Bed decisions

I need a 6' bed and canopy for work, but also to haul bird dogs and to camp/sleep on occasion.

If you haul teenagers or adults often, a full-size truck would be my choice rather than a DC Tacoma.

 

I figured worst case scenario I go short bed and if it jams me up too many times, I’d get a trailer.

 

I had both a 2016 DCSB and a 2021 DCLB (at the same time), both TRDOR's.

I wheeled them both, in the same places, on the same trails. OEM suspension (at the time)

The longer wheelbase of the DCLB is hardly noticeable in almost every instance. Very rarely are you going to be working in such tight confines that the increased length becomes troublesome(this excludes guys who really beat on their trucks in serious rock-garden type wheeling).

Hell, in some cases the extra length is a plus.

Here's a DCSB and my DCLB on the same section of trail out in the Mojave Preserve.

DCSB with a lifted wheel (cool, but uncomfortable feeling)

Mojave - Day 1 - 9 by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

Add in the extra foot of wheelbase and all 4 tires stay on the ground the entire time.

Mojave - Day 1 - 18 by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

And the plusses of having that extra foot in the bed? Overwhelmingly positive. So worth it.

 

I agree 100% with this. I love my short bed; there hasn’t been a time yet where I wished I got a long bed. It all depends on how you use the truck.

 

Bilstein 5100 front and back, BFG KO2 (second set now) and trd pro skid plate. Stock plate got busted up. Pro skid has deep grooves in it, but much more reliable. No lift. 4th 4x4 now and 500+ off road trips in BC and each truck the same, just upgraded shocks and tires and no lift. No bells and whistles just bush transportation on beaten trails with each truck.

 

I have the DCSB, but would get the ACLB if I could do it again. But it depends of course, if you ride people in back or haul more. I haul more gear than people and that little bit of bed would be more helpful when I go hunting or projects around the house.

 

My dog loves riding in my access cab. The dog bench takes about 20 minutes to make and turns all the wasted space into usable space.

 

When I was in the Army, my 5' bed provided plenty of room for ruck sacks, TA-50, and all the other shit me and my joes were taking from cantonment to the ranges. As a firefighter, my 5' bed is plenty of room for my turn out gear when I'm going to a different firehouse. Not everyone that buys a truck is doing it to haul full sheets of plywood or overland

 

Like I said, 5’ beds are worthless.

 

I’m glad I stuck with the access cab (almost traded it for a 4 door because I wanted a manual).

It’s worked great for me. I like being able to open the entire side. I built a platform where I store a couple of pelican cases with tools/gear with about 8” room above that for more stuff. Hauled around two “big” dogs for years without issues.

Now we only have one dog so he has his bed in there taking up about half then the other side for hauling stuff.

No complaints at all. Longer bed is great as well.