spare tire protector for Tacoma?

Hi all,

I am planning my new 2014 Tacoma. There is a dizzying array of accessories and packages, but one thing I haven't found is a spare tire cover. I would imagine this to be a plastic or fiberglass cover that goes on the bottom of the tire to protect it from the worst of road damage. Or should I just buy a cloth spare tire cover?

I will be driving mostly on the road, but plan to do light off-road driving (BLM and FS "unimproved" roads) and camping. I also plan on keeping this truck for at least 15 years.

Thanks,
DJ

 

never seen any, also never had problems with my spare getting damaged. Most people move it if they are worried.

 

You're getting a 2014? Isn't that kinda far away?

 

Pull it down and clean it twice a year and you'll be fine. If you're that concerned, keep it in the bed of the truck. Metalmiller makes something that keeps the tire secure in the bed. Who knows, by 2014 we may not even have tires, we could be all flying around in our little space cars or something...

 

Okay then... I'll be happy to take it down and clean it and lube the metal parts.

I need to save up for the truck... this will be the first time I buy a dream vehicle. I've always had to compromise. This time I'll get the full kit I want: V6 4WD automatic Access Cab with 16" alum. wheels, and all the armor plating I can carry (especially for the underside). You can buy a canvas tent that fits into the bed.

 

I'll probably buy it in Dec. 2013 (the new models come out in September of course). I need to pay off some debts from grad school first, and I am saving for the EXACT truck I want, without compromise.

I also like to plan ahead.

 

wish i had your patience...im way too impulsive...

 

Bed tents go on top of a rack or camper shell, not inside the bed. Get a swing tire gate or put it in the bed in a bed mount. IMO, truck tents are highly impractical vs a backpacking tent. They are a crap ton of weight and wind resistance you carry all the time when you only need the tent for occasional use.

 

Hi,

Actually, there are several models that go in the bed. You fold down the tailgate and part of it goes across that, making a vestibule. The sides strap on to the edges of the bed, and the back of it goes around the back of the cab. I saw one of these set up at a Cabela's store and you can find them on line. It folds up when not in use and doesn't weigh that much, relatively speaking (and I would only carry it in the truck when camping anyway).

When I went to the dealership to look at Tacomas, I was held hostage by a bad salesman, but one nugget of useful info he provided was that the standard bed liner has cutouts for 6x6 lumber, so that you can easily build a sturdy plywood platform in the bed. That is perfect for me; I can store all the gear underneath, and sleep on the platform.

I have a bad back and can't deal with sleeping on the ground any more. I'm an outdoorsman but I need to accommodate my disability, and one of these tents, high up off the cold ground and level, with a futon mattress on the truck bed, is just what I need to continue to go out in the wild.

 

Wait a minute. It's 2011. Let me get this straight. You're asking us questions about a truck you don't even own, a truck that's not in production, much less actually exist? A truck 3 years in the future???? I'm I missing something lol?

 

Wow, is it so surprising that someone plans ahead? I am trying to build my dream truck. I want to find out everything I can before I buy. When I buy, I also want to have everything planned out, so I can buy all the mods and accessories at once, and not do it piecemeal. I have a pretty good idea of what I want, but I have some questions about mods and accessories (spare tire protection, skid plates, hood protectors, stock vs. aftermarket, etc.) and could use the expertise of the group. I know from being in other groups, that people like to share their experiences and steer new folks in the right direction.

BTW, it would actually be a 2013 model year, so we're talking about 1.5 years.

You know, this is the only thing keeping my morale going at the moment. I work for the feds, and those nimrods in Congress keep screwing with our pay and the budget. I don't know if I'll be furloughed in three weeks or not. I had it all planned out, but the extremist politicians have decided to pick on us instead of making real substantial cuts where they should be made, so I need to keep delaying my purchase plans. However, the idea of buying this truck gives me something to plan for, a reason to save every cent, a cause for hope. My apologies if my dream bothers anyone.

 

Dont plan too far ahead, the world is gonna end in 2012.

 

There is nothing wrong with planning, but your entire logic and thinking is seriously flawed.

First off all, how are you going to "plan" a truck you've never even seen? I'm sorry but you have no idea what features are going to be on the truck, what OEM options will be available, or OEM upgrades not to mention that there are ZERO aftermarket parts even made or even on an Auto Cad file...why because the truck isn't even made yet. So how can you "plan" your mods effectively or even accurately? Unless you just want to vaguely throw up the original idea of maybe an Intake, Exhaust, and Headers...that's pretty original planning.

Once again, your might as well be asking our experience on thin air or anti matter. Sure we know it exists in a sense, but can we see it, touch it, much less drive it or give your our experience on nonexistent aftermarket products or mods for a nonexistent truck? Just because some brand works well with one model does not guarantee it will work well with another.

If "planning" to buy a truck is the only thing keeping your morale going you seriously need to get your priorities in line.

 

If you're going to camp in your truck, I'd suggest a fiberglass cap. The bed tents you're talking about have to be completely taken down every time you want to move the truck, you can't travel with them in place. A fiberglass shell would offer you some sort of insulation and protection also. Here is a picture of what a platform would look like and how much room you have underneath. I used the cut-outs in the bed as the salesman mentioned you could.


Don't plan your truck too much just yet. The 2013 or 2014's might not look anything like the current models. Planning to buy a new truck in 2 years is not unreasonable, but to get set on one model with very specific upgrades could end up being a huge letdown. Don't narrow your sights that much, even though we all drive Tacomas, most of us test drove or at least considered another make/model truck before we made our final decision.

 

Hi,

Unfortunately I'm 6' tall and the bed is 6' long. I really want a cap, but that is not the best option. I was thinking of making my own "end box" out of wood or fiberglass that fits over the end of a cap with the tailgate down, but when I saw the bed tent, I was hooked.

Thanks for showing the photo of the two-level bed, that helps me see what it will look like. Presuming of course there is not a radical redesign of the bed between now and then.

 

Saving? What does that mean? I bought mine new with $1000 down. Lol

 

If you have a bad back and want to get a "matress" that will be comfortable and well insulated please go look at an Exped DownMat 7. Super fast set up and the best insualtion and comfort available in a ground pad.

 

OK, thanks for the tip.

I've been reading the "cheap/free mods" thread, thanks to JLink. These are the kinds of things I want to know. There is always a chance the mods won't work on a revised model 2 years from now, but we can work on reasonable presumptions.

If there are significant redesigns coming, I hope they don't ruin anything that already works well!