New Member: Taco to a Tundra?

Hello from Alaska!

I've come to the realization that my Taco isn't cutting it anymore. As much as I love it, I "need" a full-size truck for work/stage of life purposes. I currently own a 2018 Tacoma TRD Off-Road SB but am looking to sell/trade it in for a 2018+ Tundra. I'm torn between the Double Cab vs. CrewMax. Logically, a Double Cab fits my life better (for work, hunting, camping, wife + a 5-yr old...no more kids in the future), but they are EXTREMELY hard to find here in Alaska. The CrewMax back seat is ginormous but I question if I'll use the inside more than I'll use the bed. I live on 101 acres and use my Taco for hauling bails of straw, chicken/goat feed, lumber for projects, hunting/fishing/camping gear, etc.

In general, cars/trucks are MUCH more expensive here in Alaska and you can't play the dealer vs. dealer game (i.e. there's basically one of everything here). It's much cheaper to find a Tundra in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, etc. and transport it up here but it's definitely a logistical nightmare (flights, hotel, driving to the Seattle port, time off work, etc.), not to mention you basically have to purchase (Toyotas) sight unseen before they are gone....or risk paying $1,000+ in airfare and getting there for it to be gone or not as pleasant in real life as it was in pictures.

So, I'd love your input...do I just go with a CrewMax + maybe a bed extender since they are much easier to source here in Alaska (although more expensive than the lower 48)? Do I wait for a Double Cab to show up here (maybe 1:10 are DC's)? Or do I fly down to the Pacific NW and find the DC of my dreams (and probably purchase it sight unseen)?

Side note: pretty much every truck up here is required to have a camper shell, tonneau hard-cover because of the ridiculous amount of snow....unless you don't plan to use the bed in the winter and love hauling 100+ lbs. of extra (snow) weight around.

I'm also a bit partial to the TRD Off-Road package in Silver Sky or Cement. I love the silver/gray look with black rims/trim/etc.

Thanks your your input. My Taco:

 

Welcome from SoCal!!!

 

So it just depends on your need! Bigger bed, or more room in cab? You have one child who will grow to teen and then adult.

Just a weighing process to what needs will be met with either trim.

 

Welcome from TEXAS

 

WELCOME

 

welcome from So Cal

 

Welcome from Ohio.

 

Welcome from NY.

 

Welcome from NC! Just get a crew max with a bed extender...best of both worlds.

 

Welcome from southern NJ.

T

 

Welcome from Western NC.

 

Touché!

 

Welcome to the party!!!

 

DC master race here, get the DC. Depending on how much the price difference is and if you like road trips, it's 2300 miles from Seattle to Talkeetna. You could fly down with the family and make it a mini vacation of truck shopping and drive it back. Either way though, the crewmax is gonna be bigger than the Tacoma in every aspect. So even though it has less usable space relative to a DC, you'll have more space than the Tacoma. If you plan to keep the Tundra for awhile, I would get what you want, especially since it sounds like the bed space will be a lot more valuable than having a limo size cab.

 

Welcome from Nevada

 

Welcome from CO

https://www.tundras.com/threads/double-cab-or-crew-max.54876/

https://www.tundras.com/threads/double-cab-vs-crew-max.6236/

 

Welcome from Texas!

 

Hello and welcome from S.W. Oregon, I've talked to a lot of Tundra owners down here and a number of them have traveled to Portland to get good deals or just to find an available Tundra. We found our 2007 Tundra DC on line and it ended up being at the same Toyota dealership we bought our 2005 Sienna. I'm really old school, I'd just as soon have a long bed, but as has been said, they are as rare as hen's teeth. The Tundra we bought had just been put up for sale and wasn't fully detailed yet, but I fell in love with it on the test drive and we took it home that day. I've had adult friends that have ridden in the back seats and they found it to be comfortable. I have hauled 8 and 10 foot long lumber, put at an angle the 10 footers don't hang out that much, if I feel that I need to haul longer boards, I'll probably just get a lumber rack. The main reason I'd want a longer box would be for hauling firewood, some which would be logs to be cut for firewood. If all you can get is a crew cab, just try to get a good sized trailer for the long stuff.

