you can confirm the bed length in a few ways.
Check the VIN and Door Sticker
- Open the driver’s door.
- Look at the B-pillar sticker near the seatbelt latch.
- Find the body style information.
- Measure from the closed tailgate to the inside front wall of the bed.
A measurement of 61.3 inches indicates a 5-foot bed. A measurement of 72.3 inches indicates a 6-foot bed.
Use Visual Clues
- Crew Cab: Four full doors, short bed, upright rear end
- Extended Cab: Two front doors with small rear-hinged access doors, medium bed
- Regular Cab: Two doors only, longest bed, basic interior
Frequently Asked Questions About Chevy Colorado Truck Bed Size
What are the Chevy Colorado bed sizes by cab style?
The Chevy Colorado offers a 6-foot bed (72.3 inches) on Regular Cab models and older Extended Cab trucks. Crew Cab models and newer Extended Cab trucks come with a 5-foot bed (61.3 inches).
Can a Chevy Colorado fit 4×8 plywood in the bed?
Yes. The bed floor measures 50.6 inches wide, so 4×8 plywood fits when loaded diagonally. For straight loading, only shorter materials fit inside the 5-foot bed.
Has Chevy discontinued the long bed on the Colorado?
The 6-foot bed was phased out of the Extended Cab lineup around 2023. The Regular Cab was also discontinued in the U.S. after 2022, making the long bed rare on newer models.
How much payload can a Chevy Colorado carry?
Payload ranges from about 1,440 lbs to 1,597 lbs depending on cab, engine, and drivetrain. Crew Cab models with 4WD and the V6 engine typically sit at the lower end of that range.
Does bed size affect towing capacity?
No. Towing capacity stays consistent across bed sizes, reaching up to 7,700 lbs with the V6 engine. Bed length only affects how much additional cargo you can carry alongside a trailer.
Key Takeaways for Choosing a Chevy Colorado Bed Size
The Chevy Colorado truck bed size ranges from 61.3 inches on Crew Cab and newer Extended Cab models to 72.3 inches on older Regular Cab and Extended Cab trucks. Your decision should balance passenger space with cargo needs. If you prioritize maximum utility and frequently haul long materials, look for pre-2023 models with the 6-foot bed. If you want a family-friendly daily driver with moderate hauling capability, the Crew Cab with a 5-foot bed is the best fit. Always verify bed dimensions on the door sticker before purchasing, and consider accessories like bed extenders or tonneau covers to get the most out of your setup.
