Car Camping / Trip Reports / Photos / Buildouts / “Overland” / Expedition Rigs Area (homeless?)

Me too. I haven't been backpacking in way too many years. I think it is time to pull out the backpack do an overnighter.

We got our offroad teardrop a couple of years ago. At the time, it felt like I was "wimping out", being that I have always slept on the ground. Well, I must admit, sleeping off the ground sure is comfortable - and dry in the rain.

Maybe it's age - in my 20's and 30's I never even thought about sleeping in a trailer. Have backpack, will travel. But, now, having a nice kitchen really makes cooking easier and more enjoyable.

Towing a trailer is not difficult, you just have to think about the trail a little differently. And, you can't always turn around where ever you want to - you may need to disconnect the trailer. But, these days, I am usually not in a hurry when in the backcountry, so it doesn't make that much difference.

I suggest having brakes on the trailer - a trailer will push you down the hill (into a line you didn't want) but trailer brakes help control the descents.

 

I see that you're in Georgia. I've never been so I'm just speculating, but your trails are probably not as tight as ours? My DCLB taco has to do some multi point turns quite often.. I just can't imagine doing that with a trailer in tow. It might not be as bad as I think though. Added concern is it acting like an anchor in boggy terrain (if you've seen most recent season of expedition overland that's a good example of what I mean)

Trailer brakes for sure. I'll also try to keep weight in mind when making build decisions... a lot of the DIY ones I've seen on expedition portal seem overly heavy

 

Some Georgia trails are tight. I have not pulled a trailer on those. I am usually on not-as-technical trails when I have the trailer. I have been on many trails in the West with the trailer - Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona. You have to be careful with multi-point turns - a long trailer tongue that lets you turn to 90* really helps.

I have seen the latest season of XO, and yes, a trailer does act like an anchor. Even in sand...

My trailer is around 1200 lbs - I try to keep the weight down. Take a look at my build thread (link in sig) - you might get some ideas for your build.

 

Additional benefits of our teardrop (for me):

Easier and faster to get out the door (at least in theory!) Bedding is packed, kitchen is packed. We need food, water and clothes, and are out the door. (That is the theory - sometimes it still seems to take hours to get out the door...)

When traveling across the country, we can pull into a campground (such as a KOA), park, sleep, wake up, and hit the road. No setup or teardown. I do not like established campgrounds, but, as it turns out, they are usually preferable to hotel stays when on the road. More of a "road trip" experience.

The kitchen is great! I/we can cook as easily (more or less) as at home. Great food means great camping.

No wet tent to put up in the morning.

Expedition style camping (different camp every night) is easier. I also have a 10x10 Kodiak tent - a great tent, but heavy. Setting it up and tearing down every day is a lot of work. Standing up is nice, though - something I cannot do in the teardrop.

Yes, I am going to say this - the coolness factor! It sits up high, same wheels and tires as the truck. It looks good. Now, this is not about looks, it's about high quality camping. But it still looks cool!

 

Purchased this RTT, needed some TLC. Got it back and in working condition. Now awaiting a custom bed rack to wrap around the topper for added support and to bring it closer to the roof line so I can fit in my garage!

 

Diggin this truck.

 

Thank you!

 

When did you swap front ends? Or did I miss that

 

Did it three months or so ago! I haven't been on here much as I've been out of the country. Can't remember if I posted stuff on the 1st gen. section or not!

 

Ah that makes sense. I don't think so but I could be wrong

 

VERY much into this truck.

 

Thank you so much!

 

Build thread?

 

I'm not on here much, but I tried starting one!
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tgs-taco.399669/

 

Cool. I've got a soft spot for the 1st gen. Ended up buying a 2nd gen because I wasn't able to find a clean 1st gen at the time and needed extra space for a kids seat. Still wish I had a 1st.

 

First gen FTW

...but I'm slightly biased

 

Super fun truck to have and does the job! Glad you enjoy the work put into it!

 

Have you looked at West Marine or Blue Sea?

 

I have not looked into it to much more then that. I have been working on other projects and what not and i am still waiting on a tool box to show up for the rack that that plug would be going in... have not seen that yet. Ill have to do some more digging though and see if i can add anything to the growing parts pile that needs to pe but onto the truck..