Has anyone come from full size truck into a newer 200 series? Any regrets? Did you miss the space or is the boot of the LC big enough to take care of most family/life excursions?
Full size truck to a 200 LC
- Thread starter EasyEarlStone
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We’re a family of 6. I would miss the space of my truck. So I have both. There are things I just need my truck for. We camp a lot and haul tons of gear ie 6 bikes on most trips. The 200 is absolutely amazing and we love ours. But there are times when it’s not the right tool for the job. Even with a box on the roof of our 200, it just can’t swallow up the gear my truck can. Plus I’ve got a roof top tent on my truck. My wife and I sleep in the bed. Kids on the roof. The 200, from our family perspective, just doesn’t have the space we need when camping. Otherwise it’s perfect!
I’m sure others will chime in from a towing perspective. We don’t drag a camper or boat around. Cheers.
I’m sure others will chime in from a towing perspective. We don’t drag a camper or boat around. Cheers.
I struggle with this annually, there are some things that a truck does better and of course there are areas where the SUV is preferable. I think a lot can be accomplished with the SUV and a small utility trailer to rival the utility of the truck bed. That said, sometimes there's just no replacement for a truck bed, you can see my struggle now lol.
When I have a full-size truck I long for a SUV and when I have the SUV I find myself day dreaming about trucks, it's a problem lol. The biggest issue I find with the truck is that I can't live with one having the bed open/exposed so I always have the added expense of enclosing it with a bed cover, camper shell or some sort of rack or utility top. Not only does this add a significant cost to the build, but it also takes away the raw utility and use of a pure pickup bed thereby negating the strongest advantage that a truck has over a SUV lol. So why have a truck if I am just going to turn it into a SUV of sorts by enclosing the bed? Short of the added towing capability how is it any different than the SUV at that point?
As much as I want to consider myself a truck guy first and foremost, I can't deny that I tend to gravitate towards and prefer SUV's and over time I believe that I have had more miles and years in a SUV than I have in a truck. You won't miss the power of a truck so long as it wasn't a diesel because the V8 in the 200 series has plenty. The 200 will certainly ride better and have a quieter cabin and if your truck is a HD 3/4-ton or bigger the 200 will drive and handle better as well. Don't forget that the SUV is more evenly balanced and weight neutral than a truck, this helps when it comes to traction more than one thinks, I see it on the beach quite often.
What this really boils down to is the utility of an open bed for things like dirt bikes, dogs, lawn mowers, lumber, mulch, etc. It's nice to be able to fling something wet, muddy, or stinky in the bed and keep that smell and mess out of the cab of your vehicle. The inverse is the lack of enclosed, air tight, climate controlled and secured space for passengers and gear that the SUV provides that the truck simply can't. This is where the SUV wins out for me on a daily basis and where I can supplement the lack of a bed with a small utility trailer when needed. Roof racks, hitch carriers and even a small utility trailer are much cheaper tools to purchase and justify as an alternative to a pickup bed. In a perfect world you have both, so if you can afford or justify both then that gets my vote and of course it's blatantly obvious that if you need to tow in excess of 10K pounds then you need a truck, that's a given. Welcome to the struggle, I hope I made this decision clear as mud for you lol.
When I have a full-size truck I long for a SUV and when I have the SUV I find myself day dreaming about trucks, it's a problem lol. The biggest issue I find with the truck is that I can't live with one having the bed open/exposed so I always have the added expense of enclosing it with a bed cover, camper shell or some sort of rack or utility top. Not only does this add a significant cost to the build, but it also takes away the raw utility and use of a pure pickup bed thereby negating the strongest advantage that a truck has over a SUV lol. So why have a truck if I am just going to turn it into a SUV of sorts by enclosing the bed? Short of the added towing capability how is it any different than the SUV at that point?
As much as I want to consider myself a truck guy first and foremost, I can't deny that I tend to gravitate towards and prefer SUV's and over time I believe that I have had more miles and years in a SUV than I have in a truck. You won't miss the power of a truck so long as it wasn't a diesel because the V8 in the 200 series has plenty. The 200 will certainly ride better and have a quieter cabin and if your truck is a HD 3/4-ton or bigger the 200 will drive and handle better as well. Don't forget that the SUV is more evenly balanced and weight neutral than a truck, this helps when it comes to traction more than one thinks, I see it on the beach quite often.
What this really boils down to is the utility of an open bed for things like dirt bikes, dogs, lawn mowers, lumber, mulch, etc. It's nice to be able to fling something wet, muddy, or stinky in the bed and keep that smell and mess out of the cab of your vehicle. The inverse is the lack of enclosed, air tight, climate controlled and secured space for passengers and gear that the SUV provides that the truck simply can't. This is where the SUV wins out for me on a daily basis and where I can supplement the lack of a bed with a small utility trailer when needed. Roof racks, hitch carriers and even a small utility trailer are much cheaper tools to purchase and justify as an alternative to a pickup bed. In a perfect world you have both, so if you can afford or justify both then that gets my vote and of course it's blatantly obvious that if you need to tow in excess of 10K pounds then you need a truck, that's a given. Welcome to the struggle, I hope I made this decision clear as mud for you lol.
