Driving a Tacoma around the world

Dang good thinking! The power of multiple people's brains is amazing. I claim that to be a "hair-brained" idea.

 

Yup, we built this rig. We also built a ram that is traveling around south america currently. You can follow their travels here: http://instagram.com/kidandgypsy

Let me know if you have any questions about the build or our Flatbed Tacoma:

 

A NEW option is JUST coming to market, Tern Overland in Prescott, OR is, as of Mar 2019, starting to build their Arctic Tern Overlander camper. For a Tacoma, the basic camper shell will weigh ~400 pounds, options and standard items are a mix of 3 or 4 season shell, heat, fridge, CONTROL of condensation!, bed 4 " wider than a queen size (over the truck cab), shower, water, etc. The emphasis will be on *light* so the GVW is not exceeded.

A build for, say, an F250 is coming as well, which will be a bit heavier but with much more interior space.
See
https://www.ternoverland.com/arctic-tern-overlander

Several have placed orders already.

 

Any pictures of this?

I think the OP has the right idea of going with an FWC. I'd rather have a stripped down FWC (to save weight) then bring a ton of stuff with a pop-top tent like a lot of the options. Living in a tent would get tiring after 2 years, maybe if I was still in college I could do it..... but if you can stay more relaxed and not as beat up it will make the trip a lot more enjoyable.

To the OP, I can't remember if you decided on a flatbed or slide in. If you are opting to do a slide-in have you ever considered getting a FWC shell model and doing a more minimalist interior. If you go with the flatbed, don't go crazy with all of the bonus storage space

Here are some other ideas to save weight:

-Have FWC build the camper without a stove. Use a camping stove both inside and out. The weight savings of not carrying two stoves helps. You will probably do most of your camping outside anyways. If you go with the flatbed you will plenty of space to store the stove.
-If you bring along a camp table, buy something that is aluminum and light weight. Stay away for the 25 lb fold-up costco tables.
-Don't go crazy on cook ware. A good pot and a good pan go a long way.... it only needs to be big enough for 2 portions of spaghetti If you have the money, then you can always buy a lightweight Ti cookware set.
-When buying sleeping bags, hiking gear, etc.... spend a little extra on the ultra light weight backpacking stuff. A pound here and there adds up after a while!
-I think you have a good idea with going with the single lithium battery instead of 2X standard batteries.
-Don't go crazy on optioning out the rig with tons of unnecessary lights. A light bar in the front and a light for the entry way to the camper are enough.
-Do a standard awning instead of some of the 270 degree batwing variants. At the end of the day, shade is shade.
-Carry a small bottle jack instead of a hi-lift jack.

Just some ideas....!

Spencer

 

If you have air bags on the supension you don't even need the jack.

 

Good idea, but no, no airbags.

 

I have searched and it seems like the stiffest spring for a tacoma is the OME Dakar heavy duty with an add-a-leaf. Is this what you have found as well? Do you think that will be enough for your rig without having to go with air bags?

 

The one nice advantage of air bags is that you can use them to level a truck when camping... Obviously they have a lot more downsides though.

 

Just caught up on this OP, seems exciting!

Wanted to point out a great product for a winch (or other) anchor worth considering, the Deadman Earth Anchor by Deadman Off-Road. Not affiliated with the group, but their product seems fantastic. No metal to worry about, lightweight, and can be folded up for compact storage - give it a look!

 

I've heard good things. I just wish they were not so expensive!

 

This is TW, expensive comes with the territory hah.

And yes I agree, there is a cost. Hopefully, however, the quality justifies it.

For example, I swear by Bubba Ropes for recovery, yet they will be double or triple the cost of your standard straps. That being said, when it comes to gear (for the most part), you generally get what you pay for.

 

Yes, according to Mule Expedition Outfitters, the Dakar heavy duty springs will be perfect to carry the weight without airbags or adding a leaf. They have the same set up in a Colorado with a flatbed Fleet. Air bags are great for carrying temporarily heavy loads but for a multi year trip, the springs have to be able to carry the load. At my work, we carried heavy logging gear on a three quarter ton truck with airbags. We actually broke the axle because the air bags put too much weight on one spot over the axle instead of upgrading the leaf springs and spreading the weight on the two mounting points.

 

First off thanks Spencer for your thoughts! We are going with a flatbed, expensive but so much more room than a comparable slide in. We used a pop up rooftop tent in Africa it was great for three weeks but definitely not for three years.
Interesting about the stove, we’ll check it out.
Coming from backpacking background we definitely we will be watching our weight in our cooking and sleeping systems. One of our sons completed the entire pacific crest trail in a summer and used a waterproof down sleeping bag that weighed 17 ounces!
I think we need to carry a highlift Jac so I think we will just get rid of the standard bottle jack.

Yes again! We’re doing the standard awning; simple to use and deploy and lightweight. We’ll modify it to attach to Velcro on mosquito netting, bugs are a downer

 

I wouldn't do it in a Tacoma, all I can add. Too small, 3rd gens (no offense) aren't as reliable as older models, and the power plant meh in a 3rd gen (not saying the 4.0l is much better).

I would, however do a Tundra. You'll probably get the same MPG and have much more room.

 

Yep, I’ve thought long and hard over this. I’ve mentioned my thoughts about what was the appropriate vehicle for this in the first couple pages of the thread. A half ton whether it’s a Ford or a tundra, they’re both too wide for the tracks out in the rural parts of the rest of the world. Since we will be retired we are not looking for speed, if it breaks then we’ll start over. Since most of the roads will not be paved and that I will be re-gearing the truck with 5.29 gears we should have a Enough low-end power.

 

I will definitely check it out, thank you

 

Just got back from the Overland Expo West. That place is awesome. If anyone is looking to purchase a rooftop tent, camper, winch, wheels, Its super easy to compare products there. The cost is about $30 a day for an entry, of course there’s hotel/camping and travel fees. Plus prices are simply the best. Warn had a $75 rebate +10% off all models. Even in the Dead man Offroad mentioned above was on sale. Plus there was lot of good forums discussing travel tips.

We also decided to splurge and order Scheel-Mann vario f seats from Cruiser Brothers/ Long Range America. They are so comfortable. Both my wife and I have a minor sore back issues so we thought it worth it.

 

Update on the build. Our Four Wheel Fleet flatbed camper is scheduled to be mounted on the truck July 27 up in Issaquah, Washington, we are very excited. We are taking the truck to Mule Expedition Outfitters in early July for it to be outfitted with basically all of them above mentioned goodies; Norweld flatbed, front and rear ARB locking diffs, OME suspension, Dakar springs, CBI T3 Bumper with Warn 10s, etc.

In early June, I am taking the truck down to California to have a 33 gallon extended range tank put on by Long Range America. Ward Harris is really great to work with. There will be videos of the installation as this will be the first one mounted on an Access cab, they are doing it as a prototype. There was fueling issues in the prior model which Ward has assured me has been fixed.

 

Where do you plan to get your latest TSBs when you are crossing the Darien or in the middle of Patagonia...?

Just being silly. I’m jealous. Sounds like fun.

Best of luck!

 

Funny you mention that as one of my sons has today just arrived in Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego pedaling a bike. He did 1,600 miles in some cold weather

I do plan on having him have a parts manual for it if it breaks. That way I can satellite text him the part number and he can ship it to me. Really hoping that doesn’t happen