Michigan Tacomas

Being a Michigander transplanted east, I was a little surprised by how many not Big 3 cars were on the road down here. European and Japanese automakers are as common here, if not more so in places, than the Big 3. The Toyota community here, and Tacos for relevance, if you don't see one it's because your eyes are closed. Commuters to trail rigs, they are all over the place.

 

Some people still see Michigan as big 3 territory. Back in the late 70's-early 80's the union came up with (buy American). The big 3 jumped all over it. Now the Tacoma's and tundra's have more north American content parts than they do.

 

I was just checking it out, the Tacoma has about 10% more north American parts content than the 1/2 ton Chevy Silverado! Go figure,,,

 

How >> I << see Michigan daily, from my backyard...

 

I used to do a lot of walleye fishing on the st Clair and Detroit rivers. Drifting down those rivers I could see both sides,,, couldn't really tell the difference between them.

 

That's the river...

What? No muskie or sturgeon?

 

Well,,, we weren't fishing for them, but we did have a few encounters. Those walleyes are, hard to beat, table fair.

 

Doesn't really mean much these days. Almost everything is manufactured elsewhere and assembled here (or wherever the plant happens to be).

But, that being said, the Taco and Tundra were made for the US. The Taco wasn't even available outside the US before the 3rd gen. Plus, full size trucks aren't that popular outside the US.

 

The Tacoma is the version of the Hilux that meets the US safety and EPA regulations and the brand name for marketing in the US. Toyota announced they will be streamlining the production of the vehicles to share parts and lower production costs. This was supposed to happen for the 2024 model update. Personally, I wouldn't mind the diesel option that's available everywhere outside the US.

 

But, until then they are two different vehicles for two different markets. It isn't like Ford, which barely touched the international Ranger and called it "all new" when they brought it back to the US. The next Taco is going to be based on the same platform the new Tundra is.

 

So I need a bit of last minute help! I need a place to camp this weekend - I'll be coming from Ann Arbor and would like something either close to water (river/lake) or that I can mountain bike out of (base camp).

I know where all of the secret camping places are in Colorado, but being new to Michigan makes things a bit trickier. Any help is much appreciated.

 

We are very flat, compared to Colorado. We have a great rail trail system, but mt. Bike trails are pretty blah in Michigan.

If you are good with rail trails, there are a lot of rustic campgrounds along the Clare west U.S 10 route.

How far north are you traveling from AA on your 1st driving leg.

We can be more specific if you can give us some details on your schedule.

 

Really open to whatever... maybe looking to stay within a 4ish hour drive? I just drove back from Colorado last week so not too far is my preference.

 

Seak for yourself. Quit going to the easy and overridden trails. I've ridden in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, California, and Hawaii and my favorite trails are still the ones in Marquette, MI and in West Michigan.

You're definitely right about the rail trail network though. It is an awesome gem. Just rode from Cadillac to GR last week on the rail portion of the White Pine Trail enroute to a full century ride.

 

Big 2*

Well.... Aussies love their 70 series, and American full size rigs are in high demand (used) in central America as well as across the middle east and north Africa.

But not enough to justify new sales I suppose.

 

Stellantis still counts, even if I don't think they're worthy lol.

Yeah they tend to get a lot of our second hand stuff in those places. But a lot of places (particularly in Europe) have higher gas prices and much smaller streets. Not to mention the off-road benefits of the smaller trucks (looking at you, Australia).

 

Stellantis is Italian/French. Not American. Doesn't count anymore

The land down under is YUGE.... Plenty of room for big bruisers

 

I mean, by that logic technically Budweiser isn't American anymore (nor are a few of the local breweries around me).

But yet the Yutes are still favored there.

 

True, but the tradies want their big trucks.

Meh, Budweiser doesn't make much that's all that good these days anyways

 

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