One of the main benefits of having a pickup truck is the ability to haul large or cumbersome items. But due to a wide range of bed sizes, not every model truck will allow for basic construction materials to be safely hauled. If you have a Toyota Tacoma and are wondering if it will fit a sheet of plywood, we can help you. We researched this popular pickup in detail so that you'll know for sure what it is capable of.
A sheet of plywood can fit inside the bed of the Toyota Tacoma. It will have to rest on the wheel wells, however, as the space between them is too narrow for the plywood. There is a way to utilize the various notches in the bed of the Tacoma so that you can easily transport multiple sheets of plywood without damaging them.
Now that we know that plywood sheets can fit inside the bed of a Toyota Tacoma, we'll look at the best way to make this work. You might also be wondering how much weight the bed of a Tacoma will carry or if this truck is considered reliable. For the answers to these questions and more, read ahead in this post to see what our research has uncovered.
How To Best Haul Sheets Of Plywood In Your Toyota Tacoma
As long as you secure them from falling out of the bed, your Tacoma can be used to safely transport a sheet of plywood. Whether you have a model with a 5-foot or 6-foot bed, the width will be the same.
In between the wheel wells, this distance is 41.5 inches. As the standard sheet of plywood is 48 inches, you will not be able to fit the sheet on the truck bed floor.
You can opt to secure the plywood on top of the wheel wells, however. This will mean that you need to take extra precautions to secure it.
It will not balance well, so you will want to be diligent and tie the sheet into place before driving off. Failure to do so will result in the sheet falling out of the bed, possibly causing damage to other vehicles or being responsible for injuries.
Alternately, you can use the notches inside the bed to your advantage. These can be located on the same plane as the top of the wheel wells.
A notched 2x2 plank, cut to the width of the bed, can be inserted in front of and behind the wheel wells. The plywood sheets can rest on these planks, enabling you to safely carry multiple sheets.
Below is an instructional video on how to accomplish this:
How Much Weight Can Be Put In The Bed Of A Toyota Tacoma?
The amount of weight a vehicle can carry on board is its payload capacity. The payload is the total combined weight of all passengers and cargo in the cabin and the bed. The payload capacity is what makes a truck a half-ton, three-quarter ton, or one-ton pickup.
The Toyota Tacoma has a maximum payload capacity of 1,685 pounds. This payload capacity is not across all trim levels and configurations of this truck, however. There is a wide range of this truck's payload capacity based on which configuration you have.
Carefully consult your owner's manual for the exact amount of payload you can carry on board the Tacoma. It will range from 1,095 pounds to 1,685 pounds.
Never exceed the payload capacity, as it will greatly damage your vehicle. Too much weight will put undue strain on the transmission, engine, suspension, tires, and other vital parts.
Is The Toyota Tacoma Bigger Than A Ford Ranger?
Though there are several variations of the Ford Ranger, they are all the same length. The Ranger measures 211 inches long.
The Toyota Tundra has six different trim levels and two distinct bed lengths. These variations cause noticeable differences in the overall length of the truck. The smallest Tacoma still measures longer than the Ranger, however. The shortest version of the Tacoma is 212 inches long.
The longest Tacoma model is 223 inches long, more than a foot longer than the Ford Ranger. Though both are considered compact pickup trucks, the Tacoma is by far the larger of the two.
Is The Toyota Tacoma Reliable?
Toyota has a storied history when it comes to a vehicle's reliability. Many consumers want a vehicle that won't need costly repairs while they own it, some of which exceed what might be in the household budget.
The Toyota Tacoma rates an 82 out of 100 for overall reliability with J.D. Power and Associates. While not within the best tier of their rating system, an 82 puts the Tacoma in the "Great" range for this consumer rating company.
This reporting agency also rated the 2022 Tacoma as #2 out of the 5 trucks in its class of compact pickups.
U.S. News and World Report was not as kind when they rated the 2022 model Tacoma. It rated it #5 out of the 9 similar trucks it lumps the Tacoma in with. While maintaining that the Tacoma was indeed reliable, this rating agency dinged this model for having a stiff suspension and cramped rear seating.
How Long Will A Toyota Tacoma Last?
Many consumers cannot afford to replace their primary vehicle every few years. For them, they are looking for reliable cars and trucks that not only have minimal repairs but also ones that will last for years on the road.
Tacoma owners are proud to boast that this model truck has an average lifespan of 200,000 miles. If you drive an average of 20,000 miles a year, this truck will last upwards of 10 years before you should have to consider a replacement.
While having less of a lifespan than the Toyota Tundra, the Tacoma still has a respectable amount of life in it.
Getting any vehicle to a certain mileage milestone requires some effort on your end, however. Routine maintenance should be performed at intervals recommended by the manufacturer. Take care of the Tacoma and you'll be able to keep it on the road for a long time.
What Kinds Of Problems Does The Toyota Tacoma Have?
No matter how reputable a vehicle's reliability is rated, there is always a model year or two plagued with issues. The Toyota Tacoma is no exception here. While being overall a very trustworthy pickup, there have been some past issues that consumers considering a used model should consider.
The Tacoma has been in production for nearly 30 years. During this time, there have been automatic transmission problems that impacted some model years in the first and second generations.
Though the newest models have had minimal complaints, ensuring that previous owners stuck to the maintenance schedule is important for determining if you'll have issues of your own.
There were also some worn ball joint problems for the 2001-2004 Tacoma trucks. But consumers should avoid 2009, 2016, and 2017 model Tacomas for engine issues and transmission problems.
Final Thoughts
The Toyota Tacoma can safely fit a sheet of plywood inside of its bed, though there are ways to make transporting multiple sheets easier. This popular truck is safe, reliable, and will last a good amount of road miles. Take proper care of this machine and you'll have it on the road for years to come. Drive safe!
We hope this post on the Toyota Tacoma answered all of your questions. For additional helpful information, we suggest reading the following posts:
Toyota Tacoma Vibration While Accelerating – What To Do?
Toyota Tacoma Limited Vs TRD Pro—What Are The Differences?
Toyota Tacoma Won’t Shift Out Of Park – What Could Be Wrong?