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When you upgrade to a full-size truck, you expect to gain power, space, and presence. No one expects to lose practicality in the process. But sometimes, the features that make sense in a spec sheet don’t hold up when real-life routines kick in. That’s what happened to one new Tundra owner I came across while scrolling through the “2023-2025 Toyota Tundra Owners” group on Facebook. Juan Carlos Astroza Oyanguren had just picked up his 2024 Tundra Limited after switching from a Honda Ridgeline, and while he expected to miss the Ridgeline’s under-bed trunk, he was surprised to discover that his Tundra’s under-seat storage was essentially inaccessible due to fixed baby car seats. After searching for drawer systems that could slide out without lifting the seat, Juan turned to the community for help. Here’s his own words:
“Here is my 2024 Toyota Tundra Limited that I bought on Thursday. I came from a Honda Ridgeline so I knew I was going to miss the under bed storage but I wasn’t expecting to also lose the under rear seat storage because I have baby car seats. I never removed them so that compartment is technically locked empty. I asked chat gpt and it suggested that in ‘RealTruck’ I could find some drawers that slide forward or to the side of the rear seats so there is no need to lift the cushion, but I couldn’t find anything. Does anyone know where I can get this done? Or maybe a DIY video? Thank you. And I love my Tundra!”
A Familiar Tradeoff When Switching Trucks
Juan’s post struck a chord for many reasons. First, it captures that common moment of transition when a truck owner moves from one platform to another, like being excited about the upgrade but caught off guard by the little differences that can impact everyday usability. The Honda Ridgeline, with its clever in-bed trunk and flat cargo space, carved a niche in the midsize truck world as the “practical truck.” The 2024 Toyota Tundra, on the other hand, is in a different league of course. It’s beefier, bolder, and far more powerful. But in this specific situation, that added muscle came at the cost of usable interior storage for Juan.
This isn’t just a minor inconvenience. For parents with child seats permanently installed in the back row, lifting the seat cushion to access the factory under-seat bin becomes impossible without uninstalling the seats. It’s an unrealistic task for those who shuttle kids around daily as it essentially turns a storage feature into wasted space.
Juan’s search for an alternative led him to RealTruck, a well-known source for aftermarket truck mods. He was hoping to find a sliding drawer system that could be accessed from the front of the seat or the sides, something low profile that wouldn’t interfere with the car seats. But nothing matched that vision. And as it turns out, Juan isn’t the only one dealing with this dilemma.
What Other Owners Are Doing About It
Alex Smith chimed in under the post with a workaround that works for him: “If you find anything, I’d also be interested. I didn’t have much in my 2013 Tacoma, but the little bit of hideaway storage I had in my bed also made a big difference for things like tools, bungee cords, ratchet straps, and etc. I do like that I can actually lock this tailgate, so I mostly use my bed as my storage. Seems logical. But since I usually have at least 1 car seat in the back (sometimes 2), I cut a 2×6 down for a bed divider and added some anchors to it, and I strap a toolbox with a bunch of the same stuff mentioned above in it. I see your bed is uncovered, but might be a path worth exploring?”
Alex’s comment reminds us that not all storage has to live inside the cabin. With the right accessories like a locking tailgate, bed dividers, and weather-resistant toolboxes, the truck bed can become a secure and versatile space for storing everyday gear. But that approach comes with trade-offs, especially in winter climates or when you’re frequently loading and unloading with kids in the backseat.
Another commenter, James Surtees, took a more lighthearted approach: “Congrats, in my opinion a Ridgeline is a nice wanna be truck and now sir you have a real truck. Just my opinion but please let me say that now I want to welcome you to Truck Gang. The only community that spends more money on our trucks than we should but that will not stop any one of us!”
James’s humor reflects a common theme among full-size truck owners. They have pride in their rigs and a willingness to spend on customizations. It also points to the aftermarket culture that surrounds trucks like the 2024 Toyota Tundra. Whether it’s lift kits, exhaust mods, tonneau covers, or storage upgrades, Tundra owners rarely leave their trucks untouched. In fact, some owners have shared their experiences after lifting their 2024 Toyota Tundra and being surprised by the results, showing how even suspension changes can affect day-to-day practicality.
What Other Tundra Owners Have Discovered
This isn’t the first time a Toyota truck has sparked a conversation about interior storage. A longtime Toyota loyalist once held onto their 2007 Toyota Tundra for 276,000 miles until the 2025 finally won them over, highlighting how these trucks can have impressive staying power, even if they come with quirks.
Another driver also used to swear by Chevy until the Toyota Tundra changed everything, proving how firsthand experience with a Tundra can completely shift a driver’s loyalty and perspective even if it’s not perfect.
Yet another owner used to drive a Dodge but fell in love with their Toyota Tundra TRD Pro after just 1,000 miles, showing that these trucks often win people over after time behind the wheel, even with their quirks and all.
A Design Flaw That Matters More Than Expected
What Juan’s story highlights most clearly is a gap between design and use case. It’s one that’s particularly relevant for parents, commuters, and those who need organized, accessible space that doesn’t interfere with passengers. In this case, Toyota’s under-seat bin is great in theory, but only truly useful when the seat isn’t occupied.
Even those who transitioned from a 2012 Toyota Sequoia to a 2025 Tundra and finally got to tow with it found unexpected learning curves, proving once again that spec sheets don’t always tell the full story.
I think this is one of those moments where we realize that trucks aren’t one-size-fits-all. Coming from a Ridgeline, Juan was used to clever, space-saving solutions that worked for a family setup. The Tundra, while more capable in towing, power, and road presence, overlooks a detail that can make a big difference in everyday usability. And that’s something you won’t notice until you live with it. If there’s one takeaway here, it’s that the best truck isn’t always about what’s under the hood, as it’s sometimes about how you store a diaper bag without crawling through the back seat.
Key Takeaways for Tundra Owners and Shoppers:
- Under-seat storage isn’t truly accessible when car seats are installed: This turns a key interior feature into a dead space for families.
- Sliding drawer solutions are limited or nonexistent: Most aftermarket bins still rely on lifting the seat cushion.
- DIY options exist but require effort: Custom drawer systems can be built, but they’re not plug-and-play.
- Bed storage is a useful workaround: With the right setup like locking tailgates and toolboxes, the bed can offer practical alternatives.
- Storage trade-offs vary between platforms: The Ridgeline excels in clever utility while the Tundra brings power and size. Know what matters to you.
What’s Your Experience?
Have you run into similar daily usability issues after switching trucks? What creative solutions worked for you?
Don’t hesitate to share your tips and setups in the comments below, as other readers could find a helpful solution to their problems too.
Aram Krajekian is a young automotive journalist bringing a fresh perspective to his coverage of the evolving automotive landscape. Follow Aram on X and LinkedIn for daily news coverage about cars.
Image Sources: Toyota Gallery and the “2023-2025 Toyota Tundra Owners” public Facebook group.
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Source: torquenews.com
