Tacoma owners Whitewater + River Running B.S. Thread

I figured a lot of us got our trucks in order to get better access to the remote put-ins and take-outs that are often a part of rafting, kayaking, or SUP'ing on our great creeks and rivers across the country.

It makes sense that somewhere we go for vehicle advice, buying parts, build inspiration, and friendly banter also include a spot for whitewater/river running.

Anyone else out there like to get wet?

 

I am currently in Spokane, WA and I've been rafting/kayaking/packrafting for 15 years. I've spent time in AZ, UT, CO, OR,WA, ID, MT, and AK rafting (I've probably forgotten a few). Here is a picture from the upper Talkeetna river (a fly in trip) in Alaska, one from the Grand, and one from the Tana up in AK.

 

I'm a bitch. Level II is highest I'll go.
Did 3 days on the Buffalo River, AR with some friends. It's beautiful. Wife and I are going again in May.
Mine is the red Jackson Tripper.










Stuffed all three 'yaks plus gear and 3 adults into my old '13 Sport at the take-out point.



Will post pics when we get out with the new truck. Planning to get an UpTopOverland roof rack eventually to mount the yaks and get them out of the bed.

 

Yes, I've still got three kayaks- a touring boat, a recreational and a whitewater; a solo canoe as well but it needs some repair. I started paddling whitewater in high school back in the '80s and did a lot when I went to Clemson (mainly the Chattooga). The whitewater boat hasn't been in the water in a couple of years now though.

I put a cab high shell on the current Tacoma (Yakima racks) when I got it thinking it would be easier for loading boats, it is but I hate it as far as head room for camping.

 

been wanting to try a kayak overnight on some flat water. ive been backpacking a bunch and regular camping, but dont have my own kayak yet. friends have an extra i could borrow, but have been interested in getting my own. anyone recommend an inflatable over a hard shell? i have a cab high voodoo rack for my bed, so could mount them there and still put things in the bed.

 

I was building my own expedition kayaks (Greenland style my favorite) for decades. Way before the Tupper kayak fad got going.
We fished and camped out of them. Spent hours dumping and dragging them out of ponds learning rolls. People used to think I was nuts.
I've paddled most of the Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Quetico, BWCA, St.Regis, Androscoggin, Keys, Algonquion, Buffalo, North shore of Nippising.....the list goes on.

And this is not to try and tell people that they are not worthy, or I have "one upped".
It is meant to tell people that adventure of all kinds, utilizing the quiet water craft of fine canoes and kayaks is out there to explore. It's wonderful and this is all I do and live for.

it's also the reason why I bought, just yesterday, my Tacoma Off Road. I'm coming up on time now that my son is taking over operations for my company.
I have maps I'm drooling over.....places I need to go.....places I want to see again.

It's freaking awesome!

 

nice! Nothing wrong with relaxing n some mild or flat water! You are getting out there and that’s the important part, right?

 

man I have yet to get on some good east coast rivers. Have plenty of friends who have worked as guides over there but there’s so much out west. One of these days!

 

I’ve done some sea kayak and canoe touring, it is a heck of a lot of fun and you can carry a good deal depending on the boat. Sit in sea kayaks have closeable/sealed bulkheads so I like those best. The best ones are pretty long though and are def bigger than your cap roofline... I have used inflatables too and they are nice because they roll up, but can still be bulky and get top heavy when you add gear. They also do not track as well but ymmv. My favorite for rivers are alpaca’s. You can store gear inside the tubes on those but they are pricey. My newest one was 1100 on saw but it has a spray skirt and thigh straps

 

@RatAssassin
i’m glad you live your new Tacoma! Congrats! I definitely live mine and have modified it quite a bit. I enjoy getting on the water no matter where or what craft ( heavily prefer non motorized). Have you ever kayaked the canoe trail in the Everglades, I think it’s on loxahatchie NWR. I remember having a great time and seeing all sorts of cool birds, gators, and tons of bromeliad plants just hanging onto whatever they could get a hold on. You camped on these neat free standing chickadees in the middle of the water. Pretty cool

 

@chiefcrunchy

 

I guided on the Cheat, Upper Yough, and Lower Yough, Rappahanock and parts of the potomac, grew up on New England creeks and rivers
And done plenty of things in between them.
Only been out west on the Grand Canyon(x2) and Animas.
Currently you'll find me in a Liquid Logic Remix, Wave Sport Forplay, or Old Town Discovery 158, but I do enjoy the squirt boating world as well.
I'll try and find some more pics.







