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Andy Cochrane is a multiple-sport adventurer and expedition athlete who is now home-based in Bend, Oregon, though he says the lessons aren’t easily forgotten from the five years he spent roaming the west, racking up a quarter-million miles living out of his 2015 Tacoma. He still relies on the same truck: “It could take me almost anywhere, was ready at a moment’s notice, and got me home safely.” Here’s how he stays ready for everyday adventure.
Add storage. You don’t need a full house-on-wheels to have a great camping experience, but you’ll likely want more storage. A few simple accessory upgrades can turn your truck into the perfect weekend platform. A dependable drawer system in the bed helps keep gear organized and separates wet and dry items. A burly hitch rack keeps your bikes secure even on the worst roads. Also, a rugged rooftop storage box will add space for long and odd shapes, like skis, fishing poles, and paddling gear. Collectively, these allow you to tackle more adventures in the same weekend.
Less is more. The overlanding crowd loves aftermarket mods, but in reality very few actually use them. Instead of spending thousands on accessories—the above-mentioned storage options notwithstanding—invest your money into permits, snacks, gas, and campsites. Your truck may already come with standard off-road technology and a set of reliable all-terrain or rugged-terrain tires for traction on sand, dirt, and snow. So, you can likely just keep it stock.
When you’re always ready for adventure but never know what nature will throw at you next, lean on this updated legend’s ready-for-anything design. (Photo: Toyota)
Block your calendar. Planning trips is never easy, and the first step is the most critical: block it off on everyone’s calendar. This creates a collective reminder every time anyone opens the app and answers all the annoying questions about dates and times. Trips with a lot of people can be overwhelming to get rolling, and this trick makes preparation that much easier.
Download offline maps. Just as important as any piece of physical gear is a set of digital maps, downloaded ahead of time. There are plenty of good apps for this. The most important features I rely on: high-resolution satellite imagery, reliable delineation of roads and trails, public and private land info, and offline maps for use without cell service. There’s a fine line between adventure and chaos, and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of it.
Unlock your backyard. Many of my all-time favorite adventures happened just a few hours from home. In an era of increasingly affordable international travel, local spots are often forgotten. I’ve found plenty of hidden gems by driving down BLM back roads. The only price you have to pay is a willingness to run into a few dead ends and learning to make that part of the adventure.
Go big and go now with available features that include enhanced off-road capability, plentiful utility extras that make toting (and towing) toys a whole lot easier, plus premium technology perks. (Photo: Toyota)
The 2024 Toyota Tacoma delivers trail-dominating power, legendary capability and captivating style. Time to make all your off-roading dreams come true.
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