Tacoma Double Cab Standard Bed or Long Bed?
- Thread starter Joash
- Start date
Finlay
Triarius
the TRD Off-Road Double Cab only comes with a short bed. TRD Sport, Prerunner and SR5 are available with the long box.
The bed itself is 5 feet, and with the tailgate extended is a little over 6. Probably not long enough to sleep in without some work. You could make a case that the short box is more maneuverable and has better clearance; but I don't know that an extra foot in length is that much to overcome.
I like the manual in the Tacomas and that is what I have. It's a decent transmission. The Auto is also good transmission, and arguably better than the manual in many respects. Choose based on your preference - they have their good and bad points.
The bed itself is 5 feet, and with the tailgate extended is a little over 6. Probably not long enough to sleep in without some work. You could make a case that the short box is more maneuverable and has better clearance; but I don't know that an extra foot in length is that much to overcome.
I like the manual in the Tacomas and that is what I have. It's a decent transmission. The Auto is also good transmission, and arguably better than the manual in many respects. Choose based on your preference - they have their good and bad points.
Joash
Adventurer
It's complicated because choosing one option or another means you can't have certain features.
I definitely need the double cab.
I would prefer the long bed, just to have more room to haul stuff and possibly sleep in the truck.
I'm just wondering about giving up offroad capability since the TRD Off Road doesn't come in a long box set up.
It also looks like you won't get a manual transmission with the long bed. Does it matter which transmission you get for offroad ability?
Now I'm even more confused when I hear that you can't the e-locker on the long bed double cab. Is there any advantage to having the factory e-locker or does it not matter and this is something that can be added later or done without?
I definitely need the double cab.
I would prefer the long bed, just to have more room to haul stuff and possibly sleep in the truck.
I'm just wondering about giving up offroad capability since the TRD Off Road doesn't come in a long box set up.
It also looks like you won't get a manual transmission with the long bed. Does it matter which transmission you get for offroad ability?
Now I'm even more confused when I hear that you can't the e-locker on the long bed double cab. Is there any advantage to having the factory e-locker or does it not matter and this is something that can be added later or done without?
Finlay
Triarius
There are solutions to sleeping in the truck - Bed Tents, RTTs and Flippacs for example.
I'm pretty sure can get the manual in a DCLB sport and SR5 trims - you might have to order it in, or shop around.
You don't say where you're at - but you should know that the Toyota build-your-own thingie on the website is zipcode restricted. The truck I bought also couldn't be made according to that thing, and yet there it is in my driveway. The only way to know is to talk to a salesperson who knows how to find them. Not all of them do, so you should shop around.
At the risk of being all Zen, the e-locker is an advantage when you need a locker. At all other times, it doesn't do much. So, are you planning on spending a lot of time in situations where a locker will make the difference ? Then you may have to compromise some other feature to meet that need. If you aren't, then it might be expendable in favor of getting some other feature you would use more, like a long box.
A locker can be added later on, at some expense and effort, but then, if you plan on doing any real wheeling, you'll need to open up the diff to regear anyway.
I'm pretty sure can get the manual in a DCLB sport and SR5 trims - you might have to order it in, or shop around.
You don't say where you're at - but you should know that the Toyota build-your-own thingie on the website is zipcode restricted. The truck I bought also couldn't be made according to that thing, and yet there it is in my driveway. The only way to know is to talk to a salesperson who knows how to find them. Not all of them do, so you should shop around.
At the risk of being all Zen, the e-locker is an advantage when you need a locker. At all other times, it doesn't do much. So, are you planning on spending a lot of time in situations where a locker will make the difference ? Then you may have to compromise some other feature to meet that need. If you aren't, then it might be expendable in favor of getting some other feature you would use more, like a long box.
A locker can be added later on, at some expense and effort, but then, if you plan on doing any real wheeling, you'll need to open up the diff to regear anyway.
highspeed
New member
There is a ton of great advice here in response to your question. The only thing I would add is that you should test drive both the long and short beds. I thought I wanted the long bed but after driving it I felt it was a bit too long and difficult to back into a parking spot. If I was going to drive a truck that long I would get a used Tundra...
After many months of hashing out the same things you are I bought a 2012 Tacoma DCSB TRD off road and I'm very happy with my choice so far. I went with the automatic trans but I was tempted to do the manual with the quick shift kit. In the end it seemed like the auto was a little more reliable.
