2019 Tacoma Long Bed vs Short Bed: Which One Should You Choose?
When you’re shopping for a new truck, one of the biggest decisions you’ll face is choosing between a long bed and a short bed. If you’re eyeing the 2019 Toyota Tacoma, this choice becomes even more critical because it fundamentally changes how your truck performs, how much cargo you can haul, and what your daily driving experience will be like. I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know to make the right decision for your specific needs.
Understanding the Basics: What’s the Real Difference?
Let me start with the fundamentals. The primary difference between a long bed and a short bed comes down to the cargo area length. The 2019 Tacoma offers you either a 5-foot bed or a 5.5-foot bed, depending on which configuration you choose. Now, I know that might sound like a minor difference—just half a foot—but don’t let that fool you. This seemingly small measurement actually impacts everything from maneuverability to payload capacity.
Think of it this way: a long bed is like having a larger closet in your house. Sure, you can store more stuff, but navigating those hallways becomes a bit trickier. A short bed is your compact apartment—easier to navigate, but you need to be strategic about storage.
The 2019 Tacoma Long Bed Configuration
Cargo Capacity Advantages
The long bed variant of the 2019 Tacoma gives you that extra cargo space that many truck owners crave. With the 5.5-foot bed, you’re getting approximately 56 cubic feet of cargo space. That’s genuinely significant if you’re regularly hauling building materials, landscaping supplies, or equipment for your business.
One of the best parts about the long bed? You can fit a standard 4-by-8 sheet of plywood without it hanging over the tailgate. For contractors and weekend warriors, this is a game-changer. You won’t need to strap materials awkwardly or make multiple trips.
Towing and Payload Considerations
Here’s something that surprises a lot of people: the long bed actually helps distribute weight more effectively across your truck’s frame. The 2019 Tacoma with a long bed maintains solid towing capacity while providing better weight distribution for heavy loads. You’re looking at up to 6,800 pounds of towing capacity and around 1,220 pounds of payload capacity, depending on your specific configuration.
Fuel Economy Trade-offs
Now let’s be honest about the downsides. That extra cargo space and longer wheelbase come with a modest fuel economy penalty. You can expect slightly lower MPG ratings compared to the short bed option. The long bed sits around 20 MPG highway and 16 MPG city for the standard configurations, though this varies with engine choice and driving conditions.
Maneuverability Challenges
The long bed makes your overall truck longer, which means tighter parking situations and sharper turns become more challenging. If you’re navigating urban areas or parking in tight spots regularly, you’ll definitely notice the difference. The longer wheelbase also means a slightly wider turning radius, which can be frustrating in everyday driving situations.
The 2019 Tacoma Short Bed: Practical and Nimble
Superior Maneuverability and Handling
The short bed—that 5-foot cargo area—transforms your Tacoma into something that feels more car-like in terms of handling. This is where the short bed really shines for daily driving. You get better maneuverability, tighter turning radius, and an overall vehicle that’s easier to park in tight spaces. If you spend most of your time in suburban or urban environments, the short bed is genuinely the more practical choice.
I’ve spoken with plenty of short bed owners who emphasize how much easier their trucks are to navigate through congested parking lots and residential areas. It’s not just about fitting into parking spaces—it’s about the confidence you have when making quick decisions in traffic.
Improved Fuel Efficiency
The short bed configuration delivers measurably better fuel economy. You’re looking at approximately 21 MPG on the highway and 17 MPG in city driving with standard configurations. That two-mile-per-gallon improvement on the highway might not sound dramatic, but over a year of driving, it adds up to real savings at the pump.
Cargo Space Reality Check
Don’t underestimate the short bed. With 49 cubic feet of cargo space, you can still handle most everyday hauling tasks. Where you’ll feel the pinch is with large, bulky items—like that 4-by-8 plywood sheet I mentioned earlier. You’ll need to angle it or hang it over the tailgate, which requires proper securing and adds complexity to your loading process.
