Just buy mine, room for the family and built to tow
Seriously though, I don't think you'll miss the extra foot too much. You can always buy a used utility trailer to haul bigger stuff around.

 

I haven't missed the extra space in the bed at all, and I really like that my kids (in car seats) don't have to ride with their feet on the back of the seat to be halfway comfortable.

 

The added room in the cab and the 4 full doors is really nice. I used to haul my TRX 450R Quad in the back. Tailgate wouldn't shut but thats what they make staps for. I have hauled furniture, a quad, dirt bikes, and plenty more back there. Most of it with the tailgate closed. I wouldn't be happy in an E-Cab.

 

I just went through the same deal and found a good deal on a 1500hd and I am extremely happy, I love the extra cab space and the mileage is about the same as my old truck, 5.3 ecsb. I just couldn't bring myself to buy a 1500 with the shorter bed. Plus I now have the better transmission, better brakes, bigger differentials that I was looking to upgrade to anyway, I know you said you will probably not mod the new truck but how long will that last? I know I broke my 4l60 in my other truck with very few mods, this one will eventually get fi and now I don't have to worry about weak parts breaking.

 

Update. I just loaded a friends Kawasaki KFX450R, and it fit with the tailgate closed. Must be a little bit shorter than the Honda.

 

I hardly ever use my bed except for a trash run to the dump or to throw some wet gear or something I don't want in the cab. IMO the more cab space is worth more than the longer bed

 

I don't miss the longer bed a bit. That's what the bed extender is for

 

How did you get the bikes in the bed with the extender in place? Or how did you remount the extender with the bikes already in the bed?

 

It hasn't bother me, or stopped me from hauling anything I want.

 

The extender rotates up 90* then can be removed. It's mount are designed very similar to a tailgate. You can see in the picture straps that mount to the tailgates side latches to hold it down during transit.