The Lair

Roberto with the Zingers today!

 

I am not worried about a winch just yet.

 

Cut out the frame plates for the limit straps. There will be a plate on each side, and square tube running between the two. That’s what the adjustable Clevis mount for the straps will mount to.

 

#RandyFab right now!

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/12-2-0-kings.597394/

Good deal?

 

I'm no expert but the lower mounts look a little janky. maybe it's just mud.

 

That looks like more than 1 month of weathering.

 

Ok, I normally just drive Randy crazy with these questions but now I am throwing it out there for the entire village.

I want to be able to spend the night when I start to go wheeling with everyone and be able to go down and wheel with Skipper and the crew of the SS Minnow, even though I am weak, have a 3rd Gen and a serious poser. So I need some sort of portable accommodations. I would appreciate all of your thoughts on this. Crazy or serious.

I thought about a overland trailer but that is just too much money to have it sit most of the time. Completely out of the question. I have

RTT. I can likely come up with a solution to adding a bed rack and still keep my tonneau but it will be tricky. I have some ideas and have seen it done on here with a fold up cover.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...esigned-for-rtts.458037/page-13#post-15134184

I can get a Smittybuilt XL today for $766. shipped. No, it's not a Tepui or a CVT but it is a great entry level RTT, especially since it will see minimal use and it will only be me sleeping in it. I still need a bed rack so add around $300 - $400 depending. If nothing else I could buy Homertaco's RTT which is older but in great shape according to him. He has the annex too! I like the idea of the RTT because it is always ready to go. Leave my sleeping bag, blanket and pillows in there and pack it up. Get to the site and in 15 - 20 min I am ready for bed. Packing it up is just as quick and easy. However, unless I hoist it off the truck when I am not using it then it is out in the weather constantly, and I am hauling 130 lbs of dead weight. Not to mention the affect on the aerodynamics and we all know how much I race my Sport. But I could rig a pulley system in the garage and strap it to the ceiling out of the way. Ceiling is 8' I am 5'-8" tent is 1'-3", plenty of head room for me. Not so much those not vertically challenged (cough, everyone but me). Or say fuck it and roll all bad ass. I can camp at Walmart with the RVs.

Cap/Topper - ARE MX Mid Rise with single handle rear framed window, sliding fold down front window, sliding/vented windoors on both sides, carpeted headliner, ceiling mounted clothes rack thing (figured that would come in handy for a hanging light or whatever and is only $35), and roof tracks only, no rack (I figured for $150 let them do it so it is warranted, and in the event I ever want to install an awning or a rack for something else they will be there) but they are an option I can do without. It is definitely a higher priced option and way more than what a RTT/Rack costs (my best quote so far for the model with the options I want is $2400, painted to match the truck) but will at least be used more often even if it is just to haul groceries in the rain. Seriously though, when we go on vacation down the beach we have so much shit some of it has to go in the back seats because it all doesn't fit under the tonneau. I know, "why does it all need to be under the tonneau to take it to the beach?". Well, every time we go the weather is shit, or we get there long before check-in and have to walk around or go eat, or we load it when we leave sometimes partially the night before we leave, and your shit in an open bed would disappear quick. So the cap would allow me to throw everything in the bed and none of it in the back seats allowing us to take family too (my aunt and cousin). I compare a cap to my tonneau because they both provide security, convenience and versatility. As far as sleeping in there goes, I found a cot that has two legs and sits above the wheel well to fit inside the bed. I found a sleeping bag at costco I already have picked out, $45 bucks. The cap is something in my mind that has value based on use. However, sleeping on a 28" wide cot when you are nearly 30" wide is no treat. I would rather not build out a platform either because that is just more weight, but, it is not out of the question. The cost seems perfect.

Bed Tent - this is an interesting option that is economical and something I can use without removing the tonneau. I can pick up a Kodiak Canvas bed tent on Ebay today for $315 shipped, and that is a great deal. I would still need the cot but again, could build out a narrow platform.

http://www.kodiakcanvas.com/canvas-truck-tent-mid-sized/

Ground Tent - This is my least desirable option simply because in my feeble mind I see me packing the bitch, getting there and it be pouring rain and sleeping in the cab of the truck anyway. It is however the cheapest option as I saw a 8 person cabin tent at Cabela's the other day on clearance for $215 bucks! Regular price is stupid. I would still need a cot or could take my queen air mattress (it is a huge one that inflates to bed height so I might drain the battery filling it LOL). However, sit prep will be key with anything with air in it. No sticks or stones or I will break my bones. Then you have the weather thing again. How do you set up a tent in the pouring rain and smile? How do you clear a site 14' x 10' if there is 6" of snow with a smile? I feel like if you have to "rough" it, then a tent is perfect. I would rather take my chances not doing shit, leaving everything under my tonneau and sleeping in the fully reclined passenger seat ( I would move the seat all the way forward and remove the head rest so it reclines all the way and could even put something like a milk crate in front of it for my feet).

