YourMileageMayVary
Explorer
The experience of true world adventurers along with forums such as this one have sold me on the advantages and benefits of FWCs and ATCs.
In May I returned from a motorcycle adventure ride that took us from eastern Canada, through the US, Central and South America. After 3 months, “S” had to fly back to the real world and a real job. Meanwhile I made my way to Buenos Aires in time for the start of the Dakar and then rode down to Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world. I then zig-zaged my way back home. Over 60,000 km (~40,000 miles) on a BMW GS in just under 8 months.
Along the way I met many other adventurers riding around Central and South America (many, many more than you’d expect), and also many, mostly Europeans, traveling by Land Rovers, Toyotas and converted Mercedes military vehicles.
A wonderful Spanish couple, for example, shipped their naked Hilux to Halifax and searched of a FWC as they made their way through North America. When they couldn’t locate one before they headed into Mexico, they settled on a heavier wood-framed pop-up. They love traveling with it (they get to sleep in their own bed every night) but they often notice the weight of their abode, particularly in those hills called the Andes. As I write this, they are on a beach in Brazil.
“S” and I have been bitten by the adventure travel bug. I love the GS, there is nothing like it. But on long adventures I often wished for more comfort. Plus, my body often reminds me that I am not getting any younger.
So I’ve started shopping for 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma 4WD, manual transmission, extended cab. I’m looking to load it up with a FWC for future adventures. Engine and suspension modifications, if any, will be kept to a minimum. I’m not looking to build a rock crawler. A reliable real-world adventure traveler is what interests me.
When “S” is available to come along, we’ll be 2 adults traveling with our wonderful Labrador Retriever (360 lbs for the 3 of us). Jazz already has dibs on the extended cab.
My questions have to do with the 2.7 L four cylinder rated at 150 hp and 177 lb·ft of torque (Heck, the GS has 100 hp) vs the 3.4 L six cylinder (190 hp and 220 lb·ft).
I’m looking to tap into the experiences of owners of four cylinder Taco outfitted with an ATC or FWC.
1 - When you travel with your camper, how far do you usually venture?
2 - Why did you choose the four cylinder? Are you satisfied you made the proper decision?
3 - Do you have difficulty maintaining highway speed limits?
4 - If you were to get another, would you step up the the 6 cylinder? Why?
BTW, like many here, I too wish Toyota would have a diesel for the North American market. However, after riding in Central and South America, I appreciate our emissions regulations. There is a lot of air pollution on their highways and in many of their cities. After a day of riding our faces would often be black from soot. Diesel soot bellows out of buses and most vehicles. Some places are worst than others, but I was often concerned about what I was breathing.
Thanks in advance. The exchange of information and real world experiences in these forums is invaluable.
In May I returned from a motorcycle adventure ride that took us from eastern Canada, through the US, Central and South America. After 3 months, “S” had to fly back to the real world and a real job. Meanwhile I made my way to Buenos Aires in time for the start of the Dakar and then rode down to Ushuaia, the most southern city in the world. I then zig-zaged my way back home. Over 60,000 km (~40,000 miles) on a BMW GS in just under 8 months.
Along the way I met many other adventurers riding around Central and South America (many, many more than you’d expect), and also many, mostly Europeans, traveling by Land Rovers, Toyotas and converted Mercedes military vehicles.
A wonderful Spanish couple, for example, shipped their naked Hilux to Halifax and searched of a FWC as they made their way through North America. When they couldn’t locate one before they headed into Mexico, they settled on a heavier wood-framed pop-up. They love traveling with it (they get to sleep in their own bed every night) but they often notice the weight of their abode, particularly in those hills called the Andes. As I write this, they are on a beach in Brazil.
“S” and I have been bitten by the adventure travel bug. I love the GS, there is nothing like it. But on long adventures I often wished for more comfort. Plus, my body often reminds me that I am not getting any younger.
So I’ve started shopping for 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma 4WD, manual transmission, extended cab. I’m looking to load it up with a FWC for future adventures. Engine and suspension modifications, if any, will be kept to a minimum. I’m not looking to build a rock crawler. A reliable real-world adventure traveler is what interests me.
When “S” is available to come along, we’ll be 2 adults traveling with our wonderful Labrador Retriever (360 lbs for the 3 of us). Jazz already has dibs on the extended cab.
My questions have to do with the 2.7 L four cylinder rated at 150 hp and 177 lb·ft of torque (Heck, the GS has 100 hp) vs the 3.4 L six cylinder (190 hp and 220 lb·ft).
I’m looking to tap into the experiences of owners of four cylinder Taco outfitted with an ATC or FWC.
1 - When you travel with your camper, how far do you usually venture?
2 - Why did you choose the four cylinder? Are you satisfied you made the proper decision?
3 - Do you have difficulty maintaining highway speed limits?
4 - If you were to get another, would you step up the the 6 cylinder? Why?
BTW, like many here, I too wish Toyota would have a diesel for the North American market. However, after riding in Central and South America, I appreciate our emissions regulations. There is a lot of air pollution on their highways and in many of their cities. After a day of riding our faces would often be black from soot. Diesel soot bellows out of buses and most vehicles. Some places are worst than others, but I was often concerned about what I was breathing.
Thanks in advance. The exchange of information and real world experiences in these forums is invaluable.
