Many people ask questions about the letters WB on the doors of their trucks. However, the SWB indicates that the pickup truck has a short wheelbase with a compact bed configuration.
What Does SWB Mean on a Truck? SWB on a truck means a short wheelbase of around 115 inches, a bed smaller than 6 to 6.5 feet, a tailgate of 34.4 inches, long-distance hauling, short turning radius, low cost, optimized throttle response, compact steering, and automatic transmission.
They are less expensive, easy-to-maneuver trucks with tight steering properties. With this wheelbase, they provide smooth riding on bumpy roads.
What is the meaning of SWB on a truck?
SWB stands for short wheelbase on a truck which is the distance between the center of the rear and front wheels. The SWB pickups have small beds with an average length of nearly 6 feet to 6.5 feet.
The trucks with shorter beds have SWB, less turning radius, and tight steering. It indicates the average distance between the center of driving wheels on the front axle and the central position of the rear tires.
You can identify the SWB by accessing the pasted sticker with the alphabets WB. The sticker is usually present on the door of a pickup truck with different numbers in inches.
You can measure the wheelbase through efficient techniques and compare them with the manufacturing specifications. Then, confirm the values and record them on paper.
They are beneficial for long-distance hauling with better control over the bed and driving axles. However, they are fuel efficient, and you cannot use them on busy traffic roads.
You can identify them with the dimensions of the rear door or the tailgate. Its tailgate is around three inches smaller than the trucks, which have a long wheelbase with an average dimension of about 34.4 inches.
Moreover, they have efficient, smooth, and non-problematic rides. They have more space between the front and rear axles.
They can absorb and handle more shocks without disturbing the riding quality. Also, they are less expensive due to their short beds and small dimensions.
However, their selection depends on their usage and parking spots. Several people prefer them for their compact frames and low prices.
How do you calculate the wheelbase of a truck?
You can assess the SWB by calculating the dimensions of the bed. Also, check the overall length of the frame.
For this purpose, park the pickup on a stable ground surface and align the tires in the forward position. Then, take a measuring tape or a digital measuring tool, adjust it between the rear and front axles and measure the dimensions.
Furthermore, use a leveled stick or metallic piece to determine the dimensions of the WB. After the measurement, mark the spot and compare it with the values of the manual.
What is the difference between SWB and LWB on a truck?
Both wheelbases are non-identical due to dimensional differences and variable price ranges. The following chart explains their distinctive properties.
SWB trucks | LWB trucks |
The short wheelbase is around 115 inches. They are more fuel efficient due to lightweight transportation and driving on highways. | The long wheelbase is an extended option and is around 123 inches. The pickups with LWB have long beds and more accommodation space in the cargo compartment. |
They have compact handling properties. Also, they can make 3-point turning characteristics with precise steering control. Due to SWB, you can drive them in narrow passages. | They offer smooth driving on bumpy surfaces because both axles have enough space. They do not hit bumps and sharp edges due to exceptional space between the wheels of the front and rear sides. |
They have an optimized response of throttle with a compact steering system. You can identify it with a door-pasted sticker or by measuring the dimensions between the rear and front wheels. | They have a large turning radius, and you can maneuver them in closed and spacious parking spots. The cargo section can withstand heavy loads of mountain bikes and other storage materials. |
They offer safe driving conditions with automatically controlled transmissions. | They have larger frames and do not provide the sportier look and drivability. Moreover, they are fuel efficient with high fuel economy. |
They have specific gear holding and shifting properties and provide sportier driving conditions with comfort. | With the high-performance engine, they can handle heavy loads of cargo. They can lift the skateboarders at a high position due to extended beds. |
They have a short turning radius with challenging maneuvers. Due to insufficient turning space, you cannot adjust them in tight parking spots. | The LWB trucks have challenging riding in sticky spots and rough terrains. Due to excessive cargo loads, they have traction on slippery surfaces and hilly spots. Also, they provide maximum grip on dry road surfaces at different speed levels. |
They facilitate optimized towing properties and can carry heavy loads of cargo. Also, they can handle a compact trailer or a camper without modifying the standard speed limits. | These trucks have a significant extension on their rear end. The extension keeps the front and rear tires apart by producing more distance between them. |
They cannot lift the heavyweight boards higher. They offer stable driving on uneven, rough, and bumpy roads. Also, they have short cargo with less storage space. | They have a spacious interior with a comfortable seating arrangement. Also, they have more internal storage space with more area in the 2nd-row. |
These trucks with SWB never stick in a closed sticky spot. Furthermore, they can withstand off-road riding on rough terrain. | On bumps, they have stable climbing properties without damaging the frame or axles. They are unsafe on the dangerous and close turns. |
They have better traction on slippery roads due to their compact designs. They have no extension on the backside of the frame. | They require more space to make a turn. It results in their challenging adjustment to different parking spots. They are heavyweight trucks with better weight handling capacities. |
They have less distance between the driving and rear wheels due to a compact design. | You can transfer household materials, heavy furniture, and other such material in their cargo compartments. |
These are lightweight and can carry less weight on the cargo and interior. Due to their compact frames, you can parallel park the SWB trucks without damaging the external surface. Moreover, they protect the surrounding vehicles. | They have extended frames with additional extensions on the backside. In such circumstances, the parallel parking of LWB pickups is challenging because they require more space to make a turn and can damage the surrounding vehicles. |
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