Toyota Trucks Drive Camp at Barnsley Gardens

2014 Tundra and 2013 Tacoma comparison

NEW for 2014 is the Tundra tailgate stamp - Neat!!

NEW redesigned rear seats fold UP !!

Ready to fly fish at the Fushin' Hole

What is brand loyalty? This is hard to define in today’s one and done, quick in and out high-tech world. My version includes proudly riding around in my 1998 Toyota Tacoma pick-up truck that has racked up 400,000-miles criss-crossing roadways and farms. My invitation to the recent Toyota Trucks Drive Camp began with a mission of test-driving a 2013 Toyota Tacoma X-runner to Adairsville, Georgia. The antebellum plantation there started by Godfrey Barnsley in the 1850’s is now known as Barnsley Gardens Resort. Event planner Pat Hill has a unique understanding of the outdoors and hand-picked this location for the Toyota Truck Drive Camp. He assembled a fleet of not-yet-for-sale 2014 Tundra pick-ups for a select group of automobile media members to test drive. Toyota surprised us by having a 2014 4Runner on hand to drive for comparison on the off road course. Once checked in to our rooms, we assembled for a multi-media presentation about the 2014 Toyota Tundra, and the five different grades it is offered in. Bill Fay is a Toyota executive who flew in from California to speak, and he began with a brief history lesson. “The first 4Runner went on sale in 1984, and the first Tacoma in 1995,” said Fey. “These trucks brought a lot of new consumers to our brand, and that same group has stuck with us.” No spotlight came my way, but I clearly was part of the demographic he was referencing. “The Tundra came out in 1999, giving us both a full-size pick up and a mid-size pick up option,” said Fay. “Toyota remains committed to a two-truck approach and this year we have more options available for the half-ton Tundra than ever before. Of course, with over 2 million 4Runners sold, we will continue to offer it as a mid-sized SUV with a Body On Frame design, which offers more flex over uneven ground.” The presentation continued when the Toyota Product Communications experts took over. Rachel Deurloo and Andy Lam took turns explaining how both Tundra and Tacoma are Made in the USA in San Antonio, Texas. And that Toyota partners with the Hiring Our Heroes program to give veterans good jobs. Also that the 2014 Tundra has the cutting edge EnTune audio system that allows a modern customer interface using Bluetooth wireless, offering satellite radio and even access to your favorite Apps. When the presentation was complete, it was finally time to drive the 2014 Tundra. Heading over to the off-road course at Spring Bank Plantation I was tasked with taking the new 1794-edition Tundra over the red clay and rock. This is the high-end version of Tundra that is named after the year the ranch was founded where the truck plant in San Antonio is now located. The 1794 has a more Western style and flair, plus all the bells and whistles of a high-end vehicle and it boasts the larger 5.7-liter V-8 engine. The evening concluded with a Southern meal in an outdoors setting, alongside the ruins of the old Barnsley Manor. My own engine of Southern pride was hitting on all cylinders as I ate field peas and fondly recalled driving these trucks off road. Guests were to depart first thing the next day, but not before I cast a line into the fishing hole next to my room. Nothing, not a nibble and not a bite, but that’s fishing!  I’ll try those fish again later, and my Toyota truck will be with me.

To view my feature article in the newspaper click on Colletonian.

To view past blog entries from East Coast Drive Camp click here.