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What does fleet side mean?

The term fleet side refers to a flat-sided pickup bed design with smooth exterior bed panels and wheel wells tucked inside the cargo area. It is most closely associated with Chevrolet and GMC trucks, and it contrasts with the older stepside (or flareside) beds that feature pronounced wheel arches and step rails.

Definition and core traits

Below are the defining characteristics that identify a fleet-side bed. These features help distinguish it from other bed configurations used on pickups during the mid-20th century.

Flat exterior bed sides with smooth, straight panels, giving a clean, uniform silhouette along the bed

Wheel wells located inside the cargo area, not protruding into the cargo floor from the outside

A generally wider, unobstructed cargo floor due to inset wheelhouses

Most commonly associated with GM pickup lines (Chevrolet/GMC) from mid-20th century onward, though similar flat-bed designs appeared across brands

These traits collectively define the fleet-side bed design and help differentiate it from other configurations like stepside beds.

Fleet Side vs Stepside: key differences

When evaluating classic pickups, these practical differences matter for appearance, interior space, and loading convenience.

Exterior appearance: Fleet side is flat and smooth along the bed sides; stepside (also called flareside in some markets) features pronounced fender arches and a bulging bed line

Wheel wells: Fleet side wheels sit inside the bed, making the cargo area flatter; stepside wheels intrude into the cargo space, creating a narrower floor

Cargo width and layout: Fleet side typically offers a wider, more square cargo floor; stepside can feel narrower due to the wheel arches

Historical use: Stepside beds were common earlier in many brands; fleet-side beds became standard on many GM pickups from the mid-20th century onward

In short, fleet-side beds emphasize interior cargo space and a sleek exterior profile, while stepside beds emphasize the classic curved wheel arches and a stepped exterior look.

Historical and brand context

To understand how the term arose, it helps to know how different brands labeled bed configurations in the era of varied truck bodies. The fleet-side designation was popularized by GM for their flat-sided beds on Chevrolet and GMC pickups, offering a clean look and more cargo area. Ford and others used alternative terminology such as Styleside (flat-sided) and Flareside/Stepside (protruding wheel arches) to distinguish their designs. While the exact marketing labels have faded in modern ads, the distinction remains a useful reference for collectors and restorers.

Key examples by brand

Historically, GM’s Chevrolet and GMC trucks commonly used the Fleet Side (Fleetside) naming for their flat-sided beds, especially on many C/K generations. Ford used Styleside to denote the flat-sided bed, with Flareside/Stepside representing the roped-in wheel arches. The terminology is primarily of historical interest today, but it continues to appear in restorations, catalogs, and enthusiasts’ discussions.

Identifying Fleet Side on a vehicle today

If you’re assessing a used or vintage truck, these cues can help confirm whether it has a fleet-side bed. A careful physical check is often more reliable than model badges alone.

Exterior geometry: look for flat, uninterrupted bed rails with minimal curvature along the sides

Wheel wells: confirm that the wheel arches are inside the cargo bed rather than protruding into the bed space

Badges and labeling: check for “Fleet Side” or “Fleetside” insignia on the tailgate or bed rails on older GM trucks

Interior cues: observe that the bed floor is wide and flat, with the wheel wells recessed inside the bed walls

Physical inspection and, when possible, a build sheet or VIN lookup can help verify the bed configuration, especially on older models where labels may have worn away.

Summary

Fleet Side denotes a flat-sided pickup bed design with exterior bed panels that are smooth and flat and wheel wells tucked inside the cargo bed. It contrasts with Stepside/Flareside beds, which feature protruding wheel arches and a stepped exterior profile. The term is rooted in mid-20th-century truck history, primarily associated with GM’s Chevrolet and GMC pickups, and remains a familiar reference for collectors and restorers today.

What is the difference between fleet side and step side?

Fleetside and stepside are two distinct truck bed styles, differing primarily in appearance and cargo space. A fleetside (also called "styleside" or "wideside") has smooth, flat sides with the wheel wells located inside the bed, providing a wide, uninterrupted cargo area. A stepside (or "flareside") has fenders that protrude on the outside of the bed, creating a narrower, yet visually distinct, cargo area with a step for easier access.

You can watch this video to learn the differences between fleetside and stepside truck beds: 1mBig Truck Lovers YouTube · May 12, 2025
Fleetside

Appearance: Smooth, flat exterior walls that run the full length of the bed.
Cargo Space: Offers a wider, flatter bed floor because there are no external wheel wells.
Utility: More practical for hauling large or bulky items that would be hindered by the wheel wells.
Prevalence: Considered the standard, more modern, and common truck bed style.

Stepside

Appearance: Features external fenders that create a step on the side of the bed.
Cargo Space: Has a narrower cargo area because the wheel wells are outside of the bed.
Utility: The external steps make it easier to climb into the bed.
Prevalence: A more traditional or "retro" style, though less popular in modern trucks.

This video demonstrates the difference between fleetside and stepside truck beds, focusing on the physical appearance and how they are constructed: 56sLeggetts GarageYouTube · Apr 20, 2020

What's the difference between fleetside and styleside?

Fleetside and Styleside are essentially the same style of truck bed, referring to a smooth-sided bed with the wheel wells integrated inside the bed area. The main difference is the manufacturer's terminology: Fleetside is typically the Chevrolet/GM term, while Styleside is the Ford term. The alternative is a "stepside" or "flareside" bed, which has protruding wheel wells on the outside of the bed and is less common.
This video explains the difference between fleetside and stepside truck beds: 1mBig Truck Lovers YouTube · May 12, 2025
Key differences

Feature	Fleetside/Styleside	Stepside/Flareside
Wheel Wells	Inside the bed, under a flat surface.	Outside the bed, on the exterior of the fenders.
Cargo Space	Wider, more usable, and flatter bed floor.	Narrower because of the wheel wells.
Appearance	Sleeker, more modern, and has smooth exterior walls.	More retro and distinct, with a more pronounced look.
Ease of Use	Easier to load bulky items and pallets due to straight walls.	Less practical for loading large, flat items.
Customization	More aftermarket parts and accessories available because it's the most common type.	Limited options for aftermarket parts.

What is a fleet side?

Fleetside refers to a type of truck bed with smooth, straight sides, where the wheel wells are located inside the bed itself, creating a continuous, flat-sided profile. This is the opposite of a "stepside" or "flareside" bed, which has external fenders. Chevrolet originally coined the term, but other manufacturers use their own names for this design, such as Ford's Styleside or GMC's Wideside.

Key characteristics of a fleetside bed

Smooth, flat sides: The outer walls of the bed are smooth and run in a straight line from the cab to the tail gate.
Internal wheel wells: The rear wheel arches are enclosed within the bed, not protruding on the outside.
Greater cargo space: This design provides a wider, more uniform cargo area compared to stepside beds.
Sleek appearance: Fleetside beds are often considered to have a more modern and streamlined look.

Fleetside vs. other bed types

Fleetside vs. Stepside: A stepside bed has a distinct "step" in front of the rear wheel well, with the fenders protruding on the outside of the bed.
Fleetside vs. Styleside: Fleetside is the Chevrolet term for a smooth-sided bed. Ford uses the term Styleside for its equivalent flat-sided bed.
Fleetside vs. Flareside: Flareside is Ford's term for a bed that resembles a stepside, with external fenders.

How do I know if my truck is fleetside?

One of the most noticeable differences is the placement of the wheel wells. In a stepside truck, the wheel wells are encased within the protruding fenders, creating a more pronounced and separated appearance. Fleetside trucks, on the other hand, have wheel wells integrated seamlessly into the smooth bed sides.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.