Lessons learned from first road trip.

Hey everyone,

Just completed 700 miles round trip to the OBX for a 3 day weekend in my new to me 2014 4x4 1794 with my newly installed 3/2 Bilstien lift.

Things I learned....... Mostly the last day lol.

1) The Bilstien lift is awesome! Road great, shitty bridge joints, construction zones of shitty pavement, all much better now. Could not be happier, unless I was higher, and had my 35s lol.

2) Driving anywhere far with highway, loaded down with 4 passengers, and medium weight or more bed gear, use tow/haul mode! The extra power makes the truck feel much better, instead of weak.

3) Driving on the beach (this is the duh moment) I spent the first 2, of my 3 day trip driving on the beach in D automatic, 4hi, with a press and hold of the traction control button until the dash showed the words "traction off", and the yellow traction symbol light came on. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT, after 2 generations of 4Runner ownership I expected so much more. It struggled and worked hard like the 4Runners did, and always felt bogged down.

The last day I realized what I was doing wrong........

TOW /Haul, aka BEAST MODE!

This brought the truck alive and made beach driving almost a joy!

So much better. I know my 35s will help more once I get them eventually.

4) Over all storage/room in the 1794 SUCKS! I was not full, but with 4 passengers, the bed half full vertically, totally full front to back, and side to side, including 2 packed full medium coolers, with the Tyger? vinyl folding bed cover closed. We still had a lot of bags and gear stored in everyone's footwells but mine the Driver, and some things in laps for rear passengers, all over the center armrests rear and some front, and still had to put 1 bag in the bed that should not have been in the heat and under a black cover.

Also under the stock rear seats was totally packed with recovery gear, jumpers, ratchet tie downs, tow straps, jack baseplate, 4 way lug wrench etc. I also always carry a small about 30lb bag of common auto tools, ratchets, sockets ect, and my new Viair high volume air pump for airing up and down on the beach and repairs. It's the size of the tool bag but weighs maybe 4 lbs I don't really know.

I miss my 4Runner inside rear cargo area, I was spoiled lol.

We had 2 medium laptop bags, toiletries, none heat tolerant food items, purses, small soft cooler, blankets, pillows, huge towels covering my nice seats, all packed in the cab.

5) I need the under rear seat storage mod.

6) I need the locking swing out bed boxes, at least one anyway.

7) I need a bed shell, not a fiberglass flat one like my vinyl one, but the camper type shell so I have more room for shit in the bed.

8) I need a bed step.

9) I need a stool/stairs for getting in the bed also. ESPECIALLY when I get a 7in lift in a couple years!

10) I need yet a 3rd medium cooler for food items.

11) I need a second 10x10+ beach canopy to cover the tailgate when preparing food so I don't have to move the one I have set up like a cabana with blanket and chairs.

12) The 1794 steering wheel is annoying! The 2 lower Grey pieces, where they meet the bottom of the steering wheel squeak when you hold or squeeze them!

More if I recall the rest lol.

Thanks for reading.

 

It's a shame the tundra doesnt have more under passenger rear storage and behind the seats.

All that gear...how the hell did u pack your 4runner?!! I have a 4runner also and I struggled with just my wife and dog for a 3500 mile round trip to Alaska.

 

So with my old 4Runners I have a nice aluminum hitch basket from harbor freight that I used to put the beach gear, canopy, chairs etc in. But it would look silly on the Tundra and I have a bed so I did not use it. With the 4Runner I am able to pack enough inside that needs to be inside, but the most I ever hauled was 3 people and gear to the beach, not 4 like I was forced to shove into the Tundra.

I don't have a dog currently and am not big on taking pets on trips, especially in my nice interior so that must be a challenge I can imagine lol.

Going that far as you did, and for a longer trip I'm sure you had more gear and luggage then I have. It is tough for sure man.

My accessories list for the Tundra is much longer now lol.

 

There are tons of upsides to driving a truck, but the downside vs a 4Runner is losing all that secured, climate controlled storage that is as tall as the cab in the cargo area. We’re a family of 5, and we have no problems fitting everything we need for a camping trip in our 4Runner.