Towing and Payload Performance
The short bed actually delivers comparable towing capacity—still up to 6,800 pounds—but you might see slightly different payload ratings depending on your specific trim and engine combination. The short bed doesn’t disadvantage you in these crucial performance metrics as much as you might think.
Comparing Bed Lengths Side by Side
Let me break down the key differences in a more structured way so you can really compare what you’re getting:
- Cargo volume: Long bed offers 56 cubic feet versus 49 cubic feet for short bed
- Overall truck length: Long bed measures approximately 212 inches while short bed comes in around 205 inches
- Maneuverability: Short bed provides significantly better turning radius and parking ease
- Fuel economy: Short bed typically achieves 1-2 MPG better ratings across the board
- Towing capacity: Both configurations handle similar maximum towing weights
- Everyday practicality: Short bed wins for daily driving; long bed wins for heavy hauling
How Your Lifestyle Should Drive Your Decision
Choose the Long Bed If You’re a Heavy Hauler
Are you regularly transporting materials for work? Do you own a construction business or frequently haul equipment? If you answered yes to either of these, the long bed is your best bet. The extra cargo space justifies the trade-offs in maneuverability and fuel economy. You’ll appreciate that ability to fit full-size materials without overhang when you’re on the clock.
Similarly, if you’re into overlanding or long-distance camping and need to carry substantial gear, the long bed accommodates your lifestyle better. You can pack more comfortably and reduce the number of trips you need to make.
Choose the Short Bed If You’re an Urban/Suburban Driver
If your typical day involves navigating city streets, parking in tight spots, and making the occasional hardware store run, the short bed is your answer. You get a truck that doesn’t feel like a dump truck in traffic, better fuel economy, and truly practical cargo capacity for most civilian uses.
The short bed owner enjoys the agility of their vehicle without sacrificing the truck identity and capability you want. You can still haul a decent load; you just need to be slightly more strategic about it.
Consider Your Towing Habits
Here’s a nuance people often overlook: if you’re regularly towing a trailer, the long bed actually provides benefits beyond cargo space. The longer wheelbase provides better stability when towing, and the improved weight distribution matters more when you’re pulling significant loads down the highway.
If you trailer a boat occasionally or haul a small camping trailer, the short bed handles it fine. But if you’re towing regularly or pulling heavier trailers, that long bed advantage becomes more noticeable.
Resale Value and Long-Term Considerations
I want to address something that doesn’t get talked about enough: resale value. The 2019 Tacoma has proven to be an incredibly strong vehicle in the used market. Both long bed and short bed models hold value well, but the short bed tends to appreciate slightly higher in value, primarily because it appeals to a broader audience.
When you go to sell your truck in five or ten years, the short bed’s popularity and practicality mean more potential buyers. However, if you’re buying for a specific use case and don’t plan to sell soon, this becomes less relevant to your decision.
The Practical Reality of Weekend Projects
Let’s talk about real-world scenarios. You’re at the lumber yard picking up materials for a deck project. With a long bed, you load that plywood straight in and you’re done. With a short bed, you’re strategically placing items and securing overhanging materials. It takes five more minutes and requires a bit more planning.
But here’s the flip side: you’re at the grocery store trying to park. The long bed makes finding a spot genuinely frustrating. You’re passing up perfectly good spots because your truck is just too long. The short bed? You fit in regular parking spaces without thinking twice.
Aesthetic and Preference Factors
I don’t want to overlook the subjective elements. Some people simply prefer the look of a long bed truck. There’s something about those classic proportions that appeals to truck enthusiasts. Others feel the short bed looks sleeker and more modern.
Your truck is something you’re going to live with every day. If you find one configuration significantly more attractive to you, that matters. Just make sure it’s not your primary decision factor—functionality should outweigh aesthetics.
Weather and Climate Considerations
Snow and Ice Handling
If you live in a region with harsh winters, the longer wheelbase of the long bed provides slightly better traction and stability in snow and ice. The weight distribution is more balanced, which helps with winter driving dynamics.
