Redarc coming to US...

I thought guys would like this https://newatlas.com/automotive/redarc-overland-toyota-tacoma/ I can feel my wallet getting lighter already.

 

Much overland

So did they ship the Tacoma over there to build just to ship it back here to ship it back there?

 

Redarc makes some nice electrical stuff. Will be nice to have options. I bet their truck is an absolute dog to drive around with all that bloat, but sure looks cool. Way better looking than those fugly hiluxes.

 

Funny stuff, its actually my buddy's work truck. And yeah, sounds like it is a dog to drive around. Stock gears for now, and I think he said it weighs in at like 6,500lbs or something!

 

It’s what we don’t talk about much here on TW. These trucks drive just fine when you pull away from the dealer, but ever little gadget and “upgrade” you add, takes its pound of flesh from your accelerator.

 

That looks totally incredible but the cost is? I mean if your truck is just an overland camping rig and you have the cash which people clearly do or this wouldn't exist, OK.

For me and how I camp and travel it would not work. A small camper like my pop up or a slightly ruggedized tear drop would be best. I like to set up camp and be able to move and explore an area. This would mean packing up to drive anywhere. Plus I daily drive my truck too so I plan to keep the thing closer to stock.

It will fill a niche and that's just fine. It's cool to see things like this that push the boundaries.
I do have the TowPro Liberty brake controller and I can only say good things about that.

 

LOL! looks like a roach coach on La Cienega Blvd.

 

I think they got confused at the term mud bogging lol.

 

Stock Gears? Yikes..

 

Every truck on here with bumpers, skids, sliders, a winch, drawer systems, and an RTT is pushing or well over 6500lbs when loaded for even a single night of camping, not to mention multiple weeks. Nobody talks about the weight and payload of trucks in the US, so we get trucks like the Tacoma with a payload equivalent to my Fiance's BMW 328xi.

In Australia, you can legally increase the GVWR of almost any truck or the combined total of the GAWR, which on our trucks is about 6300lbs (I think), vs the 5600 GVWR stock. Not exceed the combined GAWR gives the Tacoma a slightly more realistic payload.

Some states have free weigh bridges. On a recent road trip I was able to weigh my truck multiple times and was disappointed to find that it weighs in at about 6200lbs fully loaded for 2 weeks of camping. (might I add within 20lbs of a perfect 50/50 weight balance too)

 

Stock brakes, zoinks!

 

Yeah but who's stopping, anyway...

 

You gotta get movin in order to be able to stop

 

Yeah I am at about to go weigh, last trip I was at 6500ish, right now I am probably higher..

 

@REDARC_Ryan

 

I have to ask... is the bed setup a custom build or does someone actually make that now?

Found a thread of something very similar but was a custom build: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/aluminum-flatbed-tray-canopy-eaf.524201/

Also glad to see Redarc here! Love my dual battery charger from them

 

The trays and canopies are available through several dealers in the US. It is made by MITS Alloy, and imported into the US by Mule Expedition Outfitters. There are 3 Tacoma's that Redarc will have here in the US as their display vehicles.

 

Gotta be like dragging a cruise ship anchor

 

It's awesome that these types of canopies are making their way to the US. It's a way better solution than the fiberglass shells we're used to seeing. Significantly more access to storage, easier mounting on large flat sheet metal surfaces vs curved fiberglass, modular designs, stronger, etc.

Will prices fall as they become more available, or as companies like MITS move production to the US? A sparsely optioned MITS tray and canopy is still 5-10x the price of a fiberglass shell. Obviously it's hard to compare an aluminum canopy and a fiberglass shell, as the two are completely different.

 

I don't see the prices falling any time soon as costs are going up on materials. What you will see are lesser quality options available, so if you do decide at some point to invest in a tray and canopy I would highly recommend doing your research, look at build quality, options, customer support etc.

I will say this, after installing my tray and canopy I would never go back to a bed/tub. Just having the tray is a game changer as far as hauling stuff.