Print

Please login or register.
1 Hour 1 Day 1 Week 1 Month Forever
Login with username, password and session length

[Spawn Sack]

I've always wanted a truck and camper. A tent trailer/trailer wouldn't work as a lot of the lakes I like to get into require a fair bit of clearance (deactivated roads, etc) and I think anything on a trailer would get smashed to bits. Finally I'm in a financial position where I am thinking of selling my car and buying a truck, then camper at some point down the road. Right now we put our canoe on the roof of our 4Runner when we go camping/fishing and sleep in a tent - it's time to upgrade!

The truck I've always wanted is a Tachoma (V6 4WD). I pretty much have my heart set on one. If I determine they don't have the ability to carry the type of camper I want I would consider steping up to a Tundra (older body style preferably...new style is a bit too massive for my liking).

Anyway what I am struggling with is... I would hate to go out and buy a Tachoma, then find out that it lacks the ability to carry most campers I would consider purchasing. Come to think of it, I don't think I've ever seen a camper on a Tachoma! Down the road I would also like to buy a car top boat (12 footish) on a trailer, so the truck needs to be able to pull the boat and carry the camper.

I know a reasonable amount about trucks, but nothing about campers. Can you put a canoe or car top boat on top of a camper? If yes how in the heck do you get it on and off?

If someone could reccomend a good RV dealer (I live in Chilliwack) that would be awesome and I think a good place to start. I reckon the most sensible way to go about things is to go check out some campers, find out what the ones I like weigh, then find of the load/towing capacity of the Tachoma and if it could handle campers I like.

Anything I can do to avoid the situation of buying a truck, camper, and boat then finding out the truck is an absolute dog when carying/towing the two would be much appreciated!

[Spawn Sack]

I found an interesting looking "pop up" camper. I've never seen nor know anyone who has had one of these. They look pretty dorky but I suppouse one benifet would be access to the roof if you wanted to put a boat or canoe on top.

Here's a link:

http://www.fourwheelcampers.ca/models.htm#fit

[lucarno]

i love my 2000 taco trd. the new tacomas are butt ugly and bigger then the 1st gen. although they prolly have fancier new features and stuff. i'm able to squeeze through overgrown old logging roads and i don't need a big truck anyway. i sleep in my canopy on an elevated platform and store my gear underneath. never had a camper or pulled a trailer but i've talked to others that have and they said no problem. airbags in the rear would probably be a good idea. check out tacomaworld or 1 of the other forums there's loads of info. p.s.-get a trd with the locking differential. it's saved my butt plenty of times.

[patagonia]

Dont do the pop up camper, Northern Lite makes an awesome small lightweight camper for small trucks... you see them from time to time on Craigslist for around the $7000 range, they are worth the money, very light weight, good quality and never leak as they are a solid fiberglass shell.

[canso]

Look at the camper you want, and then decide on the truck.
Campers start at 3000lbs innless you get a pop-up or import style.
there are a few camper places along the freeway.
I saw a new 3/4 dodge crew cab for $34,000 (seems cheep)
19,500lb gross combined, and payload 3100lbs

[RG]

Dont do the pop up camper, Northern Lite makes an awesome small lightweight camper for small trucks... you see them from time to time on Craigslist for around the $7000 range, they are worth the money, very light weight, good quality and never leak as they are a solid fiberglass shell.

Yep, great camper.  A friend of mine has the Northern Lite 6'10" camper on his tacoma.

[Spawn Sack]

Thanks guys! Lucarno, I'll check out those websites. And yes I'd definitley want the locking rear diff - it's saved our butts a few times with our 4Runner. Patagonia, what's so bad about the pop ups??? Are they more prone to leaks? Not as warm?

I see that Oconnor is the Northern Lite dealer for the lower mainland. One of these days Ill go check out the ones made for smaller trucks like the Tacoma, etc. From there Ill go look at trucks and their specs and make sure they have enough payload + towing capacity.

The smaller NL and popups weight about 1000lbs. That doesnt seem too bad! Heck with 4 big adults + ski gear ive hauled that in my Matrix countless times! Obviously the center of gravity etc are factors that the potential truck would have to be able to handle without any  major issues.

[Spawn Sack]

Oh yeah and how in the heck do you get a car top boat or canoe on/off of a taller camper? I see the popups have roof racks as an option, and theyre low enough with the roof down that one/two ppl could get something on/off the roof without major issues. What abiut on a regular camper?! We struggle enough to get our big canoe on/off the roof of our 4runner. we just lift it on/off over our heads military press style No big deal for me but the misses struggles with her end.

Perhaps there is a simple way to do this with a camper. Ive seen boats on the roofs of camoers so there has to be some safe way of doing it...

[HOOK]

if the boat isnt too long just strap it against the back door. I've seen boats strapped against the back of campers this way before. I think they screw some sort of hook or plate for the boat to rest on and then just strap it down. you just wanna make sure its not sticking out over the roof catching all the wind

[Damien]

IMHO Tacomas are very overhyped and overpriced.  They are almost unchanged mechanically in almost 10 years.  The 4.0 makes less HP and TQ than the big 3's full sized trucks, and cost about the same while using the same amount of fuel.  Also, google the frame rust issue with the Taco's.

If you are planning trips up the Coq and through the mountains, you will love the extra power that a Silverado, Ram or F150 with a modern V8 will provide you.

One last thing, the modern V8s in the big three will likely use LESS gas than the Tacoma while carrying a camper as it will be working much less hard than the Taco's outdated and outgunned V6.

[rjs]

I had a sportsman import fiberglass pop up camper ! weighed in at 950 and had it on my f-150

only complaints about it was there was no room !!! had to sleep sideways on the lower bed and my son would sleep up on the bunk up top !

