Access Cab vs Crew Cab .... Which handles better for everyday driving?

Just curious if anyone has noticed if one or the other handles better especially on snowy slippery roads due to different weight distribution of the cab.

 

Exactly the same, the only big difference is the cabin is louder on an access cab, the pressure vent is closer to the driver and there's less back seat to absorb noise.

The DC LB trucks drive slightly better simply due to the longer wheel base. Thats about it.

 

Crew has a touch more weight. I’ll bet you couldn’t tell the difference in a blind test.

 

DCLB rides great! No worries about parking it, either.

 

Any need to add weight (sand bags) in the box for better traction? Again, for snowy slippery roads.

 

2wd, oh ya. 4wd, nah.

 

So, if driving a 4WD in 2WD .... does the traction control do its thing and no need for added weight? Reason I'm asking is I'm about to pull the plug on my first TACO and want to know what I'm up against. I'm current driving a Jeep XJ that has select-trac and use the FULL-TIME option for slippery roads. Curious how it compares.

 

Good tires and a sand bag or two will really help with driving in the snow. Even better with a truck cap

 

I’ve had both DCLB and now ACLB.
They drive the same, only real difference is in the suspension as far as I can tell (went from and SR5 to an Offroad).

I drive usually stick to 4wd if there’s more than a little bit of snow. In 2wd I’ve never felt the need for added weight, I just drive with care.

 

Let her ride light and slide that thang man

 

Depends on where you are parking.

 

First off, there is no access cab long bed. The access cab only comes with a 6’ bed - full stop.

Compared to the double cab short bed (5’ bed), you won’t really notice any difference in handling.

However the DCLB will have a greater turn radius compared to both the AC and DCSB. This isn’t really a big problem, but if you plan on doing a lot of off roading, the longer wheelbase of the DCLB can be more challenging in some circumstances.

 

Don't drive blindfolded... that's dangerous!

 

This, I laugh when I here people say it's harder to park, then a DCSB.

 

In theory the crew cab should handle better. The goal is to get weight distributed as evenly as possible on all 4 wheels. Regular cab trucks are the worst handling when empty because most of the weight is on the front axle. The crew cabs spread the weight out more evenly. Access cabs split the difference.

You may have a hard time telling the difference between an access cab and crew cab. But the difference between a regular cab and crew cab is noticeable.

 

Access cabs are rare, but I don't want kids or random people in my truck. That's what a mini-van is for. Stereo solves any noise concerns. It's not a sports car, and you get a 6ft bed and a shorter wheelbase than the DCLB with an AC. Win-win for me. Tires are everything with traction.

 

Tires and weight distribution is everything. I have owned them all and as said above not much difference except for the Regular cab with no weight in the bed.

 

Thanks to all for your reply's.

 

I just sold my 2012 double cab 5 ft bed and got a 2023 access cab 6 ft bed. Both Off-road models. They basically handle the same. I always put about 200 lbs of sandbags in the bed beginning in Dec. thru Feb. to add addition traction for all the rain covered roads here in western Washington. Back in the early 1990’s I had a Jeep Cherokee that had a full-time all wheel drive selection and I loved it for the very wet roads/freeways and semi snow covered roads going to the ski resorts. I wish the Tacoma had that added option, but I put almost 200k miles on my 2012 tacoma and with the sandbags in the back I never had any problems with water covered freeways and partially snow covered roads. When the roads were completely snow covered I use the 4 high. Good luck.

 

My wife drives a 2018 4Runner Limited with the full-time 4x4 (and it also has part-time and four-low). We really like it for driving on mixed road conditions as it's our winter vehicle of choice. Before that, she had a Jeep Liberty with the same full-time, and it's the reasons we bought the 4Runner Limited over the other models.