Hey guys so I wanted to cover this topic again since my opinion has changed so much on it. I know this goes against a lot of popular opinion but if I am being honest this is 100% the direction I would go in if I had to start over. Let me know what you guys would do differently!
Bravo, couldn't agree with you more on taking your time with adding mods to any off road vehicle. First and foremost is learning how your vehicle drives and handles - take the time to get a good understanding and feel of your vehicle. Tires - definitely but from there take some time and go to a few of the plethora of Overland shows and check out the different equipment available before purchasing. Everyone will be different in what they want, like, USE, and budget for. Nothing says you have to do everything in the first six months or in the first year. I am going into year three and still making decisions based on how I use my Tacoma and prioritizing what fits a realistic budget (for me). If someone is into the looks yet will never go off road - who am I to judge. But if you are going to take it off-road take your time and do the research on any product you may want. You may change how you use your vehicle off-road, camping, hunting, fishing is a lot different from rock-crawling and there is the balance of levels of off-roading you may want to do. Not everyone will want to be an extreme rock crawler yet there is a balance in how a vehicle handles on the backcountry roads and trails. Don't look at the cost but at the quality and reliability of a product and does it meet the functionality that meets your needs. Going cheap may save you money up front but if the product fails it could cost you whole lot more in repairs to your vehicle.
Well said. I totally agree with you on all points. I really don't do a lot of overlanding... more camping. I'm just about ready to ditch my tent and just have a sleeping setup in the back of my SUV, putting my gear on top. Thanks for the awesome video!
100% agree with the tires. I ran my stock 14 Tacoma trd sport with 32” on most the same trails as these other guys with lifts, 35s and armor, at that time. Picked up my fridge used, and it comes in handy even for the daily errands. Especially in this 100 degree heat here in the south. And definitely a quality storage system, helps keep things organized and easier to grab and go. It’s a slow process, but I found driving it stock for a few years really shows what you want vs need. Even now, I still don’t have a locker. Would it have been useful, yes but with a good spotter and the right line, usually I can get through.
Really great content. I purchased a similar box system for my camping gear, a buddy heater, and a GFC camper. This setup has really extended my camping season. Like you, I'm not extrem 4 wheeler. I'm more a fly fisherman.
I can only really agree with one thing in your top three. If you really want to go where most people cannot and have stress free fun wheeling trails; the top three are tires, winch, rock sliders. If i wanted to pay for camp sites and camp next to car campers i would have bought a Subaru and saved myself the money.
I’m not sure what the terrain is like in your area but there are so many great trails out here that you can do without sliders and a winch. Keep in mind we are only talking the first few mods here. Fully building out a Tacoma is a long and expensive process.
I agree with a good set of tires as #1 and a lift is not required IMO. I would then add a camper shell instead of a roof top tent but again that’s my preference.
It took me about a decade of driving sports cars to realize that all the common "mods" that people do are unnecessary and sometimes even make the car worse (this is especially true any time you mess with suspension). The same is true for off-road setups. You just need good tires and a good 12V air compressor for airing up/down. You can go just about anywhere as long as you're not deliberately seeking obstacles to try (which is a different hobby entirely).
This video was awesome. Couple questions for you: what would you say are the biggest / best tires you can fit on a stock TRD Off Road? And, do you ever miss your decked system? Thanks!
Thanks! 31’s if you have no lift. So something like a 265*70*16. If you throw a 2” lift on there you can fit a 33” so something like 285*75*16 I loved the functionality of the decked system but for a Tacoma it’s a ton of extra weight and really didn’t match my use case. I think with the shell it’s too much unless I really beefed up the rear suspension and re geared then maybe it’s something I would consider again. Or maybe with a tall bed rack and no camper shell 🤷♂️ I have considered getting a tundra from time to time and I bet that would be a better truck for a system like this.
@@alpinetactics Thank you for the tire recommendations! That makes a ton of sense about the weight. Seems like it also eats up a lot of usable bed space. I really like the packout system as an alternative. Great idea!
I would only buy new tires after the stock tires on a offroad taco are worn out.. like 100,000 miles,... I would just get the esentials for offroad, and notthing that costs more than a hundred bucks.. individually,.. of course it depends on how much offroading and camping.. so it really depends. hell most places offroad, you can do in 2 wheel drive. The only things I recomend for any trail is have a good recovery traction board, even a 100$ one is good enough, a recovery kit that has straps and a couple of hooks included, a first aid kit. air pump for airing up after airing down, tire pressure gauges, for starters. Some places require the above or you may get a ticket.
