Size comparison

[LastDayScout]

If the bed of the R1T was about a foot longer and the rear window rolled down, it would be near perfect!

Your Comanche is sweet, but we also need to remember that a 2500 is typically a work truck & tow vehicle. Some use cases for the 2500 would obviously be tough or impossible for a Comanche to accommodate (like HD towing). So, comes down to the right tool for the job. I owned a 2500 as a daily driver (once) when my towing needs increased... ONCE was enough!

Thank you for the compliment on the Comanche. I get it. Two different use cases. My issue is the overall size and that the GMC pictured does appear to be nothing more than a daily driver.

 

[LastDayScout]

We have a Maverick it could use another foot and a half in the bed department. Otherwise a great truck.

It seems like a winner for many use cases. If it wasn't successful, Toyota would not be thinking about bringing their competitor to market.

 

[cyure]

What’s your feeling after seeing them in person - do they feel smaller, bigger, or the same size as a Tahoe? I’m most concerned with the width because it’s such a hinderance on overgrown trails.

I have never driven a Tahoe. The last two years I have been test driving like crazy. The car I compared it to in my head was the Toyota Sequoia. The sequoia is essentially the same width. It’s 208 inches long. The Traveler is 190 plus 17 inches with the tire carrier. So essentially the same length as the Traveler just the last 17 inches are car instead of tire of that makes sense. I was comfortable driving and parking that car on my test drive so I’m not worried about the size. Now how that translates to trails I have absolutely no idea.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

Thank you, makes sense. I get a bit worried when I look at dimensions because thinking about wedging a vehicle in the width category of a Tahoe or Sequoia down tighter trails makes me take a step back. I’d have to either stop going to some of my favorite places, or be sure to always carry a saw, gloves, and hedge trimmer, OR be okay with a ton of Rocky Mountain pinstriping on the fresh paint. The last option sounds terrible. It also sounds a bit like nails on a chalkboard.

 

[LastDayScout]

Like my friend @cyure asks for yellow, I ask for a dimensional trim. Mostly a little narrower. Please, Scout, hear me.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

Like my friend @cyure asks for yellow, I ask for a dimensional trim. Mostly a little narrower. Please, Scout, hear me.

I could get on board with this. Sign me up.

 

[J Alynn]

Thank you, makes sense. I get a bit worried when I look at dimensions because thinking about wedging a vehicle in the width category of a Tahoe or Sequoia down tighter trails makes me take a step back. I’d have to either stop going to some of my favorite places, or be sure to always carry a saw, gloves, and hedge trimmer, OR be okay with a ton of Rocky Mountain pinstriping on the fresh paint. The last option sounds terrible. It also sounds a bit like nails on a chalkboard.

Having seen it in person and been around plenty of tahoes and Yukons I would say dimensionally the are VERY similar but as @cyure noted, the spare tire carrier is a big chunk of length so the traveler doesn’t feel anywhere near as big as Tahoe-visually anyway.

 

[LonnyMacD]

I have a Flex too! Here’s an outline I did of the two. Hope it helps!

View attachment 8604

That is actually very helpful. Thanks

 

[LonnyMacD]

Having seen it in person and been around plenty of tahoes and Yukons I would say dimensionally the are VERY similar but as @cyure noted, the spare tire carrier is a big chunk of length so the traveler doesn’t feel anywhere near as big as Tahoe-visually anyway.

For me, I’m not one to bring a Tahoe or a Yukon in back country. Too formal/expensive. They don’t seem like rugged type of vehicles, IMO.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

Having seen it in person and been around plenty of tahoes and Yukons I would say dimensionally the are VERY similar but as @cyure noted, the spare tire carrier is a big chunk of length so the traveler doesn’t feel anywhere near as big as Tahoe-visually anyway.

Thank you. Very helpful. Just not at all what I wanted to hear.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Thank you, makes sense. I get a bit worried when I look at dimensions because thinking about wedging a vehicle in the width category of a Tahoe or Sequoia down tighter trails makes me take a step back. I’d have to either stop going to some of my favorite places, or be sure to always carry a saw, gloves, and hedge trimmer, OR be okay with a ton of Rocky Mountain pinstriping on the fresh paint. The last option sounds terrible. It also sounds a bit like nails on a chalkboard.

This is my biggest struggle with supposedly off-road-capable EVs these days. They’re way too wide.

I’ve started bringing a DeWalt 60V chainsaw with extra batteries and charger when I know I’ll be in an area that might do more than a little pinstriping of my Lightning. But that doesn’t help in the canyons and rocks, just in the forest.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

This is my biggest struggle with supposedly off-road-capable EVs these days. They’re way too wide.

I’ve started bringing a DeWalt 60V chainsaw with extra batteries and charger when I know I’ll be in an area that might do more than a little pinstriping of my Lightning. But that doesn’t help in the canyons and rocks, just in the forest.

I’ve had the same experience as well.

I guess there’s always those magnetic “trail armor” sets that some companies produce. Unfortunately, IF any of those companies decide to produce a set I suspect they would cost in the neighborhood of $1,200.00 to $1,500.00 or more for the Terra or Traveler. If I had that kind of money laying around there are a lot of other mods I’d rather put that money toward. It also doesn’t prevent ALL trail pinstriping, it just keeps the bulk of them off since it doesn’t cover all exposed surfaces. Also wouldn’t work if there are aluminum panels.

