We Put the Tacoma to the Test at ‘Droptops & Dirt’

This seems too easy.

As I creep up a particularly steep and narrow bit of the trail, I have to turn the car towards the outside edge to get around an obstacle. I end up catching a bit more loose gravel than anticipated. Fortunately, the brakes hold us in place and we don’t fall into the ocean. That would not be ideal. I get back on the throttle quickly and that loose footing causes us to dig in a bit before the Tacoma hooks up and yanks us through.

That bit of wheel spin feels more like a reflection of the tires, not the Tacoma. The Tacoma TRD Pro rolls on TRD Pro 16-inch wheels. Those wheels are shod in a 265/70R16 Goodyear Wrangler All-Terrain Adventure tires. Tires that, might I add, have a Kevlar reinforcement. Fancy. Despite every word in the name of that tire sounding off-road ready, they feel geared much more towards the daily driver than the daily crawler.

Ah, the top of the hill, not a bad to place to be. No, wait…That sounds like the conclusion, not the middle; that part comes later.

Jokes aside, the peak of this particular trail offers a stunning view. Sometimes California rivals Texas when it comes to big open sky. This is one of those times. The Tacoma, in its Cavalry Blue suit, is a perfect pairing with the sunny Southern California sky.

What goes up must come down.

After letting the Tacoma bask in the light of the valley, it is time to hit the downhill. Here, I test the Tacoma Multi-Terrain Select System. This drive mode selector calibrates the Tacoma for different environments and challenges. Those terrain modes include Mud and Sand; Loose Rock; Rock and Dirt; Mogul; and Rock. This system also includes a speed-selectable crawl control offering five different speeds with which to crawl through, or over, whatever lies in your path.

I set the Tacoma to Rock and Dirt mode, and try setting the crawl control at it’s lowest setting — a perfect test of the truck’s capabilities as I approach the sharpest descent in the trail. I let my foot off the brake and let the Tacoma take the reins. The truck pulsates the ABS module, controlling each wheel individually, minimizing slip as we descend.

continued…

Jacob Stumph

Jake Stumph is a lifelong car enthusiast and racer, who has operated as the content editor for Internet Brands Automotive since 2015. He runs Corvette Forum, 6SpeedOnline, Honda-tech, and LS1tech, among other Internet Brands Automotive websites. His work has been featured by several other prominent automotive outlets, including Jalopnik and Autobytel.

He obtained a bachelor's degree in Political Science at the Ohio State University in 2013, then pivoted from covering politics and policy to writing about his automotive adventures, something that, he says, is a lot more fun. Since that time, he has established connections with most of the world's major automakers, as well as other key brands in the automotive industry.

He enjoys track days, drifting, and autocross, at least, when his cars are running right, which is uncommon. You can check out what he's up to on his YouTube channel, as well as his Jake Stumph Racing Instagram account. He can be reached via email at stumph.jake@gmail.com