GEORGIA Let's See Your Tacomas

Sometimes I forget you have one of everything haha. Great insight. I'm gonna pass the info along to him. When he told me his idea, It never really made sense to me. If he said he was going to go from the 4runner to a larger 3/4 ton truck or something similar then I'd understand.
Thanks JB!

 

I'd Love that. Let me know man.

 

I'd definitely advise it, but expect the Tacoma to be working hard when towing. It's more than up to the task, but a lot of folks expect trucks to pull, shift, and drive like they're not encumbered when they're towing, so lots of people will recommend getting a trailer that is half the towing capacity of the truck when loaded up.

I'm used to towing with smaller vehicles, so I think the Taco works great. It stays in 3rd or 4th gear and pulls at 4000rpm uphill. I have to floor it to get on onramps. It's no big deal though, the truck will handle it fine. I get around 10mpg now, but I got 12mpg on our first trip before the trailer was lifted.

This is my trailer: https://forestriverinc.com/rvs/travel-trailers/wolf-pup/16BHS/1330 - it's 22' long, but the inside is less than that, like maybe 16-18' long inside. It weighs a bit over 4000lbs loaded, and my truck has over 1000lbs of cargo / armor / stuff in it at all times. I have Dakar leafs, sumosprings, and 700lb coils up front.


Like JB said, the T4R has a bit more power. If he doesn't like towing with it, the Taco won't be much better. You'll have a WAY more stable ride with the DCLB than a short 4runner though. I don't even use a WDH or sway control, the DCLB doesn't really need it.

Edit: a few more pics:







Here's how it sat before I lifted it. I needed to lift it or the damn cleanout valves would have dragged on trails, steep drives, etc... Most travel trailers are way too close to the ground from the factory to do anything but drive around Florida with.

 

He plans to trade into a extended cab Tacoma b/c it's cheaper and doesn't need to the extra room. So with that said it's probably no real benefit over the existing 4runner he has?
Would the gear hunting 3rd gens have issue with be a concern towning since it will just be put in 4th anyways so it won't ever try to get to the over drive gear anyways.

 

He needs to buy a lighty used 200series land cruiser. Boo yah!
Someone would take his runner on trade for a 2009-2014

 

His wife has issues with purchasing a vehicle 4 or 5 years old... I don't get it either...

 

The access cab still has a couple more feet of wheelbase over the 4runner, so it'll probably feel more stable, but he'll lose a bit of torque. Another thing, backing up with the 4 Runner will actually be easier than the Taco since the wheelbase is shorter.

If he wants an upgrade to tow, he should look into something with a V8. Again, that's not really needed for a small camper. If I was in his situation, I'd just tow with the T4R and expect to make liberal use of the skinny pedal and just roll with it instead of switching to a different vehicles with essentially the same capability. The high RPMs bother some people, but again, they're designed for that use, so it's fine.

The gear hunting on the 3rd gen is way over-hyped. I don't mind the transmission at all in my 3rd gen, and my 2017 doesn't have any of the TSBs or tunes or anything, it just drives fine. I do have to switch to manual mode and remind it to downshift when I pass uphill while towing, but that's no big deal. I'd rather it want to stay in gear instead of hunting for one.

 

2017. Stock.

 

My 1st Tacoma

 

Looking to trade wheels for Trd pros

 

Are you selling them or simply looking for trade?

 

Anyone in the Atlanta area install the Tacoma Pro grille on their own? It’s one of the mods I want to do the most, but I read so much conflicting info on its effects on the TSS.

I’m wondering if anyone in the area could help me install it if they’ve done it on their own. Thanks!

I’m picking mine up today, so pics are to come shortly.

 

There is not much to it. Pretty straight forward install. The hardest part is taking your old grille off without bending or breaking a tab or two. The TSS is only held on by two screws if i remember correctly. Just make sure you unplug your battery before starting and unplug your TSS as well before removing the grille. Took me about an hour total when I replaced mine and that’s with toddlers running around.

 

Did you use a YouTube video that you found helpful? The ones I’ve seen so far don’t include the TSS.

 

My 2015 TRD OR AC set up for camp

 

Like the setup bro! Nice.

 

Thanks! I bought the setup from a guy in Virginia. Ez-topper lift w custom tent, held w Velcro and magnets. Sleeping platform is bed height but I can still sit up straight. Got a simple drawer kitchen setup. I lived out of it for a month last summer on a road trip to CO/WY/MT

 

I have seen them before at an Overland Show. I was very impressed with how stout it felt. My first impression is that it would sway, but that’s not the case.
Good find

 

I can’t ever keep this thing clean.

 

Cool spot...lol