Slide-in truck campers

Hi,

My goal is to camp/travel for several weeks each year. Summer 2015 will be driving to Alaska from western PA.

I have a 4x4, double cab, long bed Tacoma and am looking at slide in campers. It would be great to hear from those who have experience with truck campers. I have experience tent camping but like the idea of sleeping off the ground, not setting tent up and taking down, especially in wet weather.

What kind of camper do you have?
What, if any, modifications did you make to the truck to support the camper?
What do you like best? What would you like to change?
How does your camper tie down?
Other thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Thank you

 

What kind of camper do you have?
-Northern Lite 6'10" Import Camper

What, if any, modifications did you make to the truck to support the camper?
- I added Timbren SES HD bumpstops. When the camper is on, the back settles about an inch onto the bumpstops then basically rides on those. It makes for a surprisingly smooth and stable ride when the camper is on, and has not impact on the ride quality when the truck is not loaded. I am happy with this solution. It took 20 mins to install them and the were something like $150. I look to add a 2-2.5" lift in the future so this setup will change but I have been using it for almost a year and am happy with it. For what it's worth, I have the TRD Sport which has a little stiffer suspension than TRD off road, or the standard non TRD.

What do you like best?
morning sex with my hot wife on rainy days.

What would you like to change?
I would like to swap OZ's long bed for a short bed without him knowing.

How does your camper tie down?
I used Tork Lift mounts on front and jerry rigged a hitch insert for the rear. 2" insert with a 1.5" square that parallels the bumper welded to it, with anchor points at either end. In retrospect I probably should have just gone with Tork Lift front and back. I wanted to limit the amount of shit I bolted to the frame though - it's just a place for the paint and undercoating to wear off, and for salt and shit to collect and ruin my truck.

Other thoughts or suggestions welcome.
- Fiberglass campers. They cost a lot more but are much much lighter, don't develop leaky roofs, hold their value (like a boler) and are generally awesome. I paid about 6,000 for a 1992 camper and can probably sell it for that in 4 years. They run about 26,000 new before all the add-ons, but are found used and in perfect condition for under 10.
- 10 ply tires if you do get one. They will add piece of mind, blow out protection, and stiffen up the ride in a good way.

Have a look at my thread.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2n...t-slide-truck-camper-suspension-upgrades.html

Any questions feel free to ask.

 

Built my own because I wanted to keep the profile and weight down. I use happyjack spring loaded tiedowns on the front. The back is just bolted through bed into the frame. I added Rite-ride airbags and adjust the air pressure to maintain unloaded height.
http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/pr...-your-own-camper-trailer-glen-l-rv-plans.html
Pics of the tie downs.
http://www.expeditionportal.com/for...ups?p=1370510&highlight=tie+downs#post1370510

 

If I was gonna buy one I would get one of these

http://www.fourwh.com/popup-truck-camper-products/

 

Neverstuck,

Thanks for the info, had not thought about the fiberglass option and will look into it. Your thread is also helpful as I learn lots about my truck and future slide in. Well, many happy days of camping and fishing will be worth it!

 

Hi Oz,

Why do you suggest Four Wheel Campers?

I am heading out to look at Four Wheel Campers at a dealer that opened on the east coast a couple months ago, YEA! Truck campers are few and far between in this part of the country, mid Atlantic, east coast.

Most of my friends have not heard of them, once I describe the camper they seem to think I am a bit crazy to want to travel with one. It is going to be great!

Thanks

 

From doing some research they seem to be well made , offer great options and I like the idea that they collapse down for travel

 

Look up DRAINBUNG, ive seen his in person, its badass.

 

Had a 1994, I believe the last year they were made, Jayco sportster 7' pop up. Needed a pop up so it would fit in my garage. Weighed around 1200 lbs I think. OME Dakar's took care of the extra weight perfect. Used Torque Lift tie downs front and back. Would love to have it back but way to cozy when the second kid came. Fourwheel campers are awesome If it's in the budget, wasn't in mine.

 

I have a slide-in thats over 1200lbs. Drove from Pa to Co and back. Rode fine. Watched temp gage. No overtemp.

 

Had a class C for a few years, hated it. Sold it and went back to a folding trailer. I won't go back to a travel vehicle and living quarters in one situation.

 

You make a good point. I travel in summer and tow my VW trike on a trailer otherwise when I set up camp I would be stuck. I confess I have a lot to learn about traveling n camping.

 

Hi,

Late to this thread, but I have a 1994 Bigfoot 6-11 import camper (very similar to the NL 6-10 mentioned above). Dry weight is around 1080lbs, but the last owner took out the water heater and tank so probably weighs considerably less. It too is a 2-piece fiberglass clam shell design like the NL.

Only mods on my 2003 Taco were to add some Timbren SESs, which are great (see picture below - no sag - around $160 Cdn.). I have Billis tie downs in the front (specific to the 1st gen Taco) and a custom bar tie down which fits in the hitch.

 

Reviving an old thread. Definitely something I’m considering on doing. Looking to go full time in my truck and I don’t think my camper shell will cut it.

 

You can! You'll have to find a camper that will fit on your Tacoma that isn't overweight or too big, get a spray in bedliner like Line X (avoid camper sliding around in the bed, tie downs (popular ones are either Happi Jac or Torklift), upgraded leaf springs/shocks/16" wheels/Load range E tires.

This is my camper in the picture below. The upgraded 16" wheels, Load range E tires, spray in bedliner, & Torklift tie down installation will be coming later on next year.

 

I think I pretty much have everything you listed. The first thing I did to my truck (other than sound proof it and upgrade the sound system) was to Line X the bed. I just bought my 2nd pair of KO2’s , I do have the All pro expedition leaf springs but I think they’re only rated at 500 lbs, Id most likely have to call Alcan and get a custom pair based on the model I choose. I was looking at Overlanding campers and those things are not cheap at all!!! A good quality one is priced at around $40k! For that price I would just buy a T4R TRD pro...

 

Wicked thread revival.... but this option wasn’t around when the thread started so what the heck.

Here’s my Alu-Cab Khaya, 1100lbs wet, pops up so the profile is low for MPG’s and clearance. Indoor stove, sink, diesel furnace, hot water heater, 22 gallons fresh water, outdoor shower, 270 awning, privacy shelter, and with the addition of my newly acquired Wrappon Green Toilet it’s 100% an RV in a 5ft bed.

I’m running 7 OME leaf springs out back (+660lbs), plus a set of Firestone Ride Rites, and OME 886X coils up front. Runs great, only change coming is the 5.29 gears this spring.

I thought this was a great alternative with a bit more “Offroad” focus than a traditional camper, all aluminum construction, 200W solar, charging system it’s a really bombproof setup for what it is. We’ve been very happy.

 

Definitely going to check them out. How much are they(if you don’t mind me asking) on a ball park figure?

 

So they’re anywhere from 16k all the way up to almost 40k installed with Taxes paid... a lot I know. If you’re at all interested OK4WD’s website has a building tool that shows you all the options. Mine is very well set up but you can go more spartan too if that’s your thing. Either way it’s the most robust truck camper I’ve ever seen. Built to last a lifetime. I’ve been more than impressed so far.

 

This looks like a ton of fun but well out of my pay scale. Thanks for sharing @YOTA 4X4
https://ok4wd.com/camping-overland/alu-cab-canopy-camper-2005-toyota-tacoma