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Reality is....

Discussion in '3rd Gen Tundras (2022+)' started by WasAChevy, Oct 1, 2021.

  1. Jan 12, 2022 at 3:47 AM
    #61
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    yep its bizarre how toyota caters to the 80-90% of the market that only wants short beds. maybe you should take over toyota and force them to make nothing but long beds all time since you think everyone wants a long bed.

    in the 30yrs of owning trucks, i think i've only needed a longer bed was less than 1 hand of fingers and that was only after i filled up a uhaul 6x12. but we managed just fine in the end and never regretted not getting a long bed. since its the wife's daily driver she hates the long bed and the issues inherent with it, so she gets what she wants since i dont care for trucks personally (i drive a 4runner as a DD)

    if i really need a long bed, i can go rent one for $20 from uhaul for the day.

    remember, forums are but maybe 5% of the buying public of toyota. the rest could care less of what forums think or want.
     
  2. Jan 12, 2022 at 4:06 AM
    #62
    raylo

    raylo not so new member

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    My "truck fund" is ready but I'm hoping my 2009 Tacoma with 120,000 miles will hold out without any major issues until the market normalizes. As other posters have observed I refuse to pay over MSRP for a vehicle or for unwanted add-ons. Mechanically the Tacoma is in great shape except for rusty exhaust components. I also long ago installed things I can't live without now like a nice Pioneer AA/CarPlay head unit and seat heaters. Last year I replaced the muffler with an OEM piece (includes mid and tail pipes) but one of the upstream flanges was gone so I had to take it to a guy to weld up a new flange. Those pipes from the manifolds are crazy $$ new but I probably would have got them... except I am afraid that I would have issues getting the manifolds off and maybe break some of those bolts. Then the heads would need to come off, etc. Developing a leak on the manifolds in my timeframe is possible which would be a total nightmare since I don't have the space to do that kind of job myself, especially if it is winter when I can't DD the Vette and stuff the Tacoma in my tiny garage.

    Who'd have thought we'd ever be cheering for the good old days of dealing with car dealers on the lots with tons of inventory?

     
  3. Jan 12, 2022 at 4:10 AM
    #63
    raylo

    raylo not so new member

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    This, exactly. He should have said, or may have meant, they make more $$ per unit with lower inventory and lower employee overhead. But no way they are near the profits they used to make. My GF's sister works in the business office at a local Honda dealer office and says their sales volume is about a fourth or a third of the "good old days". They just don't have the vehicles to sell.

     
    Oey12[QUOTED] likes this.
  4. Jan 12, 2022 at 4:28 AM
    #64
    raylo

    raylo not so new member

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    I hear you and I sort of agree but not totally. This is a chicken or the egg situation, IMO. In the past at least a lot of the "demand" for short beds was just that was what the dealer stocked most of and for many truck buyers these days the beds are an afterthought. IOW they buy what's on the lot.

    I am not talking about hauling lumber with an 8 foot bed. I have a retractable hard tonneau cover on mine that makes the bed a dry and secure trunk for road trips. The
    Tacoma 6 foot long bed just barely holds the stuff we take for the 2 of us and a dog. And even with that we sometimes have to triage the load and leave some stuff behind. I wonder how many folks with kids tried to load up their short bed for a family vacation and wonder what they were thinking?

    I find it a real PITA to shop for many brand trucks online because some of the mfgs and dealers, Toyota especially, don't even bother to mention the bed size in the inventory listing header. You have to dig through to the specs and it might be there... or look at the photos to find a profile that shows the little extra length behind the wheels. This was more of a problem in the old days when you might have to look through 20 Tacomas of a specific trim to find a long bed. Now it is only 2 or 3 if you are lucky. Toyota.com used to have a very useful function where you could configure your vehicle and it would find one in or bound for your region and you could get it at your local dealer. I hope feature that comes back in the future.


