Trailhunter owners: 5ft vs 6ft bed decision?

[trailhunger]

I need a truck to carry the 3500 lbs of diving gear that we normally take down there. Volume wise it fills the 6 foot bed to the roof of a wedge ARE camper and completely fills the back of the extra cab. I'm curious to see with the rear seats removed if we get the same storage volume in the 2024. The landcruisers and 4runners don't have enough storage space- it's wasted with seat structure.

I did a rear delete on the back seats in my trailhunter. Can do the same with the LC.

3500lbs? Are you trailering? What kind of offroad trailer you using?

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[Vidman]

I did a rear delete on the back seats in my trailhunter. Can do the same with the LC.

3500lbs? Are you trailering? What kind of offroad trailer you using?

Was also considering doing the rear seat delete ..don’t have little ones and didn’t buy a taxi..only the dog will go in back

 

[Paco877]

I’ve always been in the camp of a midsize truck shouldn’t be the same length as a full size truck. A Tacoma with a 6’ bed is only 6” shorter than a full size crew cab with a 5’5” bed.

Sure, the Tacoma isn’t as wide. But I’ve found parking a 6’ bed double cab Tacoma vs the full size I just mentioned to be about the same effort in town. With the full size actually being easier, since you can see over and around other vehicles due to the height.

If I was to get a midsize, it would have the 5’ bed.

 

[rchrds]

I did a rear delete on the back seats in my trailhunter. Can do the same with the LC.

3500lbs? Are you trailering? What kind of offroad trailer you using?

Ohh that looks good, I was waiting for the hybrid model to come out- and they did a couple of weeks ago- I'll do the 60% likely.

No, not trailering. I had custom leafs made and added timbren cushions on my 2004 to manage the weight. Rode like a dumptruck empty, but like a cadillac loaded. Weightwise, I needed a full size truck, but they just wont go the places I need them.

 

[bheiser1]

I don't have the Trailhunter, but faced the same question before buying my TRD Off-Road with 5 ft bed. I planned to buy 6' for more utility, like home store trips, etc. But I drove both 5 and 6 foot models and the 6 foot felt noticeably more cumbersome to maneuver. And I would have had the same parking/garage issues others have mention.

One other thing - I really like the looks of the truck with the 5' bed - to me it seems "sportier" vs more like a work truck.

 

[Ruissimo]

The 5’ already has the turning radius of a blue whale, Can’t imagine a 6’.

The long bois look weird to me now that I’ve had shorty for a month.

 

[trailhunger]

Ohh that looks good, I was waiting for the hybrid model to come out- and they did a couple of weeks ago- I'll do the 60% likely.

No, not trailering. I had custom leafs made and added timbren cushions on my 2004 to manage the weight. Rode like a dumptruck empty, but like a cadillac loaded. Weightwise, I needed a full size truck, but they just wont go the places I need them.

Definitely start a thread when you do one of these hauls to Mexico with a Trailhunter in excess of 3000# in payload. Timbrens don’t increase your payload and the TH rears are coils. The composite bed might be a worry at that weight, no? Timbrens will effectively make your SBD mechanism null, your sweet old man emus will definitely ride old lol

My initial thoughts would be stress to the driveline system but if you can trailer…haven’t dug into the trailering features on this truck, but it’s packed in there

 

[rchrds]

Definitely start a thread when you do one of these hauls to Mexico with a Trailhunter in excess of 3000# in payload. Timbrens don’t increase your payload and the TH rears are coils. The composite bed might be a worry at that weight, no? Timbrens will effectively make your SBD mechanism null, your sweet old man emus will definitely ride old lol

My initial thoughts would be stress to the driveline system but if you can trailer…haven’t dug into the trailering features on this truck, but it’s packed in there

One coming up in December I think, Yea, not sure how the springs are going to work with this truck. I fully anticipate destroying them on the trip and having to do something different after I return.

 

[Vidman]

My salesman texted me on Friday saying the 5 foot bed left the plant and is headed to the port.. no word on the 6 footer yet. Even days I like the short bed and it seems on odd days I’m liking the long bed.. looks like the short bed will be here first. I’ll probably end up with the 5 and it will give me more room in the garage for projects but who knows

 

[beungood]

That's why there is variety in choices. To accommodate a variety of people. Your truck looks nice btw!

Its a good looking truck.

 

[JWestie]

WTF cares how either bed looks. The key is to get the bed configuration that best suits your needs, parking situation, etc. The LB is more challenging to park but offers more utility. If you are a truck camper, its a no brainer.

 

[Vidman]

WTF cares how either bed looks. The key is to get the bed configuration that best suits your needs, parking situation, etc. The LB is more challenging to park but offers more utility. If you are a truck camper, its a no brainer.

I care

 

[bitflogger]

WTF cares how either bed looks. The key is to get the bed configuration that best suits your needs, parking situation, etc. The LB is more challenging to park but offers more utility. If you are a truck camper, its a no brainer.

Answering someone who thought my long bed looked more like a real truck I said, no, that was my Kenworth. Most funny with that theme was several times our minivan saved the day for people with 5 and 5.5 ft bed pickups.

Thinking back to my first pickup a 1971 C20, they've changed into 2 markets for the same segment. Short wheelbase have always had a niche for off road enthusiasts. A new market emerged that's the pavement pansies or SuperTruckers and cosplay. Now I kind of smile because it does mean the Tacoma I got mostly for work and utility has a lot of comfort and convenience.

On parking, I see the 1972 Buick wagon I once drove pretty much everywhere was 2+ inches longer than my 2024 long bed Tacoma. Parking the Tacoma is easier to park if only for larger mirrors and a backup camera. If moms in my childhood neighborhood high on valium and martinis could park an old flagship wagon, I think some of you could too LOL.

 

[Vidman]

Well I ended up with the 6 foot box" I think it looks better and that dealer gave me a better price overall.. I don’t notice the turning radius that some had talked about because coming from a 16 tundra I can’t tell any difference.. very happy with my decision. Thanks for all your opinions

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