How will my Truck do off-road?

Hey guys,

I'm taking my Tacoma (pictured below) on its first camp trip for MLK weekend up in Alabama Hills, CA. Does anyone have any experience bringing the 5lug off-road? I won't be taking crazy trails, but I want to be able to find a good camp spot.

Also, if you've been to Alabama Hills and know of any sweet spots or hikes, shoot them my way!!

 

The ole 5 lug may struggle a little off road with only one wheel pulling. Have fun and be careful

 

I'm not familiar with the area, but I wouldn't take it "off roading." I think dirt roads and well maintained forest service roads and you should be fine!

 

You won't know until you try!



Don't get into the deep stuff, you should be fine.

 

Looks like its struggling On-road

 

I'd recommend getting Cooper Discover AT3s or General Grabbers; Like all Tacos, the 5-lug is incredibly reliable, but it will seriously get stuck in a mud puddle under the right circumstances (and in my case, struggle to climb a steep grassy hill after it rains, as I found out the hard way). I'm pretty sure all 5-lug 1st Gen Tacos (with the exception of the 2001-2004 S-Runner) had an open rear diff; All Tacos that aren't TRD Off-Road 2009 and newer have a "fake posi" auto LSD standard, but while is this good for getting around in the snow or getting out of the mud, it is hardly ideal for serious off-roading...

 

Good luck finding any camp spot in the Alabama's on a holiday weekend.

 

Isn't there dispersed camping on the BLM land? Basically any clear spot you find is available to set up camp

 

Boom. Roasted.

 

Yes and no.
There are a finite number of established sites in the Alabama Hills and odds are they will be occupied. You may have a better chance of snagging one if you arrive Wed/Thurs.
There will be folks camping at each road end and every flat spot in the area.
There are currently folks camping long term to escape the city COVID. Apparenty folks are not aware of, or do not care about, the statewide COVID travel restrictions.....

 

He's tryna' be funny.

 

5-lug, no lift, street tires, camper shell... just looks a little saggy to me lol

 

@Das it mang

 

Yikes. Well I'm heading over Saturday at dawn. Do you know of any other spots in the area in case I can't find anything?

 

I appreciate the constructive criticism lol. I've only had it for a few months, but I hope to modify it more down the line...

 

Yup. Completely taken over by the LA crowd for Instagram selfies.

Yes, but Alabama Hills is an area of concern due to excessive visitation in the past few years, compounded by a lot of these new visitors to the outdoors leave their trash and human waste everywhere.

Start planning now. Leaving Saturday is too late. Finding a spot by Thursday evening MAY get you a spot.


As for your truck, it will be fine. There are a lot of spots in Alabama Hills that your truck will do just fine being a 2wd with street tires. I do recommend that you check your spare tire is in good condition though just in case you get a flat.

 

#1 Pro-Tip: bring warm clothes and sleeping bags. It was 18 degrees this morning.

 

Thanks all of this info!!! That's such a bummer to hear about Alabama Hills. It seems like that has been a common issue with a ton of popular camping locations in CA...

Unfortunately, I have work all week and Saturday morning is the earliest I can leave. I know there is a ton of BLM land in that area and not just restricted to Alabama Hills, so I am hoping I can find another location around there

 

This.

If you only saw instagram, you'd think Alabama Hills were a harsh remote wilderness accessible only by a fully built TRD Pro with RTT and full armor and Icon coilovers.

The fact is that most of it is accessible by Civics, and there are places that if the winds are favorable, you can probably still smell the french fries from the McDonald's on Main Street. My brother goes out there with is 2wd Westi.

At this point it's over played. It's a beautiful area, but its popularity tarnishes that. Same with Yosemite, it's beautiful, but too many damn people.

The problem is that all those easy to access places (by civic, westi, or 5-lug) are very quickly taken up. Having a 4x4 would give you a LOT more access to those harder to reach places that the Broverlanders are afraid to go.

Grandview Campground (up White Mountain Rd) is IMO more spectacular, but that also tends to fill up. And being at ~8000' is probably not very accessible right now. If it is, it's full, too, lol.

 

You don't look well. I think you might be coming down with something.