Topic: Test Drive: 2014 Toyota Tacoma

[WRX_Pilot]

Minus the fake hood scoop... Hopefully Toyota has that all out of their system now.

Yea, they need to put an intercooler on top of a hot engine for it to make sense...

I'm guessing you're just joking, but there are pros and cons to a TMIC vs FMIC.  In any case, fake is not the way to go.

[dkaz]

There is no good reason to buy this truck, it sucks. Smart people who Need a mid size truck will wait for the new GM's.

No manual transmission in the double cab configuration.

[OliverD]

There is no good reason to buy this truck, it sucks. Smart people who Need a mid size truck will wait for the new GM's.

No manual transmission in the double cab configuration.

In the GM you mean? Manual transmission is only available on the base RWD four cylinder. 

[nlm]

The shorter box means you have to remove the front wheel to put them straight in. There are many options that secure the forks down on.

That's too bad. Both of my main rides have 20mm maxle forks so front tire removal isn't much of an option.

I always wondered about angling the bikes by putting the front tires on a roof bike rack but leaving the rear tires on the bed. That leaves room for gear too.

[nlm]

Crap, I meant extended cab. I'm all confused today. 

I looked at buying a V6 crew cab sb 6-spd trd Taco without the hood scoop. It was from the states though so maybe that combo is only available down there.

[Fobroader]

The shorter box means you have to remove the front wheel to put them straight in. There are many options that secure the forks down on.

That's too bad. Both of my main rides have 20mm maxle forks so front tire removal isn't much of an option.

I always wondered about angling the bikes by putting the front tires on a roof bike rack but leaving the rear tires on the bed. That leaves room for gear too.

How about something like this??



Or this

[nlm]

How about something like this??



Or this

Both require a hard tonneau which I wouldn't use on either the Taco or RL. I'd go the tri-fold route for cargo carrying flexibility.

[Fobroader]

The bottom one looks like you could use on any kind of tonneau cover.

[OliverD]

Crap, I meant extended cab. I'm all confused today. 

I looked at buying a V6 crew cab sb 6-spd trd Taco without the hood scoop. It was from the states though so maybe that combo is only available down there.

Yeah, that was likely the TRD Off-Road package.

[nlm]

The bottom one looks like you could use on any kind of tonneau cover.

Actually it does. I wonder how easy/quick it is to put on/take off.

[Fobroader]

The bottom one looks like you could use on any kind of tonneau cover.

Actually it does. I wonder how easy/quick it is to put on/take off.

I think Thule makes some really nice attachment points to the truck bed and the rails from Yakima.

This is a complete Yakima system

[nlm]

I think Thule makes some really nice attachment points to the truck bed and the rails from Yakima.

This is a complete Yakima system

Good to know, thanks!

[blotter]

That's too bad. Both of my main rides have 20mm maxle forks so front tire removal isn't much of an option.

we all have the same setup.   wheels off are possible.  I'd pretty without but here's the simplest system:
Rocky Mounts' DriveShaft SD - This is what my friend uses on his Taco. 
"The Swiss Army of truck racks. The DriveShaft SD is designed to fit 15mm/20mm thru-axle bikes and easily mounts into your Toyota®, Chevy®, GMC®, and Nissan® bed channels. 9mm quick release and dummy axle included to fit standard 9mm drop outs. Designed with a wide mouth opening to easily load your bike and a T-Bolt that adjusts for a tighter hold; thru-axle cannot be unscrewed. Lock and keys included."



Now when we went to Vermont he used the following setup from Yakima:


these are cross bars that lock and don't require any drilling.  Instead of using standard full on bike racks attached to this he used Yakima's Boa system.   

This allowed four bikes (fork mounted) level to the box and we had all our gear underneath. 
Unlike Rocky Mounts, the Boa system isn't tru-axle compatible so you need the adapters.   


EDIT - I did post a pic on this forum somewhere of the setup in Vermont with his truck, I tried to find it so I can link it to this thread but wasn't successful and I didn't save the pic

[blotter]

found some pics!

[Ex-airbalancer]

Why not get a really good rack for a trailer hitch

[blotter]

^^^^

I've got one.  along with multiple roof racks.

But I can't really use the hitch rack when I'm towing.
Some trailers (smaller ones) don't allow a hitch rack on the back.


the bonus with the truck is in the winter time, the bikes are better protected than on the hitch.
the bikes behind a car on the hitch rack get totally covered in salt.  it sucks!

[Ex-airbalancer]

Get a cap, put the inside out of the weather

[blotter]

Get a cap, put the inside out of the weather

that's what a few of my year round buddies do.
you gotta start with getting a truck though   

[pi314]

 

[mrthompson]

Mmmm....that's some good cantilever load.



 

#deflection