Full Size to Tacoma

Hey Folks,

I am wondering if anyone can comment on their experience in moving from a full-size truck to a Tacoma. I have read through most of the threads that discuss something like, "Silverado vs. Tacoma", and I am specifically wondering if anyone has made the move, and what their experience was like.

I don't necessarily need the full size, and I am considering trading in my 19 Silverado for a Tacoma (test driving one on loan tonight!). However, there is a big difference in cabin size. I typically haul a couple of kids to school, but I rarely try to put the whole family in my truck. In short, my needs don't necessarily warrant the bigger truck (other than the fact that where I live, everyone drives a full size truck... and I mean everyone! )

Did you regret downsizing? Is there something specific you miss about your full size?

Appreciate the input!

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Get a Double Cab if you do get a Tacoma.
Even then, most people over 6’ seem to find even the Double Cab is not to “comfortable” in the back.
I’m 5’8”......I get stuck in the back seat when my buddies and I go hunting. (The life of a short guy lol)

 

Welcome! Ever shop for chainsaws? Iv always been told buy the bigger saw!! Well guess what... I bought what I thought was a “big” saw until I started cutting wood the other weekend with my brother..... never can be big enough..... unless you really wanna be part of the Tacoma family... then go for it!!

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to The Forum!

 

Definitely looking at a Double Cab. I am 6'0", but, for whatever reason (the newer electric seats, body shape, etc.!) - I seem to fit ok in the driver's seat. I will say, though, that the first 10 minutes behind the wheel after driving my Chevy is a big change!

 

It’s a change for sure... make sure you can live with it

 

The crazy thing... I have wanted a Tacoma for, I don't know, about 20 years! When I bought the Silverado, GM had some crazy rebates, and so the price was a bit cheaper than the Tacoma. I am now at a place where I can trade it in for basically what I paid for it...

At some level, it is not really a practical decision. It would be an emotional decision!

 

I went from an xtra cab F150 to my DCSB Tacoma. Yes it's smaller, but it's overall a much better truck. Having the double cab makes up for less bed space. There haven't been too many time when I wished I had a full size or more storage. I hunt, fish, camp, explore, etc. Having the smaller truck allows me to get down narrower roads that I couldn't/wouldn't go down in the F150. No kids btw.

 

I got a tundra in feb. My silverado work truck got totaled in Nov. So I got a tacoma to replace it. I took the tacoma up north last weekend. Three hour drive. I like the gas milage of the tacoma better... tundra drives and shifts better.... the Tundra looks better and is more intimidating... tacoma is better in tight spots trails etc...not sure which one I will end up driving more. Like both of them.

 

I do enjoy my taco.... everyday. Do I wish I had a bigger truck... yes swim times but also comes with more headaches and fuel moneys. Brother joe hauled this home Saturday and I hauled my 5x8 trailer loaded with wood. I was still smiling because I could of hauled that trailer BUT I told him it would look funny you hauling the smaller trailer... I like putting smiles on people’s faces .... anyway don’t wanna jack this thread

 

I traded a 2002 F150 crew cab 4X4 for my 2007 DC Tacoma 4X4 in 2007. But only after my youngest graduated and moved out of the house and it was just me and my wife. The Tacoma would have been simply too small when my kids were at home. If you have small kids, they grow fast. My son was 5'3 and 140 lbs in 8th grade. By 10th grade he was 6'3 and 240 lbs.

At the time I picked up about 3 mpg and the size was perfect for us. You aren't going to haul much in a Tacoma, so I bought a utility trailer. I can haul more firewood in the trailer than I could put in the bed of a 3/4 ton truck and pull it easily. It is easier to load/unload and I don't beat up the bed.

But by 2016, I had 3 grand kids and the Tacoma was simply too small. No matter how good it had been, nor how much we liked it, the truck simply didn't do what we needed. I went back to another crew cab F150, but kept the Tacoma as a 3rd vehicle. My wife loves driving it around town to pick up her gardening and craft supplies.

 

I have the opposite problem but it depends on usage. I'm towing more frequently, need more space more often, and am growing tired of my truck... looking at Rams currently.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Meh. Rent a uhaul for the day.



@myrddincox I can't find a picture of a Gen 3 tacoma side by side a silverado, but if you can find one or actually do it in a parking lot or something like that, I think you'll see they are a lot closer in size than an old ranger and F150 are, for example. The new 3rd gens are giant for "small trucks"

 

If everyone in your area is driving some type of full-size Chevy/Dodge/Ford/GMC truck...then dont be a SHEEP like them, be different!

Be a GOAT like us with a Tacoma!!!

 

Went from a 2000 Frontier to a 2008 Ram to a 2016 Tacoma to a 2018 Tacoma.

No Ragrets. I liked the Ram for a lot of things, but the "small" Tacoma fills 99.5% of my needs.

 

I went from a crew cab F-150 with a V8 to a double cab Tacoma. I'm 6' 3" and the biggest thing I had to adjust to was the angle my legs are at while I'm driving. Midsize truck will have you sit closer to the floor so your knees are closer to your chest, where in a full size your legs can be stretched out a little more. Road trips can get a bit uncomfortable for me, but I just stop every couple hours and stretch my legs a bit. Other than that though I have no complaints at all. No kids, don't tow anything, and the smaller truck gives me the ability to fit into tighter trails. Plus parking is easier.

 

Appreciate all the feedback! Was looking at a TRD Sport 4x4 but decided to pass on it. Still on the fence, but I do recognize that I rarely ever really “need” a full size. Honestly, the thing I would probably miss the most is heated seats and steering wheel , and part of the deal is convincing my wife! On rare occasions we load up 4 or 5 of us, and the crew cab on the Silverado is huge. But we take her car 90% of the time for those trips, and all of the kids except one now are driving on their own!

My local dealer has an Off Road coming with all the features I would like so I may find it hard to pass up!