Help me get into a Taco TRD OR

Hello all! First time posting here and I am hoping I do become a regular poster in these threads if I do get it.

My wife and I are outdoors people and do hiking, backpacking, MTBing, photography... etc.

Since we do all this I am lusting after a Taco TRD OR to go even deeper into forests and such, not crazy off-roading like Moab. Just the forests of the Northeast like PA, NY, etc.

We have no children and don't want any, so I was looking at the access cab model for the shorter wheelbase. Would prefer the manual but why in the hell doesn't Toyota offer the manual in the access cab TRD OR? It's ok tho, seems like Toyota took care of the automatic looking for gears problem.

Anyways, does the access cab have enough space for a 25 lb dog in the tiny back seats? She goes on all of our hiking adventures but wanna make sure she's comfortable too. She's pretty slender and normal body proportions. We have a GTI and she does fine in the back seat, but I assume the access cab back seats are a hell of a lot smaller than a GTI.

I'd also like to get a good tow hitch and get a small camper under 5000 lbs and a MTB stand for the bed... anyone do this? Does it work out well? I would love the tiny ones like the off-road ones but we would prefer a toilet

Thank you all!

 

Plenty of space.



A popular mod is to get a couple of these:

$23 DEWALT TSTAK II Tool Box, Flat Top Tool Storage Case, Organizer Box Holds Up To 66 lbs, Flexible Platforms for Stacking, 13" (DWST17807)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00B6K4V8...olid=3KSVDZKZ7D7VA&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Those cases are the same height as the storage cubbies. Then cut a piece of plywood to fit over the top. Some folks will carpet the wood. From there, you have a nice, flat floor with a good amount of easy storage under it.


The US not getting the ACLB MT OR is unfortunate. Don't pass up a test drive in the MT Sport though.

 

Is that 5000lbs camper dry weight or full? Will be difficult if that is dry weight.

 

Friend of mine has her big galumph of a golden retriever in the back. He seems pretty dang comfy.

Different friend comes along on our moab trip every year puling a ~15 foot trailer. The taco is by no means a proper towing vehicle, but it does the job well enough for casual use.

 

That is plenty of space! I might as well do that mod since people won't go back there only my dog and we do have a lot of gear for the stuff we do.

The TRD Sport doesn't have rear lockers right? I'd love to have rear lockers tho.

 

Just as an example, I was looking at these:

https://www.jayco.com/products/travel-trailers/2020-hummingbird/16mrb/

I am not too sure what the dry weight is...

 

Casual use is fine. Not looking to do it all the time with a heavy big camper.

EDIT: Even if it's one of those small off-road campers, the super light weight ones those are fine too, toilet is not an absolute requirement

 

No locker on the Sport. It does well offroad IMHO. Also, the traction control system on the non-OR / non-Pro is pretty stellar even with wheels in the air. I rarely complement traction control systems, and prior to the Taco, would normally turn them off.

This is a really poor vid for the terminology and testing method, but it gets the point across and mimics my experience:

Also, if you never intend to use the rear seats, there is a deck and wall mod by Goose Gear. My teenage daughters fit back there very well though.

 

The Tacoma is the unofficial vehicle of mountain bikers so you won’t be alone!
I’d test drive one and try your dog in the back, see how she fits.
I’d go for the offroad model if I was buying today.

 

In regards to children, you never know, an accident can happen lol

Being a little biase, I would say get the double cab short bed since it'll have the same wheel base as an access cab w/ long bed. It would offer your dog more space and extra storage space in case you need it.

I owned an access cab 1st gen(I know different size), but after owning it for about a month, I wished I would have gotten a double cab.

 

This! Definitely down size on camper, or scale up truck, especially if you're planning across country trips. Just Wednesday, 500 mile round trip, I pulled a 6k lbs trailer in 30-40 mph winds, in my work 2017 F150, with the 3.5 EB, I don't think my Tacoma could have done it.

I'd reconsider on cabs, or try to load both. You may want more than dog room, to lock stuff up and stuff that has to stay dry.
Welcome too!

 

Wow! Holy crap that is impressive!

You're right, I guess I won't pass up a TRD Sport. Definitely a good candidate

 

I believe the AC and DC (short bed) have the same wheelbase....So the dilemma becomes longer bed or manual transmission.

 

MTBs would fit perfectly in a AC with long bed and even more space for more gear as well. Although, I'd prefer a manual. I guess this would have to be something to think about. Or go with a manual AC Sport

 

I wanna say that the wheel base on the DCSB is the same as the ACLB. This is because the extra distance is taken by the longer bed in the access cab. I’d go with a DCSB, unless you just wanna save the money. More room for your furry friend and gear you want in the cab.

 

One final note. The traction control system on all Tacos has many modes and is very poorly described in the owners manual. If you get a Taco, be sure to read through the first few posts in this sticky:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/3rd-gen-traction-control-modes-explained.530695/

 

Also, there is no issue with automatics. This is a fictional ruse made up by people that did not pay attention on the test drive and regret their poorly researched decision.

 

I just bought a new access cab, and think you would be happier with a double cab. I drive a lot for work and am alone in my truck for 99% of the miles driven, the other 1% is just me and my wife. I wanted the long bed for hauling our kayaks, so it was access cab or double cab long bed. And I prefer the looks of the AC.

A couple of pluses for the double cab ...
- the rear seat folds down into a flat platform that would be ideal to toss in a dog bed.
- the DC has far more storage under the seat than the AC, and has even more storage behind the seats, the AC doesn’t have any.

I’ve also learned that certain accessories, such as step rails, are often made only for the DC, limiting your options. Same for the long bed, many things are made only for the short bed.

 

that is a fantastic video.

always forget how damn good the ACLBs look!

 

OP I know you are asking about a dog in an Access cab but to give you an idea of what a double cab can do ... My 90# bloodhound had plenty of room to lay down and sleep, turn around and look out either back window. Click for a larger pic.