Which Tundra would you choose?

I have deposits on two trucks and both have been delayed. I’m getting antsy because with my current car is pushing 330k and needing a new transmission, wheel bearings, gaskets, door locks, and a host of other things, but I’m really not in favour of putting cash into this so it’s just a matter of time until this goes. I’d love to wait it out and have the bugs ironed out but this time around, the situation dictates a new truck stat.

I initially put a deposit back in May 2021 for a platinum crew max with 6.5 bed and then started looking for options on how I could get one sooner. Another dealer said that they could get a pearl white platinum in a 5.5 bed sooner. They are both delayed but the pearl white only slightly while the blueprint is pushed back to end of April, conservatively.

I live in the suburbs and rarely go into the big city. The car is not going to be parked in the garage so that’s not a concern. I do a lot hunting, towing my boat, and renos/landscaping/property maintenance for a few of our properties, but none is my job. I have two kids and we go a lot of road trips and camping, so the 6.5 bed was preferable. I also prefer the look of the crew max with the 6.5 bed as it looks more balanced. I like both colours for different reasons - I’ve seen both in person (colours, not trims) and at first glance I like the pearl white a tad more for some reason…but I’m stuck on the bed size.

I’ve never owned a truck before (I converted my current suv into a sort of capped truck lol) so I’m not sure if I’m overthinking the bed size and ether 5.5 will in fact be enough. I’m primarily focused on the kid aspect and the crap that goes along with a 4 person family driving long ways.

If you’ve been in a similar situation, was the 5.5 with a tonneau a good option? We’re you ever hurting for space on a regular basis? What would you go with?

 

The only situation where I see a strong advantage of the 6.5 bed is the camping, and then only if you sleep in the bed or have a bed tent. My 5.5 ft bed is sufficient for minor home maintenance purchases, including plywood and other long boards.

 

If you can't fit a road trips worth of stuff in the 5.5 then you need to rethink what the hell you are packing.

 

Wait for what you really want.

 

I would go with the pearl crewmax. You will appreciate the interior space for the family and the color is amazing.

 

Good to know. If I’m doing any major Renos I’m typically having all building supplies delivered anyway so often it may be heaps of gravel, dirt, ply or 2x4s. I’m thinking of putting a tool box under the diamondback or renegade where I can still stack things under it or remove it completely, so finding that option makes me a bit less nervous about going the 5.5 route.

 

I’m not opposed to a minivan in terms of looks and functionally for families, and I actually considered it but it will be a Nope because I need an external space. I’ve had far too many gas and oil leaks from chain saws, snowblowers, and trimmers to ever want to do that again. In the summer it’s impossible to vent out. Plus my entire interior liner, leather seats and dashboard are destroyed from hauling lumber, trash, drywall and concrete.

 

Put one stroller in and that’s like a quarter of the space gone lol. Throw foldable wagons, boxes of diapers, toys and all the other crap that comes along with little kids, I will only be allowed to travel with the clothes on my body. I can’t fit anything under the rear seat because their car seats make it impossible to lift up so I’m think it will be pretty easy to fill up that bed lol.

 

Iwant both

 

I'd wait for the 6.5' bed for your situation. You'll likely never wish you had the smaller bed.

 

I say hold out for the 6.5. It’s the one you want and the couple months you wait won’t matter in 5 yrs when you’re still like “damn I love this truck!” This stuff’s too expensive to settle. If your sedan totally implodes tomorrow buy a $1000 car and pretend it’s your first truck payment. If it lasts 6 weeks, you’re making money!

 

6.5 ft bed for sure. Go bigger, you can't have too much room in the bed. What is 2 months wait compared to years of having enough room.

 

Considering I have done all of that in a 4Runner and a LC, with two kids as well, I still stand by my statement.

 

I own a construction company and have to do pickups occasionally if everyone is busy or far away from our vendors.

I had a 5.5ft bed f150 and its not long enough to pick up common commodities. Wall/Utility studs at 10 or 12 ft, siding at 12ft fits in a 6.5 bed. You will be hanging out approximately 5ft beyond the rear tail lights and 3 ft over the tailgate (which is fine in a pinch).


Everything else it was fine for. Only exception is really long fishing poles which isnt a big deal for me. An ATV would sit on the tailgate of either bed size. Had a trifold cover and bed mat, worked absolutely fine for personal stuff.


With the construction work I ended up regretting not getting an SUV (same practicality) or 6.5ft bed truck and ended up trading that 5.5 for a 6.5ft bed truck.

 

5.5 bed plus cargo carrier, strollers and car seats are temporary unless you're going to have more kids. I use this on my 4runner for family road trips, camping and hunting (better then pickup bed when you finally sh00t that elusive 12 point, all the juices just drip on road, no mess)
https://www.carid.com/curt/curt-car...zsLdHZisxsiLvomcHWYSj3sLnINfoHOEaAvm8EALw_wcB

 

Hey, those things are great. I have one right now on my SUV to deal with some of the fume (when carrying gas or implements) and blood issues (while hunting) that I’ve been having. Mine is a slightly different model that has an unfolding ramp which makes getting snowblower and mowers in even easier. Lists of upsides but the downsides are exposure to the elements and security - there is none.
This is the one I have: https://www.curtmfg.com/part/18112

 

I’ve had a 5.5’ and do a lot of the same truck things you describe, and hated it, just too damn small. I now have my Goldilocks truck: full crew cab and 6-3/4’ bed and love it. You’ll regret the 5.5’ bed for what you intend to use it for.

 

This! I took 4 adults & 3yr old across Canada for 1 month in an Accord! How & what you pack is key! I also went camping up to 1 week at a time with 2 adults, 1 kid, 1 dog, canoe, cooler, etc in a Sentra, & a civic.
OP - That said, I like to look of the 6.5 vs 5.5 but the 5.5 will do all the work you described ( I did in a Ridgeline) so it will boil down to your wants and desires for colour & timeline I think. My 2c

 

5.5' bed here. First of all hitch cargo carrier. Mine is DIY project and is extra heavy and large, nearly doubles bed space. When security is needed items can be moved in to the rear cab floor. Secondly, long material, hitch bed extender, 16' lumber no problem. I also have a HD headache rack and rear crossbar on custom DIY bed rails as well. So there are ways to manage even without needing a trailer. Also have four of those, but I understand not everyone has a place to park one. Good luck.