First ever truck and need some advice

I recently got my first truck ever and couldn't be more stoked!

What I have: 2019 Tacoma TRD Off Road w/Pro Comp Extreme MT2 (265/70r17) with the gray TRD rims (I'll get some picks up soon). The only "add-ons" I have is a BAMF bed-rack and RTT.

I'm looking at acquiring some some recovery gear and sliders so I can start doing some off-roading and I'm just curious how well a mostly stock TRD off-road holds up with a trail like Elephant Hill in Utah. I've backpacked in Canyonlands a few times and on one of our trips we ended up checking out Devil's Kitchen campsites and I always wanted to come back. It wasn't until recently that I found out the 4wd road to get to Devil's Kitchen is actually pretty well known and not just for any-old 4wd.

I'm researching about recovery gear and a tool kit but am happy to hear from any of you who are willing to drop a line and give two cents.

Also willing to hear what you think about trying to take on Elephant Hill early this summer, as I have enough time to get sliders and do some prepping I'm sure.

Either way, thanks for the time!

 

Go off roading. RIGHT NOW.

Seriously. You don't need any mods to go wheelin. These trucks are super capable without any mods at all.

Since this is your first truck, I'm assuming you've never really gone off-roading before, and if that's the case, you don't really need sliders or skid plates. It's really not until you get into the much more advanced trails do you start needing that kind of gear.

Maybe toss a shovel and a tow strap in the bed, and go out with a friend with a 4x4, and just drive the wheels off that thing. Have fun!

The more you drive, the more you'll get a sense for the type of terrain you like to drive, and what type of mods you may need based on driver skill, terrain, etc...

If you do go out alone, read up on the "going it alone" thread, and definitely brush up on your first aid skills.

 

What he said^^

Also pack hiking boots and a go bag. Worst case you can hike your way out, unless it’s winter of course

 

The big reason I want to start off-roading is to get to new places as a jump off for backpacking/kayaking etc. if worst comes to worst, being stuck in the middle of no where and having to hike out and or survive for a couple days isn’t a big deal at all.

I’ve never owned a truck but have been on my fair share of off-road excursions but they were all pretty light like Cathdral Valley, Hole-In-the-rock road and a bunch of fire service roads etc up in the sierras.

I appreciate all input and agree that getting out there is the first step and anyone who has anything additional to add, feel free

 

The best piece of recovery gear is your brain. Learn what your truck can and can’t do and use that knowledge when your wheeling alone. I go out alone about 99% of the time and while I do get stuck on occasion I have never been stranded. Prevention is usually the best approach if solo

 

There's a saying that there's no such thing as a bad trip, only bad preparation.

There are hundreds of posts about proper preparation in the going solo thread. Really good info there. Of course, it's a LOT to read, too.

@Niccas9 is there an off-road club nearby you could join? Not sure where you are located, but even if you're not interested in hard core crawling and stuff, there are organizations like Overland Bound or other clubs that can help you get going too. It's always nice to go with others who have more experience.

 

Yosemite Sam mudflaps, first mod

 

Fair enough. That's too broad of a question and I should have a good measure of it through my own experience.

As far as tool-kits/recovery gear etc. I definitely read other threads and have searched around the web, and I'm just trying to get as many ideas as possible so I can build out something that works for me and my situation.

Thanks!

 

Best recovery items for me have been a shovel and a set of traction boards. I would consider them the top must haves for self recovery other than a winch of course

 

Just have a basic set of tools with you. Ratchets, box wrenches in some common sizes, pliers, hammer, screw drivers.

Generally speaking, it's pretty impossible to predict what you could break so that you can bring spares with you. The closest I can think of would be CV joints, and few people ever break those (those that do are generally really freakin' heavy on the throttle). If you break one of those your first time out, you need to lay off the Red Bulls, er, I'm sorry, I mean Monsters. In other words, take it easy and you won't break anything.

As for the traction boards, they're cool, but I've never been in a situation where a couple nearby rocks or logs didn't accomplish the same thing. If you're in the dunes, yeah, they're much more useful.

Other stuff to bring are spare fluids. Engine oil, coolant/water, duct tape, zip ties and hose clamps. The more you drive yourself and with others, you'll get an idea for what you might need. If shit hits the fan, though, the best plan is to have someone know where you are so if you don't return by a certain time, they can look for you (less important if you're driving with other trucks).

Also, the more you just work on your truck in the driveway, the more you'll understand out it works, what tools are necessary, and what might potentially be a weak point on the trails.

 

everything he said. Only thing I would add is ratchet straps. you can ratchet strap broken stuff back together to get off the trail.
I have done this a couple times once on mine with an upper control arm and once on a buddy's when a radius arm mount broke off his frame

 

That's a good trail fix!

I did forget to mention the ratchet straps. I have various bungees and straps, tape, zip ties, all that stuff.

 

Thanks for the tips. I am starting to build up my kit. Here we go...

 

I’ve been looking into traction boards which might be a good idea if your out in snow or sand. Most other times you can get rocks etc to work. Last night actually was out backcountry skiing and about a ft of snow fell once I got back. There was a couple in a Honda Accord that was stuck and couldnt get out. I was thinking man a traction board would be so nice right now. We eventually got them out but traction boards would have made the job a lot easier.

Who goes out in an accord to backcountry ski when 2 ft of snow fell the day before and it’s currently dumping inches per hr.

 

If that's all you have, and the roads are plowed, it's usually not a big deal.

To be honest, though, I see more 4x4 trucks/SUVs stuck in ditches than I do Hondas. Seems like the Honda drivers understand the limitations of traction and drive accordingly. Seems like the flat landers/ski bunnies who drive their SUVs to go to the slopes just assume that 4x4 means they can keep doing 55mph.