Cargo space - Access Cab 6ft bed vs Double Cab 5ft Bed

Hello,

I'm getting ready to upgrade my old '06 single cab and I'm wondering if anyone has done any 'scientific' or at least semi-scientific comparisons on available cargo space between the two options in the title. I'd love a double cab 6ft bed but just don't want that sort of overall length or wheelbase.

My use case is that I frequently take extended vacations halfway across the country and am usually stuffed to the brim with various gear and a large dog. There would be a camper shell whichever way I go. From what I gather they are fairly close (lose 1ft off the bed, but gain some back in the rear of the cab). But am I correct that what you gain in the cab doesn't quite offset the loss in the bed? I'm thinking that's mostly due to the less spartan seating back there.

Having the extra passenger space almost never comes up so that's mostly a non-issue for me, but I'm thinking my dog might be a little more comfortable in the double. My plan for the Access option was to rig up a plywood bench with padding for him, if I go that route.

Thanks!

 

I’ve never compared the two, but I have a DCSB and it’s enough room for my wife and I, plus our two dogs on extended trips.

Especially with a camper shell I think that a DCSB would be plenty of room for the use that you described.

i’m actually waiting for my ARE shell to arrive.

 

Thanks for the note. I think if I had 2 dogs, the DC would be a no-brainer. In my case, I'm usually traveling with a mountain bike, camping gear, a guitar, sometimes an amp, video games, ....often as much as I can possibly fit, in the case I end up permanently living where I go. Long story, but effectively two homes, 2,000 miles apart. Often gone for 6+ months at a time!

I probably should just buy a small enclosed trailer, which I likely will at some point.

 

Wow, yeah that is a unique situation!

 

The overall length and wheelbase difference between the ACLB/DCSB (212.3 overall length) and the DCLB is (225.5" overall length) is 13.2" So not really that much longer. Some folks say that they can't fit the long wheelbase in their garages, it will have a nicer ride on the road.

The double cab would offer a lot more quick access lockable storage, a big plus -- a weeks groceries and the access cab is full.

This is only my second truck with a 6 foot bed, all my others (except an old run around Ranger) were domestic trucks with 8 footers. When I use this truck for "jobs" I'm amazed how small the bed really is. Just last week I had four 17" tires in the bed, there was not enough floor space for the tires to all lay flat in the bed.

I really can't personally imagine living with a 5 foot bed although the majority of folks here seem to be satisfied with them.

 

I would think with a shell, you could pile a lot of crap high, and might want the extra quick grab storage and more room for your copilot (dog). Also you might want some items kept from the hot and cold. Inevitably it sounds like you are borderline in full size territory, so a small enclosed would be ideal, with those distances and time spent.

 

if your dog will ride in the cab rather than in the bed, i would recommend the double cab rather than the access cab since you say it is a large dog and you take extended vacations halfway across country. by large dog i assume you mean 80+ pounds.

 

My '06 was a DCLB, I now have an ACLB. To be honest, I don't miss the longer wheelbase but it wasn't a deal breaker. In my case, I just don't need the extra space afforded by the DC. For me, the deal breaker would be the 5' box, IMO it's useless. I'd have to use a trailer to carry just about anything. (Maybe that's a bit of a stretch...) The AC's suicide doors can be a PITA accessing the back 'seat' in a parking lot.

Have you had the chance to test drive a DCLB? The extra wheelbase does make it a little harder to get into parking spaces. Again, not a deal breaker, just something you adjust for. The ride is a bit better.

 

Some good points, and yes, it's a conundrum. I think I'd be losing a little cargo space overall with the DC option, since in the camper I could stack that extra 12" floor to ceiling. But then that is locked away until arrival, with the truck unloaded. And less air-conditioned space as well--I do carry certain things across the Mojave Desert that make me wince when I think about the 100+ temps they're being subjected to.

To make matters even more indecisive for me, I'm an avid DIYer and at times need to haul 4x8 sheets...I think that's the biggest thing bugging me about it. Used to work construction but went to college as an older dude, work an office type job now, but still, it does come up sometimes. (again with the trailer option)

PS - I watched a video a few days ago where a guy made a pretty simple, but slick contraption for hauling 4x8 plywood/drywall. Definitely a viable solution though I'd hate having to store it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RMrIIqq26c0

 

So many great replies so far. And yeah, another thing is, my '2nd home' out in coastal California is up a winding, tight dirt road that requires a very tight turning radius. I think the ACLB/DCSB is already a longer wheelbase than my current and just don't think I'd be happy with the full DCLB. Dad has a beast of a '74 Ford DCLB and it's a nightmare to navigate getting up there at times. I also spend time camping and semi-offroading in the mountains, so the longer wheelbase would definitely limit my options.

 

If you go with the access can you can build a platform with storage underneath, some do it with the seats still in, others delete the seats and still others like myself get the utility package with no seats. Some ideas in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/access-cab-storage-organization.453774/page-13#post-25380659

 

For all practical purposes, I should take my rear 'seats' out, I will never use them. Just too damned lazy.

 

That video is interesting but you could just get by with the cross boards and a support that mounts in your hitch receiver like this:

To strap the sheets down, you go from one tie down eye, around the end of the sheets, up and around the other side to the tie down on the other side. No worries about sheets sliding out the side or end. I would think this would be easier to store.

 

The DC isn't nearly as long as that Ford and would have a better turning radius. You'd have to drive one to see if you could make it work. Offroading would be easier to high-center but I think you'd have to be in some pretty gnarly area.

 

Thanks for this link! I like what I'm seeing here. I think this will make my decision a lot easier, though tbh I was pretty much leaning toward AC anyhow. They just haven't been too available recently with a V6, due to the shortage.

 

Remember the Tacoma is probably close to 18" narrower than you Dads good old Ford.

They were great ones too, Ford was proud of having the biggest cab of all the pick ups, you could put 4 big guys in there. I have many hours in those old Fords.

 

Yes, these trucks are kind of a pain for actual "work". Not hatin' - just statin' - no needed.

I have an old Dodge Grand Caravan, 4 x 8 sheets slide in flat and the tailgate shuts. Ten foot lumber/pipes will go between the front seats no problem. Funny, the van is rated for more payload than the Tacoma too.

 

That '74 Ford was actually my bedroom as a teenager for a brief while...all decked out with carpet and everything Keep pressuring him to get rid of it but man, was it a workhorse in its day.

Also, funny about the Caravan comment. I have toyed with the idea of getting a minivan or cargo van as it would likely suit 95% of my needs. I just don't think I could go for the low ground clearance or questionable towing capacity. Don't care about the 'guy driving a minivan' stigma so much. And then, AFAIK, Toyota doesn't make one.

 

You could go with the ford E350 4x4 7.3 diesel van. Significantly more ground clearance towing capacity and room. Might be a bit extreme for your needs but there are a lot of options available. Personally I would not want to make frequent 2000 mile trips with two dogs in any Tacoma.

 

Do you by chance have a link to this product? I've tried searching a little and it could be the late hour/inebriated state and poor search terms, but can't find it. I'm intrigued.