Yes that is a great point. Dry ice also costs money and if you go camping as much as I do eventually a budget fridge like I have will pay for itself. Setting up and sustaining a good power source can also be a lot of work but once you have that dialed in, it’s very reliable. Good points though.
@@SigmaWolfOutdoors it’s a dual zone so yes you can have it as a fridge, freezer or both. I’m not sure I understand the point of trying to have a a fridge float. I just use it to store food. No one has to use a fridge to go camping, I just wanted to share how well it has worked for me.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing your insights. In your past Mojave trip video, you mentioned that you changed from iKamper tent to your current tent. Curious, why did you change? We are opposite, thinking of getting iKamper tent from a Smittybuilt RTT. Thank you!
Hi there! Most of all I hated how heavy my truck had gotten. The ikamper was great in the sense that it was very easy to set up but that was all I really liked about it. It didn’t feel super sturdy and I did not think it was very comfortable. I can’t speak to smittybuilt tent but the CVT tent I have now is very comfortable, the materials and components seem very strong and I am much happier with this tent. It’s also a smaller tent, and since is usually just me and my kids it’s worked out well and saved a lot of space.
@@chazpaul7934 according to the website 225 lbs because of the hard top. I think that weight includes the annex which is pretty stinking heavy and I have not even brought out on a trip yet. If you don't need the hard top they have the pioneer series which is much lighter and a-lot cheaper as well.
Hey guys so I wanted to cover this topic again since my opinion has changed so much on it. I know this goes against a lot of popular opinion but if I am being honest this is 100% the direction I would go in if I had to start over. Let me know what you guys would do differently!
Bravo, couldn't agree with you more on taking your time with adding mods to any off road vehicle. First and foremost is learning how your vehicle drives and handles - take the time to get a good understanding and feel of your vehicle. Tires - definitely but from there take some time and go to a few of the plethora of Overland shows and check out the different equipment available before purchasing. Everyone will be different in what they want, like, USE, and budget for. Nothing says you have to do everything in the first six months or in the first year. I am going into year three and still making decisions based on how I use my Tacoma and prioritizing what fits a realistic budget (for me). If someone is into the looks yet will never go off road - who am I to judge. But if you are going to take it off-road take your time and do the research on any product you may want. You may change how you use your vehicle off-road, camping, hunting, fishing is a lot different from rock-crawling and there is the balance of levels of off-roading you may want to do. Not everyone will want to be an extreme rock crawler yet there is a balance in how a vehicle handles on the backcountry roads and trails. Don't look at the cost but at the quality and reliability of a product and does it meet the functionality that meets your needs. Going cheap may save you money up front but if the product fails it could cost you whole lot more in repairs to your vehicle.
Well said!
Well said. I totally agree with you on all points. I really don't do a lot of overlanding... more camping. I'm just about ready to ditch my tent and just have a sleeping setup in the back of my SUV, putting my gear on top. Thanks for the awesome video!
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for watching!
100% agree with the tires. I ran my stock 14 Tacoma trd sport with 32” on most the same trails as these other guys with lifts, 35s and armor, at that time. Picked up my fridge used, and it comes in handy even for the daily errands. Especially in this 100 degree heat here in the south. And definitely a quality storage system, helps keep things organized and easier to grab and go.
It’s a slow process, but I found driving it stock for a few years really shows what you want vs need. Even now, I still don’t have a locker. Would it have been useful, yes but with a good spotter and the right line, usually I can get through.
Super well said!
Really great content. I purchased a similar box system for my camping gear, a buddy heater, and a GFC camper. This setup has really extended my camping season. Like you, I'm not extrem 4 wheeler. I'm more a fly fisherman.
Right on and thank you!
I can only really agree with one thing in your top three. If you really want to go where most people cannot and have stress free fun wheeling trails; the top three are tires, winch, rock sliders. If i wanted to pay for camp sites and camp next to car campers i would have bought a Subaru and saved myself the money.
I’m not sure what the terrain is like in your area but there are so many great trails out here that you can do without sliders and a winch. Keep in mind we are only talking the first few mods here. Fully building out a Tacoma is a long and expensive process.
