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Need Tips for Driving a LongBed

Discussion in '3rd Gen. Tacomas (2016-2023)' started by Barley7299, Oct 27, 2024.

  1. Oct 27, 2024 at 2:55 PM
    #21
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    and if you hit full lock at 50mph, you fucked up, and are about to find out.
     
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  2. Oct 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM
    #22
    RicerRabbit

    RicerRabbit Well-Known Ricer

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    Itz JDM tyte, yo!
    Otherwise, when pulling head first into a parking lot, I make a wide turn, then back up while aligning my truck more with the spot I want to go into, then pull into the spot[/QUOTE]

    Agree. Sometimes it is better or necessary to park front in first. When I had long trucks I found it a little easier by going past the space a little then backing up. This gave a better angle and only needed a couple back and forths to get into spot nose first[/QUOTE]

    Yup I think we're talking about the same thing. I pull in head first whenever I have to load something up on the bed, and the 90 degree parking space is against a wall/another car instead of a sidewalk.
     
  3. Oct 27, 2024 at 3:00 PM
    #23
    Canadian Caber

    Canadian Caber R.I.P Layne Staley 67-2002

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    Thank you sir. Lots of DCLB up here. I actually wanted the DCLB in the Off-Road. But still loving this Sport.
     
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  4. Oct 27, 2024 at 3:07 PM
    #24
    Barley7299

    Barley7299 [OP] Member

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    Thanks a lot, this is really helpful! I've only been minding the rear axles when parking but there is some good minds eye techniques here for me. I'm the loser right now that swings left then right to try to clear the turns. So I'll give that a shot.

    Recently, my concern has been turning and making sure my rear doesn't spill over into an adjacent lane. So this is a top of mind topic for me.

    No, I'm not a new driver I'm just used to driving coupes or smaller trucks so the longer wheel base is throwing me off as it's new for me.


    Thanks for the tip, recently i've been going full lock on U-Turns haha



    I'm totally going to have to try this!!! I've been trying different things since sometimes, like you mentioned, you need to park front first but I haven't had a good way to do it other than spilling over into the adj spots.
     
    Rock Lobster[QUOTED] likes this.
  5. Oct 27, 2024 at 3:14 PM
    #25
    amyracecar

    amyracecar suck it up buttercup

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    When I got my Tacoma it was way bigger than the coupes I had been driving for the past decade..
    It had been at least a decade since I had driven a Ram, F150 and F250 with a trailer

    So I practiced - made sure I knew when I was close enough to the parking bumper, made sure I could back nice and tight - I parked a few times, got out and came back and adjusted my parking - I also had to change how I took turns, almost going further forward and then turning so my back tires cleared whatever..

    Now I don't have an issue but it took my brain a minute to adjust back to the bigger size
     
  6. Oct 27, 2024 at 4:19 PM
    #26
    Rock Lobster

    Rock Lobster Thread Derailer

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    Mom once told me a story of her driver's ed days.
    Apparently the whole family came out visiting and decided to find an empty lot. They drew up chalk lines for parallel and perpendicular parking. The way Mom tells it, the lines the family drew were a might bit narrower than the preexisting paint on the ground. They then instructed her to climb into the family wagon and park it. If any piece of chrome crossed the chalk, the nearest family member would reach out with open palm and give a fender a good whack. Thwap, back up and try again.

    Mom absolutely hated that day, but did admit that she never had issue with parking for the rest of her life.
     
  7. Oct 27, 2024 at 4:29 PM
    #27
    T4R_hereforbearings

    T4R_hereforbearings Dale Doback, M.D.

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    I’ve bolted some stuff to it *lists cool stuff here*
  8. Oct 27, 2024 at 4:34 PM
    #28
    Williston

    Williston Unknown Member

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    I think I saw you out there the other day.... I could use those mirrors. ;)

    [​IMG]
     
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  9. Oct 27, 2024 at 4:36 PM
    #29
    Max8

    Max8 Thinking Outside The Box until they close the lid

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    You need to find an empty parking lot, lay out lanes, and practice. Buy 8 or 10 bottles of Jim Beam or very expensive imported rare beer. Use them as lane markers... cones won't motivate as well.
    Sweep up the broken glass when you're done crying.
    If you ace the test, you can celebrate for the next month or so.
     
    Last edited: Oct 28, 2024
  10. Oct 27, 2024 at 5:01 PM
    #30
    Tocamo

    Tocamo .

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    A Friday thread on a Sunday????
     
