First time off roading

Took my 23’ Tacoma SR off roading for the first time today! It was definitely an experience, handled the loose sand going up hill really well and on 4H! Looking forward to doing more.

 

Awesome! These trucks are very capable, it's usually the driver holding it back. Stay in your comfort zone and keep going!

And welcome to TW.

 

Now you gotta buy some tires! Any photos?

 

I did not but I’ve been thinking of getting new tires though!

 

Will start doing so! Today was just a feeling out process

 

Nice. I remember how impressed I was with the truck’s capabilities the first time I took it off road.

 

I wanted new tires on my new 2021 - couldn't justify the cost - and big ole screw ( TWICE ) in the same tire ( SAME PLACE ) gave me
reason to do it. Was surprised the OEM Firestones were down to like 5/32 after 2 years - mostly pavement riding, 15,000 miles rotated
every 5k... so I bought some Wildpeaks - and really am happy with them. Put some on the wife's subaru a few months back after her
OEM's hit 44k.... I do like them.

Lots of choices out there, the name-brands and popular tires are all good.

 

Good stuff! Go wheel that stocker and see what it really needs,,,, or doesn’t. Just take it easy and have fun.

 

I use S-mode for 4Hi. S-mode limits top gear that can be used. Setting to 1 or 2 on a steep-winding-gravelly road can save using the brakes which can cause loss of control. Slowing down (like on deep snow) is safer. 4Lo is just 4Hi that limits top speed to about 18 MPH in S4.

SR does not have Crawl Mode or Multi-Terrain Select, but play with S-mode for transmission-braking instead of wheel-braking.

 

Thanks for that! I’ve been wondering if using S-mode would help in any situation. To be completely truthful I’m really knew at this so any advise would help, I won’t usually be in gravel where I’m at but the tougher trailer will have steep hills with loose sand (live in a desert area) so I appreciate any recommendations!

 

Make sure you air down and have a way to air back up.

 

S-mode will help control speed on long descents. It won't do anything to help uphill or running trails.

My general advice - have fun, go cautiously, do some googling and have some basic ideas on how to get unstuck. Nothing too advanced, and don't go out buying $50,000 worth of recovery gear, but just get the basic concepts down (deflate tires, shovel/pile material, know basic repairs). My rule of thumb is to get out and walk every obstacle I'm unsure about - if the water goes above my shin or if the mud sinks the sole of my shoe / halfway to ankle for sand, I don't try it. (Or at least, I don't try it alone.) My other rule is that if i feel momentum starting to shift away from forward motion and towards downward motion, I get off the throttle. It's easier to address a buried sidewall than to risk a buried axle. Every trail is a puzzle to visualize before the truck crosses it - what path do I have planned for each wheel, will the tires float over the surface or sink into it, will the wheels slide off my intended path, will the bits in between strike the undercarriage?


Most of all, enjoy it. Go have fun.

 

Honestly the best way to keep speeds low and stay there with minimal braking is 4LO. My truck is manual so a little different, but in 4LO and 1st or 2nd gear it will just crawl around with no brake or throttle input. Same deal when I had my automatic 3rd gen. I don't offroad, but play around in the pastures around the house (with permission) to exercise the 4Wd system.

 

Stock tires are P-rated, so I wouldn't air them down too much. Probably no lower than 20 psi, unless you are beach driving, then maybe down to 15. The sidewalls aren't that tough. If you are getting decent traction without airing down, the only reason to air down is for ride comfort.

 

Air up/down. Dropping from 35 PSI to 20 PSI works wonder for the trail but kills tires onroad. I have

$108 Viair 88P Portable Compressor Kit (12V, 120 Psi, Forup to 33" Tires)

Viair 88P godd quality, lower price) , which get smy 4 tires back to 35 PSI. Connects to battery instead of inside-truck DC outlet because of amps pulled. I keep a package of spare automotive fuses for the 88p with the compressor. Others will advise 300P or higher, but as long as you have something.

 

Same really good advice here @Rock Lobster

 

I was out "off roading" one day in the desert. We were exploring a lesser used power line/gas line maintenance road. I have the Taco in 4x4 Low and I sweating the clearance of the larger rocks with only the stock Sport skid plate. I am telling my with how amazing my Taco is doing and incredible it is that we can get up these "climbs." No shit there I was when around the turn coming down one of those "climbs" was a 2WD Van. About a 1995ish Chevy van. I did pull over and give the van the road to safely continue their "off road" experience. Anyways, I never know what I am going to see out there in the desert.

 

I've had something similar take place on the way to a camp ground. After a 1 hour climb, my back was killing me. We finally get there and I see an early 2000s Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla parked there. I was mind blown to say the least.

 

I have seen 4 door sedans and mini vans in places in the NV desert that are shocking. They can make it but it definitely can end poorly for the car in terms of damage.

Watching Matt’s Off-Road Recovery on YT shows how often people do it.