If I were looking for a new Truck in the half ton size I would really consider the f150 with the eco boost ! few people I know that have them or driven them said they were getting 30 mpg on the highway ! if true.... thats amazing as my dakota I have right now doesn't even get 20 mpg on the highway 

here's a pic of the sportsman pop top !

[Spawn Sack]

IMHO Tacomas are very overhyped and overpriced.  They are almost unchanged mechanically in almost 10 years.  The 4.0 makes less HP and TQ than the big 3's full sized trucks, and cost about the same while using the same amount of fuel.  Also, google the frame rust issue with the Taco's.

If you are planning trips up the Coq and through the mountains, you will love the extra power that a Silverado, Ram or F150 with a modern V8 will provide you.

One last thing, the modern V8s in the big three will likely use LESS gas than the Tacoma while carrying a camper as it will be working much less hard than the Taco's outdated and outgunned V6.

Hmmmm...I think you might want to check your #s on fuel mileage. We have a 08 4Runner with the same motor (4.0 V6) and we avg 650km to a tank mixed city/highway (about 60% hwy 40% around town). People I know with full size trucks average about 500km to the same size tank under the same driving conditions. That's about 25% better fuel mileage! I will not dispute that Toyota trucks are pricey but I'd take a 5 year old Tundra or Tacoma with no warranty (what I'm realistically looking at buying) over a similar Dodge, Ford, or GMC any day. Now if someone wanted to buy me a new truck with a full warranty and pay for my gas, then I would have now issues with driving a full sized truck from any of the Big 3.

Of course a mid sized truck like a Tacoma with a camper pulling a small boat? I gotta admit the idea worries me a bit and you're probably right it would likely suck more gas than a full sized V8 working much less hard. If I deem it the pragmatic choice I would consider the older body style tundra with the 4.7L V8, or even the newer body style with the 5.7L V8 (probably way more truck than I need). Too many buddies I know with domestic pick ups have had so many problems and if it weren't for the warranty the trucks would have cost them a small fortune in repairs. Seems most Tacoma's and other Toyota's just require routine maintenance and they run for 500,000km without  a hickup. 

[Spawn Sack]

I had a sportsman import fiberglass pop up camper ! weighed in at 950 and had it on my f-150

only complaints about it was there was no room !!! had to sleep sideways on the lower bed and my son would sleep up on the bunk up top !

If I were looking for a new Truck in the half ton size I would really consider the f150 with the eco boost ! few people I know that have them or driven them said they were getting 30 mpg on the highway ! if true.... thats amazing as my dakota I have right now doesn't even get 20 mpg on the highway 

Thanks for that. I'm definitley liking the looks of the Northern Lites more than the pop ups now. That being said I'm not going to make up my mind until I go check them out in person.

Our 4Runner with the same 4.0LV6 as the Tacoma averages 28mpg mixed city and highway. And that's with A/T tires. I suspect the Tacoma would get similar if not the same milage. I'm a bit worried that a Tamoma with even a 1000lb camper on, plus all the gear weight and towing a small cartop on a trailer would be overloaded. THEN I'm thinking the fuel milage would suck. I'll have to do my research and make sure I buy the right truck to handle the camper and boat I plan to buy down the road. I'm really hoping a Tacoma can pull it off.  If not Tundra it is!

[Damien]

You must have the best made 4.0 litre ever.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/toyota/tacoma/gas%20v6/truck

99% of users get between 14 and 24mpg.  Most are right around 17mpgs

Anyhoo, I'm not trying to sell you on a domestic.  But you can get a pretty loaded up, quad cab 4x4 F150 for $32K with a bumper to bumper warranty. 

http://www.fuelly.com/car/ford/f-150, most users are getting 16mpgs with newer F150s.

As you mentioned, a used Tundra is a great option too though.  Either way, I'd go V8 and skip the Taco.

[adecadelost]

Hey Spawn Sack
I'm a big advocate for the truck and camper route. Great for accessing those out of reach spots, everything all with you when you need it.  Plus great for long hauls when you're pulling into parking lots etc and you don't need to take up 6 parking stalls.

I bought a ford ranger 7 years ago and an import camper to go with it. It's an Adventurer 76R (which has now been discontinued.)  It's a great little rig, double bed up top table folds down to another double, sink, stove, heater and 2 way fridge.  That unit had gone a lot of places including up and down the coast to California at least once a year.  The bonus with this type of set-up is you have a smaller truck when the camper is off for commuting.

Most of these import size campers don't have a bathroom, which wasn't an issue for us, but may be to some.  It also reduces the weight by not having the tanks.  They do usually have a generous fresh water tank but do check on that as if you'll be off the beaten path for awhile it is something to consider.  The pop-ups are nice for the clearance but can get colder and do have a bigger risk of leaks.  As well, like tent trailers, they need to be aired out properly as if it's wet when it gets packed up they're can be an issue with mould building up.  We went with a full hard sized unit and use it year round.

A couple things to look for in a camper.  Go with a full one piece roof, this is where most of the leaks occur so get a one-piece roof.  If buying used, check the seals and caulking around the vents and windows make sure they have been kept up.  Check the height of the cab-over as you may need to add some wood or something to the truck bed to raise it up properly.

As for boats on the roof you can get roof racks and pitch a small canoe up top.  I often load kayaks and surfboards on ours so it's not a big issue.  However with something a bit bigger or for convenience I might suggest getting a boat loader.  Something like this. http://www.loadit.com/rear-boat-loader.html

All in all they are a great way to camp and I love ours.  I recently upgraded to a bigger truck and now I am torn on our little camper.  The wife wants to sell it and get something bigger but I love our little camper.  Plus they are getting harder to find and everyone i know that's owned one and sold it has regretted it later.

Hopefully that's of some help.