Finally! New owner - '21 Tacoma Off Road 4x4

After years of wishing and trying to justify the expense since my perfectly fine crossover was paid off I finally treated myself!!

2021 Metallic Gray TRD Off Road 4x4

So many questions to follow (thanks in advance for insight).

Primary goals:
1- daily driver (less exciting) - but my current commute is about 12 steps from the bedroom. Once we return to office life it will be ~20 miles 1-2 days/week.
2- brush dump hauler. This is the biggest justification for getting a truck. I'm so dang tired of cleaning leaves and twigs and pine needles out of my crossover. Could have added a tow hitch and purchased a small trailer, but a truck is more fun.
3- ski and dog hauler. 2nd biggest justification. Tired of sliding skis along the window and scaring my dog. Could have added a roof rack... but a truck is more fun.
4- get me anywhere vehicle. Final justification. I hike, ski, camp in New England and access roads and parking lots can get dicey. With great tires the crossover did fine, but final tipping point was the degraded logging road to camp where she just didn't have the ground clearance needed. Truck does (proven by others with same/similar).

I can't figure out a great way to search the forum- it just keeps giving me full google results? But hoping to dig up advice on a few immediate concerns/solutions to tackle:
1- dog hammock (currently use in crossover) vs building a platform in the back seat. Given that I no longer have a heated trunk, I would like to be able to stash ski boots behind the front seats, so hammock may work best, but open to ideas. I love the look of the platform mods I found here.
2- dog stairs/step. My guy is a bit heavy for me to lift (70lbs). I'd like to preserve his joints on the way out of the truck too. I've looked at the stair products and ramps, and storing them seems problematic, plus I worry about space to extend them enough in the garage. On my old xterra I had a wood board that slid on top of the step rail and was held by the open door to make a mid-point step. Easy to grab from behind my driver seat, slide in, let him hop in, slide out & stow & go. Leaning a similar direction here... but that leads me to...
3 - steps / rock sliders. Can you have both? Do you have to buy them together to ensure compatibility? I'm overwhelmed by the options and terminology - basically just want to protect the underside when crawling over moderately large rocks, and want to be able to get into the truck in a dress without flashing the world + possibly create said step for doggo!

So excited! (sorry for the lengthy post!)

 

Welcome to TacomaWorld

 

Welcome to TW!

 

Welcome to TW

 

Greetings and welcome cbugg13,
I just added a 2021 OR to my garage and have a couple dogs that like to ride with me. I found the rear-seat cover below. It is a perfect fit for DC Tacos and protects nicely, thus far (only had it a month). The price is good too.

I picked up a ramp (has an astroturf runway) from a local petco for about $75. folds in 1/2 fits in the bed nicely and works well. Sorry no pix and do not recall the brand, but I'm sure you'll find one...

$33 Vailge Dog Seat Cover for Back Seat, 100% Waterproof Dog Car Seat Covers with Mesh Window, Scratch Prevent Antinslip Dog Car Hammock, Car Seat Covers for Dogs, Dog Backseat Cover,Standard

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0851C6F2F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Welcome to TW!!!!

 

Thanks all! @Whammo I ordered a new XL hammock. Unfortunately I don't think a ramp will work when I'm pulled into my narrow a** garage (the open door has <1" of clearance to the wall or the other car - max). I'm rigging up a milk crate with a padded top for now as a step and will re-evaluate ideas once my sliders are installed

 

Right, no way would that work w/such limited space, padded milk crate should do it for your big pup! It took me all of 10 minutes to get the "hammock" installed and my two seem to like it (or don't mind it) just fine! Merry Christmas & ENJOY!

 

Welcome!

 

Welcome to TW!