Construction workers i need your input!!

How many guys work construction with a Tacoma? How many of you regret getting a short bed compared to the long bed??

New on the site!! I'm addicted already

 

Welcome to TW. I know a few people with tacoma's that work out of them. One has a 4cyl reg cab with a fiber glass top and a metal rack that mounts on the bed sides and extends over the cab. It works very well. He has a heavy load at times and has stong leaf springs for the back. Its a 2007. Most have the access cab with a metal rack and box in the back. I see no problem with the short bed if you have a rack.

 

I have an access cab and can carry enough tools to build your house, short bed would be tough without a rack

 

i agree completely. a short bed is definitely not a good idea if you bring a lot of your own tools or you need to transport them often. if your carrying materials.....a 5 foot bed is not the best idea imo

even with the 6 ft bed i max out my storage space with tools easily and usually have to load up the back seat

 

I work in residential kitchen/bath remodeling, and the 5ft bed has work fine for me so far. most materials i carry are 8 ft long, so its not too bad. We do have a trailer that carries most of the tools though. the folding back seats on the double can give you a little extra room too.

 

Thanks guys, I'm undecided its either a used one with an access cab long bed for a couple of years or a new 4 door short bed for at least 5 or 6 years, i can only get the short bed cuz i want the 6 speed manual.

Why they didnt make a 6 speed manual with a long bed 4 door? i still have no idea...

Thanks for the input guys

 

I am a electrical with the short bed Tacoma. It work fine for me, but if you need to carry supply, i suggest you go get the access cab, or a double cab with 6ft bed.

 

yea, i think the long beds look more proportionate anyway

 

Electrical here with no issues with a 5 foot bed.

 

I got the long/standard bed...

 

IF you need to carry full sheets of drywall or plywood forget it!!

 

Get what fits your needs best.............if you are already questioning the short bed go w/the long bed............what kind of work do you do?.....by the way...........where are you finding construction work in this economy?.........send some my way while your at it............

 

As you've heard, it does come down to what aspect of construction you are working in. I'm in low voltage telecom/datacom wiring, networking and PBX's. I'll haul boxes of cabling and equipment in the bed with no problem. But for me the difference between short and long beds came to where I needed to park. This was my all-in-one truck and I needed to drive in some tight parking lots for work and personal. Many of my associates with the Tacoma double cab, long bed had misjudged the length of the truck and their rear fenders had scraped the parking lot walls within the first month. Or it could be said they're never owned larger (and longer) trucks before so...eh.

Don't forget about the options as well: Tow package (maybe), off road (damn, maybe I should've gotten this one), camper shell, and/or contractors/ladder rack.

Good luck.

 

I'm not a construction worker, but just reading for interest.

Question to OP: Why is it that you NEED the 6-speed. Is that more gut feeling or necessity. Most here that have opted for Auto that are accustomed to manual will report that they're glad they did. Also, there are a fair number of people that report Transmission issues with the 6speeds.

Side point: you mentioned construction, but you haven't mentioned why you'd need the 2nd row of seats. Some need them for family or other stuff they need to store 'inside'. Is there a reason why you're hesitant about the Access Cab?

 

2010 4x4 access cab & long box with Leer cap and top rack, on a 4 cyl and man. 5 speed.

I'm a general contractor (loads of tools), working mainly by myself and I am trying to avoid buying a trailer...

So most of the time my truck is full (including the cab), heavy, and I often wish I had bought a bigger truck (Tundra)...

But then, I don't want to work with those big trucks in the city back streets where you can hardly make a turn without scratching something (telephone pole, car, fence, etc.).

 

I am a roofer and run everything in my short bed.... it's tight but can be done. Plus a big back seat is good for putting tools in during winter

 

I'm a carpenter and I have a Sport DC Longbox , I'm glad about the extra foot of bed length everytime I pick up some plywood .

I intend to get an over-the-cab lumber rack , but I am getting by with a headache rack for now .

I think the longbox looks better anyway .

 

Looking back, I should have gone with the long bed. That's really the only thing I would do differently if I bought one again.

 

Looks like its going to be a real nice home when its finished.