The $60,000 QuestIon

Ok, this is not clickbait, trolling or BS. I have been a “kinda silent member” and observer here for years. This forum has helped me many times with the work I have put into my 2016 Tacoma long bed TRD Off-road for sure.
With that said, I love my truck and have put only a couple thousand into upgrades, nothing to write home about except for the AFE air filter and cold air intake which, although loud, has help my gas mileage while using ShiftSence and always ECT off.
So here is my dilemma... I am looking at filming an extensive YouTube channel with my kids, while driving across the country and overlanding.
I am currently a commercial photographer/videographer and x-ford (Dearborn) engineer (so not totally ignorant) looking to put about $60k + or - into everything not counting the trailer.
With the aforementioned, I am not sure if I should be looking at selling my Tacoma and jumping into a Jeep Gladiator, Dodge RAM Power Wagon (or whatever) for several obvious reasons. I would love to hear from all of you on some real “level headed” pros and cons. Here we go.

 

Tundra

 

Don't put your kids lives on the internet, they can't consent to that. Yuck.

Also, the Jeep Gladiator and Ram are both apples to oranges comparisons to the Taco. Why do you want the change?

 

What will be the focal point of the YouTube series/ channel.
Vehicle
Family
Adventure
Etc.

 

Well, it’s worked out well for Lifestyle Overland, they seem to be able to make a life of it. I also have a friends (@Jeepsies on IG) that we have known for years and have lived full time basically in a Jeep for 8 years (with a Toddler on board). His advice to those looking to make a go at it is to get your house in order and care for your family first. He’s a retired Coastie so he has insurance and an income. It’s a big gamble and I would agree with his advice. Put your family first, that’s what a man does. Oh and FWIW he doesn’t do YouTube and is 99% self-funded.

That said If you’re squared away, give it a go! It’s only money!

As for a vehicle you’ll want something bigger than a Taco for serious extended travel GVWR is very limiting. I do think that mostly depends on your style of travel and needs however.

 

Okay he’s trolling. Also get a tundra for this

 

In on the first page of this inevitable shit show.

 

I would say that it all depends on the length & weight of you loaded trailer. A tundra might be able to handle your purpose. But I would lean towards a diesel in either a F-250 or Chevrolet 2500. Perhaps even a dually with a third wheel hitch in a F-350 or Chevrolet 3500.

 

Buy/trade for a ridgline.... the family will love the comfort.

 

Do it

 

With what @JaCado questions.

Also add a 60k plus dump into a vehicle thinking you wanna go far with a family and trailer maybe a hauler is a better idea

 

Pretty much this. Although there is a difference between filming and sometimes you see your kids vs trying to capitalize mainly on them

 

Sell the tacoma and get a Mercedes Sprinter van and build that up.

 

I see a lot of bad ass ones rolling around oregon

 

Thank you all for your responses.

The Tundra was, and is a serious consideration except for one thing... gas mileage, especially while towing. That 5.7 is so very thirsty but even with that said It is probably one of the best engines ever made. Thank you both for that direction.
As far as putting the kids into the limelight. That is a real, and serious concern, one my wife and I always discuss but we live in Nashville and have moved her specifically for my daughter’s very public singing career, but that’s another story and not one for this forum.

The conceptual focal point of the channel (if it materializes) would probably be a hybrid of my daughter’s singing work, our business here in Nashville, our families love for all things off-road and my son’s and my Precision Rifle Series completions, at least as I see it today. None of which I wish to publicize here.

Back on topic, the debate in my mind is... is it worth lifting the Tacoma around 4” to fit 35”s without rubbing while adding long travel (up front) from someone like ICON, Dirt King, or Camburg and looking deeply at upgrading CVs and maybe steering.
I ask because the truck is obviously a serious contender with that kind of work but a cab mount chop and relocate may be in order and a dif relocation could also ballon costs. Ultimately, my goal is dependability and longevity. Please keep in mind that my truck is close to being paid off so that also factors in.
Lastly, if the thread gets deleted then whatever. I just wanted to ask this forum a real set of questions before I made any additional decisions.

Again thank you all for your time.

 

Not a new concept. Works for some people, but for every success you see on YT there are 1000+ failures.

If you’re expecting to be successful at the YT game, stay close to home while building up your subs. If you get a lot, go. If you don’t, don’t drag your kids along for it.

if you are going for the journey with your family, then do that. Don’t spend your free time editing videos, spend your time with the family.

 

If you’re really not trolling you ought to look at who does well on YouTube and what they’re driving. You need to look at the total size of who and what you’re going to need to travel with to make this work and consider what the appropriate choice is for that. Then consider, if you really want views for your channel, that the appropriate choice won’t drive as many views as whatever is trending or popular at the moment. Are you staying in North America or do you expect to head to even rougher locations? I’m making a lot of assumptions but the logical thing to do is:

• Ram 3500 diesel or Ford F-350+ diesel; either with a carli/thuren kit and “hot new trailer” like a black series or something. That’s totally possible for under $60k for the tow rig and around 60k for the trailer.

The YouTube trendy thing to do is:

• Gladiator Rubicon EcoDiesel; plus overland/off-road trailer (ironically this will cost you close to the same as the logical option with way less capability/comfort)
• Anything vanlife (likely the most expensive option for equivalent comfort)

A tundra would make sense if they weren’t 10000 years old for youtubers to give a shit about. There’ll also be a new one in a few years which dates your channel pretty much instantly. I own a power wagon and it would be fine for a couple but doesn’t seem logical when you consider a family’s need to tow heavier/constant payload.

If you want to see how families actually do this head over to expo. No ones actually spending any real time on the road with a full family and a Taco.

The sprinter conversions are absurd here in Bend. Most of the nice ones are easily into the mid $150k range. Every time I get an eye for one, I research the build/buy costs and quickly realize I’m better off without.

OA

 

I'll say it.



Sequoia Pro.

 

Wait... you are an ex ford engineer and you think an aftermarket CAI helped your efficiency? When Toyota thoughtfully included a stock CAI? And you then ignored many dyno runs than show aftermarket CAI do nothing for efficiency? As a matter of fact, no filter is worse than the stock Tacoma.
Good luck friend but your credibility is already suspect.

 

I need to see some samples of your videography before I can help you spend your money wisely. Also, post a pic of you and your wife so we can help with your “look.” We will help make you famous on the YouTube.