Thoughts of the Access Cab Vs Double Cab for a dog...

Has anyone hauled their dogs in the bed with a topper? Does it get too hot back there?

 

I haven't, but lots of people here do. I plan to get a topper for this reason for winter and take it off in the summer. My husky gets too hot in the truck in the winter and would prefer a setup like that. I wouldn't keep them back there in the middle of summer though myself.

 

I built one of these https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2nd-gen-double-cab-folding-dog-platform.224420/
I use it for my dog and for cargo way more than I expected to.
Looks like the dimensions are the same for 3rd gen.

 

I'm thinking about going this route. The dogs would only be back there while driving, hoping maybe I can rig a fan or something to pull air from the cab.

 

If they still have that auxiliary plug in the bed that is definitely doable.

 

Good call. I bet there are some 2gener's around here that have done similar things. I'll have to cruise the forums and see what I can find. First things first, need the truck!

 

Just jumping in to say that the double cab is definitely the way to go with a dog. I bought one for this reason. The platform created by folding the back seats is perfect. Lots of room and unlike the access cab (at least on 2nd gen), the windows roll down. I'm 6'2" and I can put the driver seat all the way back with the back seats folded into platform position, but I do have to slightly push up on the folded back bench to get it there. I tried this at the dealer before buying the truck because not being able to do so would have been a dealbreaker.

 

IMO, someone should not be buying an expensive vehicle for a dog that occationally sits in the truck.
Buy what works for you. I bet your dog really doesn't care.

 

I'm only 5'-9" and my 15 rear DC seats do not fold flat because they hit the back of the driver and passenger seats (with the back seat headrests turned down too) My dog can only ride with me if I leave the seats in the "normal" position. Curious how others have folded them down for woofs? The 16 might be different looking at the pics but I'm not driving 3 inches from the air bags to fold my seats flat.

 

For some people, my self included, it is important to have a safe and comfortable space for the dogs while traveling. Maybe if I were a hillbilly with an IQ of 12, then I wouldn't care so much where my dogs rode in the vehicle.

 

My dog rides in the front passenger seat, so she can have a window. If I have a passenger she rides in the bed, I have a cap. Depends on the dog but mine hates the back of the access cab, no window to stick her head out. I don't think it's silly to buy a double cab for your dog, a lot of people have pickups and never use the bed.

 

Safest place for your dog is in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

 

If I let my dog ride in the cab the double cab back seat has plenty of room and opening windows. He rides in the back cabled to the middle towards the cab with enough length to peak his head out or in the winter under my canopy with sliding windows. He seems to love it back there. Dog hair, mud, slobber, stank.....in the cab not for me.

 

I'm pretty sure you have to remove the headrests completely for the seats to fold down flat.

 

Yes I believe you do. I've had my head rests out since 08.

 

My dog is about 80 lbs and I don't think there's a way he could comfortably fit in an access cab.

 

Yep, safety is very important for my dogs. They are our kids, we cannot have human children so the dogs get treated as if. You wouldn't put a toddler in the back of an open pickup bed and go roaring down the freeway would you?

 

I've put my friends back there.

 

Well IMO, the bed of the truck is for dogs. No dogs are in my truck, period. But I hate the creatures and love my truck, so that's likely why.
Secondly, a dog doesn't care. What does it matter if they are laying on a perfectly flat floor or on the back seats?

When driving around with family dogs in other people's vehicles, I really don't find that the dogs are that picky. They pick a spot, sit, and then proceed to make nose art on the window.

 

I see you fall in the IQ of 12 category.