I came from a 5.0 F-150 and the only time I miss the half-ton is when I picked up steel or lumber for hobby projects. I towed a 100 series home with no real issue (uHaul auto trailer was too short to distribute the weight as I would have wanted, but that’s no shortcoming of the 200). Ride comfort is better, road manners are better, turn radius is better, even has a tailgate lol.
Only issue with the 200 — I care too much about it to tear it up! As someone else said though, definitely a different story if you’re coming from a 3/4 or one ton.
Only issue with the 200 — I care too much about it to tear it up! As someone else said though, definitely a different story if you’re coming from a 3/4 or one ton.
I traded my 2016 Ford F450 Platinum pickup which was a awesome truck . I had to make the choice between my other truck 2015 GMC 3500 single rear wheel Denali crew .
I was not using the Dually but was a super cool truck , still miss that truck but did not miss the 400 dollar a year registration . I still have a pickup but know what your talking about driving away in my 1st new land cruiser ... I was thinking to my self what the hell did I do .
I wanted the best SUV you could buy , having owned my F450 and having big trade value it did not hurt my pocket as bad as dropping 80k on a new Land cruiser sounds crazy also .
Land cruisers feels like a truck just lower to the ground in stock form .
I was not using the Dually but was a super cool truck , still miss that truck but did not miss the 400 dollar a year registration . I still have a pickup but know what your talking about driving away in my 1st new land cruiser ... I was thinking to my self what the hell did I do .
I wanted the best SUV you could buy , having owned my F450 and having big trade value it did not hurt my pocket as bad as dropping 80k on a new Land cruiser sounds crazy also .
Land cruisers feels like a truck just lower to the ground in stock form .
CharlieS
GOLD Star
I've had about equal numbers of both trucks and SUV's, and prefer SUVs.
Part of this is because I have an aluminum 6x10 Mission trailer with 24" sides and a wood floor for those times when I need to haul bigger stuff (lumber, steel, mulch, topsoil, appliances, motorcycles, dump runs), a hitch mounted tray for smaller stuff (like if I need to get cans of diesel or gas), and a rooftop box for when we need more space for gear (long camping trips when we don't have the camper). I only attach them when I need them. With these accessories, a Land Cruiser can do nearly anything a pickup can.
At the same time, without that stuff, day to day it is a luxurious, comfortable, commuter, family, gear and grocery hauler. You can as easily take the dogs for a hike as take it for a business trip.
The downsides are:
If you haul regularly, often need large cargo space at the spur of the moment, tow massive weight, are in trades where you need the space daily, use it on the farm and/or just like to hop in when you're a mess, those would all be good reasons to have a truck instead of a land cruiser.
Part of this is because I have an aluminum 6x10 Mission trailer with 24" sides and a wood floor for those times when I need to haul bigger stuff (lumber, steel, mulch, topsoil, appliances, motorcycles, dump runs), a hitch mounted tray for smaller stuff (like if I need to get cans of diesel or gas), and a rooftop box for when we need more space for gear (long camping trips when we don't have the camper). I only attach them when I need them. With these accessories, a Land Cruiser can do nearly anything a pickup can.
At the same time, without that stuff, day to day it is a luxurious, comfortable, commuter, family, gear and grocery hauler. You can as easily take the dogs for a hike as take it for a business trip.
The downsides are:
- I have to plan ahead when I want to haul something, I can't just toss it in the bed.
- I can't tow as much weight as a truck (my Tundra with the tow package has a 10,300 lb tow capacity). Then again I don't ever haul that much weight.
- I care more about hopping in when I am a dirty mess since the interior is fancier.
- The shorter wheelbase is not as good at towing (but I don't generally notice it).
If you haul regularly, often need large cargo space at the spur of the moment, tow massive weight, are in trades where you need the space daily, use it on the farm and/or just like to hop in when you're a mess, those would all be good reasons to have a truck instead of a land cruiser.
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I came from a crewmax tundra. With a family of 5, I don't miss it whatsoever. I have a roof rack, so anything I need from Home depot goes up there. In fact, sheet plywood, long boards, etc... all are much easier than the 5.5ft bed the tundra had. Plus the LC gives us the flexibility to add another person or haul a bit more stuff inside the cabin.
- Thread starter
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Thank you for the replies. I really appreciate that others have struggled. I have a supreme truck in a 2500 Ram Crew cab. Carpeted bed with a bakflip cover. Lately with two small kids we’ve started doing more and more day trips and I’m beginning to think I need a topper (grandpa style or new like GFC). But man, I just love the land cruiser 200’s smooth ride. The v8 is not as alive as a diesel, but it’s not bad either. A pedal commander would do a lot. I just worry that chucking two bikes with training wheels, a blanket, and some snacks packs that boot up sooooo much quicker than a truck bed. We went the other day to a Covid vacant parking lot to let our girls ride bikes and scooters. We had a folding chair in the bed of the truck and laid a blanket for a picnic. I’m worried the LC will not supply that kind of shelter. Seems like I need to get my wife into one and keep my truck is the best move.