     
  5. Jan 12, 2022 at 5:59 AM
    #65
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Well a friend of mine tells me that dealer swaps are the only way they are getting sales these days at his store so......
    Otherwise his lot is empty to look at it but apparently the cars are in the pipeline somewhere and swapped before they ever see them in person,which also likely saves the dealer some money.

    He says they are having the best year ever though there is not a car on the lot to see?
     
  6. Jan 12, 2022 at 6:00 AM
    #66
    FireArrow

    FireArrow New Member

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    I heard from a good source that many vehicles were actually sold at a loss when inventory was good. They needed to keep volume up otherwise they lost allocation. They counted on back office and service to make the money.

    Hard not to make money when ADM is up to 20K over.
     
    DexterL likes this.
  7. Jan 12, 2022 at 6:05 AM
    #67
    RusPro21

    RusPro21 Pro is gone! But I’m still here.

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    This is the best part I here from salesman or internet women when you call. It could be months till you see a car you want. I told them if I cannot get what I want then I am not buying it. I don’t have a problem waiting 3 months or longer to get the car. If I get it at msrp then I will wait for it. The 2 Honda dealers and Toyota dealer all told me the same thing. They come off write away thinking you need the car. I set them straight write away. Lol.
     
  8. Jan 12, 2022 at 12:48 PM
    #68
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    i have seen a shift where toyota dealers are now at least posting the window sticker online alot more this year than previously.

    at least this helps alot on what is on the vehicle.
     
  9. Jan 12, 2022 at 12:56 PM
    #69
    raylo

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    It is still very frustrating. Chevy and Ram seem to do better, at least the dealers here. Every listing includes the box length as a highlight which makes sense since that is probably the very first criterion to consider. IOW I don't see many shoppers saying that they will take any truck configured mostly how they like regardless of the bed length. Especially with the big domestics where there are usually 3 bed choices.

    The big Ford dealer here is as bad as Toyota. And when they used to carry over 100 F150s in inventory it was so tedious going online to find one. These guys need to include the box length in the headings and also in the search filters. Now that they have only 9 it isn't such a big deal especially since they seem to be asking for over MSRP on those. I don't even bother to search in detail.


     
  10. Jan 12, 2022 at 1:14 PM
    #70
    nodak67

    nodak67 New Member

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    if you have the window sticker, toyota lists the bed length on the "DESC" line
     
  11. Jan 12, 2022 at 1:19 PM
    #71
    raylo

    raylo not so new member

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    Sure, if they have the window sticker, detailed specs, or photos. But the problem is that you can't just filter out the cab and bed combinations that will never work for you in the search. Like the build configurator does, they should start with the cab and bed and take it from there to powertrain, trim, packages, etc. But no, you pick a trim and then have to go through in detail every vehicle listed in some fashion to find that box length.


     
    nodak67[QUOTED] likes this.
  12. Jan 12, 2022 at 3:06 PM
    #72
    Shackleton

    Shackleton New Member

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    I’m in complete agreement. From my experience Accords are more difficult to get a significant discount on in normal times as compared to the Camry. If you can buy them both at MSRP now, in my mind, it makes the Accord the better deal. When you throw in trading ( in my case) a 5 year old car for very near what I paid for it it starts to become more appealing. The biggest problem is actually finding the new car!!
     
    RusPro21[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jan 12, 2022 at 3:18 PM
    #73
    RusPro21

    RusPro21 Pro is gone! But I’m still here.

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    Well if I go with the Honda Accord sport with the 2.0 the dealer I’m looking to deal with for msrp they say they can get me one. The Toyota dealer is working on the Camry for me but not sure if they can get me what I want.
     
