Can It Handle the Weight?

Looking to purchase a 6 cyl ~2015 Tacoma TRD and add a 500 lb Wood Camper shell.

I'll be pretty much living out of it with 20 gallons of water, tools, clothes, work gear, solar, batteries, fridge, food, etc. I drive 20,000 miles a year throughout California in the high mountains and desert.

With a payload capacity of 1250 lbs, I'll probably be close to that. Will it run sluggish with all this weight? Will an upgraded suspension be necessary? Would a Tundra be a better option?

Ill be living out of it and dependent for work on it and need it to perform well.

Thanks and Interested in your opinions.

 

For that use I would go with the Tundra. Gives you more cargo carrying options. Ever thought of a small enclosed cargo trailer?

 

It’ll handle the weight fine. You could spend lots to upgrade the suspension or you could spend a few hundred and pick up a pair of Timbren SES bump stops. They help a vehicle carry a load smoothly and comfortable when it’s loaded up, and hugely reduces rear end sag.

if the canopy shell weights 500 lbs, that’s a lot of weight resting on the plastic bed rail caps. My first Tacoma - the weight of a standard fibreglass canopy put so much pressure on the plastic cap, that it dug through the paint all along the bed and caused rust underneath.
my second Tacoma - I installed a pair of KB Voodoo bed rails and they were terrific.

Grab the Tacoma. Put in the Timbrens, consider some bed rails, and throw on some 32” ten ply tires to help handle the weight and keep you puncture-free in the back country, and I’d say you’re good to go.

 

I do pretty much exactly what you plan to do, all throughout the Sierras and California Coastal Ranges. I do it with a 4 banger 4x4 Taco and it handles it just fine, even with 32" tires and stock gears. Lots of 55 mph 3rd gear climbs but she doesn't mind. Just don't be afraid to put your foot into it.

I have OME Dakar HD leaf springs in the back so I'm still 2 or 3 inches higher than stock even fully loaded. Here's a pic of my rig ready to head out. Rides beautifully like this. Full sleeping platform in the back loaded with gear for 4 people for 3 days. Plus 10 gallons of non-potable water in a water tank below the sleeping platform. Full tool set, extra gas, all kinds of forest tools, plus sliders, you name it. I'm always right around payload.




I'm not saying a Tundra wouldn't be better, but I prefer the Tacoma for many reasons.

Is this a new thing you're starting or have you been doing it with a different vehicle? I've run into trouble a few times and I can tell you what saved me and what didn't.

 

4 people? 3 days, That’s some cramming for the passengers.

 

Oh damn, access can too

 

sounds good man. Are the leaf springs the only addition you’ve done?


I used to have a 2000 Tacoma with same setup but less weight than I intend to now and it ran good. I have a e250 ford van now that handles well but I need 4x4

 

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll do some research and look into those parts

 

4 adults too.

"Hey guys, I'm gonna go to some off roading and camping for the long weekend, I've got everything you need and you're welcome to join. Only catch is you need to sit in the back "seat" of my truck. You in or out?"

I don't have to tell you what the answer always is.

 

I have 884 springs in the front, 5100 shocks all around, and UCAs which may or may not have been necessary but I like to play it safe. But the leaf springs are really the only reason I can comfortably carry the weight. I used to roll on the stock leaf springs and I would hit the bump stops constantly and drag my belly on everything.

 

Air bags are another option, I put Firestone Ride Rite air bags and compressor on my truck for about $560.

 

Now my Truck carries that amount of weight and more it has more then enough go power

I installed Super Springs along with new General Spring Heavy Duty Springs.

I drive according to the weight getting stopped is more of a worry then not having enough go power.

 

I think the Dakar HD's are only rated for 600lbs of permanent extra weight. My guess is they would start to wear out in two years from the weight you're talking about.

A tundra would probably be better suited for your needs but I would probably do Dakar HD's and airbags if you go Taco.

 

I would ditch the wood shell and get a fiberglass. I believe my ARE for my 2013 double cab is 200 lbs? You may be able to find one used if you look long enough or find a truck used w/a camper shell already.

 

Unless you need the smaller size to navigate to a remote location, a tundra will be cheaper, bigger, and has more load capacity than the tacoma.

 

12 pack Deaver leaf springs will compensate for the extra 500lb. Every pound added after that will limit your rear travel.