How extra cab ute is beneficial instead of a single or dual one?
If your top priority is having the longest load area, a single cabin pickup is the go. If regularly carrying passengers is important, then a Dual Cab (aka Double Cab/Crew Cab) is best. But what if your needs fall somewhere in
The Extra Cab option (aka Super Cab/King Cab/Club Cab/Space Cab) slots right in between a Single Cab and Dual Cab because it is, in effect, one-and-a-half cabins. This innovation can allegedly be traced back to US manufacturer Dodge in the early 1970s, when it added 18 inches (457 mm) of cabin length behind the seats and called it the Club Cab.
It was an instant hit and the idea was so good that virtually every light commercial ute manufacturer in the world now offers an Extra Cab option. And unlike those early designs, most extended cabs now feature a second set of doors that give unimpeded access to this rear space.
The Extra Cab offers a good compromise between load length, cabin space and the ability to carry more than one passenger. And, depending on your requirements, the Extra Cab can provide some practical advantages over a Single Cab or Dual Cab.
Advantages over a Single Cab
The Extra Cab’s longer roof can also offer a load-carrying advantage over a Single Cab
The Extra Cab offers great versatility, from being able to stow some overnight bags behind the seats on a weekend escape to a tradie that needs to carry lots of office-on-wheels stuff (plus the occasional worker or two) without losing all the extra load length that a Dual Cab eats into.
We’ve also seen some tradies’ Extra Cab utes fitted out with special cabinets tailor-made for office-on-wheels requirements, with laptop computers, documents and other equipment all nicely organised and locked away.
The Extra Cab’s longer roof can also offer a load-carrying advantage over a Single Cab, as roof racks can be mounted further apart to better support longer items.
Extra Passengers
You can transport kids or adults (of average height) in the back of an Extra Cab because there’s not only sufficient room but also separate passenger access doors. Although the ability to carry passengers can be very handy, there are some issues you need to be aware of.
Even though full lap-sash belts are usually provided, the seat cushions and backrests tend to be made from thin padding with no head restraints fitted. The restricted space also dictates a very upright seating position that concentrates upper body weight on the base of the spine, so this rudimentary seating is only designed for occasional short distance or emergency use.
Rear boarding and departing can also become tedious if you have to carry passengers regularly. Usually the rear doors can only be opened after the front seat belts are released (as they are anchored to these rear doors) and the front doors opened first, as they overlap the rears.
So it’s sort of like a two-door coupe or hatchback, but at least the driver and front passenger can remain seated without having to step out and tilt their seats forward like you have to do in a two-door passenger car.
Extra grade
Single cabin pickup, be they 4x2 or 4x4, tend to have a work-only focus which generally restricts model choice to the lowest grades.
Do you prefer to carry more people or more stuff with your ute? Tell us what you think.
The Extra Cab option (aka Super Cab/King Cab/Club Cab/Space Cab) slots right in between a Single Cab and Dual Cab because it is, in effect, one-and-a-half cabins. This innovation can allegedly be traced back to US manufacturer Dodge in the early 1970s, when it added 18 inches (457 mm) of cabin length behind the seats and called it the Club Cab.
It was an instant hit and the idea was so good that virtually every light commercial ute manufacturer in the world now offers an Extra Cab option. And unlike those early designs, most extended cabs now feature a second set of doors that give unimpeded access to this rear space.
The Extra Cab offers a good compromise between load length, cabin space and the ability to carry more than one passenger. And, depending on your requirements, the Extra Cab can provide some practical advantages over a Single Cab or Dual Cab.
Advantages over a Single Cab
The Extra Cab’s longer roof can also offer a load-carrying advantage over a Single Cab
The Extra Cab offers great versatility, from being able to stow some overnight bags behind the seats on a weekend escape to a tradie that needs to carry lots of office-on-wheels stuff (plus the occasional worker or two) without losing all the extra load length that a Dual Cab eats into.
We’ve also seen some tradies’ Extra Cab utes fitted out with special cabinets tailor-made for office-on-wheels requirements, with laptop computers, documents and other equipment all nicely organised and locked away.
The Extra Cab’s longer roof can also offer a load-carrying advantage over a Single Cab, as roof racks can be mounted further apart to better support longer items.
Extra Passengers
You can transport kids or adults (of average height) in the back of an Extra Cab because there’s not only sufficient room but also separate passenger access doors. Although the ability to carry passengers can be very handy, there are some issues you need to be aware of.
Even though full lap-sash belts are usually provided, the seat cushions and backrests tend to be made from thin padding with no head restraints fitted. The restricted space also dictates a very upright seating position that concentrates upper body weight on the base of the spine, so this rudimentary seating is only designed for occasional short distance or emergency use.
Rear boarding and departing can also become tedious if you have to carry passengers regularly. Usually the rear doors can only be opened after the front seat belts are released (as they are anchored to these rear doors) and the front doors opened first, as they overlap the rears.
So it’s sort of like a two-door coupe or hatchback, but at least the driver and front passenger can remain seated without having to step out and tilt their seats forward like you have to do in a two-door passenger car.
Extra grade
Single cabin pickup, be they 4x2 or 4x4, tend to have a work-only focus which generally restricts model choice to the lowest grades.
Do you prefer to carry more people or more stuff with your ute? Tell us what you think.
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