New to tacoma and 4x4. Looking for tips

Professor D · Feb 17, 2021

KaldiGoat[OP] said: ↑

That is also something that I am concerned with. The truck came with standard mud/snow street tires and not all terrain. I can't really justify getting rid of 4 perfectly good tires, so I haven't upgraded them. When it is time to change them, I will definitely go with A/T tires

Do you think that there will be a significant difference between A/T and standard tires? If I were doing hill climbs or hardcore rock crawling I am sure there would be, but for things like fire roads will there actually be significant performance loss?
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No experience with the trail mentioned. But, by the way the other member described it as 2wd fire service road I think you’ll be more then alright. Just use your best judgement.

coopcooper · Feb 17, 2021

TnShooter said: ↑

That’s what I did. I went by myself and I got stuck.
And I also didn’t have recovery gear.

I learned a lot.

1. Mud sucks.
2. Once you no longer have forward or rear movement in mud. STOP.
It only gets worse, the hole gets deeper. And once it’s setting on the skid plates and 3rd member, it’s even harder to get the truck out.
3. Mud sucks.
4. Leave the keys in the truck if you get out to inspect the carnage you just created.
Other wise, you might bust your ass in the mud and loose your keys.
5.Mud Sucks.
6. Clean up takes 5x longer than the “fun” you have.
7.Mud Sucks
8. Buddy it deep enough and you get to enjoy a nice massage on the way home from all the vibes.

Did I mention Mud Sucks?
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Just dont get stuck duh

TnShooter · Feb 17, 2021

coopcooper said: ↑

Just dont get stuck duh
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That was the plan. The plan didn’t work.

Thunder Fist · Feb 17, 2021

TnShooter said: ↑

That was the plan. The plan didn’t work.
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https://youtu.be/wUygpR8hiHc
The first 56 seconds.

TnShooter · Feb 17, 2021

Thunder Fist said: ↑

https://youtu.be/wUygpR8hiHc
The first 56 seconds.
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Yep, that might as well have been the plan.
Because it was definitely a “$hit Show”.

Speaking of mud. We managed to do this today.
I wouldn’t call it mud as much as slick. It’s still setting there.
It’s not going forward or backwards. Stopped before it got worse.
The “plan” is to “Unstick it” this weekend. We were pretty well wore out after cutting wood.

boogie3478 · Feb 18, 2021

KaldiGoat[OP] initial post: ↑

Hello,

I recently bought my 2021 tacoma TRD sport 4x4. I have been eying this truck for a long time and finally pulled the trigger. 99% of my driving is commute, which is why I didn't go for the offroad version; however, I still want the option of having a truck suitable for trails which is why I went 4x4.

Since I have never owned a 4x4 and don't really have any experience with trail driving, I am trying to get some advice for my first trek into the dirt. My goal is to see what the actual capabilities of the truck will be as well as getting the feel for the 4 wheel drive, slippage, tires spin, etc.

Basically, what should I realistically expect to be able to do with my stock Tacoma? I have no real frame of reference, so I am looking for a sort of starting point. The specs for my tacoma are:
-TRD sport
-4x4
-V6 engine
-Standard tires(not AT)
-17 inch rim

I am thinking about foing out to Gorman in hungry valley (southern California) which has a lot of maintained OHV trails. Has anyone had experience with this area?

Any words of advice as well as major DOs and DON'Ts for my first time out would greatly be appreciated.
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