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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2394
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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Whale-ista
Super Nomad
Posts: 2009
Registered: 2-18-2013
Location: San Diego
Member Is Offline
Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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I had similar questions last year, and after some research here on Nomad and elsewhere, went with a Callen camper shell- taller than basic shells,
metal vs. fiberglass, no built in cabinetry etc..
They have sliding windows w/screens, crank-up top on roof, full width double wide doors for easy access/loading in back, small window into cab to pass
gear and small dogs, not people. Built to last. They are built out of steel frame with aluminum outer shell, insulation, faux wood panel interior, and
keep out Baja dust, wind, etc.
Not sure about weight but much less than ones w/built in cabinets, sinks, water tanks etc. But I usually camp solo- wld be pretty cramped for 2 to
sleep inside. And I did have air bags installed to smooth the ride when carrying lots of gear.
I installed it on a Mazda B4000- had a 4WD Ranger 10 yrs ago with a Leer fiberglass shell. It took a beating, cracked in some places and leaked dust
on the roads out to the coast from Hwy 1, so I opted for the Callen steel/aluminum design this time. No problems w/cracks, dust etc.
As for finding one: Callens used to be manufactured in San Diego so there are many used ones available locally. Not sure how many made it over to AZ.
Check CraigsList for used ones.
http://inlandempire.craigslist.org/rvs/4629202927.html
Mine is taller than cab high, with small storage (no bed) above. It is 8' long from cabover to rear door (I can carry a small kayak inside), 6' long
in bed of truck, about 60" tall so I can stand (hunched over) inside (I'm 5'7").
Basic, simple, strong, keeps me warm/out of wind in winter while whalewatching, tho a bit too warm in summer, but that's what
swimming/kayaking/Pacificos are for.
Happy hunting!
[Edited on 9-1-2014 by Whale-ista]
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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David K
Honored Nomad
Posts: 64490
Registered: 8-30-2002
Location: San Diego County
Member Is Offline
Mood: Have Baja Fever
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Ride Rite Air Springs (Bags) by Firestone were terrific when I added them to my 2005 Tacoma which had too soft rear leaf springs, and bottomed out
with heavy loads on bumps. The air bags worked perfectly to raise the truck to level and no more bottoming. I also upgraded the rear shocks to
Bilstein 5100s.
The Ride Rites never needed more than 35-40 psi with my biggest loads in the truck. Normal daily pressure was at 15 psi. Mine were installed at Off
Road Warehouse in Escondido. The 2010 Tacoma springs were much improved, so I haven't needed the Ride Rites added to it, but I have them from the 2005
when I traded it in.
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Mexitron
Ultra Nomad
Posts: 3397
Registered: 9-21-2003
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Member Is Offline
Mood: Happy!
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabuddha
The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':
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Nice.....um, how you using the funnel though?
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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funnel's for me... either goes into my gray-water dump via a small garden hose or the hose dug deep into the sand....
Under the seat a 5 gal. bail bucked fits perfectly, or for short camps a quickie cat-hole, works even in sand. When I had a camper, I fashioned a
small simple box-frame enclosure out of 3/4" PVC w/tarp and small bungies that attached to the side of the camper.
 Necessity is the Mutha of invention.
[Edited on 9-2-2014 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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desertcpl
Super Nomad
Posts: 2394
Registered: 10-26-2008
Location: yuma,az
Member Is Offline
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that's works
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watizname
Senior Nomad
Posts: 769
Registered: 8-7-2009
Member Is Offline
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| Quote: | Originally posted by bajabuddha
The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':
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That thing is just plain NASTY
I yam what I yam and that\'s all what I yam.
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bajabuddha
Banned
Posts: 4024
Registered: 4-12-2013
Location: Baja New Mexico
Member Is Offline
Mood: Always cranky unless medicated
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...ONLY 'TILL YOU NEED IT... 
...not to mention, it's over 30 years old, been to Cabo and 9,000' high elk hunts, and all points in between. I have a covey of women who will
testify to its' soundness, and please notice the arm-rests for comfort.
and post-post-script, I have a new seat in the carport for it, i'll replace it as soon as I finish filling out my P of A application form.
[Edited on 9-3-2014 by bajabuddha]
I don't have a BUCKET LIST, but I do have a F***- IT LIST a mile long!
86 - 45*
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DianaT
Select Nomad
Posts: 10020
Registered: 12-17-2004
Member Is Offline
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Not cheap and made to order
http://www.outfittermfg.com/campers/new-campers/caribou-lite
Check out the comparison sheet with the small 4Wheel camper. Many of the extras for 4Wheel are standard with the Outfitter.
This extra lite model is fairly new. We had the bigger Caribou on our older Tundra --- like loaded and we had air bags. Only problem we had was 2003
Tundras had the smaller brakes --- not good.
They only sell direct and really hold their resale value. They are making these for trucks like the Tacoma.
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Tomas Tierra
Super Nomad
Posts: 1281
Registered: 3-23-2005
Location: oxnard, ca
Member Is Offline
Mood: Tengo Flojera
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Alm
Make up your mind. Looked into this once, then decided that this is too much compromise with not enough comfort. It's difficult to make the right
choice of course when your partner has her own ideas.
Fixed camper is the cheapest, you can find one under $600, thought might need some fixing. Pop-ups are costly, the one in the link above is not the
most expensive yet. I don't think there is THAT much weight savings in a pop-up, compared to fixed camper of same length and width. 14ft-15ft cabover
pop-up would weigh 1,900-2,000 lbs and a lightweight fixed camper would be 2,000-2,100 lbs. Though a good lightweight camper - don't know, like
Bigfoot maybe - is usually a new-er model, you won't find it for $600. |
A four wheel pop up camper for your Tacoma will weigh under 700 lbs dry...and will last longer than your Toyota. My first four wheel camper lasted
through four toyotas and 12 years... And, I sold for more than I paid after those 12 Baja years! Currently on my fourth FWC.. None have had a toilet,
wife doesn't seem to mind yet
All terrain camper would get my money(if I had any) for a new buy though..
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