A few questions: infant seat, MPG, truck height

Hi

I'm thinking about replacing my company vehicle.

I'm a cell tower contractor so I need a reliable and capable truck that will easily haul my tools and equipment to job sites. I need 4x4 since some tower access roads requires it.

I was thinking about getting a full size but my primary concern is MPGs. I drive all around the state so I need a somewhat good fuel economy. I will also use the truck as a daily driver so it's not all about business! I want a nice truck.

The 2005+ Tacoma is my choice since it's bigger than the previous gen.

Here's a few questions:

- Will an infant seat fit in an extended cab?

- Is there any real MPG gain in getting a manual transmission instead of an automatic? If so, what engine should I look?

- Is the tacoma sitting higher than Chevys Colorados/other small trucks?

- Anyone have pictures of a stock Tacoma side by side with a Ram/silverado/f150? Is it really smaller?

Thanks!

 

No comment on the infant seat but I would doubt that it fits.

The auto is advertised as getting better mileage than the manual for the V6 models. With my V6, 4x4 double cab, I can push 20 mpg in the summer and will dip a little in the winter.

The Tacoma is smaller than a full size truck. It's a different class of truck. It's shorter and narrower but just as tall.

 

You would have to get the double cab for a car seat to fit normal. I have heard of people putting them in sideways and fitting but I didnt want to deal with a sideways carseat.

 

A rear facing infant seat fits pretty snug in a double cab, I couldn't imagine trying to get it to fit in an access cab.
The manual trannys supposedly get worse mileage than the autos, but I like a manual and didn't get the truck with MPGs a high focus. If you are going double cab, I would stick with the V6. I think double cab 4 cylinder models weren't offered till the 2011 model year.
I would consider the tacoma a mid size and the silverado/f150s full size.

 

if i was you i would get the double cab. i love the extra room in mine.


also, i have a 2007 DCSB TRD off road 4x4 automatic trans V6. with the stock tires i got around 18 to 20mpg depends on how much i got on it, and if i did more stop and go or highway driving.

i have put 265/75R16 load range E nitto terra grapplers on and i think i may have lost 1mpg. but than agin it maybe my driving.

 

Hey there,
I have 2 infant car seats in the back of my 2012 double cab; obe foward facing for my 2yr old and the other rear facing for the 7 month old. there's no way you'll fit a car seat into the access/extended cab.

there's plenty of room for the 2 kiddos plus space to put bags/other shite in between them as well as on the floor. my wife can also squeeze between the two seats if necessary on long trips to feed/calm the kids down.

i have the auto 6 cyl and i'm getting 18.5-20mpgs, mostly highway with some rural driving

I love my Truck!

 

I would have got an access cab if I didn't have kids. I drove one with my 4 year old, he fit fine in a booster seat but no room to grow. Double cab is the way to go with children even if it means sacraficing somewhere else. Just my opinion.

 

you can always go with the tundra, it gets nearly the same gas mileage.

 

FWIW the Tundra double cab has almost the same amount of space front to back in the back seat as a double cab Tacoma. I almost bought one thinking I would have so much more space for the kids in the back. I measured from headrest to head rest in the Tacoma then I adjusted the seat in the Tundra and measured it. Wouldn't you know it.... It was exactly the same distance. Of course you gain side to side space but it really wasn't worth it for me.

 

I've got a access cab that I just put an infant seat in, the passenger seat has to be moved up quite a bit. My wife, who's 5'4'' doesn't have enough leg room when the infant seat is in. If I knew I was going to have a kid, I would've looked into a Double Cab.

 

Thanks for your replies everyone. In my opinion, the double (4 doors) cab looks better...

I think I'm going to get a double cab Tacoma.

There's no need for me to buy a full size truck... even though I really like their size.

I see more advantages in having a mid size truck than a full size.

Can't wait to test drive it!

 

I work for a company that primarily does cell towers as well.

As for the tacoma vs fullsize it is about the same now in terms mpg compared to when the 05 models came out. The engine has not been updated and the fords and chevy's have caught up. Tundra is too big in my eyes.

The larger size and ablility to tow/haul more would sway me to go fullsize.

I keep my tools and spare clothing due to the cold temps and it takes up most of my back seat in my doublecab.

I would like fullsize diesel myself but could not fit in my garage so I went with the tacoma. I typically see 18-19

Taco manual blows.

 

Double cab for the car seat.

 

I have an access cab and a rear facing car seat fits fine. I had to try out a lot of brands to see what fit the best, and the Chicco Keyfit 30 fits great and allows my short wife to squeeze in the front seat. Other brands were a lot bigger and didn't fit well. (My local babies r us was nice enough to let me take various floor models to try in my car).

I bought my A/C in 2007 and just had my first kid last week, so car seats weren't in mind at time of purchase. If I was buying new I'd get a double cab now, but at the time A/C made sense. Just make sure to get the 6' bed, which is still small, but is more functional compared to the 5'.

 

my dad has a 2010 chevy 1500 and my tacoma (before lifting) was taller than his truck. His front bumper valance is extremely low to the ground

 

i’m sorry but the new F-150 mpg BLOWS! my friends dad had a ’10(i think may have been a ’11) and one day we took it to the pet store. and used almost 2x as much gas as i do. got the to the same place and the same speed. and my buddy live like 0.5 miles from me, so it’s not like we had a longer drive.

 

i agree, for OP the DCLB sounds best, that way he has more room for tools and what ever els he needs. all tho the 5’(or short bed) will still hold a lot of stuff, just have to know how to pack it right.

x2, brother has a ’09 1500 and all the extra trim on the front is a lot lower than our bumpers.

 

get a tundra. my tacoma get 14-17 MPG around town. cant see the tundra being worse. then rear facing infant seat fits in my Double Cab but its tight, i have to fold the seats forward to get it in and out with the baby in the seat.

 

but the tundra is ugly as sin

 

The Tundra really isn't that much bigger. Only if you spring for the Crew Cab, but then you are looking at a $40k+ pickup. It's not all about space sometimes. You have to consider other things such as upkeep and resale values.