Future tacoma owner

Hi there! I currently own a 2004 Subaru forester and am making plans for it's demise (it can't come soon enough ) so I can justify buying a tacoma (or 4 runner, or frontier, but most likely taco).

A little bit of background. I am a K9 handler for SAR and need
- a reliable vehicle with good clearance off road in any weather (lots of mud and snow around these parts)
- plenty of room for gear (I'll most likely add two drawers to run the bottom of the bed with a topper on)
- room for two kennels, one for a 50 lb dog and one for a 35 lb dog
- long enough bed I can sleep in (I'm 5'10" and diagonally works as well)
- decent gas mileage (ideally a diesel, good luck I know) as this will be my main vehicle for in-town as well as out of town trips


So I have a number of questions. But I'll start with this one as it's my biggest concern when buying a new rig. For those of you that transport your pups in kennels. How do you rig it? With 110*+ summer temps and well below freezing winter temps I'd like the option to stick kennels in the cab but keep them in the bed the majority of the time.

Thanks!!
Jen

 

This thread could help.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...how-do-you-transport-your-4-legged-buddy.html

Welcome to TW!

 

SR5 DCLB?

 

I transport dogs for a rescue 2-3 times a month and also have a 100lb Lab X i haul around with me everywhere.
I have a piece of plywood covered in carpet that goes down where the rear seat bottoms fold up. This works well for my lab or 1 loose dog to travel with seatbelt. When i put kennels inside the cab i just fold down the rear seat backs which leaves enough room for 1-2 kennels depending on size. The door opening will be the deciding factor on how big of a kennel you can get inside. You could get way more space in the rear cab by removing the seats completely if thats an option for you. You could also remove the storage area behind the rear seat backs.

This will be my first winter in the Taco and i'm still working out a plan for transporting multiple large dogs in the cold. I'm leaning towards a softopper over the bed but i think with a hardtopper you could partially heat the bed area by opening the back window. I have about a 2hr trip each way so some heat in the back would be ideal.

 

Nissan Frontiers are less reliable and have less ground clearance than Tacomas. Access cab and double-cab Tacomas are really versatile for hauling dogs. A medium kennel might not fit inside an access cab Tacoma, though. I am 5'11 and I can sleep diagonally in my double cab short bed Tacoma, but it's not very comfortable. A double-cab long bed would give you the most space and the most comfortable pickup bed for sleeping.

I keep two kennels ratcheted down between the wheel wells year-round. I bought an aluminum shell that goes on in winter and off when the weather is nice. Aluminum shells don't look as good, but an aluminum shell weighs under 80 lbs. and a fiberglass shell weighs over 300 lbs., so keep that in mind.

You should take your kennels with you when you go Tacoma-shopping, so you know they will fit the way you want. If the dealer gives you any crap about it, take your money elsewhere. Don't even consider a 2wd Tacoma for mud and snow, that includes the "Prerunner" Tacoma which looks like a 4wd but isn't.

If good fuel economy is a priority over ground clearance and a pickup bed, get another Subaru. Even a 4 cylinder 4 wheel drive Tacoma will get a lot lower gas mileage than your Subaru.

 

Awesome! Thank all of your for your responses!

It will most likely be a double cab as I don't think the larger dog's (Malinois) kennel most likely won't fit inside. I don't want the extra size of a double cab but I'm thinking that's the only option. I'm open to taking out the rear seats if it gives me more room.

Flowingmetal: can you fit a large size dog kennel in the back? Enough for a 50-60lb dog?

Thanks for the info about frontiers! I was considering them as a friend told me the newer ones are fairly comparable to Tacomas.

What is gas mileage actually like? I get 25 on a great day in the subaru and Toyota claims 16/21 with a 6 cyl manual double cab. Clearance, room for gear, and reliability greatly outweigh (sub-par) gas mileage in a subaru. I've had enough issues with this one that I won't ever buy another.

 

Lots of info here about Tacoma's gas mileage.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/294677-fuel-milage-your-2nd-gen-taco.html

 

Looks like I need to learn to utilize the search function first. Thanks!

 

Actually the search function is really particular about wording in finding threads and what not. I just know where it is because it's one of our biggest threads here. I just figured it would be better then 10 pages of MPG cluttering up your thread.

You're welcome!

 

We had a Subaru Outback and I was not impressed with it. We replaced it with a Honda CR-V for my wife which has been a much better car. More room, the 4wd is part-time so tires last a lot longer, the engine has a timing chain instead of a belt. That would be another one to consider if you want good fuel economy. My double-cab 6 speed Tacoma has gotten 23 mpg with lots of highway miles and keeping it under 65. With mixed city/highway and trying to get good mileage, I usually get 17-18.5 mpg. When I just don't care because the 6-speed/V6 is really fun to drive, or if I use 4wd a lot, my worst tank has been 15 mpg. My truck is stock and doesn't have a lift kit or oversized tires. Hope that helps.

 

double cab long bed for sure

 

v6 is your idea truck in DCLB auto.. get a hardtopper.. with sport package I think you get the outlet in the box where you can plug in a small heater/ fan..

 

I've squeezed in a large kennel with all seats folded down. Your best bet is to go check one out and bring your kennel. I don't think you could get a medium or large kennel in an access cab, would def need to be a double cab. Looking at your picture, I think your ideal setup would be rear seats removed so you have plenty of room for both kennels.

 

The auto gets slightly better gas mileage. I don't use kennels. I just put my dogs in the back seat.