What’s the Difference Between The Chevy Double Cab and Crew Cab?

When purchasing a new truck, you will be surrounded by a plethora of trim packages and accessories to choose between. 

One of the selections you will have to make when purchasing a Chevy truck is either a double or crew cab, but what’s the difference?

The difference between a crew cab and a double cab is the size of the cab. Crew cabs are larger and provide more space to fit passengers and cargo. All Chevy truck models include some version of a crew cab or double cab option. Both a crew and a double cab package have four doors.

Depending on your circumstances, one cab package might be better than the other. Don’t just choose a random type of cab. 

Keep reading to find out which one is best for you!

The Different Types of Truck Cabs

With so many different types of cabs to choose, from it can get confusing as to which is which. 

Let’s start by discussing what truck cab options there are.

Chevy’s truck lineup has several cab options: Regular, Double, and Crew.

Regular truck cabs also referred to as single cabs, only have two doors and one row of seats.

All Chevy Silverados offer a regular cab, long bed combination. 

A regular truck cab combined with a long bed provides more rooms for hauling and less room for passengers. 

Because trucks with regular cabs can only transport 2-3 people, they are less common than larger cabs.

The second smallest cab option is the double cab. 

Now here is where it gets confusing. 

Chevy Silverados will offer this package under the name of a double cab, while Chevy Colorados use the term extended cab. 

Regardless of what you call the package, double cab trucks have four doors and two rows of seats.

Chevy Colorados featuring an extended cab will also include a long box. 

While there are four doors, Colorados only have two external door handles.

The Silverado 1500 can be purchased with a double cab, standard bed combination. 

Unlike the Colorado, all door handles are accessible from outside the vehicle.

The Silverado 2500 HD is the only Chevy truck offering two packages with the double cab. 

Customers who buy this truck with a double cab can choose between a standard bed or a long bed. 

Chevy Silverado 3500 HDs can be purchased with a double cab and long bed.

The final type of truck cab, and the largest, is the crew cab. 

Crew cabs are best for those planning to transport more people for extended periods. 

While the double cab does create more seating options, it does not create much legroom. 

Trucks with crew cabs have added space in the back to make them the most comfortable for passengers.

Check out the following Chevy Trucks and their crew cab packages in the table below.

	Short Box/Bed	Standard Box/Bed	Long Box/Bed
Colorado	x		x
Silverado 1500	x	x
Silverado 2500 HD		x	x
Silverado 3500 HD		x	x

Source: Chevy

Now that you know the differences between Chevy’s cab options, read the next section to learn what type of truck cab you should get.

What Type of Cab Should Your Truck Have?

As mentioned earlier, you should never choose a random truck cab/bed combination. 

Depending on your plans for the vehicle, certain cab-bed combinations will suit your needs more than others.

Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• How many people do your transport at a time?
• How often are you hauling larger objects?
• What is your main reason for purchasing a truck over another type of vehicle?

Once you have answered these questions, you will be prepared to choose the right packages for your truck.

If you answered that you transport three people or less regularly, a regular cab will do just fine. 

Remember, Chevy’s regular cabs all feature a long bed.

This provides extra space for hauling larger objects such as furniture, appliances, and much more.

If you transport three or more people frequently, but rarely over long distances, you should consider getting a truck with a double cab.

The extra row of seats will provide you with the room to fit six passengers at a time. 

Chevy trucks with extended or double cabs have long or standard beds.

Finally, if you frequently transport four or more people, you should purchase a Chevy truck with a crew cab. 

This will provide your passengers with the most room to stretch their legs. 

Chevy crew cab trucks can be purchased with any bed length (depending on the type of truck).

Should the size of the cab influence the bed size you choose? Absolutely. Earlier you answered the question, “How often are you hauling larger objects?” If you frequently find yourself transporting objects too big for an SUV to carry, you should get a standard or long bed.

However, if you only use the bed or your truck to move smaller to medium-sized items, get a short or standard bed. 

The shorter your truck is, the easier it will be to maneuver around tight corners and find parking sports where it fits. 

For this reason, there is little sense in getting a longer truck bed if you will not use it often.

What packages you purchase for your truck ultimately relies on your intended purpose for the vehicle. 

If this Chevy truck will be a family car not used for hauling items often, get the Chevy Colorado or the Silverado 1500 with the crew cab, short box combination. 

With less “truck” to move, this combination could help improve your gas mileage, even if just by a little.

For those primarily looking to use their truck to haul large, heavy objects without transporting people, a regular cab combined with a long bed will work best. 

This package combination is often the cheapest for each of the Chevy trucks.

Need a happy middle ground? Not a problem! With a double cab and standard bed combination, you can enjoy the flexibility and versatility of the Chevy truck.

Before choosing a truck cab package, be sure to evaluate your needs and goals for the vehicle. Doing so will ensure you are happy with your purchase.