Experiences going from access cab to double cab.

Received confirmation that my '17 SR5 AC is a total loss today, and the insurance payout is in process. I'm sort of stuck on the decision of getting another AC or moving to a DCSB. And no, the DCLB is not an option... too beaucoup.

I've only ever owned extended/access cab trucks. I like the idea of a 6ft. bed, but can honestly only think of a handful of times that I needed or used the full 6ft. I don't have a need for four doors and the extra seats, but I can see where the extra room in the cab would be useful. And there have been times the space behind the seats in my AC was absolutely stuffed with stuff.

That said, it should be a simple choice, but I'd really be interested in hearing the experiences of anyone that's made the switch.

 

Do you have kids or people to haul around?

 

Nissan Frontier.

 

My ‘03 had jump seats and a 6’ bed and when it was totaled mid ‘ronus-used-car-craze, my options were very limited. I wound up with dcsb and the only pro imo is that the wheel base is the same, so there wasn’t a learning curve in parking lots.
First week after I got it, I had to leave the tailgate down to bring home a bookshelf from Costco and it was annoying. In the store I sized it up was was like “No problem!” only to get it in the new 5 foot bed and find it was 11” too long. I probably won’t run into the issue a lot, but not being able to lay down in the back for an overnight is something that also bothers me.

Despite the cab being a foot longer, the rear seats aren’t able to comfortably accommodate full sized adults in my opinion. Like it’s undeniably better than the access cab, but not a spot anyone would volunteer to sit in for an 8 hour ride if they were familiar with the seats.
If you have kids they will ride back there for a couple more years without complaining than with jump seats I imagine, but if you’re trying to stuff your in-laws back there you’ll have to ram your passengers knees into the dash and then still hear about how cramped it was for them.
I’ve seen cool things done with the extra cab space like built out dog platforms or fridges on sliders and shit, but if I was able to chose in todays market I’d take the longer bed over the longer cab. The backseat is better for passengers on short trips but won’t come in handy more than an extra foot of bed would for my use.

 

The thought has crossed my mind more than a handful of times. I like the looks of the redesign. Hell, I haven't necessarily ruled out a Ridgeline. My parents have one, and I don't hate it.


Don't/won't have kids or people to haul.

 

Access Cab: The Access Cab is a smaller cab configuration that features rear-hinged access doors. It typically has seating for up to four people, with limited rear passenger space. The Access Cab often comes with a longer bed length, providing more cargo-carrying capacity.

Double Cab: The Double Cab is a larger cab configuration that offers four full-size doors and seating for up to five people. It provides more spacious rear passenger space and easier access to the rear seats. The Double Cab usually has a slightly shorter bed length compared to the Access Cab.

The choice between an Access Cab and a Double Cab depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you prioritize rear passenger space and easier access to the back seats, the Double Cab is a better option. On the other hand, if you require more cargo-carrying capacity and don't need as much rear passenger space, the Access Cab with its longer bed might be more suitable.

According to ChatGPT....

 

You're overthinking it and complicating it in your mind. You don't need our opinions, you need form your own.
Go test drive one and see how you feel about it.

 

What are your thoughts on a 2024 XtraCab?

 

I went from Access Cab to DCSB as it was the only way I could get a MT Off Road, grabbed a hitch extender for hauling long objects so all is good.

 

Not enamored with the idea of being a beta tester... ?

The lack of rear doors is a major turn-off. I used the suicide doors on my AC all the time; again just for stuff that I didn't want to put in the bed.

 

quik buy one before its too late!

 

I recently bought a 2020 AC TRD Sport MT. I am very happy with the cab configuration and the 6’ bed.
I had a 2011 DCSB and found the 5’ bed too short several times.
I don’t have to transport kids or parents, just my wife and the dog occasionally, so the AC is going to work fine for me.
Good luck with your decision.

