Stu’s UTE

I’ve had the sewing machine out for a while doing some upholstery and a curtain for out back door. We had way more material left over, so I finally got around to brightening up the boring grey curtains in the four wheel camper.

 

Here’s a photo from my travels this summer. 4000 miles following the high line to the Missouri River, down past Omaha and then back through Wyoming, Yellowstone, Montana.

 

I’ve been pressure washing, blowing and vacuuming a year of dust and gravel out of the chassis.





No signs of corrosion yet. Sprayed all the black, with Fluid Film, and greased the ports.

 

Finally got around to installing 120v in the cab. I mislaying my bed out. So I’ve been without the 120v option for a while now.

 

My truck is going to be five years old next week, and we just hit 42000 miles. MPG averages out to 13.3 over five years. A total of 3,148 gallons at $8,231. Average cost per gallon $2.61
Tracked with Mileage Keeper

 

If you don't mind me asking a couple questions...

How much was the tray?

Where did you get it?

Do you loose any up travel with it?

 

The tray cost about $2400, five years ago. It’s imported from Australia by http://utebed.com/ . No travel was lost, but obviously the bed is higher of the ground.

 

How does the Tacoma handle the weight of the Four Wheel Camper on a flatbed? Did you have to regear or running stock ratios?

 

Is the tray with the folding sides any heavier than the stock FRC bed?

 

You're not related to Adam Savage are you?

 

The suspension works great, except for some slight front end bob ascending on some highways. The gearing on the manual is good apart from reverse! I may try a re gear in the future, if I can scrape together the spare cash! Mostly off road in the mountains I use four low, hence the lower average gas mileage. She does about 10 mpg on the trail and 15 on the highway, with the camper. Brakes seem fine, but I am a defensive driver.

 

The bed weighs about the same I think, but is rated to hold more weight. My truck weighs 4195 lbs.

My wife just bought me a Savage workshop apron. It’s a thing I’m going through right now I guess!

 

Thanks for response and Welcome to the 10 mpg club. In my case a camper shell, double Prinsu on top loaded up with gear, steel bumper and E rated tires will pull my taco down to similar numbers. Takes a little extra planning when going off road to know where the next gas station going to be.

 

Time for one of those long range 38 gallon tanks?

 

That would be nice, and I talked with an engineer friend of mine about adding a second tank. He thought I might get in trouble modifying my fuel system. I know there is a bigger tank on the market, but in the end it has been easier to carry extra fuel on the rear rack. It’s kept me out of trouble a couple of times in Death Valley.

 

How much spare gas do you typically carry for something like Death Valley?

Never been wheeling out west but I've been on a few trips in the Appalachians and always bring 5 gallons in a can but have as of yet never needed it.

 

Is that the 120v outlet from the bed? Or an aftermarket?

How'ed you do the wiring? Been contemplating doing something similar for my 2nd gen.

 

I'd recommend you look at installing e long range automotive tank. 34 gallons is very nice. We're averaging 14 mpg but I work hard at achieving even that. We're 6,700 lbs empty, 7,200 lb normally

 

Cleaned and serviced the front end. Everything looks good.