Double cab long beds?

[montypower]

It's too bad the wheel base was stretched on the LWB! For trail use the tail end stretches into another zip code. Question... Why didn't Toyota keep the wheelbase the same as the 5ft bed?

Of course... I've wondered why the Tundra CrewMax doesn't have a 6ft bed too. 5.5ft?? Really?

 

[Dipodomys]

The longbed seemed way too long for me, so I opted for the shortbed and have been happy. Yeah, the extra 12 inches or so with the longbed would be nice, and it would be cool to sleep in the bed with the tailgate up, but that comes at a cost. Here's a few measurements to think about as you consider the tradeoff:

Tacoma Doublecab shortbed wheelbase length/total vehicle length: 127.4"/208.1"
Tacoma Doublecab longbed wheelbase length/total vehicle length: 140.6"/221.3"
Chevy Suburban wheelbase length/total vehicle length: 130"/224.4"

I included the Suburban measurements to show just how large the 2005+ Tacomas really are. They are no longer mini-trucks by a long stretch (no pun intended). As you can see, the Tacoma Doublecab longbed has a wheelbase that is more than 10 inches longer than the Suburban, and the overall vehicle length is only 2.5" shorter. I used to think that Suburbans were enormous monstrosities, so I was blown away to discover that the 2005+ Tacomas are very comparable in size to the Suburbans. In my experience, wheelbase and rear overhang are the limiting factors with pickups offroad. Since the rear overhangs on both the shortbed and the longbed Tacomas are identical, and all of the increase in length with a longbed derives from the lengthened wheelbase (that is, the distance between the front and rear axles), the limitations imposed by a wheelbase that is more than 10 inches longer than a Suburban's should be the primary consideration as you noodle through your decision. Depending what kind of roads you wish to travel, it may not be an issue. Then again, it might, so choose carefully!

Another commenter said that the availability or nonavailability of the Offroad package with your desired configuration should not influence your decision. I tend to agree. I bought the Offroad package and have now come to realize that it wasn't worth it. The big draw with the package is the locking differential. The other stuff you get with the package is nothing special, including the Bilstein "offroad suspension," which bottoms out under any kind of load and is really lame. It'll be the first thing you want to get rid of, and if you're going to add a lift (highly recommended, especially if you go with the longbed), you'll be dumping the Bilstein springs, coils, and struts anyway, so in the end the only part of the Offroad package you'll end up with that's of any real value will be the locker. However, you can buy and have installed an ARB airlocker for a lot less than the cost of the Offroad package. The ARB is a better unit in my opinion, and is easier to use than the Toyota solenoid-activated unit, which I have found to be a bit finicky. Plus, you'll get a compressor with the setup and that's awfully nice to have.

These are my thoughts, but your needs and desires may vary from mine. Either way, you'll end up with a nice machine.

 

[Clutch]

It's too bad the wheel base was stretched on the LWB! For trail use the tail end stretches into another zip code. Question... Why didn't Toyota keep the wheelbase the same as the 5ft bed?

Cause it would be draggin' its' tail...departure angle would be awful.

Crew Max is supposed to be getting a 6' bed when they upgrade the body in 2014.

Or if you can't wait, there are conversions for them now.

 

[Jeff Wanamog]

This is an age old argument, short vs. long wheel base. There is a lot more to it than just the wheel base. I like how you use a Suburban to get your point across, but never mentioned that it has over 50" of overhang! It all depends on what you are going to do with your truck because what really determines the off road capabilities of a properly set up vehicle is the nut that connects the steering wheel and the gas pedal. I used to wheel with a gentleman in a stock defender that out wheeled TJ Rubicons on 37" tires.

Jeff

 

[bat]

The Tacoma does has a long wheelbase but my last truck really had a long wheelbase.

 

[montypower]

Quite a change from the original Toyota Long Beds...

84-89 Pickup Long Bed = 112" Wheelbase
84-89 Pickup Long Bed xCab = 121" Wheelbase

Another thing to keep in mind... The 05+ Tacoma has the virtually the same exterior dimensions as the 2000-06 Tundra. Plus, with the Tundra you get the V8 and much less $$$.

Tundra Access Cab = 128" Wheelbase with 6' 2" Bed!
Tundra Double Cab = 140" Wheelbase with 6' 2" Bed!

Tundra Width = 75.2"
Tacoma Width = 74.6"

Personally, I'd much rather have the Tundra Double Cab than the Taco DC LWB. It costs less, more power, better comfort, spacious interior, made in Japan (unlike Gen2 Taco) and still Toyota!

 

[TACO721]

the DCLB is really not as long as some trucks. but i think it looks wired as he!! unless you lift it. also one reason i did not go with it is, dad has a ’00 tundra extended cab, and we have a 12’x7’ trailer. for everyday driving and how much i use my bed. i have no need for a long bed. only been one time in little over a year that i could have even used the LB. if i need to hual something big i’ll use dads truck or the trailer, or even my brothers silverado.


if i was you i would wiegh out the pros and cons of each and see what fits better. also if you got the SB you could get a small trailer.

