Need Tips for Driving a LongBed

I'm happy with my DCSB/AT--no hauling requirements needed.

If so needed, then a Full-Size truck is available. (225.4" vs 250.3")

 

You want me to what... you want me to multi task... for heavens sake, I'm checking my phone !

 

My Subaru owners manual warns of full lock.

 

You forgot to mention the turn radius on these thing is not great, but I love my long bed, you'll get used to it.

 

Remember, you’re parking your rear tires with your front ones. Line up the rears and you’re good.


Just takes practice.


DCLB Tundra and (3) DCLB Chevy’s are all a lot easier to navigate around the big city than big dump trucks, garbage trucks, etc. if anyone else can do it so can you, just put the time in. In a year you’ll forget it was ever an issue.

 

I guess one of these would certainly be a no for you then.

 

I do the exact same thing. Had a 2500 extended cab long (8 foot) bed for many years and got into the habit.

 

I haven't shopped a Tundra in a while I'm thinking one of those would be difficult to find. I see one every now and again, Toyota built a bunch of the odder work truck Tundras in 2022 but I don't see them no where near as often as I did.

 

I gotta kick outta this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8GlYebtr6M

 

Heck, rent a big Uhaul truck for a day or so, and the Tacoma will feel like a compact.

 

If you're having difficulty with turns, it's because you're initiating too early. You're doing what is called an "early apex."
With a long vehicle on the street, you need to late apex. Which is accomplished by delaying your turn in.

Here's a basic drawing.


Yes, I know this isn't a track situation, but the theory still holds.
With a long truck, you need to drive past the point that your eyes and brain are telling you to begin turning. That little delay will "open up" the turn and keep you from running over and into anything with your rear wheels.

I was an on-track racing instructor for many years. The vast, vast majority of new drivers are instinctive early apexers. Everyone wants to get into the turn ASAP. It's how they drive on the street. But that's not how you drive on the track. Or if you have a long vehicle. Or are towing.

 

That's almost a good visualization of the suggestion to pull past the spot, and back up to align for a straight pull in. If he was trying to park where the tree was, it would have been perfect.

It's funny watching all the effort and seeing the truck in basically the same position at the end

 

Driving our MRAP on city streets and getting back in the Tacoma it feels like a Miata.

 

here is an example of something i found useful.
there is plenty of room on the sideview mirrors to accommodate this. i put mine in upper far corner of the mirror.

$7 2 pcs Blind Spot Mirrors, 2" Round HD Glass Convex 360° Wide Angle Side Rear View Mirror with ABS Housing for Cars SUV and Trucks, Silver, Pack of 2

https://www.amazon.com/Blind-Spot-Mirrors-360°-Wide-Housing/dp/B08M5ML72C
i originally got them to widen my view of adjacent lanes but found that distracting.
i discovered adjusting them to see the rear tires on the pavement let me know exactly how i was doing in tight parking spaces.
make sure they are adjustable.
edit: watch the video to see how they are useful for parking.

 

On my cross country move with my Tundra and 18' trailer, I took it through this McDonalds drive thru, not realizing the sharp left turn exit. It was unique too in the fact there were two pick up windows, and I got sent to the further one (red X). I ended up positioning myself as wide as I could and got out of the truck and stood in the drive thru lane waiting for my food, no other way around it. Barely ended up making the turn.

 

I have been complaining since the 3rd gen which hasn't been that long. Toyota needs to add spot mirrors to the Tacoma side view mirrors, they can do 360 cameras, Saftey Sense, and parking sensors. Why can't they add something that will work 100% of the time? The Rav 4 has them. The side views on my 2G are terrible which adding aftermarket spot mirrors could fix. No American should have to alter the mirrors on their new 24-25 Toyota Tacoma in order to have some decent visibility in their truck.

 

This one was my personal favorite. I enter the drive, make the turn, and at the very end there's a sign that says "No Duallys - Narrow driveway."

Whelp, this is going to be a fun one. No scraped paint, but more than a few polite words with the business owner were exchanged.

 

I specifically bought a 2022 access cab Tacoma because that’s the biggest truck that fits around here. Back when I lived in Hawaii I had a regular cab 2010. What I really wanted was a a DCLB, but that’s impossible in the Bay Area.

Depending on where you live, it may not be big truck friendly.

I still don’t understand how the people with the full size lifted crew cab long beds drive around here.

edit: I even got a cab height topper for garage clearance issues.