If sleeping in your truck happens frequently get a long bed or Tundra, you can add the ARB locker later.
After many months of hashing out the same things you are I bought a 2012 Tacoma DCSB TRD off road and I'm very happy with my choice so far. I went with the automatic trans but I was tempted to do the manual with the quick shift kit. In the end it seemed like the auto was a little more reliable.
If sleeping in your truck happens frequently get a long bed or Tundra, you can add the ARB locker later.
Containerized
Adventurer
I'll weigh in... obviously, for length reasons I didn't consider the double cab long bed (which would not fit within the load marks in a 20' container for shipping) but even if I could, I've driven them and I think the extra 10-15 inches of length matters if you'll ever be maneuvering in a city. Sure, if you're in the middle of Iowa, who cares how long your truck is. But, in the real world (which, for me, includes various urban environments), it matters. If you are going to do an RTT, you should be able to do it with either bed. Also, the payload for the long bed is not really any higher (hence lower per square foot) so you get more space but not really more carrying capacity.
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
IIRC the long bed DC is only available with the slushbox. Also, it's LOOOOOOONG!! Seriously, it's got like a 140" wheelbase - about on par with a Suburban or an Excursion. IOW, it has the turning radius of an aircraft carrier. On tight roads, that could be an issue.
The short bed DC has a much shorter wheelbase (127") which makes for a more maneuverable vehicle. And if you absolutely need the ability to carry passengers + the ability to sleep in it, you could also look at a 4runner which has an even shorter wheelbase at 109" (that's the reason I went from an extended-cab Taco to a 4runner.) The nice thing about the SUV is that there is no wall behind the back seats, meaning the seats can be flipped down when you want sleeping space and flipped back up when you want passenger space.
The downside is the same, there's no wall, so you can't separate the "clean" interior from the "dirty" cargo area.
As for the slushbox vs. manual debate, you will hear passionate opinions either way but it really comes down to what your personal preference is. My thought is that if you aren't sure, just get the slushbox, because if you really wanted a manual, you wouldn't even be asking the question.
The short bed DC has a much shorter wheelbase (127") which makes for a more maneuverable vehicle. And if you absolutely need the ability to carry passengers + the ability to sleep in it, you could also look at a 4runner which has an even shorter wheelbase at 109" (that's the reason I went from an extended-cab Taco to a 4runner.) The nice thing about the SUV is that there is no wall behind the back seats, meaning the seats can be flipped down when you want sleeping space and flipped back up when you want passenger space.
The downside is the same, there's no wall, so you can't separate the "clean" interior from the "dirty" cargo area.
As for the slushbox vs. manual debate, you will hear passionate opinions either way but it really comes down to what your personal preference is. My thought is that if you aren't sure, just get the slushbox, because if you really wanted a manual, you wouldn't even be asking the question.
Clutch
<---Pass
Shorter wheel base will be better offroad, can always get a roof mounted storage box on the cab to carry more stuff (light weight items that is) however the more things you have on the roof the greater the air resistance while on the highway...personally I try to keep stuff off the roof.
If you keep your gear simple, you don't have to carry too much. I tend to pack my truck with back packing gear....lighter means better which equals going faster....:ylsmoke: The heavier the load, the greater chance of breaking the vehicle.
People on here would laugh on how little I carry in my truck, practice the K.I.S.S method, and all is well....
I like to keep the (dirty) gear separate from the passenger compartment...trucks are better than wagons in that respect as Martin says...we own both, and I always grab the truck for adventures over the SUV...
Personally prefer manual transmissions over slush boxes, as I feel they offer more control both on and offroad...and there is just something about shifting your own gears...:smiley_drive: one can reach a state of nirvana while perfecting the proper gear selection...
If you keep your gear simple, you don't have to carry too much. I tend to pack my truck with back packing gear....lighter means better which equals going faster....:ylsmoke: The heavier the load, the greater chance of breaking the vehicle.
People on here would laugh on how little I carry in my truck, practice the K.I.S.S method, and all is well....
I like to keep the (dirty) gear separate from the passenger compartment...trucks are better than wagons in that respect as Martin says...we own both, and I always grab the truck for adventures over the SUV...
