Who wants to play “Advise the Noob” to help build an adventure-mobile

Hi All-

Probably you only want to read this thread when you are in a good mood. Because I am a total noob and have only the dumbest questions to ask. But it is with the best of intentions that I ask them! And I promise I am doing research, myself, across lots of other interesting posts.

So, if you are feeling generous, here is the set up: I have had no interest in cars or trucks until recently. But I am married to a bad-ass woman who grew up surrounded by car enthusiasts and so she has certain expectations and interests. In this I am very lucky.

I got totally sick of loading/strapping/tying sh*t to SUVs. As a family we love mountain biking and snow boarding, and I started to dread even those favorite activities because of all the rack switch-outs, loading, unloading, always in the dark and the rain and snow.

As you might read in my profile, we took the leap on a 2011 tacoma access cab. And aforementioned badass spouse thought it would be way more fun if it was a stick shift, so it is a six speed V6. I know a good idea when I hear one. Particularly since now no one can ask me to plow or tow anything, so I can’t get into *too* much trouble.

Our older boy is crazy about camping, fishing, boating, and adventuring. The younger one is a car nut. So now the truck has (happily) become the focus of much planning and dreaming. We have some money to put into this daydream, but not endless cash. I’m happy to buy from Craig’s list and such, but also trying to stay humble about how much I don’t know, yet.

It is bone-stock right now. We live in the northeast, so it doesn’t need to be a midnight-desert monster. But we do love getting as far into the back country as we can manage, with boats, bikes, and fishing gear along. #1 son is deep into planning a road trip this summer with his girlfriend, whose capacity for adrenaline fueled sports rivals my wife’s. Smart boy.

I would like to set it up with a 3-person RTT. I love being able to throw mountain bikes over the tailgate. Between those two, there should probably be some covered storage. But I realize I don’t even know basics about which racks are compatible with caps or covers.

So I welcome any and all input into combinations of racks, tents, and caps or covers which are bike and canoe friendly. Also probably some lights which can illuminate a campsite to facilitate quick set up or tear down, also evening digging at the jump line and pump track.

I will start some sub-threads regarding specifics, I appreciate anyone’s help in my efforts to support my family’s adventures!

I include a pic of the truck, complete with the family bikes and our beloved boxer puppy, we call her “Bird”.

 

Most basic question: how hard is it to combine racks with caps or bed covers?

 

Another basic question: would a cap prevent us from throwing the bikes over the tailgate like in the picture above? Seems like the opening would be too small.

 

Welcome to TW!

Cap/cover : softopper

Rack : pick your poison. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/bed-rack-that-goes-over-a-softopper.529469/

Its easy. Many ways to do it for tonneaus, soft caps, and even hard caps.

Nope, this is also easily done.

 

Many thanks, Rock Lobster!

 

Next goofy question: If I put up a tall rack, like a TracRac, with a RTT, but we still want weather-tight, secure storage, could we put two toolboxes in the bed? Maybe one rear-mounted at the tailgate as a camping kitchen? I would like to have one box in most of the time, in the traditional position, and one (rear mounted trail kitchen) which only goes in for longer outings.

Am I crazy?