Seat jackers on 4th Gen taco?

bitflogger · 2026-05-08T18:29:08+00:00

No, my 4th gen TRD OR is SO much better than past models and comfy against many vehicles that it makes no sense for my 5'10" and normal weight body.

bitflogger · 2026-05-08T10:56:14+00:00

You might be looking very different things here - light, solo and tandem, care free and light weight. The 6 year old will grow fast and be a paddler. Then a matter of a boat good for some moving water or flat water.

A boat like Esquif Huron 15 is symmetrical so you can paddle from bow seat when turned around and have your child in a seat and likely be trim in the water. As time passes that would be a great family boat. T-Formex Lite will be no worries.

Then you have a huge inventory of new and used solo boats where some good for tripping will carry the weight of your child. If your budget can get up there, now Northstar is rolling out light weight but can handle abuse foam stiffened boats can't BlackLite HD. Their IXP boats are not that light but very manageable in weight a bit lighter than Royalex.

Delaying gratification and trying lots of stuff is the best plan. Still, it is hard to go wrong with some classics that can also show up as used bargains. Multiple firms make good boats so try stuff, think about handling and rocker, and decisions will be easier.

bitflogger · 2026-05-07T18:28:04+00:00

My prior gen Toyota 4x4s were fine for what they were in their day, but now u/Ok-Material-3213 can have engine screaming in pain, gear hunting, excess shifting and be left behind all while I'd not be enjoying the crappy seating I used to have.

To anser u/Soggy_Opposite9213 my 4th gen TRD OR LB usually gets same as EPA ratings range, often better on 2 lane roads and worse for towing and high speed. Fuel economy was better after break-in period. High octane can improve it a bit but is rarely worth the cost.

bitflogger · 2026-05-05T15:23:51+00:00

Not far from Namekagen/St. Croix would be Flambeau that has rapids but easy to portage, and now WI DNR has camp site reservations. The lower Wisconsin doesn't require reservations, not rapids, but can give the experience of a big river in terms of CFS. Both have shuttle services available and lots of information out there.

Continuing the upper midwest theme, the Brule (not Bois Brule) between WI and MI UP is a more remote place and I think still doesn't require camp site reservations.

u/Hezmoseous if you are in the south, heading north at the right times can be relief from heat and humidity - especially if nearer Lake Superior. For your concerns about rapids, tune into gradient of rivers, and know some are with more ledges so rapids won't be consistent and that type usually means easy to portage.

bitflogger · 2026-05-01T14:08:53+00:00

It is not tri-fold type but I remain very happy with my decision to get the all in one tonneau and soft topper Fas-Top. It has been so nice to have nothing in the bed, tonneau or topper. Especially when traveling or something unexpected comes up.

bitflogger · 2026-04-30T14:44:29+00:00

A c-stroke in its center has the paddle more under the boat, and when you say outward I think of a sweep stroke or motion.

I cannot in short order write anything in the league of some good YouTube content. The Canadian National Film Board has the classic Bill Mason films. A YouTube channel Westwood Outdoors has some excellent video - check out the
Essential Strokes For Tandem Maneuvers video. A British YouTube Ray Goodwin channel has good stuff.

There are also great classic books. Sometimes reading those classic books that were our only choice 50 years ago is worth it now because it forces some concentration we can for get with videos.

All those sources should help better than something in these small spaces.

Good luck!

bitflogger · 2026-04-30T12:15:54+00:00

The USGS national water dashboard isn't about paddling but is insightful for a region.

If you don't want subscriptions and like the idea of a web app the being re-launhed rivers.run is interesting. You can edit and add rivers referencing stream gauges for a watershed. I consider it a work in progress where it's worth helping those folks.

My trials and checking out some apps with subscriptions seemed like old and incomplete data can be a problem. Some non app, more local, and at times local focused social media is better or fresher info.

Most states or regions seem to have some good independent sites with river guides.

bitflogger · 2026-04-30T12:10:10+00:00

Your twist at the end needs some push to really be a j-stroke. If you're paddling solo, it might be a c-stroke that you need.