When backpacking, everything for the trip minus one change of clothes is in our packs, so that’s easy to haul to the trailhead.

When we go car camping in the Smokies, the kids each get a book and maybe a couple of small hot wheels monster trucks to play with. I have 3 1719 Plano trunks that fit in the back of the 4Runner as if they were made for it. They have our tent, tarps, lighting, kitchen, bug spray, water filters, a fitted bedsheet to put over a picnic table, hatchets, etc. Everything else (sleeping bags, hammock, camp chairs, 5gal water jug) go in the back as well. I use a Raingler divider to keep the loose stuff like sleeping bags from straying out of the cargo area.

I’ve never had a problem as a family of 5 fitting everything in our 4Runner. If we take bikes, I use a hitch carrier. The only other gear that is outside the vehicle is a weatherproof Plano trunk bolted to LFD roof rails (it carries tools, fishing poles, recovery gear, and water shoes for everyone).

And then, if one is nearby, we go play at an OHV park in the 4Runner on the Jeep trails, which it totally eats up. Man, I sound like I’m talking myself out of a truck...

 

LOL you must be a master packer to get all that in a 4Runner. But I also never had to block my rear view mirror with stuff, as I image you are floor to ceiling with all that gear.

Yea 2 things most missed on the 4Runner is inside climate controlled storage, and keyless touch to enter doors on my 2011 Limited, can't believe my newer, more expensive Tundra does not have this feature that my 2011 Limited 4Runner had

I often times used the previously mentioned Aluminum hitch basket to haul more stuff that was not temperature sensitive, like beach gear canopy, chairs etc, so I had more rear hatch room for temperature sensitive items like toiletries, food, and coolers.

But as I said, it looks dumb on the Tundra imho lol. I hated having to buy ice for the coolers in the Tundra bed every day at the beach, they lasted much longer in the 4Runner rear hatch with AC going.

I will get used to it, and buy some bed storage solution (Although Swingcases look like junk based on reviews of short lifespan and plastic failure) and secure shell, and the under seat storage bins, step for bed, etc etc etc


Still love the Tundra, and would not really go back to a 4Runner, only because of its smaller size and anemic engine.
Everything else about it was the shit Absolutely unstoppable off road, reclining rear passenger seats, more tech features, way better build quality, and never breaks down.

If I ever have to go back to an SUV it will probably be the ugly ass Sequoia lol, or Ugly boxy Landcruiser.
Unless I find a sweet used lifted Supercharged white 4Runner for reasonable money, as if unicorns really exist!

 

I’ve never actually had the rear view mirror fully blocked. We use small camp chairs (I have a backpacking chair that folds up to the size of a water bottle and weighs 1 lb) and don’t take a bunch of extra stuff. Everything is tightly packed in the back. The three Planos help a lot, and I can shove smaller items in between them and the wheel wells. Our packed sleeping bags are usually at the height in the rear cargo area where they would roll into the second row, hence the Raingler net. But I do keep the upper 60% or so of my rear view out the back window clear.

In a perfect world, my wife would drive the 4Runner, and I’d get a Tundra. But she was dead set on a Yukon XL, so I bought her one of those. She loves it and hates driving anything else. I could really use a truck though, so I may have to let go of the 4Runner.

 

Wow very impressive packing! And I thought I was half decent lol. Yea, cases for things helps alot I am sure. All our shit is mostly loose except clothes luggage bags, toiletries bag etc.

Wow, sorry to her about the Yukon buy, hope you have deep pockets or skill and time for repairs. I would not touch a GM product outside of a Corvette, Camaro, or Diesel truck. But that is my personal preference. To bad you could not get her in a Sequoia, good reliability and basically a Tundra with a shell lol.

I LOVE my Tundra, its exactly what I wanted minus the bigger gas tank, and keyless proximity door locks. (should have waited a few months for used market virus price drops, but who knew this nonsense would happen, right?)

It just needs lots of mods to make it more functional is all.
But that is part of the fun!
Buying mods instead of dealer trips, or repair work, what a tough life we have!

