-New Here- I need help deciding DCBLB or DCSB

First off I'm new here, but not new to Tacoma's, I've had a '93 Xtra Cab and '15 SR, AC Standard bed. I dumped the '15 for a fullsize GMC because I'm a slightly taller fellow and for that body style I felt I was crammed in the interior, but I'm back and looking at Tacoma's again because I have no use for a fullsize pickup anymore, but I don't ever see myself driving anything other than a truck.

A friend of mine recently picked up a 21 DCSB and I noticed a huge change in interior space, mainly concerning the headroom, which was my biggest gripe in the '15 (my head would touch the ceiling and I'm 6'1). So in the next few weeks I've made my mind up that I will be purchasing a 2022 TRD Off Road, but am at a crossroads when it comes to bed length and cannot find answers at dealerships or really online.

I've been pulled slightly to the DCLB side because I would love to throw a cap on the truck, throw some overland equipment on it and just camp in the bed for a few days or weeks as I like to travel to CO, MT, WY, UT, but some of those locations such as Yellowstone, I don't think I could bring myself to sleep in a tent, even if it was a rooftop tent (grizzly bears).
But I've never seen a DCLB in person, none of the dealerships near me have them but one did tell me they'll "put my name on a list".

The only thing holding me back from pulling the trigger is I've seen guys on here with the DCLB and they do all the modifications I'd like to do, suspension/cap/rack/bumpers to handle some moderate off-roading, but they ultimately put a rooftop tent on it which is leading me to question if the 6ft bed to sleep in is worth the increased wheelbase, because I do intend to take it down forest service roads and some reasonably very easy trails where there may be some obstacles, but nothing a stock 4x4 couldn't handle.

I guess what I'm asking is how small is the DCLB's bed in reality, is it enough to make a decent multiday camper for 2 (at times when the ol lady wants to tag along) or is a rooftop tent the actual way to go? And how severely does the extra wheelbase affect the off-road capability's of the truck, are there places where a DCSB can go the a DCLB couldn't?

 

I regret the short bed but I am 5"10. I think you would still be cramped in the 6 ft bed. My old Silverado with a longer bed was great because I just threw my stuff in the truck and pulled over to sleep when I felt like it. I'm not a big off-road guy but I see people do things in their long beds that I'm not gonna do to my daily

 

If youre getting a rooftop tent, who cares about the bed length. I wanted the 6 foot bed as well, but decided to just get the bed extender, problem solved for me.

Im also 6-1, about 240. Plenty of head room IF YOU DONT GET THE SUNROOF.

Im very comfortable on long trips. No regrets.

 

long bed. it's a truck not a ridgeline.

 

If you want a 6 spd double cab, it’s gotta be a short bed. Otherwise I’d go long bed.

 

That's where I'm at, I don't want to go with the SB and regret it or go with the LB and regret it. I know that's going to be one thing I will miss about my GMC is the bed length, I rarely use the bed, but when I do... the whole bed gets used. Neither am I, I don't intend to go places a daily shouldn't go, but it would be nice to be able to head off the beaten path every now and again and some of the stuff I've read people make the LB seem as if it's not a capable vehicle.

Oh definitely, sunroofs are a big no from me, my GM vehicle put a very bad taste in my mouth when it came to that leaky SOB...
I really am trying to stay away from the rooftop tents because if I wanted to tent camp I'd just use my Kuiu.

 

This made me laugh, very true.

OOf no no, my '15 was a MT.. as fun as it was to drive.. it also wasn't fun at times.

 

I went SB so it would fit in the garage. If that didn't matter to me to fit in the garage I would have kept the F150

 

So I'm 6 feet pretty much exactly and sleep in the back of my long bed all the time, i have to sleep on an angle or my head/feet are pressing against the ends of the bed. 2 people wont work in the back if your 6'1, you'd have to go with a RTT or regular tent.

Just my thoughts/experience though.

 

6’1” with a LB & mid rise canopy on it. Yeah, it’s a bit tight sleeping in the back but for a quick weekend camping trip it works fine. For me the LB & canopy are perfect for having a dry place for storage & sleeping. Where are you located? Check out the regional discussions here for your area, probably be able to find someone local to you that will be willing to take a look at their setup

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-shell.13598/page-457#post-26258281

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...eping-platform-drawer-storage-systems.424709/

 

DCLB all the way. Had a 12 DCSB and after having that knew my next truck would have to be a LB. That extra length in the bed makes such a difference. Also I am 6ft and have no issues with headroom and I have the sunroof.

 

In either case, LB gives you options and more storage/bed space while having off-road shortcoming in only the most tight/tech situations. I toured parts of Michigan's UP with two, two-door wranglers and had no problems making turns and avoiding trees, I just had to adjust a couple times where they could drive through without stopping. If you don't plan on any serious off-road trails then you should have no regrets with a long bed.

 

Get the LB, can't tell you how many times I wished my bed was a little bit longer and 6 foot would've been perfect

 

DCLB IMO

when size matters

Or an AC those are sick

 

I always had LBs until I bought my 2020. I told myself I could make the SB work because I wanted the MT. It turns out that wasn’t the case. There wasn’t room for all the family gear when camping with the travel trailer and it wasn’t long enough when sleeping in the bed with a softopper. 18 months later I traded it in for a LB.

I did like the SB turning radius and extra space in the garage, but don’t make the same mistake I did. If you have doubts about bed space go with the LB.

 

I will say short beds will off-road better.

 

What cab/bed is your Sierra? A DCLB Tacoma is only about 10" shorter than a full-size truck with a 6.5-foot bed - I mean, get it if you want a new truck, but it seems like it would be kind of a lateral move to me.

If you don't have kids or rear passengers, the access cab/long bed is great for camping and not too ponderous in the city (212" long).

 

It doesn't sound like a LB will put you at a disadvantage for the type of off-roading you plan on doing. I'd love to have a LB for better sleeping and more bed space in general, but the MT took priority for me.

 

I had the same debate for 6+ months before i was forced to take a LB (last chance to do a custom build before toyota stopped them 2 months ago) and I don't regret it at all. Having spent a few weeks with the LB, now when I see SB it looks strange to me, like it has been cut off prematurely. The LB has a better overall look

 

Access cab, long bed, has same wheel base as a DCSB IIRC.

Utility version has no back seats, allowing custom build for much storage/dogs, etc.

Meaning the bed with a cap in place will have less gear inside and more room to sleep.