What Truck To Buy?! Seeking advice on the best truck to build an offroad camper shell setup

Hello everyone,

I am looking to buy a truck in the coming months. I will be using this truck as a weekend warrior which will be setup to go off-road. I prefer a discrete camping setup so I will utilize a shell and platform bed. I am 6'2" so the longer the bed, the better! This will not be a daily driver (for at least a year or so).

I created a pro/con list of the trucks that I am considering. Please note that these are only my opinions. I would love to hear your thoughts!



Thank you

 

Haven't read the whole thing yet, but saw you are 6'2. Have you been in a 3rd gen Tacoma? I don't think you would like the headroom compared to the others.

 

I am 6’2” as well and Tacoma seating position is uncomfortable to me. Depends on where your extra length is I guess. I have had a 2nd gen Taco and once it was all armored out and loaded up, it barely got better mpg than my current Tundra with same mods and load. But the Tundra handles it much easier, and highway travel is much more comfortable in the Tundra.

 

@Pickeledpigsfeet

I have heard that from many youtube reviewers who complain about the head space and getting in and out of the Tacoma. Also, great input about the extra weight which will come with the camping shell/platform bed. This is something that I will need to consider. To your point, the Tundra seems so spacious and comfortable! I'm looking forward to test driving an SR5 TRD Off-road. What kind of MPG were you averaging with the built Tacoma?

 

@ZekeR7

I did rent a 3rd Gen Tacoma in Colorado last year. I remember the truck feeling very tight inside and I did not like the infotainment system. Overall it just seemed like a very overpriced truck IMO. Thanks for the feedback!

 

Ya, stock they are not impressive. I think Toyota designed them that way due to the fact that a lot of people modifies them. The engine does seem underpowered, but that is due to the gearing. Everyone goes down to 4.88 or 5.29 anyway with bigger tire modification to address all that issue and surprisingly get a bit of increase MPG.
Depending on where you plan to take your truck, I think Raptor would be a good fit. I know there is a heavy overlanding/offroad market for them in the South towards Mexico. Popular with Baja style trails.

 

Get a Tundra, you will be impressed with the room and power

 

Around town I get about 13mpg in both. Both had 3” lift with 285s and full skids. Tundra got 18mpg before the lift and tires, my taco got maybe 19 when stock. The Taco got horrible mileage sometimes down to 11mpg when heavily loaded and spending a lot of time at 70mph. The Tundra’s mpg is barely effected by a heavy load in the bed. I did a 6k trip with a bed rack and RTT and got an average of 16mpg in the Tundra a few months ago and that was with hours of 70mph.

Honestly it all depends on where you need to fit the truck. If tight trails then Taco, for everything else Tundra.

 

And I take offense(not really) to your point about Tundras not looking great. This is a beautiful truck and the interior is great.

 

@Pickeledpigsfeet I think the Tundra doesn't look that great stock, but once you do a lift + wheels/tires it looks amazing! Plus you cant beat that V8 rumble.

 

I heard the 2020 fit better for the taller gaints 6+