 

Op. I recommend the DC all the way. Should be plenty of room for 1-2 kids and you will like having a nice size bed.

If your saving 2-3k by getting a crewmax then that would be good also. Like you said get the bed extender to compensate.

 

Sounds like you want the double cab. Hold out for what you really want. I could never buy the crewmax because I do too much camping, kayaking, etc and need the bed space. Have the AK dealership order what you want and if it takes a year to get it so be it. Don't compromise.

 

Double Cab. I was in the same boat when I made my purchase. Have had a Tacoma and Suzuki Equator(Frontier) in recent years, but wanted bigger without sacrificing ability/agility. Went with the DC and haven't once thought I made the wrong decision. Great middle of the road option.

 

Double Cab. Have dealer order you one or hit Seattle for one and take the ferry back.

 

Welcome!

 

I'm assuming you'll buy from Kendall? They didn't give me very much of a run around as i would of imagined (given the monopoly potential). I bought my 2016 Tacoma from them and agreed on halfway between MSRP and invoice. My best advice, wait for regional rebates. Dealers are also more flexible on pricing if you do a build order as they don't have to pay for lot insurance.

*I paid 34,4 OTD for my OR Tacoma in 2016 (from Kendall Toyota)*
*I paid 35k OTD for my 2019 Tundra OR w/ SR5 package (In Denver)*


I love having the double cab (also thousands cheaper than crewmax) w/ 6.5 foot bed. Also, with the double cab you can store survival gear under the rear seats (unlike the crew max). This is important in Alaska. The back seats are much larger when compared to the tacoma double cab.

 

Great input and yes, I'd be buying from Kendall. Definitely not as many options up here. Appreciate your advice Liam! Do you miss Alaska yet?

 

Alright fellas, I'm about to make the leap. Trying to decide between 2 at the moment and would love your thoughts....especially Pro owners.

Note....I basically only have 1 dealer option here in Alaska so I can't play off one another. I also haven't worked on the pricing yet with either dealer but will when I decide which route to go.

OPTION 1: Used 2017 Cement TRD Pro 4x4 CrewMax; 37,000 miles on it listed for $39,990 (does have 38 gallon tank but no other aftermarket upgrades)...no de-chroming needed...BIG BUT...I'd be going down to Oregon to get it and then ferry it back for an additional $2,250.

OPTION 2: New 2020 Cement SR5 4x4 CrewMax with Off-Road & SR5 Upgrade Packages; listed at $45,647 (does have 38 gallon tank)

Would you "stay home", go new for not much more (with the added 2020 upgrades like LED head/fog lights, Apple CarPlay, etc.)....OR....would you go for the "better" TRD Pro?

• I also wouldn't have the itch to change the suspension on the Pro but I eventually would on the SR5 Off-Road
• Only upgrades I would probably do would be de-chroming (if SR5), bigger tires (TRD Pro stock suspension would still allow me to put upwards of 295 / 35's on without much modifications....not so much with the SR5), and LED's in the Pro.

ALL THINGS CONSIDERED, money is pretty close to the same up front, upgrades would be more on an SR5 in the long run though (suspension, de-chroming, etc.).

Thanks for your input!

 

I too went from a Tacoma to a Tundra, because of space. The Tacoma was just so small I'm the back seat it was hard fitting anything back there, and the seats don't fold up.

I would say find a Tundra double cab, as the bed space sounds more valuable to you.

 

Taco finally sold today. Took 3 weeks to sell, which isn't that bad considering I live in rural Alaska. Now it's TUNDRA TIME!

 

What Tundra did you end up with?

 

I have gone back and forth between tundras and Tacomas a few times. After owning my last Tacoma I don’t plan on going back. The Crewmax is amazing. If you ever find yourself traveling alone, the backseat of the Crewmax provides ample amount of space for nap time. Also, IMO the Crewmax looks much better.