Two carseats and golden retriever in backseat...

I can second this, my girlfriend is on her second 4runner with 3rd row and its awesome. Feels a bit top heavy in turns, but otherwise a killer vehicle.

 

There is an option E: get a topper and put the dog in the bed


Also, with 2 kids go with the Diono R100 or R120 car seats. they are the thinnest both width wise and front to back and are the seat to have once the kids are forward facing. I had 8 R120s in my 4 cars for my 2 kids....great seats!

Keep in mind the baby will need to face backwards for at least 18 months and in the Taco the only option for rearward facing in the center of the back seat unless you or the passenger is ok with hugging your knees to allow enough room to have a rearward facing on the end seats.

 

I will be running 2 front facing car seats in the back. We have a 75 pound akita mix that in theory COULD lay down on the floor but wouldn't be too comfy. I vote getting a topper and having the dog in the back as well. You could always open up the rear sliding window too so he/she will still feel part of the family during trips.

 

Subaru Outback!

 

I just said f-k it and bought the wife the new Honda Pilot. I kept my truck and she got a nice new SUV that has plenty of room.

The way I look at it is we can take her car since it's only an issue when the entire family is together. Otherwise the Tacoma isn't an issue when it's just me and the little one.

 

Won't work. Go buy a full size

 

Buy a new truck for a dog? You people are crazy. Buy a cap.

 

I wrestled with this exact dilemma as I was finalizing my double-cab purchase. For me, it came down to getting the right carseat. Some retailers will let you take their carseat display and try it out before purchasing. Check out the Nuna Rava. It is expensive, but it works. I actually have more leg room with that behind me than I did in my RAV4. The RAVA will work for 65-lbs and 49-in or less. Put one on each side. Golden can chill in the middle, but may need to rest head on baby. It isn't the best most comfortable option compared to the Tundra or Sienna or something else. But I really wanted the Tacoma and was willing to deal with it it. I don't have the second kid yet, but I did a ton of measuring and tried multiple carseats in the truck before pulling the trigger. My golden passed on a few months ago, but we plan to get another one soon.

 

Well I clearly can't count my own family members.
I meant to say 5 adults with myself included in there, we did have our small dog (chihuahua) so does that make 6?

 

My 4Runner can handle that easily.

 

5 and a rodent lol

 

aren't new born seats always rear facing though?

They're the worst for losing space.

 

Get a 4runner with the third row

 

Put the kids in the bed. Leave the dog in the back. Kids loooove riding in the bed. Dogs tend to wanna jump out of the bed and with the kids strapped in the car seats you're good to go!

 

In quite a few zip codes, that simply isn't an option.

 

This is the route I would go. The area I live in have very limited trails where a full sized pick up would fit. If you are staying on pavement for the most part and require a bed, I would most definitely go for the Tundra. Otherwise, the 4Runner is probably your best choice.

 

I put the 2 grand kids in their car seats ( age 6 & 4 ) plus a 90 pound Bernise mountain dog in with no problem.......short trips around town only !!

 

Same zip code where it's too cold to keep the dog in the bed? No one is leaving the dog unattended in a vehicle during the summer, cab or bed.

 

When I first got my truck, my friend who has a 1.5 year old, test fit the car seat in my back seat, as he was interested in a Tacoma. It was rear facing. Had to move the passenger side seat forward to get it to fit in the back seat. He bought a Tundra, and even in that, the front seat had to be moved forward a couple clicks. I'm 6'2", I can't sit in the front(of my Tacoma) without the seat all the way back, other wise my knees are into the dashboard.

 

Indeed newborn are rear-facing. Although, newborn bucket-style carseats range significantly in terms of dimensions. Some don't take up as much space. The new guidance is that kids should be rear-facing till 4 years now.