  14. Jan 12, 2022 at 3:37 PM
    #74
    Terndrerrr

    Terndrerrr guzzling dealer repellent

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    You’re right; you don’t understand. I will attempt to help you. Plenty of us use our short beds to great effect for very trucky activities. I’ve had my short bed for a year and four months, and so far I have used it to transport 8’ and 12’ lumber to build a carport, a deck and a treehouse; dead deer yet to be processed; all 5 of my family’s bikes to local trailheads; two cubic yards of mulch; all of our camping gear including a fridge and water for a week; and I’m sure many other things, but that’s all I got off the top of my head. People also put ATVs, dirt bikes, and truck campers in their short beds. And yes, it’s really a truck even if it doesn’t fit your narrow definition. :notsure:
     
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  15. Jan 12, 2022 at 7:09 PM
    #75
    dekeman

    dekeman New Member

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    Ya, can't get anything in a shortbed. And all the space inside the cab for tools is dumb. Better to put tools in the long bed where they'll never rust or get easily stolen. What a useless truck.
     
    Last edited: Jan 13, 2022
  16. Jan 14, 2022 at 3:58 AM
    #76
    borla123

    borla123 The Pits

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    Reality is the space in the cab is a much better place for tools. Easier access, keeps them dry no rust, and when covered (very safe). My tools remain in the cab except for the larger ones.

    Regarding the discussion here on the short bed.
    No one (human) has ever sat in the back seat of my 2018 crewmax. Kids are grown ...almost all out. Seats have remained up never used.
    So I was originally shopping a DC 2.5 gen 6.5 bed in 2018. Did not need the extra people space of a Crewmax but a good deal came along and I bought the Crewmax.
    Without going out to measure there is a good 5 feet of space in the Crewmax. That's another bed. So with the rear window down, add in the 5.6 bed - tailgate up and you have 10-11 feet inside the truck dimensions, where you can lay long materials supported by the back cab window frame and tailgate. Not much hanging out the end. That utility I can honestly say has proved of more benefit and way more valuable to me than a longer bed.
     
    Terndrerrr likes this.
  17. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:04 AM
    #77
    Kung

    Kung Dead sexy

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    When we bought our '13 F150 back in 2013, I brought my wife with me. We went right when we knew they needed to meet quotas.

    We got them down to where we wanted them - actually, to within about $750. The guy said "Are you willing to let a truck go for $750?"

    Wife said "Are YOU willing to let a truck go for $750? We don't have to buy a truck, but you have to sell a truck; it's your job."

    First time I've legitimately seen a salesman ACTUALLY mad. :rofl:
     
  18. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:05 AM
    #78
    raylo

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    I see I touched a bit of a nerve here talking about bed lengths. Not intended. If a short bed works for you, great. Although when I see those pics the first thought that comes to mind is: 5 pounds of stuff in a 3 pound bag. Don't get me wrong, even the long bed on one of these Tundras would be like 5 pounds of stuff but maybe in a 4 pound bag. I just don't understand why anyone would not get the longer bed that gives you max utility and only adds a foot of overall length. But that's just me. And I am not really criticizing your personal choices. It's just that the dealers don't have as many long beds to choose from so the truck I want ends up almost being a unicorn.
     
  19. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:22 AM
    #79
    borla123

    borla123 The Pits

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    no touching of nerves. this is good discussion Two months ago I went through this (mental exercise) and thought it out seriously. Decided if I were to replace my truck it would be the crewmax for the reasons listed in my previous post and the longer bed.

    Afterward - 9 out of 10 people I talked to (including dealer staff who see the truck) told me the longer bed Crewmax is a really long vehicle. Without telling you the dealer name, one of them told me when the customer came to pick up a long bed, they changed their mind when they saw it in person, and went with a short bed and a new order. .... One foot in Vehicle dimensions that is huge for a daily driver. Just saying good luck.

    If you see the Crewmax long bed on its own in a parking lot that is one thing. When you see it parked next to other vehicles - that is another thing I was told.
    if I get to the point where I actually replace my truck I will definitely go see a longer bed. But there are plenty Ford contractor trucks near where I live too that I have an idea.
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
  20. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:32 AM
    #80
    raylo

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    Actually my preference is for a version that is even rarer than a unicorn. A double cab with the long bed. I don't need people space and the double cab would be plenty for the dog and some gear. But with Toyota's incomprehensible mix and match limitations that is not available in the higher trims like Platinum. Back in the day we had a full size Chevy crew cab with 8' bed for pulling a boat and, yes, that thing was almost unmanageable. It needed its own zip code to park.


