Tacoma owners with kids...

For those of you with kids... Do you feel the truck meets your needs as well as an suv? My wife and I are planning to have children in the near future and I plan on getting something other than my 2007 access cab. I'm starting to research between a four door Tacoma or an SUV (dream list would be a 4runner).

One main question I have... Is there any noticeable benefit or disadvantage to having the bed of a truck instead of the "trunk" space with a rear hatch in the SUV? We don't plan on having more than one child.

Thanks!

 

The truck bed is a great place for dirty, stinky, messy cargo that you would never want inside a 4Runner. Choose it for how you intend to use it.

Mike

 

One car family?

 

My wife has a Sienna and I have a DCSB Taco. I suppose if we were only getting one car we'd get the van or SUV. But having two 4-door/kid friendly cars with at least one covered (SUV, can or truck with a shell makes sense. Who wants a rain soaked stroller or groceries?

 

Wife has 5th gen T4R, I have DC Tacoma. We take the 4Runner usually everywhere. If I had a cap or tonneau cover we could take my truck more. Kevine is right, no one wants wet gear. But that is an easy fix.

 

We run the DC Taco and minivan combo. I've had a tacoma with 3 kids since they were 1, 3 and 5. Gotta get some specific car seats but it works. 1 car only is definitely SUV or minivan.

 

$ for $ get the Taco, IMO. In fact, buy two.

 

My wife uses our tacoma as the family vehicle. I would highly recommend getting something to cover the bed though. I put on a BakFlip cover and a tailgate lock for her to have a secure dry area for stuff.

 

Even though my wife have a CRV and also a 98 TJ, we use my Tacoma exclusively for all our family outings. With a Bakflip cover, locking tailgate, and a rubber bed mat, It's so easy to load groceries, strollers, and spur of the moment large purchases without ever worry about borrowing a buddy's truck. In the summer, I have 3 bikes and a bike trailer loaded for an afternoon outing. I'm about to get a pop up bed tent for spring camping. You can't do all that with a SUV and my 2yo/6yo seats fit great in the back.

 

We have 2 kids and a Maxima and DC Tacoma. Works great!

 

We have this for the Family (Me, Wife, and 8 Year old daughter)






We have this for fun








The truck has taken all of us to South Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, Etc with no issues at all. For "us"... it is the perfect family vehicle. The FR-S.... not so much lol.











​

 

I have 2 kids and we all love our double cab. I bought a Leer cap to keep everything dry in the bed. Even without the cap there was room to throw groceries and other stuff in the back seat.

 

My wife has a Honda Civic, which is mostly a work commuter. I just traded my SUV for a double cab Tacoma. My children are 6 and 9, and there is nothing I miss about the SUV yet as far as practicality goes. If you think that YOU would enjoy a truck more than an SUV, then go for the truck. I see no disadvantages. Just my 2 cents Canadian.

P.S. Cover the bed obviously. I have a tonneau cover.

 

I dont have kids yet, but wife to be said she would never make me get rid of my truck. So we will have my AC and her Subaru Outback until we decide to get something else. Im gonna talk her into an FJ80 when that time comes

 

No, but I have a big tribe - 4 kids, so the Tahoe is right up our alley. Of course my two eldest are driving with their own vehicles, so we could get away with the Tacoma if we had to....

 

I have twin two year old boys and they fit just fine in the double cab.....truthfully, think there is a tad more usable room in the Tacoma than in my previous vehicle, tundra double cab (not the crew max). Most of our long trips are in the Honda Odyssey and short trips are in the Taco. You will definitely need some type of cover for the bed.....personally think I'm going to ahead and get a soft tonneau cover for now due to funds until I can find a used leer/snugtop. Those things are so damn expensive new.

Edit: Don't forget the seat covers.... Crumbs don't brush out as the cloth ridges trap all tiny particles.

 

I would def be putting a cover on the bed and it isn't going to be our only car. I know I'd love to have the truck I just wanted to make sure there isn't any huge advantage to having an SUV. So far it seems pretty even. I do like the idea of having the truck capability when needed and still have covered bed space the rest of the time.

 

and to protect your stuff if you want truck room you could always get a bed topper or something, just a tough. good luck!

 

Well, if this is your only vehicle, an SUV is not necessarily the same as a truck with a shell. With an SUV, you can access the back area from the cab, and most SUVs don't have as much hauling/storage space as a truck bed. On the other hand, if you end up putting a shell on your truck (highly recommended), you will lose your vertical hauling space. While it still has way more room to haul with a truck/shell combo, it's not the same as an open bed. I had a shell on my '04 dbl cab. Great for camping, hauling and way more secure. I currently have a '13 dcsb with a bed rack and a cargo basket on the rack. I'm probably going to end up going with a softopper, unless I find a really cheap shell that's color matched. I love my open bed, but with kids, going camping, etc., it's nice to have the covered area. Mind you, my wife has a Sienna.

 

The SUV IMO is a better choice. We have the DC taco a range rover and one 14 month old boy, we use the rover for most trips unless we have bikes or need the bed. Take into consideration that its a tight fit with a rear facing car seat in the taco, it does fit in the middle but its up against both front seat backs. Once you can front face it its all good!