The short bed isn’t unsafe in winter conditions—let’s be clear—but the long bed’s longer wheelbase gives you a small advantage when conditions get slippery.
Wind and Weather Exposure
The short bed presents less surface area to crosswinds, which provides a minor advantage when driving in gusty conditions. This becomes more noticeable if you frequently travel across plains or mountain passes where wind is a factor.
Aftermarket Modifications and Accessories
Another consideration: aftermarket truck bed covers, tonneau covers, and bed accessories are available for both configurations, but availability might differ slightly. Long beds offer more options simply because they’re more common in the truck market generally.
If you’re planning to add a truck bed cover, camping shell, or custom storage solutions, verify that your preferred accessories are available for whichever bed length you’re considering. This is rarely a dealbreaker, but it’s worth checking before you decide.
Test Drive and Real-World Experience
Here’s my strongest recommendation: test drive both configurations if possible. Spend time in each truck—drive it through parking lots, on the highway, and navigate tight streets. Feel the difference in how they handle. This experiential understanding is worth more than any specification sheet.
When you’re sitting in the driver’s seat making left turns at intersections, you’ll genuinely feel the difference between the two configurations. That practical understanding will inform your decision better than reading any article.
Final Thoughts on Your Decision
There’s no objectively “right” answer between the 2019 Tacoma long bed and short bed. The right choice is the one that aligns with your actual usage patterns and daily driving reality. If you primarily haul heavy materials, the long bed makes sense despite the maneuverability trade-offs. If you value agility, fuel economy, and daily driving ease, the short bed is the better choice.
The 2019 Tacoma is an excellent truck in either configuration. You’re not making a bad decision either way—you’re simply choosing which set of advantages matters most to you.
Conclusion
Choosing between the 2019 Tacoma long bed and short bed ultimately comes down to understanding your priorities. Both configurations deliver the reliability and capability that make Tacoma such a respected nameplate. The long bed excels when you need maximum cargo capacity and better weight distribution for heavy hauling. The short bed shines when maneuverability, fuel efficiency, and everyday practicality matter most. Consider your typical driving environment, your hauling frequency, and your long-term truck needs. Test drive both options if you can. Once you align your choice with your actual lifestyle, you’ll be completely satisfied with your decision and will enjoy your 2019 Tacoma for many years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you fit a full sheet of plywood in a 2019 Tacoma short bed?
A standard 4-by-8 sheet of plywood won’t fit entirely within a short bed without overhang. You can angle it slightly or hang part of it over the tailgate, but you’ll need to properly secure it and follow local regulations about cargo overhang. The long bed accommodates the plywood completely without overhang, making it the better choice if you frequently transport building materials.
What’s the fuel economy difference between long bed and short bed 2019 Tacomas?
The short bed configuration typically achieves 1-2 MPG better fuel economy than the long bed. You can expect approximately 21 MPG highway and 17 MPG city with the short bed, compared to around 20 MPG highway and 16 MPG city with the long bed. Actual results vary based on driving habits, terrain, and specific engine configuration.
Does the long bed affect towing capacity on the 2019 Tacoma?
No, both the long bed and short bed configurations of the 2019 Tacoma maintain the same maximum towing capacity of 6,800 pounds. The long bed actually provides better stability and weight distribution when towing, making it slightly preferable if you regularly tow trailers. Payload capacity might vary slightly between configurations, so check specific trim details.
How much longer is the truck with a long bed versus short bed?
The long bed configuration makes the overall truck approximately 7 inches longer than the short bed version. This translates to an overall length of about 212 inches for the long bed compared to 205 inches for the short bed. This difference significantly impacts maneuverability and parking in tight spaces.
Which bed length holds its value better in the used market?
The short bed typically holds its value slightly better because it appeals to a broader audience of buyers. More people prioritize maneuverability and fuel economy for their daily driving needs, which makes short bed Tacomas more sought-after in the used market. However, both configurations maintain strong resale value, and the difference is usually minimal.
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