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

I think the question comes down to if you want that extra storage in the bed where it could possibly get wet and isn't temp controlled or have that extra storage in the cab where it will be dry and can stay warm/cool?

 

Wait, the double cab cabin space is shorter on a 6ft bed than a 5ft bed?

 

I have a 12’ Hobie kayak so wanted the 6’ bed. Knew I was going to pull the AC seats so was an easy choice for me. If you do a platform, it definitely increases the cab space. We have a 85 Lb dog and he easily rides back there. This wasn’t exactly cheap but perfect for my needs. Swapping out the back panel makes a significant difference.

 

After having a five foot bed for a couple of years a six foot bed was a have to have for me.

With a family it meant that I had to get a DCLB. Yeah the length and maybe turning radius is a little bit inconvenient but it's doable and our primary family hauler.

That foot does make a difference both in terms how easier it is to haul stuff but also making it a bit harder to drive around, park, etc. And I've often thought about going back to a five foot bed but like the convenience of a six foot bed. I should probably just learn how to drive with a trailer(have had issues with backing them up in the past)

I guess it depends on what you plan on putting back there. If you can fit everything you want in a five foot bed with the cap it might work for you. I'd have to say that the five foot bed probably worked for me 90 percent of the time.(The six foot bed also has limitations sometimes but it's not as frequent for me, so would say the six foot bed suits my purposes 95 to 98 percent of the time) But if your dog can fit in an Access cab okay and you don't have to worry about hauling passengers, I'd lean towards an Access cab just to get more utility value out of the bed.

The way that I described my previous truck is that it could haul both people and cargo but neither particularly well. ie the rear passenger room was really tight, it's even smaller in the Tacoma double cab, but might not be an issue if it's just your dog. And while you can use straps and rope to accommodate some larger cargo, there's some things that won't work with that. ie yard debris, loose boxes, etc. And as mentioned I'm sometimes surprised at how much of a difference that extra foot makes in how much I can haul at a time. Plus I like being able to close the tailgate.

I think the only way I'd go back to a five foot bed is if one of these newer smaller "trucks" like the Maverick, Santa Cruz comes out with a five foot bed or if they shrink the Ridgeline. Or if something similar comes out. Where if I have a smaller bed, I hope the vehicle is also overall smaller and easier to drive too.

 

In the AC I found some perfectly sized boxes the fit the foot well and leveled it up to the seat height. Then I put a cheap seat cover in camo pattern that covered the back and base. Scout like it, and could jump in himself.



Once I switched up to the DC, the same seat cover worked for back and seat cushion, but the due to aging (he's 13+ now) and the additional height he became a lift in pup.

 

You will love your new Access Cab. The suicide opening doors would be easy to load your dog. If you seldom have rear seat passengers, you will be fine with the Access Cab. If you sometimes have adult rear seat passengers they will not like riding in the Access cab. The extra foot of bed space comes in handy when hauling 8 ft sheets or lumber. All you gain with double cab is more comfortable seating and a little more foot space. But it doesn't seem like the rear seat holds much more stuff in double cab than the access cab. You are right the extra foot of bed under your shell will hold a lot more.

 

I also had a dilemma with cargo on my short bed. Luckily I did not have to worry about the elements so I put a Yakima Offgrid XL cargo basket on top of some Relentless fab bars. So far it has worked great. Best part of all is that I can remove it when I don't need it.

 

So sad when they reach that point My previous lab used to make it himself into Dad's lifted SR5 hi-lux bed, close to 40" from ground. So heartbreaking when I had to start lifting him into my 4cyl base model. That thing reminds me of a Ranchero/El Camino more than a truck sometimes

 

Neat setup. I'm not sure I've ever seen one of these in a truck bed. What would be really cool is if they made these extendable on either end (like telescoping action), and you could get it above the roof. So basically like a lumber rack, but a bit more versatile. I'd love to have both a cap AND a lumber rack.

 

What did it end up costing you?

 

No, I like Tacoma’s.

 

the back panel was around $400 from BAM and the Goose Gear platforms were $750. That was all in around February 2020, so would assume it’s all more $$ these days.

 

I came from an "ACLB" ranger. Because that was all that was offered in them. Got a DCLB because the lockable interior storage was needed for tools, finally having a 4door 'car' was a side benefit for others to ride with me if needed, and the rear child restraints are beneficial if I need to help with the nephews/nieces. I'm still stretching the limits of the 6' bed with 8'-10' material. 10' material would be miserable with a 5' bed I'd need a headache rack to fly over the cab 6', can make do with bungees and a safety flag..

I can see how a DCSB is easier to drive for ok thers, but I learned on a suburban, and drive full size work vans every day for work. so if anything, the DCLB is easier to drive than I'm used to!

 

If you don't really ever have additional passengers that would use the backs seats of a double cab, then get the access cab. A dog isn't gonna care about the difference in room in the back seats, he will adjust to whatever space you put him in. But you will definitely notice the extra 1 foot of bed space...especially if you are gonna have a camper top on it. Regardless, I would absolutely not get double cab with 6 ft. bed. If you're gonna deal with that long of a truck, might as well get a Tundra.

 

Yeah probably. Looks great though.

 

The most practical truck for one person might be the least practical for another. My truck is basically 100% for play and daily driving...not work. For my purposes, the DCSB is perfect. I really have no need for an extra foot of bed space and have much more use for extra lockable cab space and ease of parking and turning. I camp, kayak, mountain bike, and do a little light offroading. I've never once wished I had more bed space or less cab space. That's me. Figure out what exactly you're using the truck for and you'll figure out which formation is most practical for you.

 

this really is the bottom line...

 

Buttt... I can haul three dogs in our Access Cab...

 

If you haven’t bought yet, I saw you debating transport options for sheet lumber. I cut some 2x4 to fit in the bed slots made exactly for that purpose. Also, there’s a nifty little mod where you buy an extra set of the cable hooks for the tailgate. Mount them at the appropriate height on the bed wall and you can simply disconnect your tailgate cables and connect them to the new hooks. This leaves your tailgate at just the right height to support the tail end of sheets.

 

For those times you need to haul lumber, or drywall

$81 Foldable Truck Bed Extender - 400lb Hitch Mount Heavy Duty Steel Bed Extender for Ladder, Canoe, Kayak, Pipes, Lumber

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07WRC2F3R

I keep debating about getting a Tundra with an 8' bed. (More room to sleep back there, and the long bike would fit, too)