 

[J Alynn]

Thank you. Very helpful. Just not at all what I wanted to hear.

Dimensions are what they are. Perception is what you believe it to be

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

It seems like a winner for many use cases. If it wasn't successful, Toyota would not be thinking about bringing their competitor to market.

I am very, very happy with the Lightning (except its size). If any brand released a 2015 Tacoma-sized or Gen3 4Runner-sized BEV pickup/SUV with ~320 miles range and for a reasonable price, we would probably find a way to trade the Lightning or the Mustang for it. I don’t need the 10k towing nor the cavernous cabin of the Lightning. I need a truck to haul loads, tow trailers, and run power tools on the ranch. We are very happy with the Mustang, but we got bit by the overlanding bug again now that we’re empty nesting, and a Gen3 4Runner-sized BEV SUV would be nearly perfect.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I’ve had the same experience as well.

I guess there’s always those magnetic “trail armor” sets that some companies produce. Unfortunately, IF any of those companies decide to produce a set I suspect they would cost in the neighborhood of $1,200.00 to $1,500.00 or more for the Terra or Traveler. If I had that kind of money laying around there are a lot of other mods I’d rather put that money toward. It also doesn’t prevent ALL trail pinstriping, it just keeps the bulk of them off since it doesn’t cover all exposed surfaces. Also wouldn’t work if there are aluminum panels.

I’ve never looked into the magnetic trail armor. Seemed more like a gimmick than helpful. Where we are there’s lots of dust and grime that collects on vehicles and I’d expect it to work its way in between the vehicle and the armor and cause more damage than without. And I’d have to wash the vehicle way too perfectly before applying.

I’ve considered this paint-on peelable product, but again, I’d have to detail the body before painting it on and… Well, I’m just not ever going to do that.

Paintshield 5720 | Peelable Temporary Car & Auto Paint

Enhance and protect your vehicle's finish with temporary car paint. PaintShield 5720 by GeneralChem is a peelable solution for added durability on the road.

generalchem.com

Paintshield 5720 to prevent desert pinstripes? Update: It works! DIY & Review

I thought it would make a super affordable and temporary barrier to pinstriping. I really want to go explore Big Bend State Park and unlike the NP it is unmaintained and very brushy. I could see 30-40 minutes to apply this as time well spent if it mitigates the thousands of scratches that place...

forum.ih8mud.com

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

I’ve never looked into the magnetic trail armor. Seemed more like a gimmick than helpful. Where we are there’s lots of dust and grim that collects on vehicles and I’d expect it to work its way in between the vehicle and the armor and cause more damage than without. And I’d have to wash the vehicle way too perfectly before applying.

I’ve considered this paint-on peelable product, but again, I’d have to detail the body before painting it on and… Well, I’m just not ever going to do that.

Paintshield 5720 | Peelable Temporary Car & Auto Paint

Enhance and protect your vehicle's finish with temporary car paint. PaintShield 5720 by GeneralChem is a peelable solution for added durability on the road.

generalchem.com

Paintshield 5720 to prevent desert pinstripes? Update: It works! DIY & Review

I thought it would make a super affordable and temporary barrier to pinstriping. I really want to go explore Big Bend State Park and unlike the NP it is unmaintained and very brushy. I could see 30-40 minutes to apply this as time well spent if it mitigates the thousands of scratches that place...

forum.ih8mud.com

Same here, I’ve never tried them because of all the reasons you listed as well as the high cost.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Same here, I’ve never tried them because of all the reasons you listed as well as the high cost.

So...

My solution has, historically, been to take the truck out the first weekend after I’ve bought it and given it its inaugural pinstripe purposefully.

Except I haven’t done that with the Lightning.

 

[Hedrock]

So...

My solution has, historically, been to take the truck out the first weekend after I’ve bought it and given it its inaugural pinstripe purposefully.

Except I haven’t done that with the Lightning.

First offroad trip with the Bronco, opened the drivers door directly into the point of a dead tree branch. Crazy how it actually made me relax knowing I had the first one out of the way.

 

[dreamweaver]

I’ve had the same experience as well.

I guess there’s always those magnetic “trail armor” sets that some companies produce. Unfortunately, IF any of those companies decide to produce a set I suspect they would cost in the neighborhood of $1,200.00 to $1,500.00 or more for the Terra or Traveler. If I had that kind of money laying around there are a lot of other mods I’d rather put that money toward. It also doesn’t prevent ALL trail pinstriping, it just keeps the bulk of them off since it doesn’t cover all exposed surfaces. Also wouldn’t work if there are aluminum panels.

Wow. Learn something every day. "Trail armor" interesting solution for trail rash. Who knew.

 

[pwrofgrayskull]

So...

My solution has, historically, been to take the truck out the first weekend after I’ve bought it and given it its inaugural pinstripe purposefully.

Except I haven’t done that with the Lightning.

I mean it’s an effective strategy…albeit a painful one. Definitely effective. My problem is I’d be trying to polish them out the next time I wash/wax/ceramic/detail.