Old/New member looking to not roll coal anymore

Hello TacomaWorld.

Back in about 2014 I was a 1st gen Tundra owner and gleaned lots of information from TW. I had custom Bumpers made by Billy at Brute Force. I even contacted the boys over at Prinsu and had a roof rack made. Needless to say, I love this Forum.

Fast forward 2 years. The wife had me go out and by a 25 foot travel trailer because she absolutely could not sleep on the ground when camping. So we hitched said trailer to the old 1st gen Tundra and headed east on the 8 in San Diego. About 25 minutes down the road, we started gaining in elevation, and my truck started acting like a 5 ft 6 in 350 fat man after the third flight of stairs going up the empire state building. Epic fail. We turned around and came home. I went out the next week and got a 2009 2500 4x4 Diesel Duramax. Holy moses, what an improvement. Trailer fully loaded with full kit and all tanks full, I didn't even know the thing was behind me.

So last week is where the story takes another turn. Don't you just love plot changes. The allure of pulling that fully loaded trailer to nothing more than parking lots disguised as campgrounds is gone. I followed a buddy of mine into the Utah mountains, deep off grid and was blown away. I think it is time to unload the Dirtymax and step into the world of Tacomas.

Plan of action is 2023 DCLB TRD Off Road.
Couple of questions for the forum.
1. I live in San Diego but have family in Washington State. Should I buy the truck up in Washington so that it does not have all of the Commiefornia BS on it
2. I see on the Toyota website that this model does not come with a manual transmission. I would really like a manual. Does anyone happen to know if there is a possibility of getting this truck with a manual, kind of like the super secret menu at IN and OUT.

I look forward to the coming back to the great succubus that is TW... Chris

 

1: All states get the same trucks, there is no longer special "california" edition vehicles like the early 90s
2: Manuals are still available but not in the TRDOR Long Bed versions.

 

They don’t make manual DCLBs.

 

I think you are going to be disappointed in the lack of power compared to the Tundra and Duramax.

 

Power difference isn't even a question. The Duramax could pull down a house on stilts if needed. Lethal Weapon reference. I won't be towing a trailer anymore, so the outright torque isn't needed.

 

What he was implying, have you driven a Tacoma, they are way under powered from what you have been used to.

 

You should buy where ever you find what you want for the best deal.

Manual is still available in a few trims, but you may have to compromise something else to get it.

Your history says you are a modder. Consider buying the lowest trim you can with a manual. Let your skills tweak the rest of the truck to meet your needs.

 

if you need a long bed and want a manual trans, your only option is a Sport TRD access cab. can you live with an access cab?

 

I've had Duramaxes since 2006. My last one was a2016 2500HD. I plowed lots at work and did my hose during those years, and yes, the2016 was a beast being a Crew Cab. I hated the drive-in movies side mirrors and the length of it too. I decided to give it up a year ago last January and started the hunt. I traded it in March 2022 for the Taco. I do miss the power of the DMax. When I step on the gas, it just makes more noise as it slowly builds speed. Other than that my red taco is my winter sports car compared to the diesel. It's nimble, rattle/squeak free so far. I have a short bed with the hard oem toneau which sucks since the last section closest to the rear window will not flip up. Oh, I forgot, 4K, front rotors warped. Dealer just turned them.
That's it from here. Dan

 

welcome back!
Your story hits home, as I was ready to do this years ago too. I was going to get a brodozer and a TT, my buddy and his GF as well. Then, my brother's friend from college bought land and shortly after became busy with life in general. He was thrilled to have me come down to hog hunt and camp out, and of course watch the place- it was win/win for us both. It was then, I realized that's what I really wanted, and just like you,,,, that other "camping" is merely social time on a paved parking lot (which if those folks are happy, cool too!).

FF to today, that property has been sold, I am busy with other things, but still like to explore when I have time, BUT I am not saddled with all the debt, storing, maintenance of having a brodozer and a TT. My buddy that ended up getting both, and quickly learned the same. Now his wife loves it! Because they are dragging it about 5-10 miles to a parking lot and partying with their friends Friday and Saturday night. Of course as a former hunter, camper, outdoorsmen,,,, he hates it and is now stuck.

 

In my case I've never needed the long box. It's only an extra foot. With my tailgate down, there is nothing I couldn't take that a 6 foot bed would (other than closing the tailgate).