Truck bed mats and also 2 wheel drive truck question

[jane032657]

We are buying a compact Toyota Tacoma so we have one vehicle when we come down which suits us and the dogs-one of our dogs has a problem in the car so needs to be in the back of the truck, which will have a canopy, big windows, etc for going to the dog park. Of course the dogs will not be left in the truck when it is hot. We are passionate about our dogs.

QUESTION: We are having a custom mat put in the back of the bed but do you need carpet over the mat so it does not melt in the heat? The canopy will be over the bed but we wodnered if you experience a melting issue or smell from truckbed mats? We will also put something over the mat like a carpet and dog beds, or something which will stay comfortable when the dogs lay on it ,but my husband wondered if those of you with trucks have trouble with any melting or smells from the mats in the back?

Also do you agree we just need a 2WD in Florida? We did not want the 4WD because they are so high up off the ground and hard for the dogs to jump up into as they get older. Comments on this? We do not go back country driving. But is there any reason for a 4WD in Florida?

[chuckinca]

You can order a truck bed mat made for your truck at most auto supply stores for around $99. They are black color and made of a heavy rubber type material - no smell or other issues. They weigh about 50 pounds for a full size PU bed.

I have a bed liner in my truck and put a bed mat over it because I don't like the slippery surface of the bed liners.

We haul our cats back and forth to Norcal in the truck bed with a camper shell cover that has a pass thru window into the truck cab. We also usually haul stuff back and forth (had to upsize from a 1/2 ton PU to a 1 ton diesel PU due to the weight of all the stuff crammed in the truck and travel trailer). The cats lay on top of the boxes of (crafts) stuff on a blanket or sleep on the floor of the cab or my wife's lap.

2WD PU's are fine just about everywhere. If it were me, I would buy a full size half ton PU with the small bench seat and half size access doors especially if you're driving back and forth to Seattle (those small PU's get very cramped on long trips).

[l2ridehd]

You will have no need for 4 wheel drive in Florida. Save the purchase, gas and maintenance cost.

[jane032657]

Thanks, we are getting a full crew cab, I think is what it is called, with four full doors so access for friends and family is easy when we go out together. We are also getting a short box. Once we move to TV we will fly to Seattle when we come to visit, not drive. Our only drive there will be when we move wth the dogs. So I hear you, no 4ED needed, thanks!!!

The mat will be ordered with the truck from Toyota, I am ordering a truck speial because there are not many 2WD trucks in Seattle and we want the small compact truck, not the heavy truck or high of the ground one, and I want certain upsclaed features the basic tacoma does not come with. So this is a Tacoma Toyota V4, low to the ground. I love the Pre Runner but it is SO high off the ground for the dogs to jump and also as my husband I keep getting older.... I will go ahead and order the custom mat and then put dog pillows in it. Thanks so much for the advice. Any more comments are welcome as I am hoping to order the truck today so it is ready in three months. I sold my gorgeous four door Jeep Sahara Unlimited, I am sad about this but happy because we now have the car we want for TV and we can get rid of the two others before we come! We have a special dog car and this new truck will eliminate the need for that! One truck, two golf carts, I cannot wait to get there!

[Dennis Ga]

Congrats on moving to The Villages. I know how you feel as in just over 2 months my wife and I will become Froggs :2excited:

[chuckinca]

If you are planning on driving from Seattle to TV in three months it could be too hot in the PU bed for the dogs no matter which way you drive.


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[jane032657]

Well best made plans....turns out the little Tacoma we wanted could not have the blue tooth or XM radio. We bought the 2012 4WD Toyota Tacoma Pre Runner with air conditioning, navigation, back up camera, blue tooth and the new entunes system so you get some internet applications on the screen too...Crew Cab, short box and sliding window so the dogs can stick their heads through. Will be fun to travel with, a V6.

We will not be driving in the heat of summer, we do not know yet when we will be there full time, have a business to sell but we are on it! We cannot wait for our permanent journey. The truck bed will have lots of cushy pillows and blankets etc for the dogs but believe me, we would not travel with them in the peak of heat. We would not want to drive then either!

I will be there end of next week for a visit and to enjoy our home. Cannot wait!

[batman911]

I believe you will change you mind about the height of the 4X after you drive it for a while. Being up high really improves your ability to see over cars in front of you to avoid traffic and allows more warning of vehicles stopping ahead. Being higher is much safer in traffic. It will take a little time to adjust and remember the center of gravity is also higher so sudden turns can be dangerous.

[jane032657]

Thank you for excellent advise. I did trade in my 2010 Jeep Unlimited Sahara which sat high up but this is somewhat higher for sure! I love it already! We had snow in Seattle on my first day of owning it. Perfect for a 4WD though we only had a smattering!

[graciegirl]

Jane.

I am curious. What does your dog do that he/she can't ride in a regular car? It is obvious you love that pup, buying a truck for his/her comfort!

If I could return to this world, after this stint, I would choose to be a pet living in the Villages!

[RichieB]

If I could return to this world, after this stint, I would choose to be a pet living in the Villages!

That would be a "ruff" life :)

[chuckinca]

The 4WD is a nice option - not needed much but still nice to have just in case you need it.

V6 much better to have than 4 cyl.

Full double cab better than access cab (half doors)

Very nice purchase!


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[jane032657]

Our Irish Setter came from a bad breeder but we have loved him since we got him and even had a dog psychiatrist for a while. In the car, he gets VERY anxious and the whole trip he licks the windows without stopping. It is the grossest thing you have ever seen and then he is full of foam! He is a sweet little Irish Setter, very pretty, and is good in all other aspects of life. He licked the windows so much in what was a gorgeous Edie Bauer Explorer that the mechanisms in the back seat rusted and they will not fold down. SERIOUSLY!!! So you see why he was not coming in my gorgeous jeep I just traded in nor our lovely Ford FLex. And the dog car has to go, we do not need three cars. So the truck with a canopy was the answer. Our English Setter is very good, he can ride anywhere in the car. Yes, I know it is crazy to buy a truck for a dog but we also bought our farmhouse on a half acre because of the larged fenced land area for the dogs.

I know what you are thinking..."Are you sure it is the dog who needs teh psychiatrist?"??? Haha, we just love our pets and they are what we call our second marriage pseudo children. You cab imagine our children have been equally well cared for, thank heavens!:o