I do still own my Black 1998 SR5 4Runner 4x4, 300k miles. "The Black Sweat Box"
Everything still works, including AC, cruise, power windows, locks (mostly), and rear window, and it runs great, but I worked her hard and neglected her to much.
She is leaking from valve covers, power steering, rear axle seal, transfer case, rear brakes rotted from axle leak and gone, Tundra front struts are shot, Tundra brakes in front getting low on pads, rear cheap shocks worn out already, 2in ARB rear springs doing fine at least lol.

I plan to get her fixed up this winter maybe. Right now Tundra is eating my money faster than I can make it lol.

Rock on my man

 

Leaving for hatteras next Wednesday with new Tunrda. Thxs for. Write up!

 

Your welcome.
If you want more details, including the clothing optional laws, and nudist Beach hangout location on Ocracoke pm me..... If you just want gas prices and dine out conditions and best restaurants I can tell you that also.


I can tell you the ferry to Ocracoke is down to 50 mins this year thank god! It is also already crowded there. If going to Ocracoke on Sat or Sun get in line early, before 9am or wait in line for 2 hours or more. They were only running every hour when we were there last week.

As always watch your speed if coming in from Currituck County, Vai VA Beach, all the way to, and at your destination. Cops are out and running radar. Drive safe, don't drink and drive, and take your trash with you off the beach.

 

What happened to 3?

 

I don't understand what your asking?

 

LMAO, you got me.

I screwed that all up, good catch!

It is now corrected.

 

Have you considered a trailer? Even a Jeep type trailer would be a huge help and tow like
It wasn’t there, and military surplus ones are designed to go off road. I got an old Jeep ammo trailer for my Jeep TJ from a guy using it to haul firewood for $250

 

I have had excellent experience with GM vehicles. We got 260k miles out of our 2002 suburban on the original drivetrain. It drank a quart every 3k miles, which was annoying for sure.

I tried to talk her into a Sequoia, believe me. Her main gripe was the lack of cargo space when the third row is in use. And she has a point. It’s tiny. If Toyota made a “Sequoia XL”, we’d sell the GMC in a heartbeat.

No problems on the YXL though. We’re at 130k miles following scheduled maintenance. Of course, it also drinks a quart every 3k miles with that goofy AFM. But it has the HD trailering package, which is basically a tougher rear end and better cooling for trans and engine oil. I am reminded every time I work on it that it’s not a Toyota, but I have to admit it’s a sweet ride.

Enjoy that tundra!! I’m sure I’ll be in one sooner than later. Sorry for the derail!

 

Not a bad idea. It seems single axle trailers are allowed on the beach if they are not campers.

I do need a trailer, but an enclosed box kind for my other hobbies. Don't have room for even one at my current house, can't get 2 so this idea has to get shelved I'm afraid.

 

@Seafury
What about a @DECKEDUSA cargo system and a Leitner Designs cargo system with side storage. I have this setup as well as a CVT awning off the back of the Leitner rack so I always have shade. Do this and the ESP under seat storage and you should be good to go. Additionally, Blue ridge overland gear makes molle rear seat storage organizers that allow you to add storage pouches wherever you want on the backs of our seats for water bottles, cables, cords, etc.

 

Loving my @DECKEDUSA system that I installed two weeks ago. The storage is ridiculous and gives ample room up top for stacked tie down storage. With bed locked its totally secure...just not climate controlled.

 

My wife and I created the "perfect world" as you have described.

 

I live in South Carolina where it is very humid, rains all the time and is moldy. I have had zero issues with any gear stored in my decked drawers. And I have expensive hunting gear in there quite a bit. I have not had any water intrude into the drawers and I’ve run my truck through car washes, done the do it yourself pressure gun directly to the decked system and it has sat through multiple tropical storms and one hurricane (no garage).

 

Gas stations are like “”. Combined MPG is under 30 between both vehicles. I love it.

 

Ive been seeing 14.9 around town in the Tundra lately... and not sure what wifes 4runner gets... but I think its around 16-17... so you are pretty close.