Long bed or Short bed

Does the dealership know if an incoming double cab, is a long or short bed?

I usually can't find this info on the dealer's site. Even when the truck is listed as in stock and there are photos on line. The only way I can tell if it's a LB or SB is by the dealer photos.

 

Yes, they're listed by code numbers. Each configuration in the inventory computer has a number code that corresponds to a specific build (TRD, SR, SR5, long/short bed, AC, etc.).

What they put on the web site is different from the inventory system. Sometimes it's just easier to call and ask.

Depending on your area of the country, it's easier to go to the Toyota site and "build your own" because it will do a search not only of your closest particular dealer but include all of various unassigned configurations at the port. The dealership can do this too - they can list and sell a vehicle that still hasn't made it to their lot as long as it isn't confirmed for another dealership.

 

Short bed all day. Unless you do an access cab...Then the frame length is not obnoxious IMHO.

 

DCLB all day. Short bed problems “Size Does Matter”

 

FWIW, a long bed isn't long IMHO. Its only 73 inch with the gate closed.

 

If the extra foot or so of truck length isn't an issue for your garage or other parking structures, I'd go for the long bed. Even thought the truck is longer than the standard Tacoma, its still shorter than full sized trucks. We're not talking about a full sized crew cab with an 8 foot bed here.

I have a short bed, and there have been a couple of times when the long bed would have been better.


That being said, the only time I've wished I got the long bed was when I put a dirt bike in the back and had to push it off to the side and leave the tailgate down.

This is my first Tacoma... I wanted leather seats when I bought mine and hadn't yet found TW to know more about these trucks. The only model I could find with leather through Toyota "Build Your Own" was a Limited short bed. If I had it to do over again, I would have bought an Off Road Long Bed and put a leather seat kit in it.

 

You can usually tell by wheel base listed on their site. If I remember right... SB 127" LB 141" wheel base, for dbl cab.

 

Pretty sure OP's question wasn't whether one was better than the other, but how to tell on the dealer site.

 

Like mentioned above, look for the model code. It will indicate trim, drive train, and bed length. Example: 7544 is OR 4x4 DCSB, 7568 is OR 4x4 DCLB (at least for the distributor in my area, not sure if its the same nationally).
As far as which to go with, I would drive both before deciding. I was dead set on a long bed going in, but after test driving both I just didn't like the way the LB felt compared to the SB. Ended up passing up good deals on short beds looking for a long bed just to go with the short bed anyways.

 

This always sounds like an old man argument. “Back in my day a long bed was 8 ft.” Then another dude comes in, “nah long bed is 10ft.”

Semantics, we all know what is being asked.

 

My point....... is it is not an "8 foot" as in typical nomenclature or understanding of a "long bed"

No "old man argument".

 

DCLB FTMFW

 

Test drove both, Bought a DCLB since that is why I wanted to buy a truck is to have a bed that i could fit what I wanted to.
Also knowing that my dad had short bed (fitting building materials with big overhang) made me want to go to a Long bed. After going to home depot for a reno and doing dump runs long bed is definitely more functional. Although if you have limited space in the garage that might play a factor.

 

I went with a short bed because the long bed model wouldn't fit in my garage.

It depends on what you plan on using your truck for and if you need the extra space in the bed. I didn't. Then again my truck isn't a work truck either.

 

Im a millennial and my first truck was an f150 with an 8ft bed. I agree that the 6ft Tacoma bed is a regular sized bed. Everything else is a small bed. Even fords most popular f150 mostly sells the short beds now in days.

 

My first tacoma was a regular cab long bed, perfect, the truck was a great size.

Next I got a DCLB, the frame was too long. It was difficult to park in the big city and it was difficult to navigate in parking lots.

Now I'm in a DCSB and I would not go back. Its a great size. Yes the bed is small, and its small on a "long bed". It's just a great functional size for the taco.

 

The biggest advantage a Tacoma has compared a 1/2 ton is the small size. The biggest disadvantage a Tacoma has compared to a 1/2 ton is the small size. The small exterior size is great for maneuverability, but the small cab, limited towing and hauling capability are a huge disadvantage.

If you go DCLB you end up all of the disadvantages of a Tacoma with none of the advantages. A DCLB is virtually the same overall length as a 1/2 ton, but still have all of the negatives of a small cab and limited towing/hauling. If considering a 6' bed on a DC Tacoma just buy a 1/2 ton. It won't be any more difficult to park, but you get a bigger cab, longer, wider, deeper bed with up to double the hauling and towing capability. I've never found anything that wouldn't fit in a 5' bed that would fit in a 6' bed. If the DCSB isn't big enough I need an 8' bed to really make any difference.

 

There are still size advantages even with a DCLB

 

Imagine having to drive a full size truck, you would be screwed.

 

Here you go, you can still get leather seats as nice as OEM: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/clazzio-leather-seat-covers.414702/ I highly recommend these.

I disagree. I've driven every shape and size of full size truck for work. The DCLB taco is easier to maneuver and park or navigate narrow overgrown roads than most full size trucks. Width and turning radius matter. Have you tried fitting something that was 6ft long in a 5ft bed? Sounds like you weren't looking very hard. Try laying down a modern mountain bike in a 5 ft bed. It ain't gonna happen. Or hauling a dirt bike. A shorter wheelbase bike will fit diagonally in a 5 ft bed, but a lot of full size dirt bikes won't unless the tailgate is down. They will fit diagonally in a 6ft bed with tailgate up though. Now consider if you want to put a shell on your truck with a sleeping platform. If you're over 5 ft tall a 5-ft bed is going to limit your sleeping arrangements. Same thing if you want to put a camper shell like a GFC or Vagabond. You'll be much more limited with interior space with the shorter bed. If you're not doing any of these things the length won't matter. I made do with a Gen1 short bed for 10 yrs, but I have no regrets buying the long bed Taco. I looked at full size trucks, most configurations are too big for what I need.