BajaNomad

pop up camper

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 09:23 AM

question

I have a 2007 Tacoma ACC Cab, TRD off road package

presently I have a shell on it but thinking about going to a POP UP camper..

any one have some ideas about this and also what would I have to do with my suspension with the added weight

woody with a view - 8-31-2014 at 09:30 AM

air bags!

Russ - 8-31-2014 at 09:41 AM

If you're only going to camp for a few days or by yourself look int a flip top camper. They're light enough to leave on all the time. A neighbor down here has one and it's set up really comfortable and cargo is no trouble. Perfect for light trucks.
You'll probably have to copy & paste the URL below or just google flip top camper.

https://www.google.com.mx/search?q=fliptop+camper&ie=utf...:official&client=firefox-a&channel=sb&gfe_rd=cr&ei=3k4DVNHbNc7P8gf7h4CgCA

mojo_norte - 8-31-2014 at 10:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by desertcpl
question

I have a 2007 Tacoma ACC Cab, TRD off road package

presently I have a shell on it but thinking about going to a POP UP camper..

any one have some ideas about this and also what would I have to do with my suspension with the added weight


Air Bags . 4Wheel does a nice light very durable popup to fit Tacomas

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 10:21 AM

Russ
the flip up is a good idea,, but thinking I need to have a toilet in it, for the wife,, I might be asking to much for my Tacoma

mojo_norte - 8-31-2014 at 10:45 AM

http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/index.php/products/for-minim...

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 11:01 AM

thanks for the link,, nice campers

expensive

mojo_norte - 8-31-2014 at 11:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by desertcpl
thanks for the link,, nice campers

expensive


Yeah - a bit spendy but I think worth it if you do alot of rough road driving - the cheap ones tend to fall apart with that sort of use. You'll never have a problem finding someone to take it off your hands either.

Alm - 8-31-2014 at 11:30 AM

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.

mojo_norte - 8-31-2014 at 11:34 AM

He's got a Tacoma so not many 'fixed' overheads will fit and most are too heavy.

mojo_norte - 8-31-2014 at 11:50 AM

these are nice - don't forget your check book :)

http://www.livinlite.com/5_7-gallery.php

wessongroup - 8-31-2014 at 11:54 AM

Decisions .. decisions ... but, for a good cause

Good luck finding the best fit ... I'm sure you will find something

With all the folks here that do outdoor "stuff"

Just looked ... the guy across the street has had one of these for around 15 plus years ... he has one that is full sized ... and have heard nothing but good things about it

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/off-road-expeditions/guy-...

Here's one where someone is using the Tacoma ... hope it provides some information in your quest to the perfect camper for both you and your WIFE ...

Think most of us married folks knows how that goes ... I used to be a very basic camper or as described by the wife "primitive" ... prior to "marriage" ...

That all changed :lol::lol:

[Edited on 8-31-2014 by wessongroup]

woody with a view - 8-31-2014 at 12:18 PM

yeah, wife's get over HOBO CAMPING real quick! at least they are willing to go though.

Alm - 8-31-2014 at 01:56 PM

Yeah, Livinlite campers are somewhat "light", but not cheap. They are new, I think less than 5 years, so finding a good used model will be difficult. All metal, no wooden frame. Their travel trailers and 5-ers are not popular, same weight (if not heavier) as molded fiberglass boxes like Bigfoot, Escape, Casita etc, and higher cost. Smaller Livinlite campers don't have a toilet, and bigger campers with optional cassette toilet are quite heavy for a small truck. For 2 people it's a too small place to be inside, you can only sleep there. Cooking and doing dishes is more comfortable outside as well. To me this all is close to "hobo camping", slightly more comfort than in a tent.

It's going to be difficult to find a good camper for a small truck. Will be easier/cheaper to get a bigger truck, and a bigger camper. Though... from my observations, wives are rarely happy in any truck camper, maybe only until the age of 25-30. Then they need a trailer or 5-er, at least 26ft long, and with slides. So she can tuck herself in a "dinette slide" with reading or whatever, and you take a "living room slide", or vice versa. Less interaction, more peace.

[Edited on 8-31-2014 by Alm]

wessongroup - 8-31-2014 at 03:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
yeah, wife's get over HOBO CAMPING real quick! at least they are willing to go though.


Once I was properly trained, must say, it was better than sleeping in the dirt and a vast improvement in the quality of meals :lol::lol:

Not a popup camper, a 63 VW Bus .. with a queen bed and all the stuff under it .. .except the dog, water and the beer and maybe a few munchie's ... and it was a long way from $40,000 :biggrin:

msteve1014 - 8-31-2014 at 03:26 PM

Any camper on a small truck is going to be small. Don't under estimate your wife, mine has been quite happy in a 8 foot popup on a full size truck. It's just a place to get away from the flies and sun.

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 04:02 PM

all good points,,, for what we want, guess I will need a bigger truck,

or just break down and buy a Provost

durrelllrobert - 8-31-2014 at 04:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by desertcpl
Russ
the flip up is a good idea,, but thinking I need to have a toilet in it, for the wife,, I might be asking to much for my Tacoma


:?::?: The toilet or the wife :?::?:
Just kidding

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 04:41 PM

LOL

got to keep her happy as she is a keeper for sure

us8.jpg - 37kB

msteve1014 - 8-31-2014 at 04:43 PM

Sorry dude. You need a bigger truck and camper.;)

desertcpl - 8-31-2014 at 04:56 PM

:o:o:o

Whale-ista - 8-31-2014 at 05:24 PM

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]

bajabuddha - 9-2-2014 at 10:14 AM

The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':

David K - 9-2-2014 at 10:21 AM

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.

Mexitron - 9-2-2014 at 10:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':



Nice.....um, how you using the funnel though?

bajabuddha - 9-2-2014 at 11:19 AM

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.
:light: Necessity is the Mutha of invention.

[Edited on 9-2-2014 by bajabuddha]

desertcpl - 9-2-2014 at 03:13 PM

that's works

watizname - 9-2-2014 at 05:20 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajabuddha
The perfect answer to the wife's 'Small Camper Dilemma':






That thing is just plain NASTY:o:lol:

bajabuddha - 9-2-2014 at 05:47 PM

...ONLY 'TILL YOU NEED IT... :yes:

...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.
:P

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]

DianaT - 9-2-2014 at 05:57 PM

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.

Tomas Tierra - 9-2-2014 at 10:44 PM

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..