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I’m a diesel fan and would love to have a Diesel Land Cruiser , having had this 5.7 motor in my previous Tundra‘s I know it was a great work horse , you can add a super charger but then you have to run premium gas , 400 hp is pretty good .
Your other option is a 4Runner which is a great vehicle and half the price for a brand new TRD offroad .
Your other option is a 4Runner which is a great vehicle and half the price for a brand new TRD offroad .
We love our LX. It's stock (except for front brake upgrade), and is a great DD for my wife. It's a 2009 with 159k miles, and I have a mildly built Tundra that I use for hunting, dispersed camping with the family, and general adventure trips all over. I like our LX so much I was thinking what it would be like to trade my Tundra in on another 200 series that we use for all the adventures instead.
Pros of the 200 for me: lots more interior space, can spread 3 kids out which will help everyone get along on longer trips, can tow and haul nearly as much as my Tundra, boat ramps in unlocked low range would be the easiest thing ever, just as reliable as the Tundra
Cons of using a 200: attachments. I would need a large hitch basket for hunting, a rooftop cargo carrier at minimum for dispersed camping trips, and a utility trailer for projects around the property.
Pros of the Tundra: dead nuts reliable (multiple examples over 500k miles, 3 or 4 have gone 1M on simple maintenance), it's as close to a 200 series with a bed as we can get in the US, the bed is nice for throwing all sorts of crap in (camping gear, bikes, gravel, harvested deer, lumber, etc), it does tow better due to 4.3 gearing and longer wheelbase, it has best-in-class turn radius and is far more nimble on wooded trails than you'd think by looking at it.
Cons of the Tundra: using a truck as our adventure vehicle, we are stuck with 3 kids shoulder-to-shoulder and a chocolate lab at their feet for extremely long drives.
Maybe if I just finish up all the PM on our LX, we can start taking it out West, too.
Pros of the 200 for me: lots more interior space, can spread 3 kids out which will help everyone get along on longer trips, can tow and haul nearly as much as my Tundra, boat ramps in unlocked low range would be the easiest thing ever, just as reliable as the Tundra
Cons of using a 200: attachments. I would need a large hitch basket for hunting, a rooftop cargo carrier at minimum for dispersed camping trips, and a utility trailer for projects around the property.
Pros of the Tundra: dead nuts reliable (multiple examples over 500k miles, 3 or 4 have gone 1M on simple maintenance), it's as close to a 200 series with a bed as we can get in the US, the bed is nice for throwing all sorts of crap in (camping gear, bikes, gravel, harvested deer, lumber, etc), it does tow better due to 4.3 gearing and longer wheelbase, it has best-in-class turn radius and is far more nimble on wooded trails than you'd think by looking at it.
Cons of the Tundra: using a truck as our adventure vehicle, we are stuck with 3 kids shoulder-to-shoulder and a chocolate lab at their feet for extremely long drives.
Maybe if I just finish up all the PM on our LX, we can start taking it out West, too.
We love our LX. It's stock (except for front brake upgrade), and is a great DD for my wife. It's a 2009 with 159k miles, and I have a mildly built Tundra that I use for hunting, dispersed camping with the family, and general adventure trips all over. I like our LX so much I was thinking what it would be like to trade my Tundra in on another 200 series that we use for all the adventures instead.
Pros of the 200 for me: lots more interior space, can spread 3 kids out which will help everyone get along on longer trips, can tow and haul nearly as much as my Tundra, boat ramps in unlocked low range would be the easiest thing ever, just as reliable as the Tundra
Cons of using a 200: attachments. I would need a large hitch basket for hunting, a rooftop cargo carrier at minimum for dispersed camping trips, and a utility trailer for projects around the property.
Pros of the Tundra: dead nuts reliable (multiple examples over 500k miles, 3 or 4 have gone 1M on simple maintenance), it's as close to a 200 series with a bed as we can get in the US, the bed is nice for throwing all sorts of crap in (camping gear, bikes, gravel, harvested deer, lumber, etc), it does tow better due to 4.3 gearing and longer wheelbase, it has best-in-class turn radius and is far more nimble on wooded trails than you'd think by looking at it.
Cons of the Tundra: using a truck as our adventure vehicle, we are stuck with 3 kids shoulder-to-shoulder and a chocolate lab at their feet for extremely long drives.
Maybe if I just finish up all the PM on our LX, we can start taking it out West, too.
I have been doing the same for the past year. Easily solved with a 10-12' utility trailer and a Pakmule hitch carrier. I love the idea of a truck when I don't have one, but when I do I am constantly thinking about how much more comfortable I would be in a SUV haha. There's certainly a place for both, but until I start towing north of 8-10K lbs regularly again there's just no way that I can justify a truck over the 200 for the majority of my daily tasks.