 

[Caduceus]

I wish I'd gone LB when I need to haul stuff. But, that's rare, so usually not a big deal. It would be nice to have the extra foot of length though. Maybe one day I'll just buy the bed extender and drop my tailgate.

 

[SWITAWI]

A friend of mine took delivery of his new DoubleCab Long Bed last week. One of his major criteria was the long bed. In fact he originally wanted an AccessCab Long Bed, but the wait was interminable, so the dealer made him a deal on a truck they already had. He hasn't fallen into the offroad/expo thing yet, but I'm trying to steer him in the right direction. He's already bought some WeatherTech floor mats and the lock box that Tuffy Security Products makes to replace the OE bed storage compartment. Pretty sure he's got his eye on a SoftTopper, too. I'm guessing his better-half wanted to know how he was finding all this neat stuff (it's called the Internet, right?) and he gave me up by showing her the email I sent him with all kinds of links and pictures of things like those awesome Aluminess storage box bumpers, SoftToppers, Toytec & Ironman suspension, BedRug bed liner, TruckBedz mattress, etc, etc... Next thing you know she's sending me a text telling me to stop helping him spend $$$, lol.
Now I just gotta coerce him into signing up here by posting a picture of his truck! :victory:

Maybe then you guys can further his 'corruption' and get him to take off those tube steps...

 

[MidnightRider]

What kind of fuel mileage do you guys get with the pop-up bed campers? I am asuming those campers would sleep 4?
Thanks

I get about 14 MPG when loaded down. You can probably sleep 4, 2 adults 2 kids. Gets a little cramped with 3 adults.

 

[keezer37]

Maybe then you guys can further his 'corruption' and get him to take off those tube steps...

Lord yes. I thought someone played a cruel trick on your friend. And run a little fishing line behind the badges, heat up the stickers and oh, sell those wheels/tires to some unsuspecting Asphaltlubber.

 

[offthebeatenpath]

Another thing to keep in mind... The 05+ Tacoma has the virtually the same exterior dimensions as the 2000-06 Tundra. Plus, with the Tundra you get the V8 and much less $$$.

Tundra Access Cab = 128" Wheelbase with 6' 2" Bed!
Tundra Double Cab = 140" Wheelbase with 6' 2" Bed!

Tundra Width = 75.2"
Tacoma Width = 74.6"

Personally, I'd much rather have the Tundra Double Cab than the Taco DC LWB. It costs less, more power, better comfort, spacious interior, made in Japan (unlike Gen2 Taco) and still Toyota!

Don't forget-

The Tundra weighs almost another 1000 pounds..... so that extra 20% of power you get from the V8 kinda goes right out the window hauling around that extra fat. Not to mention you're fueling up a thirsty V8 versus the more efficient 4.0

I've got an 03 DC, and wish I had the extra interior room of the 2nd gen for our kiddos and their stuff. I also wish I had the long bed for work use and the flexibility to sleep in when it's just me. My neighbor has an 06 DCLB. He's got the TRD headers, exhaust and an ARB locker, but all he does is drive it to work. I told him I've got first dibs on it when he decides to go get the new Tacoma whenever it is that they come out.....

 

[Willman]

It would sure be nice to have a long bed....I would put a pop up camper back there.....

 

[Dipodomys]

QUOTE=Jeff Wanamog;1154752]This is an age old argument, short vs. long wheel base. There is a lot more to it than just the wheel base. I like how you use a Suburban to get your point across, but never mentioned that it has over 50" of overhang! It all depends on what you are going to do with your truck because what really determines the off road capabilities of a properly set up vehicle is the nut that connects the steering wheel and the gas pedal. I used to wheel with a gentleman in a stock defender that out wheeled TJ Rubicons on 37" tires.

Jeff[/QUOTE]

Your comment about driver skill is absolutely correct and is beyond dispute. However, I would counter that all other things being equal (driver skill, type of vehicle, types of modifications, etc.), a vehicle with a longer wheelbase will face more limitations than a vehicle with a shorter wheelbase when traversing a rocky trail or navigating tight bends. The longbed will be more likely to get high-centered or kinked in a sharp turn. It's kind of a laws of physics thing (or would "laws of geometry" be more accurate?). A prospective buyer should carefully consider the types of roads they are likely to travel and then decide if the limitations presented by a longbed Tacoma are likely to interfere with their getting to the places they want to go. If not, then great! The longbed will offer all of the advantages that have already been discussed here.

 

[montypower]

The Tundra weighs almost another 1000 pounds.....

It's a bit less than that but good point.

2012 Tacoma DC 4x4 LB = 4,190lb Curb Weight
2006 Tundra DC 4x4 = 4,965lb Curb Weight

I'm surprised at the gas mileage from the Tundra. I've talked to many people and read their build reports reporting 15-17mpg. Really not much different than the Tacoma... Even my newer 2010 Tundra DC 4x4 5.7L averaged over 16mpg (10,000 mile period). If you're getting a big truck... then why not save a few bucks and buy the Tundra? Somehow everyone wants the Tacoma thinking they are so much smaller and more efficient tho...