Looking for a new vehicle (Tacoma is a possibility)

Hello everyone!

I'm getting ready to look for a new vehicle. I currently drive an 04 Forester and 07 STi. Hopefully the STi will be sold at the end of the week and I'll be looking for a new vehicle. I've always wanted a truck and heard good things about the Tacomas.

I do have an odd requirement. One of my requirements for my next vehicle is that I'll be able to transport my dogs (normal so far, right?).

We adopted an American Bulldog who has a bit of a handicap as far as his ability to walk. He has arthritis and is bow legged in the front (vet thinks he was hit by a car and never fixed). Because of his inability to walk very far without getting tired, my girlfriend and I tow him in a little tikes wagon. His wagon must be able to be taken with on trips (including our luggage)

Her concern is that a Tacoma with 4 doors won't be big enough to put him and our english bulldog in for trips to the beach, etc.

I have only seen them in parking lots and haven't been to actually look at one yet so I don't know. Judging from the outside there appears to be enough room. His wagon would obviously go in the bed of the truck.

In my google search I stumbled across this thread which is what lead me to join the forum.

How much room are you guys getting from front to back with this modification you are doing? Is there enough for say a dog bed for my pup to curl up on while we go somewhere? Is it possible to remove the rear seats and just replace with a platform for the dogs? Would that create more room than the seats remaining installed? Dimensions would be helpful.

Currently, I'm folding the rear seats in the forester down, packing the back half of the bay with our stuff and his wagon and the two dogs ride in front of the cargo. I don't have any good pictures of that set up unfortunately.

Here are some of the dog in question though. Any insight into this would be greatly appreciated and will help me decide if a Tacoma is even feasible.

Here he is getting ready for loading from this past weekend.


The two of them in the forester at some point...



Me towing the one dog and walking the other.

 

I've never actually sat in a Forester, but I don't think you're gaining that much interior space with a double cab Tacoma vs what your Forester offers you now. Good on you for taking care of his needs, but you should hit a dealership and see for yourself for sure. It's a decent sized cab, but not big.

 

Maybe measure up a truck at the dealer?

 

I don't think I'll be gaining any space. I'm concerned about losing space.

I was wondering if anyone had insight into the removal of the seats vs. that platform idea in the post I linked.

Obviously the cargo and wagon can fit in the bed (that's not the concern). I just want to make sure my buddy has enough room to be comfy back there.

 

My old Taco is easy to take the seats out of, but yeah, its 19 years old Not what you are looking for.

BTW Nice Subies! My mom has a 2011 Forester, manual. Pretty fun car, I love it in the winter on ice/snow.

 

You'll be losing space. But my dog is 60lbs and has plenty of room by herself with the rear seats folded flat, and lays on her dog bed. Same goes with another dog in the back seat, so you'll be fine in that regard. You should still go see one, since you know what you need out of it and we can only suggest yes or no.

Our next car will be an Outback.

 

I'm going to go see one. I was hoping for some feedback from current owners.

I'm going to look at Subarus again if this isn't a feasible option.

 

Truck seems like a good idea since you're hauling a wagon around, but just not sure you'll be happy with the double cab space compared to the Forester space. If/when you do go to a dealer, though, I'd really be interested in your thoughts in regards to if it will work for your situation if you stick around here.

 

I'll update after I take a look at one.

Maybe I'll have to see if I can bring the pup haha.

 

Bring a blanket with you.

I would hope that if someone was interested in buying a car and had a certain and specific need that a dealership would entertain the prospective buyer(s) and allow them to see if their vehicle will fulfill that niche, provided you're not damaging anything. At least you'll find out who NOT to buy from based on how they field your pup getting in the back seat area.

 

these are my boxer babies. I would love to build them a platform but they dont like rides as much as they should.

 

get a snug top or leer top and you can leave the dogs in the truck bed

 

It's illegal to have the dogs in the bed in some states.

So - with a cap, does that make it legal?

I don't have any pets, but I wouldn't put any living animal in the truck bed loosely. They should be in a cage.

Just sayin'....

 

I just fold my rear seats down. I can fit two dog beds back there, and the flat back of the seats is a nice platform. You won't fit anything else, but that's what I use the bed for.

 

With the rear seats folded down I can fit my German Shepherd (110lbs) and my Yellow lab (85lbs) and they are very comfortable.

 

I know a ton of people put their dogs in the bed of a truck but I think its crazy, they can jump out so easily if they see even just a squirrel. Plus putting them in a cage makes them (at least my experience) car sick. Plus it gets to hot/cold for them back there and the possibility of fumes from exhaust. I also keep mine inside the cab

 

Some good looking dogs there.

My special needs dog (and the other dog) love car rides. The handicapped one sees the car pull up around back and bee lines for it. I guess he knows he is going somewhere.