I agree with a good set of tires as #1 and a lift is not required IMO. I would then add a camper shell instead of a roof top tent but again that’s my preference.
Yeah camper shell is a good one.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, some good information to think about for sure!😎👍🏻
Thanks Shane!
It took me about a decade of driving sports cars to realize that all the common "mods" that people do are unnecessary and sometimes even make the car worse (this is especially true any time you mess with suspension). The same is true for off-road setups. You just need good tires and a good 12V air compressor for airing up/down. You can go just about anywhere as long as you're not deliberately seeking obstacles to try (which is a different hobby entirely).
This video was awesome. Couple questions for you: what would you say are the biggest / best tires you can fit on a stock TRD Off Road? And, do you ever miss your decked system? Thanks!
Thanks! 31’s if you have no lift. So something like a 265*70*16. If you throw a 2” lift on there you can fit a 33” so something like 285*75*16
I loved the functionality of the decked system but for a Tacoma it’s a ton of extra weight and really didn’t match my use case. I think with the shell it’s too much unless I really beefed up the rear suspension and re geared then maybe it’s something I would consider again. Or maybe with a tall bed rack and no camper shell 🤷♂️
I have considered getting a tundra from time to time and I bet that would be a better truck for a system like this.
@@alpinetactics Thank you for the tire recommendations! That makes a ton of sense about the weight. Seems like it also eats up a lot of usable bed space. I really like the packout system as an alternative. Great idea!
I would only buy new tires after the stock tires on a offroad taco are worn out.. like 100,000 miles,... I would just get the esentials for offroad, and notthing that costs more than a hundred bucks.. individually,.. of course it depends on how much offroading and camping.. so it really depends. hell most places offroad, you can do in 2 wheel drive. The only things I recomend for any trail is have a good recovery traction board, even a 100$ one is good enough, a recovery kit that has straps and a couple of hooks included, a first aid kit. air pump for airing up after airing down, tire pressure gauges, for starters. Some places require the above or you may get a ticket.
Roof top tents are for Instagram, bed platform with a shell are for MySpace.
Dry ice has always worked well for me ...fridge cost money and have a power source to worry about dying
Yes that is a great point. Dry ice also costs money and if you go camping as much as I do eventually a budget fridge like I have will pay for itself. Setting up and sustaining a good power source can also be a lot of work but once you have that dialed in, it’s very reliable. Good points though.
O..and dry ice can float down rivers and I n lakes safely ... day 3 ice-cream...8n a desert canyon ...how bout your fridge
@@SigmaWolfOutdoors it’s a dual zone so yes you can have it as a fridge, freezer or both. I’m not sure I understand the point of trying to have a a fridge float. I just use it to store food. No one has to use a fridge to go camping, I just wanted to share how well it has worked for me.
Hi there! Thanks for sharing your insights. In your past Mojave trip video, you mentioned that you changed from iKamper tent to your current tent. Curious, why did you change? We are opposite, thinking of getting iKamper tent from a Smittybuilt RTT. Thank you!
Hi there! Most of all I hated how heavy my truck had gotten. The ikamper was great in the sense that it was very easy to set up but that was all I really liked about it. It didn’t feel super sturdy and I did not think it was very comfortable. I can’t speak to smittybuilt tent but the CVT tent I have now is very comfortable, the materials and components seem very strong and I am much happier with this tent. It’s also a smaller tent, and since is usually just me and my kids it’s worked out well and saved a lot of space.
Nice video !
Thank you!
What’s the height for that roof top tent? I’m wondering if it will clear my garage
I’ll have to measure. Depends on how much you keep in it though. I don’t keep the rain fly on it which saves me some height.
How much does that tent weigh!
@@chazpaul7934 according to the website 225 lbs because of the hard top. I think that weight includes the annex which is pretty stinking heavy and I have not even brought out on a trip yet. If you don't need the hard top they have the pioneer series which is much lighter and a-lot cheaper as well.
why did you get rid of the drawers?
@@fernandoban5050 because of the weight
If you're on trails that don't need bigger than 265's, you're not even wheeling lmfao.
Yep, good thing this video wasn’t about wheeling.
dweeb
Everyone is LIGHT CRAZY, not really needed.
I hear a lot of people say that. Looking for camp in the dark, it makes a massive difference. That’s been my experience