What is the difference between style side and flare side?
When shopping for a pickup truck or exploring customization options, you may come across the terms "Styleside" and "Flareside." These terms refer to two distinct designs of truck beds, each with its own aesthetic and functional characteristics. Understanding the difference between these two styles can help you make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences.
What is a Styleside Truck Bed?
The Styleside truck bed, also known as a "fleetside" in some regions, is the most common design found on modern pickup trucks. It features a flat, rectangular bed with smooth, straight sides that align with the cab of the truck. This design prioritizes practicality and maximizes cargo space.
- Sleek Design: The smooth, straight sides give the truck a streamlined and modern appearance.
- Increased Cargo Space: The flat sides allow for a wider bed, making it ideal for hauling larger loads.
- Ease of Customization: Styleside beds are compatible with a wide range of accessories, such as tonneau covers and bed liners.
Overall, the Styleside design is perfect for those who prioritize functionality and a contemporary look for their truck.
What is a Flareside Truck Bed?
The Flareside truck bed, sometimes referred to as a "stepside," is a more classic design that features flared fenders and a narrower bed. The fenders extend outward, creating a step between the cab and the rear wheel wells. This design is often chosen for its vintage aesthetic and unique style.
- Classic Appearance: The flared fenders and step give the truck a retro, rugged look that appeals to enthusiasts of classic vehicles.
- Reduced Cargo Space: The narrower bed means less room for hauling large items, but it can still handle smaller loads effectively.
- Enhanced Accessibility: The step between the cab and the wheel wells makes it easier to access the bed, especially for shorter individuals.
The Flareside design is ideal for those who value style and nostalgia over maximum cargo capacity.
Which One Should You Choose?
The choice between a Styleside and Flareside truck bed ultimately depends on your priorities. If you need a truck for heavy-duty work and hauling large loads, the Styleside is the better option due to its larger cargo space and modern design. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a truck with a distinctive, vintage appearance and don’t mind sacrificing some cargo space, the Flareside is a great choice.
At Kevin's Autos, we understand that choosing the right truck can be a big decision. Whether you’re looking for advice on truck maintenance or need help customizing your vehicle, our team of experienced professionals is here to assist you. Contact us today for all your automotive needs!
Frequently Asked Questions
Are stepside and flareside the same?
Flareside, or stepside, trucks are the more traditional style, even though they're uncommon in modern trucks. Essentially, this is the “two-box” pickup design. The cab and bed are bolted separately to a ladder frame, creating a clear division between them. The bed itself is narrow with flares around the rear wheels.
What does style side mean?
Flat-sided beds were standard in GM and Chevy pickup trucks. Ford came out with its own version of this streamlined design and called it styleside. Styleside beds didn't have the prominent rear wheel arches of their flareside counterparts. The fenders on styleside designs were located inside the beds.
What is styleside vs flareside?
Ford's full-size pickup trucks come with either flareside or styleside bed designs. Flareside designs feature rounded fenders that extend outward from the truck. Meanwhile, styleside designs have a flat-sided bed with wheel arches contained within.
Is it Fleetside or Styleside?
Chevy refers to their regular pickup beds as “fleetside,” while Ford gives theirs the name “styleside.” Other manufacturers and brands have different terms for their regular box style pickup trucks with a streamlined profile, including “wideside” for GMC, “townside” for Jeep and “sweptline” for Dodge, but many still ...
What does stepside mean on a truck?
Stepside beds: Stepside beds are similar to short and long beds but with a couple of key distinctions. Stepside beds feature a step in the space where the bed meets the cab or between the door and the back wheel. They also have visible rounded fenders that protrude outside of the actual bed.
What is a styleside ute?
A Ute tub is the painted rear end of a Ute, complete with a drop-down tailgate. Sometimes referred to as a 'styleside' Ute, it is what most people imagine when they imagine a Ute rear end in their minds as most Utes will be sold with a Tub body as opposed to a tray.
Why did they stop making stepside trucks?
The reason for the extinction was multifold. Dated styling was undoubtedly a factor, especially when juxtaposed against modern trucks' ever more angular lines. Not to mention reduced practicality and the cost efficiencies of building and offering only a single kind of bed.
What is a styleside?
A standard truck bed size, also referred to as the “fleetside bed” or the “styleside bed”, is the most common type of truck bed. The standard bed features fender wells on the inside of the truck bed, which allows more cargo volume inside the truck bed because it extends over the wheel wells.
Is Styleside the same as Flareside?
Ford's full-size pickup trucks come with either flareside or styleside bed designs. Flareside designs feature rounded fenders that extend outward from the truck. Meanwhile, styleside designs have a flat-sided bed with wheel arches contained within.
What is a Ford styleside bed?
A styleside bed, commonly found on Ford trucks, features a flat, rectangular shape that extends over the wheel wells, maximizing the usable cargo space. In contrast, a flareside bed has visible rear fenders that protrude outside the bed, resulting in a narrower cargo area.
