Just a really nice looking 4x4

I bought my red 2022 TRD Sport 4x4 a few months ago in order to take it on vacation. I bought it from an online seller, only seeing the pictures on their website. I did a little research on reliable 4x4's and the Tacoma got high marks, so I took a chance and bought one. I retired in August and loaded up the truck. I headed north from southwest Oklahoma and ended up a week later, in Yellowstone National Park. After five days there, I went to Idaho and spent four days sightseeing. Then, on to northern Utah and another five days driving around sightseeing. From there I went to Rocky Mountain National Park and spent four days sightseeing. I headed the truck toward home and made it in four days. For 99 percent of the trip, I stayed off of toll roads and interstates. I drove on roads that said they recommend only high clearance 4x4's and my Tacoma made it just fine.
I have two minor gripes. My friends say that they think it is my truck every time they see a red Tacoma. What aftermarket changes have y'all added to your trucks to make them look unique? The other is the gas mileage is not as good as I would like. Driving 60 - 65 mph on backroads rather than 70-75 on interstates did save me some money, plus I got to see a lot of interesting people and places.

 

Sounds like an awesome trip. I've taken mine up the rockies and gran tetons, into Canada, through the black hills of SD, abandoned mining roads of Kentucky and west Virginia. These trucks can get you to the middle of no where and back. But because they are so popular making them look unique and good is difficult. All the good looking modifications have been done by someone else I can assure you. Haha. Just do what you like.

 

Welcome to TW! What aftermarket stuff? As far as gas mileage, I get 12-14 mpg.

 

OK, I didn't think that 21 - 23 mpg was very good, but I guess it's not bad at all.

 

My wife and I have done several long road trips with my Tacoma and other vehicles over the years. We are both retired teachers and were able to do several with our kids during summers and have continued them after retiring. A Tacoma was too small when I had kids at home, I used a 1/2 ton prior to that. I bought the Tacoma after my youngest moved out.

I always put a cap on my trucks for secure dry storage of camping gear. I've done these types of trips in 6 different vehicles, and I think the Tacoma is the best all-around unless you're pulling a larger camper or need more cab space. A 1/2-ton truck isn't a bad choice, and not that much worse on fuel. My 2007 Tacoma will get about 19-20 mpg on these trips, my 2014 F150 will do 18-19.

I bought the Ford a few years back when I needed a bigger truck. Kept the Tacoma, but at 16 years and 240,000 miles I no longer use it for long trips. I've reached the point where I no longer need a big truck and I'm waiting to see what the 2024 Tacoma's look like and how they perform. If they check out, I may sell both to get a new one in a year or so.

 

That sounds like a good plan to me. I still have my 2000 Ford F-150 4x4 single cab. I thought I would sell it, but I don't know. It only has 104,000 miles on it.

 

That's pretty good. We have folks around here who want to assassinate engineers.

Does that really matter? If you like the truck how it is, leave it alone and ignore the friends comments. They'll get over it. And you will too.

Yea, well, it's not going to get any better, so there's that.

Sounds like a great trip. Plan some more!

 

Welcome!