2017 TRD OR DCLB or DCSB

If you want 3 pedals you don't have a choice.

But... my thinking on the subject goes like:
The "long" bed is not long. It's slightly less useless for real work things like hauling materials that come in 4x8 sheets but it's still too small. For play things like dirt or mountain bikes you just leave the tailgate open on a SB. If you want a big truck buy a Tundra. It's big. The Taco isn't big. It's not good at general contracting no matter how you option it so if you lose the departure angles to get 12" of bed you have a less capable OR and still too little bed to be any more useful that the SB. If you wanted that - you would buy the SR with a long bed. And it might not fit in your garage anyway - which in the North means going out to warm it up and scrape the windows.

Buy the SB and a cheap utility trailer for the best of both worlds. It's way easier to load bikes or timber into something that is low to the ground than the bed anyway. Buy the manual to avoid all the other complaints you are about to have post-delivery.

 

I have owned three Tacomas. All with the 6 foot bed. Every time I load something large I ask myself how it would be with the bed a foot shorter. I'm usually glad to have the extra length. The 6 foot bed is actually the standard size bed on these trucks. Its only called a long bed on the double cab.

 

Love my long bed

 

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Have had both and have a AC-LB now and love the long bed and overall length of the truck.

A DC-LB is a very long truck for my garage ... but rides a little better on the highway.

If I bought another DC ... it would probably be a SB ... this is just for my needs.

I am really a SC-SB guy in my heart though ... I would love a single cab - short bed Tacoma with a V-6 or small V-8.

 

Longer wheelbase also tracks better on the interstate and is a more stable platform for towing. Is there a bolton doodad for a stumpybed to do that?

OP also has a tandem bike, not sure it it will fit on a hitch mounted bike rack

 

he's right. a backup camera on a LB is extremely helpful. I took mine on Old Dale Mine Road in Joshua Tree Natl. Park and that shit wasn't bad at all. just have to be mindful of your surroundings. Longbeds are more of unicorns. they are harder to find. got my silver sky taco in Hayward Ca, and drove it on the ALCAN highway. not another silver taco to be spotted anywhere through canada or here in Alaska.

 

I went with the LB because I mainly got the truck for hauling my dirt bike, and camping.

If you're more concerned with wheeling then the SB is the best option for that and easier to park.
If your'e looking for a work truck I wouldn't recommend the taco at all.

The DCLB is the same length as the quad cab ram 1500 work truck I have, both with 6.1' beds. Oddly I can parallel park the dodge better than the taco.

 

For me, shortbeds are useless.

 

lol I just went from a regular cab to this access cab and it just barley fits in my garage. I have to rest my front bumper on my tool box to get the garage door down and it just makes it with about 1/2 inch to spare.

 

LB - you won't regret the extra space.

 

I could walk behind my 2013 but this one makes it all that counts.

 

I HAD A 06 DBSB OR AND IT WAS VERY HANDY IN EVERY CATEGORY EXCEPT STUFF THAT WENT IN THE BED. BEFORE MY TACO I HAD A SINGLE CAB RANGER THAT HAD A LONGER BED AND FITTING 3 DIRT BIKES WAS DOABLE. I WAS SHOCKED WHAT I COULDN'T HAUL IN THE TACOMA. I'D USED MY TAILGATE EXTENDER A LOT AND WOULD BE SNUG FITTING MY FULL SIZE MX BIKE. IT WAS FUN BLASTING DOWN ROUGH TRAILS WHERE IT FELT LIGHT AND NIMBLE. BUT A GOOD BED HAULER IT WASN'T. IF I CAN'T GET A MT IN THE DCSB. IM GOING WITH THE LONGBED FOR THE EXTRA EASE OF HAULING.

 

Trailers are cheap.If your going off road sb doesn't drag as much.

 

I needed the long bed to hull around my kayak/Hobie Pro Angler which is 14ft. I really wanted some extra space behind my seat for things no real plan for ever having anyone in the back. Double cab and long bed was just longer than what I wanted. I actually thought this one was going to fit better in the garage. I didn't think it was going to be that close lol.

 

Coming from a 3500 crewcab dually 8' bed
I went wit the sb less is more.
I can still haul my dirt bikes and just about whatever else l need.
Sb is nice wen off road wont drag in places a long bed would and as previous mentioned less turning radius, parking in the city is easier and I'm not always hauling my stuff or anyone elses for that matter.

 

How often are you going to use the bed? I opted or the short bed because it's primarily for wheeling and light house duties.

I've never been in a situation where I was said "gee, I really wish I bought the long bed" but I've been in plenty situations wheeling where I was glad I didn't buy the long bed.

 

I've owned both. The SB you wish you had more room (even if you think otherwise) the LB no regrets! Id buy a 4runner before i bought a short bed taco

 

Same.

Sold the SB to my son after buying the LB.

 

Bolt on doo dad for stable towing stumpybed? Haven't considered for the taco but I've had Timbren block boosters on full size trucks and yes, they make a world of difference for a little over $200. The third pedal, however, makes quite the difference Also, my ACLB and a DCSB share a wheelbase, but it's definitely worth noting that the DCLB has about a 14" longer wheelbase and towing would probably make a hell of a difference, but the Taco isn't rated to tow all that much anyway, AND the GCWR is the same on all of them, so the DCLB would limit the legal limit you can tow a bit by increasing the weight of the truck. ACLB & DCSB tow rating is 6500, DCLB tow rating is 6400. Did miss the part about the tandem bike, I'd imagine it could go on a receiver rack just fine in a pinch but would certainly make for a wide load.

 

Love mine also, pretty much same truck