Tacoma Habitat AT

I feel it's like a definite nono to cook inside the tent. always outside and if possible covering the entrance and with the windows closed. food usually has oils that are aerosolized that land on porous surfaces like fabric mattress and carpet and end up being notoriously difficult to clean. also considering the relatively massive square footage and height of the tent, it would make it an extreme hassle to clean it. and most likely only mild detergents would only be recommended to clean the fabric as degreasers necessary to remove caked on cooking grease would negatively impact the tent material.

But you know, your tent, you're the king.

 

Has anyone had the problem of the seam glue being stuck in some of the side panel zippers? I have some glue in my zippers and can't pass the zipper all the way to open some of the panels. Any solutions to this issue?

 

I see what you're saying kalieaire, and that reasoning makes sense to me but haven't people done this for years in Sportsmobiles, VW Westfalia's, 4 wheel campers and other small, enclosed, soft-sided camping rigs? For that matter, even traditional RV's and boats have fabric mattresses and carpet and people cook inside of those all the time.

I get what you're saying. Even residential kitchens are susceptible to grease damage if someone goes to town with a fryer. Frying anything inside of a Habitat or really anywhere besides a commercial kitchen is probably not advised. But surely you wouldn't be opposed to boiling water to make coffee or rehydrate a Mountain House in your Habitat?

 

I had the same issue. I just kept pulling the zipper back and forth and removing little pieces of the seam sealer (glue) from the zipper. It took a while but eventually worked.

 

The original question was looking for personal opinions, to which I am offering my own.

Cooking equipment is indeed included in certain builds of the vehicles you had mentioned, but in reality, after living in them or even cooking in them after a week long trip begins to smell. Some people don't mind the odor or the stickiness, but I do. That's a personal preference.

Spotless Westys command a high valuation.

http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=91

Westys that are in crap condition command a crap valuation.

I'll boil water, but will not make anything with a high concentration of aromatic oils. Coffee is heavy with oils and I generally would eat outside with the group since there is plenty of room outside. Cooking and handling any food and beverage outside would limit the chances of spillage internally.

 

Thanks for the responses, it helps me decide how im going to build interior.

Wish there were more activity in this thread, I have so many questions, Habitat is almost done and I should be able to drive down to Prescott for installation within a couple weeks. Any ideas how many Tacoma owners have the habitat?

What do you guys think about using peel an stick carpet tiles for the interior?

Any of you guys have a picture of the inside of your bed with habitat closed?

I am going to buy a used camper shell on craigslist and take the windows out of it and install in the Habitat, is their any limitation regarding height for side windows? While looking through pictures it seems the earliest habitats had a white panel siding, the newer ones appear to have a pressed aluminum siding that might prohibit a window that doesn't fit in the pressed area if that makes sense. But I also thought I saw some habitats that are completely smooth on the sides, Which I would think are the easiest to mount a window on because of the lack of limitations on size, is that how they are making all of them now?



I know I could ask Adventure trailers all these questions, but figure it is just as good to ask here where people have first hand experience with use on the Tacoma.

Thanks!

 

• A number of people have habitats now, it's just that they aren't social media or internet forum savvy
• Peel and stick is fine, but I used the cheapest carpet available at Lowe's for 45 cents/square foot and used 3M #90 spray adhesive and it worked out fine. I have a crease that I couldn't care less about
• I use OxyLED Undercabinet Lighting around the sides. It's ~$30 bucks for the lights and then another 10-15 bucks for a 12VDC => 24VDC regulator that I wired up so it works. They dim and it's plenty bright as downlighting
• There are RV building forums if you're curious about what parts to buy. There are even Custom RV Conversion companies that can help you pick out the right windows without you needing to buy a camper shell to intentionally wreck.
• But yes, you should ask adventure trailers, they're incredibly helpful in places that they can help. Like anything else on our trucks, they're completely customizable, it's just a question of funds, time, and imagination

 

Did you brush the sealant on from the inside or outside of the tent? I use GE silicone II mixed approximately 1:2 with mineral spirits and apply along the seam on the exterior with a foam brush. One application is usually enough, but sometimes you might have to go back with another coat after 24-48 hours, particularly along seams that are under tension. It's kind of crazy to me that dealers selling $12k outdoor gear aren't comfortable performing something routine as seam sealing. Good luck, and I hope you get your issue resolved. Seems like a great setup otherwise.

 

So, anyone else have the 4 front rivets near the cab come out? I'm missing 3/4 now. Need to ask AT about it.

 

There are a few online retailers that sell the window assemblies stand alone. Might be cheaper depending on the used shell market in your area. Here's one: https://www.custompickup.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=2785

 

Yeah I originally just wanted to get some new ones, but @465$ each Buying a shell will be MUCH cheaper.

There is a shell in my area now with both side windoors, and a fold down front slider for 1k$ asking price... Hoping I can find one a little cheaper. Windoors are a must for me. The fold down front slider windows are also really nice as it makes cleaning a breeze and good for more airflow if you need it.

 

Yeah, if you're using all 3 windows from the shell, especially windoors and fold-down, the used option will probably be the way to go

 

I'll check on mine. Where at?
Also, anyone else have a removable panel and notice a lot of play in the front support?

 

On the front wall facing the back of the cab, near the corners, there's two small rivets on either side. I have the older design that has cutout aluminum framing, not the solid aluminum. Not sure if it's the same.

 

What do you guys think about one of these on a tailgate re-inforcement panel:

$145 Westin 10-3000 Truck-Pal Tailgate Ladder,Silver

https://www.amazon.com/Westin-10-30...&qid=1512877201&sr=1-6&keywords=tailgate+step




Would prefer something more like this but the reviews are poor, might look into making something myself:

Top Line TS2000-01 Silver Bed-Hopper Tailgate Step

https://www.amazon.com/Line-TS2000-...qid=1512877201&sr=1-10&keywords=tailgate+step

Or this

$330 AMP Research 75306-01A BedStep Rear Bumper Access Black Not Compatible w/Dual Exhaust

https://www.amazon.com/AMP-Research...qid=1512877906&sr=1-2&keywords=truck+bed+step


.....Or this

$170 Heininger HitchMate TruckStep XL Model 4037

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013SBQEM0/ref=sspa_dk_detail_1?psc=1

 

What are you guys doing for camp lighting when Habitat is open? I'm thinking about mounteing baja designs dome lights but not sure how to make that work.

 

Im still waiting to pick mine up, but for interior lighting I have a matt gecko led bed light kit, and a couple led lanterns from Amazon to hang from ceiling. For exterior I plan on mounting some rock lights to the topper that flips over so they will be pointing down @ tailgate when it is open.

 

Mounting rock lights to the topper that flips over was my thought too...just trying to figure how to run the wiring cleanly. Thoughts?

 

Will have to have the habitat in front of me to decide how Im going about that.

 

are you talking inside 1L, inside 2L, outside, or what?