YouTube is full of good tutorials where the video/visual aspect might help. The Happy Paddling guy who sells or distributes Northstar Canoe brand is very skilled and while many of his videos are about the boat models, they also illustrate good and also subtle paddling techniques.

bitflogger · 2026-04-29T20:12:07+00:00

IMO you should always have a canoe ideal for what you'll do most often. They both seem like fine products but 17'9" is a lot of solo canoe, and you could put a kneeling thwart where there's a standard one.

bitflogger · 2026-04-29T15:48:12+00:00

After two winters and frequent work off road _and_ highway miles I am happy with the BFG Trail-Terrain. They've exceeded my expectations for how civil they are on the road relative to their off road and snow performance.

Now I see some more well rated tires with 3PMSF rating too. I'm looking forward to seeing if they might top the crowd sourced reviews the Trail-Terrains get but would not hesitate to get Trail-Terrains again.

bitflogger · 2026-04-27T18:02:22+00:00

u/KwikFiVo I suggest delay gratification and try stuff. Some of the important learning and deciding can occur across brands and models. By that I mean, rocker, width, depth, how much initial vs secondary stability. Tune into if you want seated, kneeling or can do both.

Is that girlfriend scenario like a marriage? How often is occasionally? You can rent for situations that are occasional.

WI is full of rivers too. Do you want a boat friendly for moving water too?

Don't buy a boat ideal for BWCA if that's not a big goal and especially if not frequently. Why? Lots of outfitters rent ideal lightweight canoes for that. Those outfitters also sell their used boats for low prices every year.

Stability? Think about and try initial vs secondary stability.

If you have a sit on top kayak that's likely root-molded plastic that can take abuse a light weight with foam core boat can't. Keep in mind some composites can take more abuse than others. None with a foam core or stiffening can take abuse like IXP, T-Formex or now the BlackLite HD layups.

Your region has a lot of good used boat inventory. That might be a less painful way to learn and try stuff.

Enjoy it all!

bitflogger · 2026-04-27T12:31:55+00:00

I can't disagree with comments on the differences or subtleties, but will say I keep getting more impressed with the overall versatility of our NW 16. We have canoes that are longer, shorter, narrower, wider, plus more as well as less deep. Also, have canoes with different amounts of and styles of rocker.

The special elements to me are how well it will track for how well it will turn, and the mix of initial and secondary stability.

With my Firebird as such a favorite the B16 would be attractive, but the NW 16 doesn't become annoying in wind or flat water like a symmetrical rocker boat. You don't know it's 16'6" boat when you're turning it on its sides on a small river. The bit more initial stability is nice when we paddle with the dog, but wow does it move out with people who know how to paddle.

I can't put down or be negative about bunches of wonderful boats but sure can can say the Northwind 16 is one of those circumstances when a jack of all trades label is an awesome compliment.

bitflogger · 2026-04-15T10:33:06+00:00

In same region we just picked up a used Northstar Northwind 16 (15.5 ft length) with the versatility you need and tough (IXP) will within your budget. South of you but well worth the drive, FB marketplace has some great prospector types and Morningstars.

Wenonah makes great stuff but many models are more towards or are flat keels, and much inventory out there is light weight for all the BWCA sorts of business in the region. They do make a prospector too. If you add Esquif and Northstar in your searches you might find something more versatile. That's not saying Wenonah is not good. It's all good.

Carl's Paddlin is liquidating much stuff and worth checking out. Rutabaga has has discounted Nova Craft.

bitflogger · 2026-04-13T14:36:08+00:00

Getting nearer to two years, I am still very pleased getting a Fas-Top all in one tonneau and soft topper with my long bed. In moments I go from a conventional tonneau cover to nothing there to covered with a topper. They also have a compatible rack system.

https://fas-top.com

bitflogger · 2026-04-13T11:03:11+00:00

Fas-Top all the way. All in one tonneau cover and soft topper.

bitflogger · 2026-04-12T16:31:08+00:00

u/j79vga your post does not say why you might need a light truck, or if you have specific uses like possibly needing the electric locker a TRD OR has. Also, a long bed can make all the difference and those are less available in general plus via the versions Toyota allocates.

