Short Box vs. Long Box

I’m strongly considering buying a 2011 short box Tacoma, mainly due to aesthetics (I like the short box look) and for a slightly shorter truck than the long box (easier to fit in garage).

Problem is that I haul dirt bikes and sport bikes around, and the short box is very lean on space compared to the long boxes. My KTM dirt bike will overhang the tailgate by 6", which i will probably be ok with. My GSX-R will not overhang, but will place additional weight down the gate compared to the KTM.

Does anybody own a short box and regret not having a long box when it comes time to hauling stuff?

Any honest and candid responses are appreciated.

I've also posted a poll for ease of response...

 

I do not regret buying a long bed. It's only 6foot. Not like an 8footer or anything. If I was buying a trail machine I would def go with the shorty

 

I like the short bed and I too wanted the off road package. Therefore I bought a small utility trailer to haul the toys.

 

I went with the long bed and love it. Reason being i needed a full size toolbox so that way I still have usable bed room. Its def not like having a 8 ft bed for sure, trust me I traded my f350 crew long bed and don't miss it. Like said above I also just bought a 5x8 utility trailer.

 

I got the short bed (mainly because I was buying used, and for everything I was looking to get, like Off Road, tow package, double cab, etc. I didn't have too many options). I haven't had any need for larger bed size, and if I am carrying a lot of gear, I throw some of it on the back seat.

At work, we have 3 Taco 4x4 long beds... and we need the extra foot of space since we haul around a lot of gear like lumber and weed-whips.

So I guess it depends upon what you'd be using it for and if that would require that extra foot of space!

 

Trade ya my long bed for your short bed

 

Long bed = Yay
Short bed = Ghey

 

Long bed was my choice, but if you get a short or long bed you can still get a light trailer to haul bikes and keep the bed area of the truck for other stuff.

 

i got short bed. i can haul anything i need to. and if it wont fit. dad has a tundra and we have a 12X7 foot trailer. so i did not need a LB and i kinda wanted the full locking rear diff.

 

If you're under 6' you can sleep in a longbed.

 

Long bed = standard size bed :$
short bed = what is the point of having a truck.

 

i could sleep in my SB if need be. i’m just 5’6 and most the time i don’t sleep straight as a board.

just saying..

 

Long Bed. I like the looks of the long box wayy more than the short box and I like the idea of having more room to haul stuff, if the need arises. My ideal truck would have been a DCLB though...best of both worlds...more deck space and more space for passengers to ride comfortably. Probably would not fit in my garage though.

 

Heck I wish my long bed was really a long bed. 6' isn't all that long

 

I think if your happy with which ever size bed you have, who cares?? There is plenty of things you can haul around in a short bed, I personally think the short bed looks ALOT better then the long bed. That's my opinion and everyone has there own, it's a great thing. I have the short bed & have hauled a full size couch with no problems, yes the tailgate was down but so what & it got the job done. An extra foot of space is not gonna make or break anything in most cases.

 

I bought mine so I can sleep in the back on camping trips under a cap. I am 6'1" and the short bed would not cut it unless I slept curled up in a tiny ball. What you need the truck for should determine what you get.

 

I have a longbed and the bed extender. I'd rather have and not need then need and not have.

 

Oh hell no! Not for me that is. On dreary nights when I just didn't want to pitch a tent, I slept in my old 86 4 Runner a few times & could never fully stretch out (just a few inches too short). I hated it. Terrible nights of sleep and cramped legs come morning.

In fact the very 1st thing I did when I went to the dealer to look for a new truck was drop the tailgate, climb in the bed, close the tailgate and lie down. They all laughed at me. But for me being able to stretch out & sleep was a huge consideration. Of course I have a shell and added a Bedrug mat (floor section only). It's a camper when I want it and a truck when I need it to be.

 

A few other considerations OP .. if you want a double cab TRD Offroad you have to get a SB. If you want a double cab manual, you have to get a SB.

LBs are automatic only. And you can't get TRD Offroad. But you can get TRD Sport which is a nice package! If you wanted OR because of the traction control options, you can always add an air locker to the LB.