     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
  21. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:41 AM
    #81
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    How can someones reality be wrong?

    What works for one guy might not work for another but neither are wrong.

    I have tried both a DC with 6.5' bed and a Reg cab with the long bed and for me that long bed just works so much better that I do what works for me period.

    I too thought it would be great to have both the extra cab space for more secure climate controlled storage but it did not turn out to be convenient at all so I switched.

    I really need a van to be honest but there are no 4wd vans anymore that are big enough and are Toyota and I need both so I make the Tundra work when I need to work out of town and drive a Van at home when I need that utility too.

    Everyones reality is their own.
     
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  22. Jan 14, 2022 at 4:52 AM
    #82
    borla123

    borla123 The Pits

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    Truck Realities are not fixed - they change when our lives change.
    There is no right and wrong with pickup trucks. That's why there are so many versions and options. And manufacturers keep shuffling the truck deck cards to get sales. All we can do on public chat forums is say how we use it, and why, and if it lines up with how another person will want to use it, it helps them with their decision. Nothing wrong with that. JMO
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2022
  23. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:03 AM
    #83
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    Pretty sure that is exactly what I was saying in the post you quoted too.
    I certainly meant to.
     
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  24. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:11 AM
    #84
    raylo

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    And more about Toyota limitations... I can get pretty close to what I want in a Limited... double cab, long bed. Although that has the ugly (IMO) black grill with silver surround. But if you add the high end PVM package with moonroof, etc. you can only get it in Celestial Silver. Jaysus H. I don't know if these are temporary limitations depending on current production and paint queues or designed in for the long run.
     
  25. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:14 AM
    #85
    Mattedfred

    Mattedfred Toyota Fan Boy Since ‘04

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    It's due to regional allocation in the US. Have you tried a different Zip code to see if it'll return a different result? 902010
     
  26. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:18 AM
    #86
    raylo

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    Someone mentioned storing tools inside a crewmax cab. Just how much bin space is in there? And is the double cab the same or less? I currently have a swingcase under my lockable tonneau cover in my Tacoma. It would be great if these Tundra cabs had about that much concealed space inside.
     
  27. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:27 AM
    #87
    raylo

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    Exactly. And we all seem to be looking that mix that will work for most all our needs in one vehicle. That means there will have to be compromises. Some smart car company needs to make a "Transformer" version with a motor driven extendable bed that could get longer, within the limitations of the wheelbase, when you need that space.

     
  28. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:33 AM
    #88
    Mattedfred

    Mattedfred Toyota Fan Boy Since ‘04

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    Honestly, that new BEV Silverado offers a lot of functionality, solely in terms of the cargo space.

    Btw, I'm in the DC 6.5' bed camp myself. Just two of us. No pets. Need space to put our dirty, wet camping gear that wreaks of campfire after a rainy backcountry canoe trip.
     
  29. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:36 AM
    #89
    ezdog

    ezdog New Member

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    I really thought that Honda was onto something with the sunken "trunk" in the Ridgeline until I realized that in order to use the trunk nothing can really be in the bed itself?
     
  30. Jan 14, 2022 at 5:37 AM
    #90
    raylo

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    Yup. We hike, cycle and kayak... and do road trips with the dog. My access cab long bed Tacoma works but it gets tight. I made a little platform that sits in between the seats for the Jack Russel. But the Tacoma bed is shallow and I have a retract hard lockable tonneau on it so even that is marginal for all our gear.

    The Tundra Limited trim gets me there except for the color, leather and that grill. I guess I can live without leather. Not sure me and that grill will ever get along. The Platinum looks trim way better, IMO. But no DC. <sigh>

     

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