The first 3 weeks of ownership

[Hondarider]

After and excruciating 3 months of waiting for my Trail Premium to be built and then shipped across the Pacific, through the Panama Canal, and up to Newark, NJ...it arrived 3 weeks ago.

 

[Hondarider]

I drove it for 4 days and then, with 84 miles on the odometer, I installed air bags in the rear end.

 

[Hondarider]

I drove it around for a week in an effort to accumulate break-in miles, but at 380 miles, it was time to go.

I packed my gear, aired up the bags, and mounted my XR650 on the back for the long ride from Massachusetts to Colorado.

 

[Hondarider]

2 days and 1900 miles later, we arrived in Estes Park, CO. The bike didn't move an inch, the rack never rattled, and the 4Runner handled completely normal despite high speeds, driving cross winds, torrential rain, road construction, and a few panic stops.

 

[Hondarider]

After a few days of winding mountain roads and lots of bumps, we arrived in Gunnison for a week of dirt biking in the mountains with some friends. Surprisingly, the bike was still in place and the Versahaul was still tight. The 4Runner handled normally through days of the twistiest roads that Colorado has to offer.

 

[Hondarider]

After a few days of riding, I encountered some technical difficulties with the bike and had to bring the front wheel to a local shop.

 

[Hondarider]

Not wanting to hold up the group while I waited for my wheel/tire to be repaired, I sent them out without me and I opted to try out the "Trail" portion of my 4Runner Trail Edition on Tin Cup Pass.

 

[GabrielM]

Nice truck and bike! Wish mine was that clean...

I drove it for 4 days and then, with 84 miles on the odometer, I installed air bags in the rear end.

Where did you mount the inflation valve?

 

[adoihcj]

Awesome thread! Looks like you're having some fun.

 

[dmauldin]

Trail pics, please!

 

[PricklyPete]

Nice. The 4Runner feels very at home in CO.

 

[Hondarider]

I utilized everything the 4Runner had to offer on this trail...rear locker...crawl control...terrain selector. Things were clicking and whirring and modulating as I forded the edge of Mirror Lake and then the rocky ascent to Tin Cup Pass. I will say that the skid plates took a bit of the beating and I buggered up 2 of my rims, but the 4Runner performed flawlessly.

Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures during the hairy sections of the trail. I was a bit preoccupied at those times.

 

[Hondarider]

I wish I could post larger pics. Here's the water crossing at Mirror Lake on the way up to Tin Cup Pass. In an effort to test the fording abilities of my 2 week old 4Runner, I stayed away from the edge and went out to sea.

 

[Lexusbstrdchild]

Very nice! Glad you got a chance to test it all out, props to you.

 

[mtomaro]

Nice truck and bike! Wish mine was that clean...

Where did you mount the inflation valve?

Also curious. Any pictures?

 

[Hondarider]

I actually have 2 inflation valves. The bags are not linked on this system. I installed them in the black ABS plastic, just behind the rear mud flaps, but close to the rear bumper. They point down and can be reached if you were to crouch down near the tail light assemblies. I opted away from drilling mounting holes in anything metal for fear of creating an opportunity for rust to begin. No pictures at the moment. I'll snap one later if I remember.

 

[Hondarider]

Moment of regret as I passed an almost exact duplicate of the Rubicon I traded in for my 4Runner...I love that orange color...however, I took solace in the fact that my trip from MA to CO was infinitely more enjoyable in the Toyota.

 

[Hondarider]

With tires aired down to 20psi, some parts of the trail were fairly smooth and scenic.

 

[Hondarider]

The GoPro is terrible at conveying just how steep a trail is. Everything looks flat from its perspective.

 

[Hondarider]

These rocks were much larger in real life.