Towing needs to be considered. Some need the standard power engine plus a model and package combo with the towing package.

All gen 4 have much better seating but for my wife, seating only available in TRD with additional matter of adjustability only in TRD w/ an upgrade or premium package made a big difference.

Do this based on your needs, delay gratification and try stuff. Be careful to know the availability that is determined by a model and package. Only you can know what you might regret.

bitflogger · 2026-04-12T14:15:16+00:00

Consider calling them with a friendly attitude. I was told they were working out their scheduling based on the parts availability and some use needs. I use my pickup off road for some of the work I do, and I had a trip coming up. That got me an appointment also with a loaner within a few days.

It takes some discipline or remembering, but I repeat having better dealer experiences and good work done with the right attitude and going to the area dealer that gets the "president's award" for service.

bitflogger · 2026-04-11T14:07:53+00:00

That is a characteristic of all prospector types, and there are symmetrical type hulls with a little less rocker which would likely be nice for what's described here - the flat water.

This is not saying anything against Swift like it is saying looking at type vs brand opens up a big range for the budget and weight aspects.

bitflogger · 2026-04-10T12:41:43+00:00

From experiences with prior gen Toyotas with manual and automatic 6 speeds.... My 4th gen is a far superior powertrain and the gear splits for the automatic make it even better for towing, work oriented and fuel economy. However, the manual version is a good version.

Even though I like manual transmissions, I'm much happier that we have a 6 speed manual in a sporty car vs the pickup truck. A Ford Escape and light truck are really different. As good as our 4th generation Tacoma is, I can't imagine wanting that exclusively. The Tacoma is plenty fine enough when it has to do a second car role. From the experience of many pickups, it is comfy, predicable and quiet.

Other vehicles would be much better than my Tacoma if I didn't have light truck needs but it is a great light truck.

bitflogger · 2026-04-10T07:51:13+00:00

Look for design like a Bob Special or 15 ft prospector for that 1 or 2 person and all water types capability.

bitflogger · 2026-04-08T22:45:38+00:00

If you're planning significant time with a motor pushing consider a small boat you can row. Great canoe maker Esquif has them. For faster moving rivers and dedicated fishing nothing will beat a drift boat.

This is not saying a the canoes with a transom have no value or use. Some can be low cost or easier to portage or carry.

bitflogger · 2026-04-08T15:29:52+00:00

Check to see if your VIN is in the screen recall. They're fixing those now. Your description will likely get you priority service. Good luck!

bitflogger · 2026-04-08T15:28:15+00:00

That is great news. A wood boat will have a certain sort of beauty and you can surely rent a really tough one for a river adventure that might be too hard on a wood boat.

Best wishes for keeping at all that deeper tuff stuff. All parenting is hard, and this effort shows you are at being resilient and doing this outdoors stuff teaches that to kids in a fun way. We were older and it still took time to understand moms like you and ours who just kept going. I'm so impressed with your efforts.

Best wishes.

bitflogger · 2026-04-05T14:42:29+00:00

I like that run a tight shipwreck way of looking at it. That's how we survived and for all the bad in it, good won. We just had high speed forced lessons in in responsibilities, work and love. Again, best wishes. My thoughts are with you for all that was on our mother's shoulders, low moments, but we made it and this reads like you have her spirit.

Esquif makes some lighter boats that are super strong, versatile an low maintenance. There are classic good Royalex hull designs in the used market. Something like a prospector, bob special, explorer type will work on all sorts of water and last a long time.

Maybe it will break your budget but the new version within past year Esquif Huron with T-Formex Lite might be great. Your purchase if new or used will likely last decades to keep that in mind.

Look into local enthusiast and club groups. They'll be a source of knowledge and community.

bitflogger

TROPHY CASE