 

My previous truck was a crew cab Chevy. I used the back seat for stuff. Stuff I really didn't need to take with me every day, but since the space was there.... Now I enjoy the freedom of only having the space for what's really needed. I have found that I don't need much. Chances are that if you really need it you won't have it anyway. I used to do service for commercial industrial HVAC. Years ago the work vans would be chock full of almost everything imaginable. Now it's too expensive to haul around a bunch of stuff in case you might need it. A trip to the supplier is more economical and the customer gets a new part rather than something that has bounced around a truck for who knows how long. Access cab for me. If you need a ride in the back seat from me, it's probably been a very bad day for you. Besides all that, access cabs look way better.

 

IMO if you don't need a 2 speed transfer case, a Ridgeline is a great option. Back when the first gen was new, I was cross shopping them with Tacomas until I found out about the T case.

You said you don't need the full 6 foot bed very often, how often do you need a bed at all? We give up a lot of usable, locked, and sealed interior space for these tiny beds. I personally am bringing less and less with me on camping trips and an SUV is starting to make more sense.

 

Access cab is the most capable truck wise. Double cab short bed is more passenger friendly. Double cab long bed is a skinny passenger friendly full size truck with a low payload. Pick your poison.

 

It's mainly why I choose an access cab. No need to taxi around others needing a double cab. The 6' bed suits me better also.

 

I have a DCLB and an AC. I love the AC for driving around town, commuting, and chores. It is a great size. The DCLB is set up for extended camping trips and family travel. It is great for travel, but cumbersome to navigate around town. Payload is significantly different. My access cab payload is around 1400lbs and my long bed is 950. I enjoy driving the access a lot more. I also like the 6 foot bed.

 

Dogs prefer double-cab.

It really depends on your use and your needs. Personally, I find the DCSB to be the ideal suburban utility vehicle. It has the box for hauling dirty things, but it also has the back seat for keeping my costco run air-conditioned on the way home. The one thing that sold me on the Tacoma more than any other quad cab truck, was what was behind the rear seat. Its one of the most versatile and clever storage solutions I've seen. You have cubbies behind, cubbies underneath, and the seat backs fold down to make a hard tray. Again, that's multipurpose and utilitarian for my daily needs in the suburbs - whether its grabbing my tire repair tools, or taking the dogs camping, or lunch with coworkers, or maybe its a Saturday multistore shopping spree at Ikea, Home Depot, the plant nursery, oh, and with a quick grocery run tacked on the end.

I'm an unashamed double-cab driver. I don't care if the short bed and four doors makes it an unmanly pudgy nerd-wagon in disguise. Because that's exactly what I want.

 

I haven't ever seen the set of stairs you have for your dog. Those are really interesting! I might think to get some for my four year old but at this point I think she likes the climbing experience of getting into my truck!

 

I went from an AC 1st gen to a DCSB 3rd gen for the 6MT on the Off Road, if they would have made that combination in America I would have bought the AC. In hindsight, I really like the DC a lot more for my needs.

On my AC, the back seat just turned into a junk pile. My dog rode in the front seat. Never really utilized the 6' bed besides filling it up for camping trips. Also found that, with my dog with on camping trips, the cab space filled up quick with stuff I wanted to keep dry and locked up during the trip, faster than the bed filled up.

On my DCSB, the dog gets the entire back seat to himself, and there's still some available storage under/behind the seats and on the rear floor to throw a few things. I added a softopper to the bed to give me more volume and it's been more than enough for my needs, never even have gotten close to filling the bed up completely. I can barely fit laying diagonally in the bed if I had to sleep back there, but I can pitch a tent in 5 minutes and sleep in comfort.

I'm definitely not one of those people that make weekly home improvement runs that utilizes bed space all that often. My bed is empty 90% of the time unless I'm going on a road trip, and then it's typically just me and my dog and my stuff.

If I needed a truck for cab space, bed space and hauling stuff in general, I certainly wouldn't waste any time debating if a Tacoma's 5' or 6' box was better for my needs, I'd skip straight to a full size with an 6.5' or 8' box. For 1-2 people and a dog, the DCSB is perfect.