4 door long bed vs access cab

I have read a few threads about the comparison between the 4 door long bed and access cab. I currently own a 2013 trd sport access cab and I am finding its a little to expensive for what I am using it for (construction/daily driver). I am really thinking of getting an 08-2011 so I could potentially put some money in the bank and still have a nice truck. I found a 2008 tacoma 4DLB trd sport, and my question would be will I get worse gas mileage with the longer wheelbase and aside from the length, any other things I should factor in? Is the truck much heavier? I never have any passengers, just me and my girl, but access cab is just so damn small...

 

I have a DCLB and was averaging about the same as everyone else in stock form and how I have it modded now. If you use it for towing or anything like that you should know the advantages of a longer WB with that especially backing a trailer up. I really enjoy having the longer truck. Can haul more crap and to me is more utilitarian which is what I needed when I bought my truck. Just typical stuff can be more cumbersome with the longer truck like parking lots, turning radius, getting into parking spaces, etc. I am coming from a Crew cab f350 dually so this thing is a baby in comparison.

 

I do agree with more difficult parking, especially backing into a space. Stick with an 09 and newer if the rear camera is important to you. The earlier tacomas doesn't come with backup cameras. Adding front and rear cameras to my aftermarket radio are two of the most useful aftermarket mods I've done to my 2005.

 

Mirrors are your friends. Learn to back up without a camera. I find it easier to back into spaces than pull forward into them.

 

Backing it in is the only way to go. Just in case you need to get out of dodge asap.

Go long bed or go home.

 

To be honest, I never worried about gas mileage when buying a truck. It is a truck, not a Honda Civic. Like worrying about getting bullets after you buy the gun you really wanted. I hear you on saving $$$ though. Good luck on your decision.

 

It's not that I dont use my mirrors but I have my camera to assist to get as close as i can before tapping a parked car or garage wall with my steel bumpers. Over time, my truck has lost some of its viewing capacity. Damn you TW!

 

Im not understanding what you are asking.. Your access cab is too expensive.. so you want to get something bigger? My dclb is easy to park. People who say otherwise have never driven a full size truck. rear room is nice to pack full of stuff and easy to access.

 

I was just saying it's a little harder compared to the SWB. Especially around here where all parking spaces are the width of the truck and shorter than the truck. It makes for some tight squeezes unless you can find something in the nose bleed section.

 

The trick to parking a DCLB is to back in to your parking space.

 

If you're thinking about a DCLB just buy a 1/2 ton with an extended cab. The overall length is within 2-3" of being the same, bed length is only 6" longer, but much wider and deeper. Same or more room in the back seat. Cost is about the same. Fuel mileage is less than 1 mpg less. Payload rating will be 600-1000 lbs greater and tow rating 2000-3000 lbs more. it's a little wider, but the ride and comfort levels compared to a Tacoma is worth the trouble.

I own both a Tacoma and an F150 crew cab.

The only advantage to owning a Tacoma is the small size, the biggest disadvantage to owning a Tacoma is the small size. A DCLB leaves you with all of the disadvantages and none of the advantages.

Honestly I'd just keep what you have. The depreciation hit you take on selling your 13 and costs of buying an 08-11 used won't save you enough money to justify the trouble. Plus you're going to spend more on the older trucks in maintenance costs.

 

It's the same truck just 13" longer lol. same 70" height. same ~75" width

Vs. Going up to a full size f150 which, depending on model (say a supercrew w/ 5.5 bed), is 10" longer than the DCLB, 5" taller, 5" wider

Adding 13" to the same truck is not at all in the same league as jumping to a full size

 

OP, just for reference. The AC and DC shortbed are the same overall length and weight so you will not notice any differences besides having extra rear capacity for passengers. The DCLB gains a foot in length and has the same 6ft bed as the AC. I doubt you will see differences in mpg going with a DCLB. If you actually use your bed alot with your current AC, get the LB. If you plan on parking in a 2 car garage, the tacoma,even with the DCLB, will fit much easier than any full size truck.

 

Love my DCLB!! I need a 6ft bed for a lot of reasons and the people-carrying capacity of the double cab is nice. If you can drive worth a crap, parking isn't an issue.

While the DCSB and DCLB are within about 50 odd pounds of one another, I've heard the AC is much lighter but haven't heard of big fuel economy differences between the models equipped with the 1GR-FE.

If you don't need the truck for people hauling, though, I'd keep your 13. You know it and its past (at least with you) and you won't start off fixing someone else's problems.

 

Double cab long bed. Don't skimp on bed size. It comes in handy even for basic tasks. The wife drives the kids around town all the time with no issues. Back into your parking spots. And we don't even have a camera

 

What camera/head unit set up are you running?

 

PSH....LOL

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=PSH

 

lower end kenwood DDX575BT and 2 cheap cameras off Amazon. Eventually I'll replace the tailgate one with a OEM size one but both cameras are angled adequately to view the edge of the bumpers.

 

Same