Tacoma XtraCab vs F150 Super Cab

I noticed your need for a 6 foot bed as a sleep platform. I agree. This is one of the reasons I love my current 2021 AC with actual "suicide" doors -- the 6 foot bed accommodates a 6 foot cot (with storage underneath). The loss of that access door cab in a 2024 Sport or OR was very disappointing. As I consider the potential of purchasing the only available 4 door short bed (Why not the longer bed? It will not fit in my garage!) I thought I would throw out two combined potential solutions that I found using a topper rather than a dedicated camper.

First, the tent extension (using the tailgate and folds up into the headliner of the cap):
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/topper-tent-thread.812619/


https://thetoppertent.com/products/topper-tent
@TopperTent

Second, a platform ready to go....
I like the removability (and portable stacking when not in use) of the platform, and the space underneath when camping...

Someone on Tacoma World made their own exact version for a lot less money (assuming you have the wood working skills and equipment)....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bambeds-platform-designs.759332/

https://bambeds.com/collections/4th-gen-tacoma

@BamBeds

Just some ideas to toss about.
For my occasional camping trips I think I could run with these options.
If I was camping more I would still prefer a 6 foot bed.

 

WAt?! Ford?!

Nah. Just buy a 2.5gen (2013-2015) V6 access-cab 4WD Tacoma from a first owner, with all service records, no rust, & less than 75K miles on it. ~$25 to ~$28Kish.

It'll run until the sun burns out.

 

The Coyote is a great motor it seems but it won't tow like or get the MPG of the 3.5 and with a tone that 3.5 is an absolute animal.

 

36 gallon tank and LED headlights are the only things I would add to my F-150 STX SuperCab, I guess the tank and LED isn't that big on my list, the I traded had both of those, I haven't seen any aftermarket headlights I like. Sometimes I regret not going XLT to get the LED, and I still wouldn't mind having the 3.5tt again. 22-23 F-150 STX 3.5 Black Appearance Pkg came with the dual exhaust. I thought about adding it to my truck, but lost interest and some kind of skid plates would be money better spent.

 

Yes more is better... until the motor catches fire! The tune does sound tempting even more when you have the Ranger Raptor.

 

Haven’t read too many complaints about other than the belt driven oil pump.

The 2.7 seems like a happy medium between the two.

Thinking the 36 gal tank might be the thing that seals the deal, as the old saying goes, “better to have it and not use it, rather than not having it and needing it.”

The STX interior sure it nice.

 

Must of missed “nothing used”. Tired of fixing shit. Soon to be retired, want to hit the easy button.

 

C'mon man.

A well-kept 2nd gen Taco with 75K miles on it is barely broken in. And everyone knows it's going to 300K bare minimum, more likely 350K+, with minimal maintenance. Maybe an alternator, maybe a starter sometime in that time period. Everyone also knows that none of the Big 3 "American" makes can hold a candle to that reliability expectation.

The only way you're gonna keep that squeaky-clean brand-new-truck feel is by getting on some sort of leasing train where you turn over the vehicle every 3-4 years or before 50K miles and get a new one.

 

Oh you aren’t wrong, had an ‘08 that ran up to 200K, did have some actuator failures and rear wheel bearings go out, starter, and few other things, but a very good truck.

Plan is to only keep a vehicle to 100K, any issues let the warranty handle it.

 

Yeah if you are thinking Canada and Baja insulation for the temp swings is important for a good nights sleep. I really like the hard sider Hiatus you posted! With the vertical walls that is really good use of space - sent them an email to see what the actual vertical wall dimensions are. The downside of the AT Overland is the slope sides make for a fairly narrow sleeping area... but a nice and compact and fits the truck size perfectly as compared to the vertical walls which stick out over the cab.

 

That is what I am thinking, a little bit more on the spendy side, they do say to only cry once.

It is super nice, a lot of options and different configurations the others don’t offer. The barn door option would make it easier to get in and out instead of climbing over a tailgate.