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  11. Oct 27, 2024 at 6:31 PM
    #31
    spp

    spp OC, Kalifornia

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    I've always put blind spot mirrors on all my trucks. Really helps to see where you're rear wheels are at. Got the tech package on my2023 and view button is great to nail tight spots without parking by braille.
     
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  12. Oct 27, 2024 at 6:35 PM
    #32
    SBaldrick

    SBaldrick Member

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    At low speeds, make sure you have your camera set to automatic so you can see the edges of your truck. You’ll get used to it. Also, take some time to really figure out where the layout lines on the camera screen correspond on the outside of the truck (ie, where is the red grid IRL). I had an outback before my DCLB, and it takes some getting used to. Swing a little wide if you need to pull into a parking spot. Don’t be afraid to readjust and backup a little if you have to.
     
  13. Oct 27, 2024 at 8:14 PM
    #33
    soundman98

    soundman98 Well-Known Member

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    I was really irritated after my driver's test. I practiced parallel parking my mom's suburban in traffic in the downtown area for days--my instructor warned us they test for it, and it became a sense of pride as well.

    Only for them to not test parallel parking ability during the real test.

    The flip side is that after parallel parking a suburban with all it's blind spots, almost nothing on the road feels larger. I now park long wheelbase semi trucks at work and barely think about it. They feel like they have a tighter turning radius than the suburban does...

    So after a day at work, my 4dr long bed taco feels like a sports car!
     
  14. Oct 27, 2024 at 8:25 PM
    #34
    elmontemike

    elmontemike Well-Known Member

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    Just pay attention to the way the truck turns and handles. You’ll get the hang of it. It’s not that bad. Use your mirrors. A little bit of experience will go a long way. Some of the parking spots are tight. It will be easier to back in to them. I love my DCLB.
     
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  15. Oct 27, 2024 at 8:38 PM
    #35
    RichochetRabbit

    RichochetRabbit Bing Bing Bing

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    Practice much when you can find a parking lot with room. Choose places on the truck where the "space lines" appear/disappear when it will work or will not (A-pillar, B-pillar, back corner of the cab on driver or passenger side, etc).

    And IMHO relying on the backup camera is a bad practice ... it will fail someday. Learn to rely on mirrors.

    Another thing I did last year based on a discussion in TW is to lower the side mirrors to aim down at an angle instead of straight back. In a Corolla or Camry the necessary "blind-spot view" is "back", but in the truck it is "angled down". Helps to see for backing up but also when driving with others on the roads.
     
  16. Oct 27, 2024 at 9:44 PM
    #36
    Radd

    Radd Well-Known Member

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    Going from a short bed crew cab Frontier to a double cab long bed Tacoma this year has been a bit of a learning curve.

    I will confess I cheat, I have the 360 degree panoramic camera......It sure is sweet when it comes to parking.

    A screen shot from the web...

    IMG_7224.jpg
     
  17. Oct 27, 2024 at 11:30 PM
    #37
    907 Taco

    907 Taco Well-Known Member

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    Until you get more comfortable with the long wheelbase, when you are turning, make the turn just before your bumper crosses the yellow line into the oncoming lane. This will give the rear axle time to clear the curb. The suggestion to envision where the rear axle is, is key to figuring out the turning radius of your truck.

    As for backing into a space, continue doing it as the reverse camera makes it so easy. Added benefit of backing in is you can see traffic easier when you are pulling out. Just keep an eye on the mirror that is on the inside of turn so you don't hit the car beside you.

    As for parking, who cares if you have to pull in partially and back up to get lined up? Same with hitting a curb. If someone doesn't like it, that is on them, not you.

    Before this Toyota, I have always had manual F250's with 8 foot beds in city traffic. It just takes a little while to figure out each truck. Cut yourself a break and concentrate on learning the truck. When you get it figured out and become comfortable, you won't even think about it.
     
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  18. Oct 28, 2024 at 3:16 AM
    #38
    Mallcrawler20

    Mallcrawler20 Well-Known Member

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    Sorry u are going to have hell of a time with a truck in that area . Small parking spaces…small roads … best advice get something more compact .
     
  19. Oct 28, 2024 at 5:47 AM
    #39
    Vmax540

    Vmax540 Well-Known Member

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    There are no true long beds just short and mid sized in a Tacoma.
     
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  20. Oct 28, 2024 at 7:01 AM
    #40
    Antboooy

    Antboooy Well-Known Member

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    My mom drilled me on reversing when I was learning to drive. Now I prefer reverse parking.
     

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