help!!! save the Taco

Truck is fine. I bet what you're feeling is just the shock of being told you're going to be a dad. Just chill out, shit'll be fine.

Don't sell your truck. You're gonna need it for hauling a bunch of shit from IKEA to the Nursery.

 

This!! I have a bestop soft top and it's perfect. I use the bed a lot for Jon boat, fishing gear, dirt bikes, etc.... But, I also camp in the back, or sometimes need covered storage in the bed. So a hard camper shell wouldn't work. Well, it would work, but they are a pain to put on and take off all the time.
The bestop folds up in about 5-10 minutes, and folds down in less. No need to take it off when not using it. It folds forward, completely out of the way.

 

Do you have a second car?
I would just take your time and see how things go with the truck.
You would be surprised how you can adapt.
DON'T SELL THE TRUCK.

 

I was in the same boat last year man new baby slog with the wife and dog. Had a dclb as well. I jus got a soft top Tri fold tonneau cover provides awesome protection fr stuff I put in the bed and when I need to use the bed for big things it comes off in minutes.

 

You don't want a cap because you'll lose the functionality of the truck but you're thinking of a 4-runner?...

 

I don't understand this thread . You have the largest Tacoma they make and are convinced it's not big enough and don't want a canopy , so it's pretty obvious you need a bigger truck

 

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I'm a rock climber. Had similar problems. Had very large dog. Lived in Washington, Oregon up by Dalles and Troutdale. Got a hard shell canopy..Leer, Snugtop whatever. Put Yakima Rack mounts on the canopy for moving lumber or whatever. Learn to love the look. ;-)

Sometime after hatching, the rug rat fits fine in a baby seat. You can change the cab rear window to open; buy a pass through canopy if you want and keep the dog in the back. Buy a Tail-gate lock ..about $85 ....Did this for years.

Don't sell your Tacoma
my 2 cents

 

We'll i'm not in your shoes yet but the guy i bought my Tacoma off of in 2009 sold his for the same reason. He bought another car cause he said he needed room for his 2 kids. Coming from a extended cab Tacoma (to buying the double cab off of him) I didn't really see why it was as much as a trouble as he needed to buy something else (besides possibly the wife telling him to) But i'd like to think my double cab would have more than the room i would need. I haul my 8 year old niece around all the time, load it down with sport junk, girlfriend, etc. and have yet to believe i would need anything more. I would imagine if you wanted more room for luggage, kids junk, etc. a bed cover or roof rack on it would be more than enough if you want to keep your Tacoma.

 

DCLB cant handle 2 adults, a dog, and a baby??

 

Anybody there? No response from OP since first post...

 

Yeah, I moved up to a Tacoma from a single cab Chevy when we were having our first baby. Space is fine for me, I have the soft roll up bed cover so it's there to protect things when they need protecting an out of the way when I need it out of the way.

Sounds like you are wanting a full size double cab truck though, no shame in that. Some of those have massive back seats and bigger beds...so that's the ticket.

 

If I ever buy a full size again, I'll still keep the taco .. too handy for all the inner city quick trips.

 

I have a 14 year old and a 11 month old. The family fits just fine in my 2014 DC Tacoma. I have a cover on the bed so we can todd strollers and stuff back there if needed. That said, we use the wife's 2014 RAV4 for most family outings.

I wouldn't stress about the truck too much...

 

Sounds like he will be fine but his lady wants an SUV. Make the wife happy. Get the highlander. The new 4-Runner is ruined with the ugly grille.

 

Maybe he realizes his first post was just a knee jerk reaction and is now lurking other threads.

 

Agree with others. Plenty of options to make the Tacoma more than viable for a family / pets.

The cool thing about a truck - The reason I went with another Tacoma over the 4Runner Trail Premium [which is totally awesome by the way] is because you can put a hella of lot of stuff in the bed even though I bought a DCSB - and it doesn't have to be clean stuff so you won't ruin your SUV. You wouldn't believe the amount of stuff I've been able to jam in the bed.

Lot's of room in the back seats too. Folded down or up. Back seats folded down the Tacoma becomes a mini-SUV with a bed for haulin' crap. Can't beat that IMHO.

Put a Canopy on it and call it a day!

 

To all,
Sorry i was in the woods.
Thank you for humoring me with this topic.
To answer some of everyones question. 1. yes i have the dc, lb. , 2. I have a Samoyed she is about 65 lbs thing sled dog and she is only a year old, she is still to new also has never meet a let alone sit next to new born. She hasn't figured out how to relax its a young dog thing. Also we are training her as a search and rescue dog its a work in progress she's a big dog. 3. Wife is normal size minus the baby bum. 4. I'm evaluating all the option that are out their other then putting a canopy. thanks for the info in the past-through info i did not the had those. I like the soft to option and the the tailgate lock and soft bed cover. 5. does and one have an opinion on the hard folding covers?
6. My wife is a Camry girl. she doesn't do well in large or long vehicles. I already have had to fix 2 cars this year. My wife is short. we are also in a lease with her car or i would just get her a rave. also Wife is uncomfortable having the dog unsecured in the back of the truck and it rain a lot here.

7. I'm longing for options other than the canopy. and to see what thing other have come up with for solutions for similar to topic. there is a lot of in on here to dig through.

Oh and to the two guys that don't see the problem.
If i wanted the tundra i would of have got the full size and I have 15801 miles on the truck oh and this in 9months. You do the math on on the gas mileage between the to trucks.
And the guy who lives in Flagstaff, az. take you canopy off and spend a week in seattle then you will understand the point of the topic.

p.s if the two of you don't have useable advice or input or just don't get it then don't read the post and/or don't respond.
Sorry to be a dick but really don't share if you don't have anything of value to add.

With that said thank you to all for sharing your input you have given me some ideas. and i think i will move to flagstaff. and deal with the snow and cold and not have to deal with the year round rain.

 

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Get a shell and a Bedrug mat. The dog'll love it. And both are easily removable for when you want a pickup. Problem solved.

 

Others in your situation bought a cap.
Buy one or trade.
Problem solved, you're welcome.