https://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Guardian-Dome-Tent-Person/2432878.uts#tabsCollection

So the Cap is sound, and I like the idea a lot! If it's raining I just jump in the back, I can have a cold one and listen to the rain. But damn, that price. Of course I plan on selling the tonneau cover, and refuse to let it go for less than $650 (or more). They are nearly $950 new and there isn't a damn thing wrong with mine. I have some other stuff I want sell as well to help offset the cost but I feel like a cap is an investment that will last as long as I have the truck. I plan on keeping the truck until the body rots off. The RTT is way cool and is also easy to set up even in the rain. Basically, after you remove the cover it unfolds. If it is raining just leave the window awnings down. I am certain the fly sets up when you open it. The Smittybuilt XL is the version with the extended vestibule so the ladder is technically underneath. No way are you setting up a Bed Tent in the rain. Yes, you could but shit, what a mess. Fortunately if the water gets in the bed setting it up you can use a towel to dry it. Unless you have a platform built in there. As I said, the Ground Tent is a last ditch option that I will test the passenger seat theory on first before even subjecting myself to that noise. Y'all need to keep in mind, I am old, outta shape and use to being pampered. You can best believe if I don't make up my mind soon, before AOAA or Raush that my ass will be at the Comfort Inn nearby. I just do not want to chance driving home after a full day off roading. It's just not safe for me because I get too tired too easy driving.

So I want to the collective here that I have come to trust and respect to help me try to make this decision, and it doesn't have to be today. Ebay sales come around all the time. The cap places aren't going anywhere and I really only reached out to three dealers and want o get quotes from at least three more.

Thanks all!
Roberto!

 

I tagged you twice in that group buy thread! Get over there and PM the OP.

 

Get a cap and a futon mattress. Throw both in the back and fold up the futon when you're not using it or just toss your totes of camp gear/etc on top.

 

Holy shit Roberto, TLDR! I'll read this when I get to work and give you an honest opinion.

 

Sit down, hold on, and shut up Robert here is my assesment after decades of camping and hiking experience. Now add wheeling trips into the mix.

1) You can wheel with the tent on the truck, there are ways to make the tonneu work with a rack. I may be able to help you out in the rack situation.
2) Topper I liked sleeping in mine about as much as the cab of the truck. Sealing them up water tight can be a chore and keeping dust out is definitely tough
3) Bed tent PITA to set up or at least the ones I have seen guys using I can set up my ground tents up faster if I really go quickly.
4) Ground tent this is my prefered method and I am looking into getting the 3 & 4 person Gazelle pop up tents since they'll set up just as fast as a RTT.


Now all that being said here is my thinking and working through what solutions will best work for what I want and need and the way I do things.

Trailer: I will be building/making a trailer similar to what @BravesTaco has done. Just a simple 4x8 utility trailer with his old bed rack on it and a RTT. This will be for offroad parks or longer term camping with the kiddo at nice state and Natl parks. The trailer can haul all my tools, spares, equipment etc. Then I can wheel the truck without anything in it or a heavy RTT up top.

Ground Tent: Those Gazelle tents I mentioned the 4p is definitely big enough for 2 cots plus are tall enough for even Randall to stand up in. You should check them out. Again I don't want extra weight on the truck as much as possible. This is more for other types of places we go and camp where the trailer will be not so easy to take. Also allows camp to stay at camp and not have to pack it up to do anything.

I don't like the idea of having to pack up camp to do anything so Shell, RTT on truck, and Bed tent are out for me. I like leaving camp at camp. This is even for just something like going to Yellowstone or somewhere to camp and explore with the kiddo. I don't want to have to pack up camp to lets say run to town for something. God forbid an accident happen and I have to pack up instead of being able to shit and get.

 

TLDR????

 

Too long didnt read

 

Don’t buy those. The valving on them will likely be too stiff for your liking. And new ones are just a little bit more.

 

https://www.navytimes.com/news/your...mpaign=Socialflow+NAV&utm_source=facebook.com

Randy, I see you were working closely with one of the greatest Skatersmates to ever walk among us.

 

Everything you will ever need Roberto. Go to bed everyone, search is over

 

What Randall said! Plus some places like Accutune will valve for what you need and ship free.