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

These Hitch Extenders work great for longer items.

 

Large Dog >> Get a double cab. The back seat folds completely flat.

 

A guy told me when he traded his ACLB in and got the DCSB he said the DC is a quieter from outside road noise.
This and the ability to have the interior room to keep things safe and dry.

Go look at a ACLB and a DCSB at the dealer have them put them side by side and do the comparisons.

 

The van was an opportunity purchase, it was cheap and in better shape than what I had.

It is by far the most useful vehicle I have ever had. It will do 3/4 or more of what a truck can do, is cheap to run, fix, register and insure.

I have had everything in it from sheetrock, snowblowers, appliances, ladders, cabinets, demolition trash -- essentially anything that will fit in a dry, lockable 49" x 38" space 8' long.

And the wife is comfortable driving it if needed too.

The Sienna is the Toyota van.

 

"Hitch extenders"...that's what I was looking for. Yes, I wasn't aware of these before someone else posted a pic earlier in the thread. That's a definite option and would solve the hauling problem nicely.

I've always wondered about this. I can tell you my '06 single cab is far noisier on the road than I'd like, and always wondered why my mom's 4 Runner was so much more quiet. I was thinking maybe it was due to her V6 vs my 4 banger, but it would make sense that more cab space with more upholstery and seating would dampen road noise a bit. I can say that all the noise when road tripping leaves me pretty exhausted at the end of a long day.

 

I owned both a DCSB and a DCLB at the same time, both 3rd Gens.

I only own one now. The DCLB. For one very specific reason:

That extra foot is well worth it. The truck will be my home on wheels in the near future. I couldn't pass on the space.

Unless you are wheeling in seriously gnarly territory (in which case a Tacoma that you load up with stuff is not a good choice anyways), the longer wheelbase will not negatively impact your offroading.

 

If you use it as a truck, the extra bed space really does make a difference.

The DCLB is probably the best choice if you need passenger space and cargo space, but is too long unless you live out in the middle of nowhere.

 

Here's a couple visuals.

I have a SB mat in my ACLB. So, that 13in section in front of the mat is the extra space that you get with an LB:


The rear seat space in the AC is larger than is given credit for, esp if you compare it to the Ranger and Frontier. I fit back there well enough without moving the front seat. My teenage daughters are happy back there for at least an hour. Here's a 50l keg:



The floor can be leveled with two handy Dewalt boxes:

$20 DEWALT TSTAK II Tool Box, 13", Flat Top, Holds Up To 66 lbs, Flexible Platforms for Stacking (DWST17807)

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B6K4V80

I don't have a pic handy, but there are some in other threads if you search on the Dewalt boxes.

 

I never considered you could drive around with a keg in an access cab. Hmmm. Then again, maybe I'm better off without a keg in my truck

 

There is certainly enjoy in there to keep me happy. Hahahaha!

 

I went from a 2010 ACLB:



To a 2018 DCSB:



Both MGM, both with a cap. I never tried to sleep in the back, but hauled dog, mtn bikes, fuel, sleeping bags, hunting clothes, . . . in both. I never maxed out either. Scout appreciated the rear seat of the DC better than the rear of the AC. Both caps were dry. I hauled motorcycles in a trailer behind the truck:



Either worked fine for me. I liked the DCSB better, though I don't think I ever had adult passengers in the second row

 

Thanks again for all the input and visuals, guys. I think I am leaning toward AC (as I suspected from the start). Given my historical lack of need to carry more than 1 passenger, coupled with the extra utility I'd get from a long bed, I think it makes the most sense for me. Every time I see a SB on the road I just stare at the bed and think "Man....that bed is short". I'd also love to haul a dirt bike without needing a trailer.

But - in a way I'm almost indifferent and likely wouldn't hesitant to go DCSB if availability dictated, or the the price was somehow more attractive.

 

My son with no children takes his two Mastiff's on a plywood platform in an A.C. and they like most all dogs are tickled to get a ride !

 

If I could redesign the access cab rear doors. I would change from suicide style to a sliding mini-van style rear doors.

 

Access cab with utility package, then build out the area behind the seats for the dog and in cab gear.

 

I love my DCLB.

I did add full skid plates and the rock sliders for trails.

 

I've got a solution for you!

 

Curious: For the pooch, did you try plywood platform in the AC vs rear seat folded down in the DC, or was pooch happy with the DC seat in normal position? I ask since while the option to fold down is nice, it looks like you lose some footprint due to the way the bench portion becomes vertical. Almost looks like the open footprint portions become very similar in size once the DC rear seat gets put into 'cargo mode'.

I really need to just go to the dealership but live an hour out. Per their website inventories, I'd only be looking at test driving a 4cyl AC (which I don't want) or a V6 DC, making me kinda 'meh' about spending the gas/time to go.

 

The first one that updates their inventory in a timely manner, will be the first in my experience.

 

With having an AC and have test driven several DCs, yes, the AC has more road noise. However IMO the AC has better visibility out of the rear windows.

I do really like the 6 foot bed. That extra foot is handy. I was considering a DCLB at the time, but one literally wouldn't fit in my garage.



I also installed a Goose Gear flat floor in my AC as the rear jump seats are about useless. Might be tight with a large dog?