Personally prefer manual transmissions over slush boxes, as I feel they offer more control both on and offroad...and there is just something about shifting your own gears...:smiley_drive: one can reach a state of nirvana while perfecting the proper gear selection...
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fourfa
Observer
I have a DC/LB that I've spent many many months sleeping in. My quick opinion is that if sleeping in it is a priority, get the long bed. The ability to jump in back of a normal-looking truck (no RTT, popped-up camper, etc) is priceless. Back of nowhere, middle of the city, it's just a truck and no one even notices it. Parking does take practice. Short wheelbase is always better offroad, but as this is an expedition/overland site (not a monster truck rock-crawling site) I bet most of us would never know the difference. If your terrain runs to open landscape and sparse forests, it hardly matters at all. If your trips are in dense forests with tight trails that steer around trees, then get a Wrangler or FJ as even the short bed may be too long
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I couldn't disagree more. I can think of lots of trails where that 140" wheeelbase will be a big liability.
The trail might be 400 miles long, but even if it's only got 1 mile of tight turns, if your vehicle can't negotiate that 1 mile, you can't do the trail, no matter how well you can do the other 399 miles.
Even open deserts like Moab and Death Valley have mountains with tight trails.
It's not an insurmountable obstacle - certainly, you can negotiate many of these with a long bed DC, but it requires a lot of back-and-forth.
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bat
Explorer
If you need the long bed for sleeping and the DC I would not worry about trail problems. You might have to do more home work for trail difficulty,coming from a CC LB diesel 4x4
I did my home work. I know have the DC LB Tacoma the dog said no on the access cab and wife needed long bed space for sleeping.
Finlay
Triarius
I have an access cab. Pulled out the seats, made a platform and both my hunting dogs fit comfortably.
It's kinda cozy.... But then you know I remember hunting trips as a kid, with me crammed between the bucket seats of my uncles datsun pickup while my dad rode shotgun. Busting ditch pheasant and listening to John Denver on the 8 track....
It's sort of a lot of space, actually.
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Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
Something else to consider: If you need a 6' bed and 4 full doors, why not look at a full sized truck?
What I'm saying is this: The usual reason for going with a compact truck (which the Tacoma is classified as) is that compacts generally get better MPG, cost less, and are easier to maneuver on tight trails.
But by the time you add all that weight and length to the Tacoma, you aren't going to be getting any better MPG or maneuverability anyway. And Toyotas are a lot of things but "inexpensive" isn't one of them (I call it "paying the Toyota tax.")
There are lots of full size trucks with 6' beds and 4 full doors. Might be a better option? Most modern full size trucks have a decent reputation and pretty good capability. I've noticed that when I go hunting, compact trucks are few and far between - it's full size trucks, everywhere. Pulling trailers, hauling ATVs and carrying 4 big, fully equipped hunters all over the mountains.
Another point in favor of the full size trucks is the availability of a diesel engine.
As far as maneuverability goes, being that they are full size and have a wider track, they most likely have a smaller turning radius than the DC LB Taco which will have the same length as a full size but has a narrower track.
Being wider also gives a bigger volume to the bed, and if you and the wife are sleeping back there you'll appreciate that extra space.
What I'm saying is this: The usual reason for going with a compact truck (which the Tacoma is classified as) is that compacts generally get better MPG, cost less, and are easier to maneuver on tight trails.
But by the time you add all that weight and length to the Tacoma, you aren't going to be getting any better MPG or maneuverability anyway. And Toyotas are a lot of things but "inexpensive" isn't one of them (I call it "paying the Toyota tax.")
There are lots of full size trucks with 6' beds and 4 full doors. Might be a better option? Most modern full size trucks have a decent reputation and pretty good capability. I've noticed that when I go hunting, compact trucks are few and far between - it's full size trucks, everywhere. Pulling trailers, hauling ATVs and carrying 4 big, fully equipped hunters all over the mountains.
Another point in favor of the full size trucks is the availability of a diesel engine.
As far as maneuverability goes, being that they are full size and have a wider track, they most likely have a smaller turning radius than the DC LB Taco which will have the same length as a full size but has a narrower track.
Being wider also gives a bigger volume to the bed, and if you and the wife are sleeping back there you'll appreciate that extra space.
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