Liking the hard walls, should be better insulated than than canvas, plus much better when the weather gets foul with the rain, snow and wind whipping. The white interior walls are brighter and less claustrophobic than what I am seeing with the other brands.

The vertical walls do stick out a bit, not as bad as a Four Wheel Camper, the wider interior space would be welcome, especially if you get stuck in it during bad weather. Have to check their measurements, on a full-size truck, the bed might be wide enough to sleep on without pulling out the extension. I am short only 5’8” (probably more like 5’7”) might work for me.

 

Yeah that is a thought... need a comfortable space to sit and stand while it blows through. Scout also knows a thing or two about sideways sleeping to preserve space and they have a new popup.

 

Back in my tent camping days, used to go to Colorado a lot, would get heavy afternoon thunderstorms, one year we were there for two weeks, rained every day, couldn’t standup, nothing would dry out. It was when my wife and I were first dating, she asked are you really sure you want to travel with just a topper?? These canopy pop up campers seem like a nice middle ground between a topper and a full on RV.

Speaking of sideway sleeping, found another one. https://www.tuneoutdoor.com/

 

The highway MPG rating of the 5.0 is 24 mpg. I think that is 1 higher than the 3.5.

 

See that Scout has a new pop up in the works. I priced out a Hiatus with the options I wanted it came in at $30K, with no interior build either. The Scout is starting at $27K, no worries about getting dust intrusion either like you do with a wedge. My last trip was dry and dusty, inside my topper filled with grime, and thought I had all the nooks and crannies sealed.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/news/scout-launches-pop-up-campers/

 

Well spent way too much time checking out the Scout, Hiatus and Tune, they are all great options.... Tune has a good blog about sideways sleeping. The width is pretty good for the 5' Taco, pretty much the same as some of the full size setups and better sleeping options (I'm 6'2"- compared to the Scout and Hiatus... maxes out use of the 5' bed for sure.

TUNE M1 INTERIOR LIVING SPACE
Sleeping area: 60” X 72” for 5' bed, 72" X 80" King Option
Living area: 61” x 72” for 5’ bed
Headroom: 6’4” >< 6’10” depending on truck

 

Found these guys too, similar to the Tune. Do like the full glass side windows on the Tune. Have windoors on my current topper, use them a lot, and like to be able to see out the passenger side backing up. A lot of the wedge campers don’t seem to offer both a window and a door, have to pick one or another, so they get marked off the list.

https://www.topotoppers.com/products/rincon

Sorry I missed this, yeah quite bummed to find out they discontinued the AC, had two of them over the years. Favorite cab figuration. Thought I could live without them and compromise, but too many other major things they changed (or didn’t) to do so. Thinking if I am paying for it with my hard earned cash, why should I compromise for a truck? Why I started looking at the F150 Super Cab, basically the same thing as an AC only a little bigger, and a few nicer options.

Thanks for the suggestions, believe I settled on some sort of pop up. Still would like a 6’ bed for stealth camping, and when the weather is really foul and need to close it up.

 

What year / how many miles on your 3rd gen?

 

It is a ‘21 that just rolled 57K. So still fresh. My niece needs a new vehicle, I was going to get a new truck and give it to her as she always wanted a Tacoma. She drives a shit box now, no idea what it is though. She lives back East.

 

I am considering moving up to a Supercab from a DCSB. My kids are growing, and the backseat in the Taco is getting tight. I definitely do not want the Supercrew with the full 4-doors and 5.5' cab. I'm pulling a 3600# boat now, and I miss having a full-size bed. I like the idea of the extended-range fuel tank, towing mirrors, 4X4, full-size bed, and smoother ride. The oldest will be driving in two years, and they hope I hand the Taco down to them. We're riding trails less and less, and we have mountain bikes for some of that. My big turnoff is having an $800 monthly payment for 5 years, even after putting $10k down. I came to the Taco in 2014 after totaling my regular cab '04 F150. I test-drove a '13 Supercab but it felt too much like an old man truck at the time. I'm an older man now, and I think I'm ready to step back into the old man truck game. I do like the proportions of this model: