First truck ever - Beginning with Tacoma

Will be picking up Super White Tacoma TRD Sport when Monday comes...

Never owned a pickup truck before.
Any tips and advice for first time truck owners? Or easy essential adds I should get? Like my main concern is sort of about the truck bed. Rain? Will my groceries fly away at 70 mph? Easy to clean?

Before this truck I’ve mainly drove BMW/Mercedes. Currently daily an X5 which I’ll keep. When I test drove a Tacoma it felt more cushy, I’m guessing from more sidewall on the tires and smaller wheel(17” vs 20”).
That said, I did some lurking and I’m quite tempt to switch out for 265/70/17 Michelin Defenders as I mainly do highway driving. Will I gain much comfort going from stock OEM 265/65/17 to the Michelin’s slightly bigger? No lift or anything. There’s also the problem of getting rid of the OEM tires. Considered getting the TRD Pro wheels cause they look amazing but then again, what to do with old wheels. There’s almost no local trading or selling available to me.

Happy to be here, I’m going to go lurk some more.

 

Welcome! I usually put anything I care about (i.e. groceries) in the cab. Other things will get strapped down, such as bicycles. I also have a tonneau cover, but don't run it often except in winter.

Edit: also, don't get too sucked in. Joining any automotive forum is a quick way to convince yourself you need mods or your vehicle is destined to be a POS lol

 

Get a bed mat. Trust me.

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

welcome

 

I have considered asking to get the OEM Tonneau cover installed but passed on it since I’m not sure I need it yet. Instead, I do plan to get the OEM Bed liner thing, found it’s only $80.

Strapping things down... that’s something I need to figure out how to do well. I plan to load bicycles in the bed someday. Wondered how I could get it secure without a rack(I hate bike racks).

Hahaha your edit is so true. I previously saw BMW/Mercedes forums but I love those cars completely stock so I felt no pressure. But these trucks... they look so much better with slight changes here and there. The TRD Pro Matte black wheels especially look so so good.

 

Welcome to TW. Just cover the bed with something

 

You don't need anything. Enjoy the truck. If you find a problem that needs fixing (ie. Groceries fly away and no cab space), fix it with the appropriate mod (bed cover.)

 

I do plan on getting the OEM Bed mat, for $80 it makes sense. Does it ever get dirty under the mat? Or do I just put it there and forget it?

 

That’s a very clean truck you’ve got there.
If I do cover the bed I was thinking Bed cover unlike what you got. Can I ask what made you get that cover instead of getting a big SUV?

 

For a bike, it is pretty easy. Just one strap per handlebar is all you need. My tonneau cover is OEM as is my bed extender. I probably wouldn't have purchased them if they didn't come with the truck, but am now glad I have them. We only use the bike rack for when our bed is full (mostly when camping).

Also, look into bed stiffeners if you want to load anything onto the rails (i.e. a rack, etc). Total Chaos makes some that are actually patented. I don't know of any that are better or worse than any one, but the patent makes me feel better since no others are patented.

 

It is refreshing to read that I don’t need anything. After all the lurking I’ve done say “Buy this, this and this. Then do this later and buy more of this!”

I’ve read mixed things about Bed covers though, some say they’re waterproof and others say rainwater gets in anyway?

 

I just washed the stone dust out from under mine when I took my traction bags out
I had a lot of stone dust

 

This is my first truck, too. I've only had SUVs for the last 15 years.

For me, a tonneau cover to keep snow out of the bed and keep stuff from flying out was a priority. Some groceries (dog food, toilet paper, Diet Dew) goes in the box, most everything else goes in the back seat.

Also, steps since we're not the tallest and I didn't want my seat destroyed by getting in and out.

I have yet to specifically clean my truck bed so I can't comment on that. I can't imagine it would take more than a hose and a quick scrub.

As for the tires and rims, personally I'm of the mindset that good enough is good enough and they can stay put, even if there's better out there, until they need to be replaced.

However.

None of that matters because we aren't talking about my truck.

Welcome to TW and do your research before you decide on anything.

 

I’ve been Micro-glamping since 1984.

 

Welcome to TW!

 

I need to pick up a truck load of rocks for my flowerbed... not sure if I even want to with my brand new truck once I pick it up. Hahaha

 

TRD Pro for first truck must check all the boxes!
These are some good tips, I never thought about saving the seats by using the step. I’m not exactly tall either but I skipped out on Steps, deciding to add later if I feel the need. But this really makes sense. My X5 leather cracked 2 years of use. Luckily warranty replaced them.
I can’t imagine better looking wheels than the Pro on the Pro so I guess it’s easy to feel that way haha.
Which steps and cover you got on the Pro?

 

Dang I wasn’t even born yet!

 

I decided on "a" Tacoma, my wife decided on the Pro.

My 2005 Pilot went to my son and has cracks in the leather seat from years of getting in and out. Figured if I can help that, I might as well.

I've considered aftermarket rims for my '95 Blazer, '99 Grand Prix, etc. None of them ever happened because the stock ones, like I said before, were good enough. The Pro rims are more than good enough.

I have Nfab Podium steps and a Lomax tonneau cover.