Your name: MJ
Location: Durango, CO
Rig nickname: Still waiting for the universe ( or memorable adventure) to present the right name! Anyone have any ideas?? Now usually referred to as the "taco" or "yota"
Vehicle Make & Model: Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport; 4-door, Long Bed
Year: 2017
Automatic or Manual: Automatic
HEST product: Dually Long + Pillows!
Critical dimensions for your bed platform:
Length: 6 ft bed which measures 72 “ and my Dually Long Mattress is 78” but fits perfectly on top of my Decked Drawers
Width (at narrowest point): 60-ish inches
Height: I got the extra “bump” or rise in my ARE camper shell for more headspace when sleeping on top of the Decked platform
Is this your daily driver or getaway car? All the things!
What do you like most about your rig?
I love that with very minimal planning or time packing I can literally roll out on adventures knowing that I have all the gear ready and organized, a reliable, super comfortable place to sleep and able to access any terrain without having to tow anything, pop up a tent or camper or be worried about 4 x 4 capabilities or clearance like you do in a van.
On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? How did you navigate gear storage needs into your rig set up?
My gear depends on the adventure and the season!
With my Decked Drawers I am able to neatly organize my gear.
In one drawer, I keep year-round gear for all my camping/tailgating necessities:
In the other drawer, I update seasonally and adjust depending on the adventure I’m headed out on.
In the Summer, I Mountain Bike, Fly Fish and Trail Run, so on any given day you could find:
- Bike Helmet, Gloves, Shoes & Pack
Then in the Winter, I plan on rigging that drawer out with all the goods for a day skiing followed by some tailgate apres.
Any cool custom details you’re proud of?
Every time I set up camp, I love turning on the Solar and LED lights that I strung inside. Feels cozy and inviting every time. I’m also really glad I spent the extra dollars to get the “windoors” on both sides of the camper shell, it’s really nice to pop those windows open on a warm summer night to see the stars and get cross ventilation.
Recently I added a Mountain Hatch to my tailgate which is a simple, but brilliant bonus to have a flat surface over the stocked ribbed tailgate cover that comes on all trucks.
Coolest place you’ve taken your rig to?
Lots of secret spots :) I always enjoy recapping another day skiing at Silverton Mountain with my friends in the parking lot over beers on the tailgate.
Any projects in the pipeline to get your rig even more adventure ready?
I cannot believe I’m typing this out, because I never thought I’d be this "type" of person ( aka never been *that* into wheels, etc.) but I really want some rad-looking black rims by Black Rhino. Maybe next year!
Biggest challenge in your build out?
Waiting for my camper shell to arrive due to pandemic supply chain issues and delays. I put in my DECKED drawers first which were sweet to have; but getting the camper shell made it feel more like an adventure home on wheels and presented more opportunities for me to customize the space as I had intended.
