My new ride, 2012 Tacoma!

Japanese vehicles are the way to go.  My Nissan Frontier was assembled in Indiana, and the Toyota Tacoma's were assembled in Fremont for the longest time, so not only can you get Japanese quality, you can sleep well knowing your helping your fellow Americans out too.

MattS mine has the 5 speed auto,i did lose a few mpg when i went to a size larger tire and more tread then the stock tires,over all i  dont have much to complain about ,but the transmission service of over $450 is not  to my liking.Good thing ive only done it once so far .i really like the look of the new Tacoma and i saw one witj  the Navigation system in the dash  it looked nice, but that truck i saw was almost ten grand more then what i paid for mine in 2004.

SAWEEEET!

WTG buddy,
but you didn't mention the new truck smell
I think your Adventure is longer than your new truck
Tad
 

Oh that new truck smell.  I hear you can buy it in a spray now...mmmmm

I think you are right on the kayak length!  A good cross wind may tip me over! I need to come up with some racks.  I think my bed extender will work, but a 16 foot kayak hanging out of the back of a tacoma may raise some eye brows. 

Congrats on your new truck Matt. FYI, if you decide to put a rack on a new camper shell, have them put the runner this way the camper will still be under warranty.

Jedmo

Oh that new truck smell.  I hear you can buy it in a spray now...mmmmm

I think you are right on the kayak length!  A good cross wind may tip me over! I need to come up with some racks.  I think my bed extender will work, but a 16 foot kayak hanging out of the back of a tacoma may raise some eye brows. 

I run Yakima "J style" racks with a P15 and a T140 on their sides like sails. Only in the worst winds is it sketchy. When I moved up to Idaho I was in a heinous wind storm in the Columbia River Gorge with both yaks on top. The racks and the Taco took it like a champ with no breakage or scares. But I was a tired puppy at the end of that drive.   

 "My friend's truck gets 16 mpg here.  We went to Nevada and it suddenly jumped to 21, so I know it wasn't just me!"

        I just drove my Ridgeline to Utah and back  and didn't notice any increase in mileage.    Averaged 22 mph towing a kayak trailer all the way.     
    I sure noticed an improvement in the highways  immediately.    CA roads are third world.

surprisingly my 2010 4x4 2.7 4 cyl. and my 09 4x4 double cab TRD with the 4.0 get about the same fuel mileage (in the low to mid 20's on the highway).  I have a Snug Top cover on the double cab, used to have a shell on other pickups but got tired of not being able to see well through them to the rear. 
How do you like the Nav system on your new Taco so far? 
I have the Yakima tracks mounted on my Snug Top but never have used them.  It is easier for me to use a post WWll 1/4 ton Bantam trailer that is over 60 years old with racks to haul my yak and gear.  So far the trailer has been able to follow wherever the Taco can get into.

Congrats on the new truck Bro, I myself is cosidering trading in my 05 silverado for the new Tundra.I always been happy with Japan car but American for truck and now going Asian for the new truck )

Sent from my ADR6400L using Tapatalk

That trailer is outstanding!  That is a great set-up.  I have been researching trailers lately and an considering a little cargo trailer which I would use for camping, or a small utility.  I really like the off road trailers though.  there are some sweet set ups running around Australia.  An off road camper would be nice for hunting, but yous can't beat a utility like that.  It looks bullet proof.

I like the navigation system a lot.  I used to use my droid as a GPS, but this is so much easier.  It will search by voice command and give turn by turn in a woman's voice.  My daughter has now decided it is a girl truck due to the voice    I am not sure if I will use the rest of the Entune apps much, but the blue tooth and navigation are nice.  I can see it being handy in the city or on trips.  There is a USB port to update the map and apps when I need to.  It also has Bing, so I can search for businesses, restaurants, kayak shops, ect. and add the location onto the map. 

I really didn't go in looking for the Entune, but am pretty pleased with it.  I was going to buy a 2011 when I went in, but this truck had all the features I wanted, the color I liked, and some nice upgrades.  Someone else had bought it and passed a bad check, so the company cancelled the sale while installing some components.  Because the sale fell through, it was considered a re-stock so I saved a little money, and the first buyer had a bunch of after markets put onto the truck which I got for free.  A splash guard on the front, a fold down bumper step, rubber mats, ect.  I felt pretty lucky.

I just ordered a Thule 480 cab rack from ORS racks.  I got the single rack to attach over the cab.  That way I can use my hitch extender/goal post till I get a shell.  I will get the Thule track installed and use the bars and mounts I have now.  I think my kayak will be a lot easier to load on the Toyota, but really like the trailer idea.  I may do that for long trips or when the family goes out.  I still have my Thule J racks.  With the short box, I felt that my Adventure would need  the extra support over the cab and it protects the roof while hauling long items.

I think the trailer would give better gas mileage than having the kayaks on the roof.  Even my large truck dropped 1-2 mpg with the kayak on the roof.

The more I research the more I am happy with the Japanese cars and trucks.  There is a place for the American trucks and they have a following to be sure and many success stories, but I won't be buying another any time soon.  My friends have had a lot of issues with their GMC's lately as well, right about 30-50,000 miles it seems they start having issues.  I was also disappointed at the re-sale value 

Thanks!

Matt

Congrats on the new ride Matt, does this mean you dumped the travel trailer ?
So get that yak on top and lets go fishing....

Thanks Tim!  We just put the trailer on Craig's List.  We are working hard to reduce our extras this year and simplify life.  It is true, the more you own the more you work maintaining it all!

I am ready.  I have a couple trials starting Tuesday but hope the defendants plead out.  I have Wed-Sat off and want to get out and get some trout!  I will send out a hook up when I hear more.  Looks like the weather is going to be sweet!