The last pic is Bulls Bridge on the Housatonic in Connecticut

 

I have about two weeks to wait for my Tacoma to come in. I'm sure I'll like it.

Yes, a buddy a d I have kayaked some of the Everglades Canoe Trail. Quite a few years ago.
We learned very fast to keep an eye on the maps a s check off bouys.
With all that sawgrass and back channels, we found ourselves screwed up more than once or finding a dead end. Like, "Where the heck are we?" ,turned around.
We weren't used to not having landmarks to reference, like a mountain or two.
But being very experienced, we figured it out and remained a little more aware.

 

That picture of chiefcrunchy's sliders is essentially the same reason I had the hoop added to my sliders- I need a place to stand to get to my straps. Mine are round tube though so I added traction (skateboard) tape; waaaaayyyyyy too slippery without out and a great way to break an ankle.

Here's an old picture from not long after I'd gotten the truck in 2006, pre-lift, ARB, sliders, etc. My Dagger Magellan and my 15' Old Town Penobscot solo. The canoe needs a new seat assembly in it (I have most of the new parts, float bags, motor mount, etc) and it has a couple of blisters; it really needs a new home.

 

Thars why i wanted that kick out too!
Most of the guys I go out offroading with were telling me unless I was going to do real rocky technical trails I wouldn't need the flare. Little do they understand getting straps over multiple boats.


And that was the only pic I had of my other boats handy.

 

I have registered a not for profit society in British Columbia, Canada called “Society for Inclusion and Participation Global” (SiP Global). It’s goal is to get youth and young adults with spinal cord injuries and other physical limitations paddling rivers and exploding their personal senses of ability all over the globe. I have worked and enjoyed rivers all over the world for the last 30 yrs as well as worked for years in development of appropriate wheelchairs and services in less resourced countries. This new organization will take SiP Global programs around the globe. The platform is a 2012 Taco TRD, with significant modifications. It got built up to move down to Nicaragua for a couple years on a wheelchair project. Bumpers, OME suspension and lift, 33¨Toyo Mudterrains, water tanks and pumps and an external skeleton roof rack I had fabricated in Managua...awesome experience!


The truck is getting rebuilt for SiP programs. The flat bed is completed, and a new roof basket is being built that will go over the double cab and cantilever out over the hood. The final phase will be building a custom, pòp top camper that will mount on the flatbed. Then, COVID 19 just has to go away and let us all get back to ¨normal¨...hopefully a little nicer after.

Here is the truck in her current configuration. Roof basket to be added this next weekend...will update photos. The idea is to turn her into an around the globe adventure mobile, with indoor sleeping, working and cooking abilities, and the ability to carry 8 kayaks and all the gear. No small order...but she’s up to it!



My current kayaks of choice: LiquidLogic Remix 79, LiquidLogic Party Braap....tho these will soon be replaced by a Dagger Phantom and Dagger Rewind L! Super excited about that!
Cheers
Dave

 

Dave! Good to see you over here from ExPo; enjoyed our banter when you building the rack (user name there is robert). What'd you end up doing with that sweet shell and rack?

Maybe when all this foolishness is over we can catch up for that beer if you get back down this way again.

 

Hey there! Great to connect again. Yes to beer...always yes to a beer. As soon as we’re able.

The truck got dismantled at the house of the guy doing the building for me. I am selling the cap, rear bumper, jerry can holders, etc. Help fund the future build.

Stay safe my friend!

 

I've been rocking the Remix 69 for 8 years now and love it, it's been such a great boat on any type of water.
Great cause you have! I did some work with wounded vets in college taking them out on river trips.

 

Chiefcrucnchy, thanks for your message. I am super excited about what is happening....hoping for a semi speedy end to the COVID crisis to get back on track! I rock the Remix 79. Love it. Though truth be told I am switching to a Dagger Phantom and Rewind here very shortly! haha. Been paddling LL boats for many many years though.