Family Planning - Upgrade to 3rd Gen?

Keep the AC, get a cap and lock the wife back there. Most of your issues should be problem free after. 3rd gen might give you some guff like the wife.. best luck

 

Two front facing cars seats live in my double cab. My kids are 4 and 5 and both started rear facing in the middle of the back seat. By no means is there any extra room but it fits. Never once with my son sitting behind me has he complained about room. I’m 6’ tall and leave my seat where I’m comfortable even when he is behind me.

My wife drives a Subaru Outback and there really isn’t much more room for them in that vs my truck. We have loaded them in the truck for 4+ hr drives in my truck to go camping and everyone was comfortable.

Like others have stated, the advantage of the SUV is secure storage. With the kids and seats in the back there is not much room left for bags, groceries or whatever. Having a bed cover or camper shell solves that.

 

Wow! I assumed the Outback would provide much more room for car seats.

 

This morning I mounted the infant car seat in the middle rear and found enough room for my wife and I to sit comfortably upfront and room for me (6’1”) to sit in the rear behind the front passenger. I’m so excited about this, my wife was correct all along! The only issue I noticed during the install was the booster seat for my oldest son sat so close to the infant seat that it blocked access to the seat belt receiver. My son is old enough to get out of the booster seat, but he’s a lightweight so we’re keeping him in the booster a bit longer. I removed both booster seat armrests and gained access. I finally feel comfortable with hauling a family of four in the Tacoma!

 

I have a Rear facing car seat in the middle. Both front seats are able to slide back enough for ample leg room and I can fit 2 passengers in the rear.

 

For what its worth were are selling our DCSB due to having a baby in December. Its do able but not great especially since we have a German Shepherd that we like to take with us and now she has to stay home. We have a Keyfit30 and unless someone wants to be up against the dashboard in the front it has to go in the middle which means no room for the dog. Also the stroller doesn't really fit back there either.

I know I could jut by a camper shell but I dont like putting the dog in the bed and honestly I'm not keen on putting any more money in this truck. There are a few things I just dont like about it (typical stuff you read about on here) so its time for a change. Selling it and picking up a GX470. Other than have a bed it does everything that the Tacoma doesn't do for us, storage space, creature comforts, quiet interior, motor with usable power band etc. Plus my wheels and tires will fit on it and I ditch a truck payment.

Something to think about also is its just as good offroad as the Taco.

 

How do you keep the Dog's nails from puncturing the leather? You mentioned getting a Lexus.

 

I have a 17month old and have had him in my truck since the beginning. Just got a larger car seat and it just barely fits. You can let your seat back while it is in there, but I'm 5'10" luckily. I haven't had issues, but as others have pointed out a 4Runner is probably better as a family vehicle.

 

The 4 runner is every bit as capable as the Tacoma. Plus it has a shorter wheel base so it can get over obstacles easier.

It's built on a truck frame. Try not to think of it as an SUV as it is in a class of it's own.

 

Coming from someone that owns an older 4runner and 2nd gen Tacoma I suggest going to an SUV. I believe the 2nd gen has the same rear leg room. My 9 and 13 year old girls knees are pretty much right against the seat when driver is sitting comfortably. The older smaller 4runner has multiple inches. The car seats fit but it's a tight squeeze making quick removal hard. The SUV is more practical with the covered trunk and storage compartments. Not to mention the 5th gen 4runner drivetrain is pretty solid. Just my opinion.

 

I’ve got two car seats in the back of mine just fine. I’d recommend a graco slimfit or some other brand of slimmer car seat.

 

Bought my DCLB Tacoma 5 years ago and put the kids with baby seats in it. Now they are big enough to be out of them and will be moving onto a 4runner or F150 because I can always come back to a Tacoma in the future. For what its worth go to the IIHS.org website and check out the crash results on our trucks as well as others, you might be surprised and reconsider a few things.......one dad to another

 

How much you getting that GX470 for? Looked it up those look solid

 

Thank you again to everyone who has provided input into this decision. Again, I will head to a dealer and do some test fits, sounds like it works for half of you and not the other half. The 4Runner is sounding more and more appealing. I talked to my wife and she is swaying towards the 4Runner as well based off whatever obscure reasoning is swirling inside her head.

My truck is paid off so ideally i would probably sell it private party and then just buy whatever we decide on after the fact, make due with one car for until we found what we want.

Lots of hypotheticals in my thread so I guess it will all come down to how the cards play out.

 

I just recently bought a 3rd gen Tacoma and a the Doona Car seat/Stroller. This thing is HUGE but it fit. Barely.

 

WTF is that monstrosity? A stroller and car seat all in 1?

 

I have a 5 year old and a 5 month old. Car seat fits fine.

 

Yup. Take the car seat out, press down the lever and the stroller is g2g

 

theres no room for me, my wife and 2 toddlers. The car seats go all the way to the front seats. They kick my seat all the time lol. It can work, but you'll need to think about the baby bags, car strollers etc. To be honest its just too small of a cab. Get a Tundra, theres way more room. A 4 runner might be a better option too, but not sure of the cab space in there either.

 

Access Cab is 4 doors