3rd Gen, Long bed vs. Short bed

Everyone is crying about the length of the dclb and the turning radius. It's fine it's not hard to move around in parking lots or any of that other crap it's a mid size truck not a tank. Drive a full size I just about bought a Dodge sport that's a big truck you want shitty turning radius drive a Chevy. The dcsb in Canada only comes in a stick and I wasn't interested in a short box it looked funny and seemed unless to me.

LONG BOX OR NO BOX

 

DCSB....no regrets! Only regret is that I wish I had my sold Tundra's 4.6L V8 in the Tacoma instead of the 3.5L V6 ( a little "sluggy" in the Tundra but would be a "screamer" in the Tacoma, IMO).

For me...more cab and looks than hauling. I have a 5 x 10 enclosed Wells Cargo Cycle Wagon and figured it would be easier to maneuver with the SB than the LB. If you sleep in the back like TacoJohn, then the LB would be much better. However, I have slept many a night beside my Harley in the enclosed trailer (biggest fear is some bast***d will wire the doors shut one night and trap me in...but a hammer, cold chisel, and 9mm solves that problem).
Quote:"The DCLB flows much better."Quote I guess that's why some men like their ladies thin and some like them wide...at my age the major criteria is a pulse beat!

 

Toyota should be tried for high crimes for not offering the manual in the DCLB.

 

Again, the thread turns into another pissing match and dick measuring contest. Those with the LB think everything else is a joke and they have to make themselves feel better by insulting those with a SB. Driving a LB in a major city is a hassle. Sure it's doable, but not the most enjoyable. Others have a real-world need for a long bed and can't justify a SB. Others don't have a need for the LB, want a better turning radius and easier maneuverability. Neither is better or worse, just different configurations for different uses and applications.

It's just like the guys who have the OR and feel the need to insult everyone else who doesn't have one or subscribe to their way of thinking so they can justify buying a truck that is way more then they'll ever need for driving down that graded dirt road or mud puddle once a year!

 

I live in a major city and haven't had any issues maneuvering the truck but, then again, I didn't have any issues maneuvering a full-sized truck around either. I guess I could see how it would be an issue if you're coming from a compact car but even then, I wouldn't think it would take more than a few weeks to adjust. I work in a building with a huge parking garage with some tight spots I have to maneuver daily and have had no issues. I also park it in a two car garage at home every day with a full-sized SUV and have had no issues.

Looks are purely opinion. Some prefer the look of the short bed and others prefer the look of the long bed.

As far a practicality, the short bed offers a steeper angle of ascent. The long bed offers more cargo capacity. The question then becomes, will you need the steeper angle of ascent more often or will you need the increased cargo capacity more often. I'm a woodworker and throw sheets of plywood back there. I don't do any extreme offroading so I don't need the steep angle of ascent. Given that, the long bed was the truck for me.

 

^^^That is exactly the reason why I traded-in my wife's RAV4 and bought a Taco. We need the truck for hauling stuff especially during spring/fall clean up. So choosing the Long Bed was a no-brainer. I guess it definitely is up to what you are going to use the truck for. So it is up to you OP to decide.

 

We are only talking about a foot difference. How can that realistically affect maneuverability?

 

For me the LB is just too long for everyday use. The length of the DCLB is only 3.5 inches shorter than a full size Dodge Ram Double Cab. But the Dodge gives you substantially more room inside.

 

A foot shorter truck will be easier to park and maneuver. There really shouldn't be any argument. Given that my daily driving is in the city, I have a trailer if I need more cargo room, and LBs are hard to find in GST, I think it will make sense to get a SB. I probably won't pass up a LB if I find one, but I'll likely end up with a SB.

 

When you've owned both long and shortbeds, you'll know which is better suited to your needs.

Longbed from now on and have no plans to to go back.

 

I've only ever owned cars... NEVER will I be without a truck again.

 

Having come from a full size Dodge Ram double cab, the narrower width of the Tacoma does make it more navigable. The Tacoma is a foot more narrow. Makes a ton of difference when it comes to parking and turning. But, as I previously mentioned, I didn't have trouble driving the Ram around the city either.

 

I've gone with the DCLB - primarily for my use needs. I have 2 boys, so the back seat room is needed and with our mtn bikes, dog crate and other outdoor fun equipment the longer box gets put to use daily.

My uncle loves his ACSB because his kids are older and only his Son rides with him when they go out hunting or fishing and then he enjoys the "sportier" feel of his out in the woods for trail riding.

No wrong choice, not even when depending on how you may use it. You'll always make a compromise for something, so just have more checks in the Pro column vs the Con.

Plus...


My prom dates never complained about an extra foot in the box...

 

Wonderful! Nobody cares!

 

I thought Access Cabs were always long beds. Did your uncle have it modified?

 

Ah shit I mispoke! I pulled up some pictures he had sent me from before. It's a double cab, manual transmission. Short box, but yeah sorry it is a DC. When we spoke I must have misunderstood him. The pictures are a double cab though.

 

If you don't care what he has to say, why bother commenting?

Others, like myself ARE interested in what other members might have to contend with when parking trucks.

 

I'm just saying, the fact that the LB guys (yourself included) are always jumping in and saying, "Look at me! look at me! I have a longed and you don't! I can justify backing in and out of a spot three times at the local Costco while everyone else is waiting to get by!" Nobody cares! And I know it's probably one of you guys who always says they have zero issues parking their longbows because I ALWAYS see it here in Northern California. Quite a few or LB Tacomas here, and almost none of you guys can park the darn thing on the first try!

 

You can't decide for yourself? Just saying.

 

You'll fit right in, my friend!