GOODBYE 2011,HELLO 2023

I just traded in my 2011 TRD Off Road,serious & expensive steering problems.Now have a 2023 Access Cab,6' box,AT,TRD Off Road.Except for my T100 all my Toy. pickups have been manuals.ADVICE NEEDED:#1:The Best way to break in my new truck (how to drive it,shifting,etc)#2:I don't want to buy another shell,visibility problems (like seeing around parking spots before pulling out,etc.)I'm interested in opinions on tonneau covers:the best quality,the best mfg,is this a good idea,the easiest to use, appearance (new truck is Lunar Rock),experience with, pricing.This is my 10th Toyota truck since 1972 & probably my last (age+ other factors).All advice is most welcome.Responses to my earlier posts have been super.Thank you.MIKE

 

Congratulations on the upgrade

My advise for break in... don't let it idle, very your speed as much as you can, and enjoy your truck. There really isn't any need for a special break-in on vehicles anymore.

As for a tonneau cover, I am happy with my Bakflip MX4 tonneau. I have had it 5 plus years and it is still holding up well. I swap it with a Softopper in the summer for camping. Gives me options and versatility.

 

I also congratulate you on your new truck.

I have a ReTrax Pro MX installed on my 2020 Access Cab and I love it. I have an ARE shell I occasionally use on my 2004 Gen 1 Tacoma, but prefer the better visibility provided by the tonneau cover.

 

Do you mind sharing what you got for the 2011? Been toying with the idea of replacing my 2011 off road.

 

1. drive the hell outta of it (not really, just normal) and change the oil
2. there's a rear camera, if you still need/want a bed topper. Depending on what you are hauling, the Tacoma's bed is shallow and to me, became even more so when adding a folding cover that fits down in to the bed

 

Bakflip MX4 has been good to me on my 2021 Access Cab.
Despite the drive-it-like-you-stole-it-mantra a lot of people subscribe to, I subscribe to a steady-as-she-goes approach and
have been happy with the results. The first 1000-2000 miles especially. Also regarding oil changes, I change mine and rotate tires
every 5,000 miles with both my truck and the wife's Forester. Seems to work well.

The complaints about odd-shifting are over-rated. In my opinion it is the result of herky-jerky gas pedal foot-work.
It's a truck, not a BMW.

I would NOT do any major lift-work on it either.

You're gonna like that truck.

 

If you have the "surround-from-the-top view" camera system, that plus backup camera tell you much that is hidden even without a topper.

I do not like to rely on it, but it can be helpful sometimes. Consider that your 2023 is a bit larger and those cameras may help for a few days.

 

wh

if you ever tow use the S mode - never the D mode. I have a Tyger1 soft tonneau cover and it is perfect for my needs. Mothership says change oil every 10K - you can - I don't - 5k for me. If you have any mechanical ability, you can do most of your maintenance yourself. The 2 yrs Toyota Care is a joke. Find a good independent shop that specializes in Toyota - not the local street corner shop that specializes in cross threading oil pan bolts while they short you a quart. Enjoy the truck and maybe consider a Tune if you get tired of the drunk monkey shifting. YotaWerx is who I use and would recommend - @mZiggy can take care of you. Good Luck!

 

Congrats as for tonneau cover I like the BakFlip MX4 Tonneau had one on my Ram and now on my Tacoma

 

I’m super happy with my Truxedo Pro X15 soft topper… no complaints.

Don’t lose much sleep over break-in. Try to vary rpms if you’re doing allot of hi-way/freeway and rev it up every now and then.

If your new truck runs and shifts like crap (like my new 21 OR did) get it tuned.

 

Congrats on your new truck. Great cab/trim/color combo. You’re gonna enjoy this truck. Because its bones are similar to your ‘11, seating position, size, & sight lines should be relatively easy for you to adapt to.

I’ve broken in three, no major issues. Drive it like you normally would. Change the oil every 5k. BakFlip is good quality, sits flush with the bed.

 

I 2nd the Truxedo Pro X15. I have owned it for over a year now and absolutely no complaints. If you are doing a lot of camping, then probably something solid would be more appropriate for protection. But, if you want a cover..for cover sake, then this one is great! Its not vinyl (like cheaper soft covers) that needs shined up every month to look good...just a nice, strong black fabric. Its very low profile (almost completely flush) too and great when rolling up to access all of the bed. Good luck!

 

Another vote for the Bakflip MX4, that’s what I have. A little pricey but so nice, and sits flush.

 

Congratulations on the new truck. The AC + 6’ bed would be my choice if I were to buy another Tacoma. As far as Tonneau cover, I run a Diamondback aluminum cover on my truck and like it a lot. The only downside is the reduction in cargo load due to height constraints.

 

Just drive it normal in the D mode till the transmission learns your driving habits, and road conditions. I was told by the dealers service manager never to use the S, or ECT modes during this process, or you'll screwup the learning process, and end up with a wonky shifting auto. I took the advice rather than listen to others. My 2020 sr5 transmission is the best preforming auto I've owned to date. It's very smooth, and up, and downshifts spot on.
I've got the factory tri- fold tacoma tonneau cover that I ordered with the truck. It's heavy, but doesn't leak. All in all the cover does its job.

 

Congrats Mike! You might consider a Softopper for your needs. It's there when you need it, folded down and out of sight when you don't.

 

Congrats, I had a 2012 and never looked back despite all the complains of people wishing they still had a 2nd gen. That's just dumb.

Another vote for backflip mx4. Their customer service is epic. I've had 2 replaced for minor defects at no cost to me. I live in Hawaii so they also ate the shipping charge. I will FOREVER buy bakflips.

 

I used to design autoshow exhibits and Toyota was my client for 10 years. We did a global dealer meeting at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway and before the dealers drove them, the brand new Toyotas would be ‘broken in’ by our pro drivers for a few hundred miles. I asked the drive coordinator about the break-in procedure and he said that it’s not so much for the engines although they vary the rpm’s during this time. He said it was mainly for the gears to run in and the brakes to bed-in. I watched them and the cars would just go leisurely around the course as if they were on a Sunday drive.

I think the takeaway I got was that the first 200 miles are critical. Take it easy. No major acceleration or braking. Keep it below 60. Drive it normally for the most park just don’t ask too much of it during the first 200.