DC Tacoma or 4Runner for kids?

I currently have both a 3g Taco and a 5g 4runner. The 4runner is leaps and bounds better for kids. It also drives more agile (relatively speaking). And has a 3rd row available.

Consider this, I have a 3 yo and 6 yo. On long road trips, mom needs to sit back there to keep everyone from shooting each other. That aint happening in a Taco. And my wife is a svelte 5'2" 110lb filipina.

 

My DCSB is working fine for us - thought she's still an infant. The infant Chico car seat and base fit perfectly in the middle of the rear seats with room for adults on either side - and with it in the middle there is ZERO interference with the front seating positions. Adults in the back probably wouldn't want to go on a 8hr drive back there but we've done 2-3 hour drives with 4 adults + the little one with no major issues. I would have to have covered storage traveling with a kiddo though, either a cap or a solid tonneau cover. I have the truck cover's USA rolling/locking/watershedding kind so we always have plenty of dry storage and I have bars on top of the rails I can use to tie down anything I don't mind being in the elements.

I just love being able to throw shit I wouldn't want in my vehicle in the bed of the truck + having it for home projects, hauling firewood, stinky gear from kayaking/MTBing, etc.,

Yes, 4Runner may be more practical if you're planning on a BIG family but hell I know when I was a kid my dad had access-cab trucks we'd have to live with in the jumpseats for 12 hour drives to the beach. Yeah, we bitched and complained about it but we turned out OK and my dad enjoyed his truck.

 

This is what's changed in our society. Kids are important and should have a voice, but far too many parents give in to their kids, and it's not good.

 

Do you have kids?

 

Yes, 14 year old son, 12 year old daughter. I work in public school now after working in behavior modification homes.

 

Yes. This is EXACTLY why I bought/love my Tacoma. Ideal world I'd have a barn with room for 20 different vehicles that are the best of their kind but I haven't won the Powerball yet so the taco works perfectly.

 

God bless you sir.

But in all seriousness OP, yes a T4R would be better for my kids - but I like my truck, so I make it work. It can be done, but if it’s your main family hauler, get the runner.

 

Okay, so you're probably loads more eduacted on this topic than I am. But do you consider parents' wanting to provide comfort and convenience for their child "giving in?" I mean we're talking about having a normal size seat compared to a spare stool in the back of an access cab, verse parents that buy their children everything they ask for. Right?

 

4Runner

or...crewcab:

 

Now that looks like a kid hauler...

 

2500HD so it will hauler your 5th wheel too!

or SDHQ could hook you up.

 

the spare stool actually is perfect for kids in that 6-10ish age range. Short enough they can bend their legs and fit.

But anyways, this thread has every one saying spend the money, lose more by trading in the truck that's still newish. Anyone asking questions such as, is this the family vehicle, how long would they have to "suffer" in the back of a double cab. Lol, can't even type that with out chuckling.

To each is their own, but remember the world sees us all as Americans and we consume too much already.

 

Aren't the spare stools kind of dangerous?
I think people end up resorting to trading in because of life style changes, which can include having more children. I think most guys make the truck work

 

Compared to this, nope.

Isn't walking on the side walk dangerous? Heck going to school is becoming dangerous.

 

I think we are moving away from the topic.
Comfort in a vehicle is not a parent giving in to a child, IMO.

 

Growing up my buddies dad had a late 90's Ram 1500 extended cab, the kind with just 2 doors where you have to slide the front seat forward to get in the back. Rode back there many times from age 10ish up, it was definitely tight but I have a lot of good memories going on trips with them in that truck.

Theres something to be said for the experience of being crammed in the back seat as a child lol.

 

So funny - things that would get parents arrested for today... I rode around (in the interstate) in the back of pickup trucks and certainly all over country roads as a kid. My first memories in a car/truck were from the front seat, without a seatbelt on... Went on vacations tossing around in the back of a capped truck bed... That was 30-40 years ago. Times have changed, mostly good in terms of safety though

 

Having a 10 and 8 year old, I would tell you to get the T4R while they're small. It's not just the car seat or seats (if you have more than one) but the stroller(s), diaper bags, etc. The T4R will probably meet your needs more now and later you can a truck or you can it now too (just giving my opinion). When our kids were smaller we had an Xterra and then we got a Honda Pilot (we still have the Pilot) and it was great having those when it was raining.

We have AC now and it works for us because neither my wife nor I are very tall. We use the truck to go camping (3 - 4 hour road trips) and the kids don't really complain. I did make a custom center console for the back seat so they can put their stuff and have place to lean on.

In the end it really boils down to what you want\need as far as comforts with a baby.

Good luck on your decision.

 

I decided to get a double cab over an access cab, in case I become a grandpa soon. Just felt like putting it out there.........

 

I lose about $2000 from what I paid 8 months ago to the trade value they are giving me