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New to trail.driving

Discussion in 'Off-Roading & Trails' started by Fezz84, Feb 11, 2019.

  1. Feb 11, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #1
    Fezz84

    Fezz84 [OP] New Member

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    Phillip
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    Hello Tacoma world, so for many years now I've always wanted to own a 4wd truck. And finally I was blessed with being able to buy one. Now it's time to explore. I bought a 2017 Tacoma sport 4x4, granted I know it's not the trd off road. But I'm looking for a trail to explore in northern California that my little stock truck can handle. I know I dont have a rear locker or much recovery gear. Mods soon to come but I want to start exploring and kinda figuring out what I want to buy as I go. This truck happens to be my daily driver and servers its purpose for things I need to haul around. And hopefully in a year I can buy another old 4runner or taco. And set it up for more off roading and if I wreck it I'm not at a total lose as it will be a toy. But I really want to get my feet wet and explore. Any recommendations for my little stock 2017 4x4 sport can go and handle with ease and not worry about destroying my new truck
     
  2. Feb 11, 2019 at 3:03 PM
    #2
    JCOOR

    JCOOR Well-Known Member

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    I have zero knowledge of trails in your area but I would suggest getting Delorme or other map book and heading out to explore. It’s a great way to discover new areas
     
  3. Feb 11, 2019 at 3:04 PM
    #3
    Bigdaddy4760

    Bigdaddy4760 Well traveled Older Than Dirt

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    Maner
    Poolville Texas
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    Welcome to TW
    :hattip: :cheers:
     
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  4. Feb 11, 2019 at 3:07 PM
    #4
    BINK05TRD

    BINK05TRD Well-Known Member

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    Welcome and congrats Phillip.
     
  5. Feb 11, 2019 at 4:53 PM
    #5
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
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    Get yourself some forest service MVUM's (motor vehicle use maps). And just go drive some dirt roads. If something gets too technical, you can always turn around. Chances are there's another trail that goes that way, too.

    There are TONS of trails around.

    I really like this book, too:
    https://www.amazon.com/Backcountry-...id=1549932696&sr=8-1&keywords=northern+CA+SUV

    Contrary to popular belief, you don't need a locker or any of that crap. They're nice to have, but especially for someone just starting out, they aren't needed.
     
  6. Feb 11, 2019 at 4:55 PM
    #6
    DarthPow

    DarthPow Well-Known Member

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    trailsoffroad.com is also a good resource. Their trail descriptions are helpful.
     
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  7. Feb 11, 2019 at 10:16 PM
    #7
    jbrandt

    jbrandt Made you look

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    El Dorado, CA (NOT El Dorado Hills)
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    Kings, J59's Total Chaos UCAs Custom skids Sticker mod
    I just found that site and signed up. Good stuff!
     
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  8. Feb 12, 2019 at 4:53 PM
    #8
    dman100

    dman100 Well-Known Member

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    Central Coast, California
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    The DeLorme atlas is a good reference but in my experience in California there is private property, seasonal closures etc so it’s not the best guide for finding stuff. The book that @jbrandt linked is good. Generally easy trails, but suitable for stock trucks and focusing on the exploration, rather than the ‘wheeling, are the Backcountry Byways books by Tony Heugel. There are volumes for the Coast, Sierra, and Desert, plus other states. And Tony is a die-hard Toyota guy.
    https://www.amazon.com/California-Coastal-Byways-Backcountry-Drives/dp/0899972829
     
  9. Feb 13, 2019 at 9:15 AM
    #9
    Fezz84

    Fezz84 [OP] New Member

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    Thank you guy's I will def check it out. Hopefully I'll have pic soon enough
     
  10. Feb 19, 2019 at 5:46 PM
    #10
    Taco_Craig

    Taco_Craig Well-Known Member

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    I remember using my locker two or three times in the last three years. Maybe just because I'm lame and don't get out enough, but also because I think that 100% of the stuff I've done was accomplishable without using the locker... Honestly, good clearance + 4LO + taking your time is usually all it takes.

    Also, there aren't a lot of trail books for California (well, there are probably more books for CA but there aren't a ton of books on the subject in general), so you can basically google it and buy them all.
     
    Last edited: Feb 19, 2019
  11. Feb 23, 2019 at 9:16 AM
    #11
    Heath75

    Heath75 Well-Known Member

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    I’ve used google earth a couple of times.
     
  12. Feb 23, 2019 at 9:27 AM
    #12
    nagorb

    nagorb Should be a dang perma mod

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    You've got tons of National Forests to explore. Check out blue lakes, there's campgrounds right on the lake or you can do dispersed camping in the NF. There's also a bunch of trails that are stock friendly.

    I used to use back country navigator for maps. You can download before you go for offline maps.

    Also check out the norcal threads, they do a bunch of rides and campouts.
     
    Heath75 likes this.
  13. Nov 6, 2019 at 8:32 AM
    #13
    skeezix

    skeezix Well-Known Member

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    Call the NFS for the forest that interests you and get a (free!) "usage" map. They will show where one can and cannot go. You'll hafta google the the NFS station though (but that's not a big problem). Also, you can pick where you want to go and then visit the NFS for that particular forest and pick up whatever they have. The maps are updated every couple of years.

    As for BLM lands, well, you're outta luck there because the latest 1:100,000 maps (the most detailed they have) were based on 1984 surveys and quite a few of the roads they show just don't exist anymore, or have landslides that block them. Plus they are pretty hard to read mainly because the lines are so thin. However, the forest maps should work for light to moderate off-roading.
     
  14. Nov 6, 2019 at 5:41 PM
    #14
    TYetti

    TYetti 4cylinders of awesomeness

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    Join a local club or 4wd association. Best way to meet wheeling friends. Hell some of the guys I've met wheeling are now some of my best friends, then get out and try stuff, a stock truck will accomplish a lot
     
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