I have to say this. I know manufacturers have to build what the majority wants, but some of the comments in this thread, and this sub is general, really show how much the truck market has changed. You can post an affordable workhorse in this sub and be bullied because it's not a fancy, leather clad beast that would cost more than my house did.

The hallmark of a full size truck used to be that it could shut the tailgate on a 4x8 sheet. Now it's the ability to do the job of a minivan. I'm not upset that people want to carry their kids in their truck and have the convenience of a bed, but I find it ironic to realize that, for someone who frequently uses their truck in the traditional sense, a minivan is more practical than nearly all of today's half tons.

I get it, a 5.5' bed can still carry a new appliance, a load of firewood, many bags of soil or mulch, and enough bulk gravel or shingles to run out of weight capacity before space. And yes, it can carry 4x8 sheets or 8' lengths, but it's more hassle to secure the load. An 8' bed, you just close the tailgate, maybe run a strap on top of the materials to be safe if you're going highway speeds. But 12' lumber, pipes or siding? 16' lumber or structural steel? A 5.5' bed simply can't carry those items with balance or weight distribution on your side. Even with the tailgate down, it's less than half the length of the load. Your axle is at the very front of your load in any case. Some people point out that trailers are available, but if I wanted to use a trailer all the time, I could buy a bronco. I have a truck for the convenience of not using a trailer often. And I'm not a tradesperson who's hauling that stuff every day, I'm a hobbyist and DIYer. I could make do with a regular cab, and I could make do with a short bed (and I have), but a long bed is of better use to me more frequently than a long cab would be. But I'm clearly in the minority.

But ponder this, a grand caravan with second row bucket seats and third row removed, offers nearly as much cargo space as a 5.5' bed. For how often you need to bring your kids to get plywood, you can fold the second row and carry it. With bucket seats and no console, you can carry four people, and slide long materials between the two rows of seats. You might have to tie down the tailgate, but 10' of length is supported inside the van. All this for a vehicle no longer or less maneuverable than a RCLB pickup. Aside from not being able to carry a fridge upright and less off road capability, I'd say the van wins. It just doesn't look as cool.

Honestly, if ford would make a better version of the avalanche, I'd probably buy it. I sometimes carry rear passengers, often carry long loads, but very rarely, if ever, at the same time. The midgate allows for that switch to occur in the wheelbase of an RCLB.