I'm not a big fan of buying a gas guzzler just because it looks cool, but at least you seem have a legitimate need for one. Tacomas are nice trucks, but around town, you should expect 17-19 mpg, and not a whole lot more if driven PERFECTLY on the highway. However, keep in mind that there are quite a few vehicles that would suit your purposes and perhaps use much less gas. Maybe you should think about your purposes:
1) Carpenter: Will you really be carrying stuff that's too big for the trunk of a mid-size sedan? You could buy a Camry, put on a Thule or Yakima rack, and carry 10' 2x4 lumber all day long. You'll save enough gas money to pay for some pretty fancy tools. Even a decent mini van will get better gas mileage than a pickup because they're geared like passenger cars, not trucks. If you think it's a vehicle for mommies, get a black one and put skull & crossbones stickers all over it. :-)
2) Surviving winter: A front wheel drive car is a dream when it comes to winter traction. My '92 Taurus was much better in snow than my Tacoma. The only advantage of a 4x4 would be ground clearance, and from what I've seen in 35 years of driving, there aren't that many situations where clearance is a big issue. If you intend to go off-road a lot, it's something to consider. Otherwise, the need is in your pants, not your head.
3) Disposable tools: Think long and hard about the security of your tools when they're in the back of a pickup truck. Caps have disadvantages, and a child could break into most caps with a spoon. Soft tonneau covers look slick, but a pocket knife will take care of them in short order. Hard covers are expensive and come with their own limitations. Those over the rail tool boxes are nice, but there'll still be things that won't fit into them. After
18 months with my Tacoma, I'm still evaluating how I use the truck before putting some sort of cover on the back.
I bought the Tacoma because I tow a boat almost 100 times a year. I was unable to find a rear wheel drive sedan suitable for towing, but if it had existed, there's no way I would've bought a truck.