National Parks Highway/OffRoad Build

Sun + Moon, Badlands National Park

2014 Toyota Tacoma, Double Cab, 4x4, TRD Off-Road

Hey TW.

Many have helped with advice, so I gotta return the favor. Special thanks to @Toynado, @ETXTacoma, @justinmbowen, and @Canoehead.

Here are the mods, with comments after 10,000+ miles traveling cross-country, freeway, gravel, 4x4 trail, rain, sleet, hail, and snow. Hit me if you have any questions...

Build Goals

Since I log mostly highway miles working in the national parks, but still need 4x4 capability, I wanted to outfit the truck with:

• Tires good on highway and off road (rock crawling not necessary)
• Bed rack to carry a rooftop tent
• Fridge inside truck, behind driver's seat
• Lockable space in the bed for camping gear
• Keep mpg as high as possible

Tires
Cooper AT3
LT265 /75 R16 112R C1 OWL
America's Tire
Decided on C-Rated. E-rated seemed overkill for my needs, and at 46lbs, each tire is lighter, thus better mpg.

Pros:

• Smooth and quieter on freeway
• Great off-road and gravel
• Good mileage, great ride

Cons:

• Gravel can stick in the treads

10,000 mile update: Very happy with the Coopers.


Randybuilt rack, Badlands National Park

Bed Rack
RandyBuilt
San Jose, CA

Randy's developed a great rack. I wanted a rock-solid rack to carry my RTT and still leave space in the bed for mountain bikes and camping gear. This rack does it all. An added plus is the rack's height: the closed RTT doesn't suck up mpg high over the cab, my bikes roll in below, and I can see out the rear view mirror.

Easy installation in the stock bed rails. Super welds. Looks great. Double thumbs up!

10,000 mile update: Still solid and looks like new. Perfect with the RTT.


Tent up, Olympic NP

Rooftop Tent
Tepui Ayer Sky 2

Went with Tepui after reading positive, long-term reviews. Plus, they're Santa Cruz local.

Pros:

• The more I use it, the more I'm impressed with how it's designed.
• Quick pop up and take down
• Comfortable, sleep great
• Handles rough rain and sleet, stays warm
• Bolts directly into RandyBuilt rack

Cons:

• Something to consider with a RTT is you need to break it down whenever you leave camp. You can't leave the tent set-up if you want to drive somewhere.
• Crappy hardware. Why include cheap hardware on an expensive tent? I replaced many of the flimsy bolts and nuts with solid USA made hardware.
• Obnoxious, multi-colored logos on original tent cover. Loud, branded advertising on outdoors gear defeats the purpose of escaping to the outdoors. Problem solved with 3 coats of SEM paint. Looks much better. And I'm not driving a billboard into the wilderness.

10,000 mile update: Like this RTT the more & more I've used it. Great being off the ground for a long trip.


WeatherGuard box, Crater Lake NP

Storage Box
WeatherGuard All Purpose Chest
Installation by Bill's Ace Truckbox Center, Martinez CA

Wanted a secure place in the bed to store camping gear, propane, etc. And I wanted it perpendicular to the bed so I can put longer items on the side. WeatherGuard makes a great box and the guys at Bill's installed it perfectly.

10,000 mile update: Great. Works just as hoped.


L-Brackets for ARB fridge snap-in/snap-out

Fridge & Platform
ARB 37 qt
Wired direct to battery with ARB wiring kit

Inspired by @ETXTacoma's posts detailing his fridge install behind his driver's seat, I did something similar.

One change: I used interlocking, metal L-brackets bolted into the feet of the ARB and the mounting board so I can snap the fridge in and out. Everything works great, is secure, and the position behind the seat is perfect.

Pros:

• Fits perfectly behind driver's seat
• Battery protection system works as advertised
• Cold beer anytime, anywhere!

Cons:

• No simple ARB mounting plate for mounting without a slide, like Engel's.

10,000 mile update: This fridge rocks! Never a battery problem, easy to clean, cold beer always ready...

Badlands NP

 

Nice writeup and setup!

 

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Check list....

 

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How is your randybuilt rack holding up. I'm looking at buying it from randy probably next week. Any issues or problems?

 

Hey GotPho, Randy's rack is solid. Still works and looks great. Still diggin the height for the tent, that my bike rolls in underneath, and I can still see out the rearview mirror. Are you putting a tent on top?

 

Yes I am, I have a Yakima skyrise tent. Nice thing about his tent is I will still be able to lock my tent. Just found out yesterday I can remove my mounting brackets and replace it with tepui mounting brackets and can install my tent to any bed rack. So right now I'm debating between his and a kb voodoo. Both are almost the same price. Tough decision, my tent looks super weak in my garage lol.

 

Good luck on choosing. FYI, I bolted my Tepui directly into Randy's rack, bypassing the brackets. Looks cleaner and no screws sticking down....

 

Awesome man, I'll let you know which one I decide to go with. I like the fact you drove 7500 miles with that rack. Any rust issues?

 

So I just went with the randybuilt rack. I took what you said into consideration and you doing a 7500 mile road trip says more about the product then any review on Tacoma world. Thanks for your input.

 

Sure, no problem.

 

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