Slide In Campers? Fourwheel Campers? Whats your total Weight?

Hello Tacoma World. I believe this would be the right sub forum, but move me if I am wrong.

I am currently selling my Truck Canopy (ARE MX) to upgrade to a slide in camper, possible a flat bed and slide in camper. I am somewhat concerned about weight. I know a lot of people use the fourwheel camper pop top with no issues. They seem to be 800-1200lbs depending on what you do.

I was wondering if anyone with a fourwheel camper, or any other camper has hit the sales and weighed in? Also have you done any gearing / modifications / tuning to help with added weight? any issues?


I have upgraded to the old man emu suspension and planned on adding airbags as well.

My plan is to have, flat bed, camper, and dirt bike. I am not sure if this is to much weight for my taco.

Thanks for your time!

Pictures for clicks

 

That is too much weight for your truck to remain within legal GVWR. The truck can hold, push and stop that weight pretty safely with a fairly substantial amount of upgrades but it still won't be legal technically.

 

I believe it would be very close. Last time i checked scales i was 5280 with gas, camper top, camping gear, dog, tools, and all my wood / water in the back that is about. I think removing my camper top, possible saving weight with a lighter bed i can stay under the GVWR.


I see a lot of people with campers so I am curious if a lot of people are over GVWR, I believe its 5600lbs?

 

I would not put a pop up on a Tacoma. I have seen folks do it, but I don't see anyway -- even with the lightest ones -- that you won't be overloaded after accounting for gear, water, propane, etc. Tacomas just aren't made for that.

 

Basically everyone with a topper, armor, and 33s or larger is either at or above GVWR driving down the road.

 

I don't know if you'd save weight with a flat bed simply because that would be all metal. Right now most of the bed is composite plastic.

If you're at 5280lbs right now you'll definitely be overweight with a slide in camper. The only thing that will really change is loosing a 300lb topper and adding a 1000lb camper.

 

Check out the forum on Wander the West
https://www.wanderthewest.com/index.php/

 

Thank you, I am active there. Was seeing if anyone on Tacoma world was on the scales.

 

The flatbed will be lighter then my current bed if planned correctly. I don't plan on using certain parts of the flatbed. So that should work. Also I have 250lbs of wood and material, water, and living supplies that would be in the camper. So i will loose about 550-600lbs and then add the camper. Plus I plan on loosing my back seats and some more stuff I don't need.

 

https://www.truckcamperadventure.com/5-best-campers-for-the-toyota-tacoma/

 

yeah thats all good but people loaded on the scales seems more realistic!

 

I'm not going to be popular but your Taco is a 1/2 ton pickup. Adding all of the stuff .i.e E-tires, leaf packs and other suspension stuff just to be able to run a FWC is just overloading the truck. Then you add people, food, water, gas etc and your really overloading it. The brakes, frame and drivetrain are all designed for a 1/2 ton load. The cap/ camper photos you provided are well within the weight limits for the truck. I have a similar setup with my MX cap. A few years ago I was specking out a FWC and downloaded the weight figures for the slide-in and the inside stuff and it became apparent that the GVW was exceeded quickly. So if you want to go the FWC route your best option is to sell your Taco and buy a 1-ton. That way you have a truck designed for the load.

 

There's a fwc thread and a kimbo thread here on Tacomaworld. Reports from them that's doin'

 

Off topic, but love the Rm125/250.

 

Thank you! little RM125. Got to have two strokes in the fleet.



Conclusion so far:

Everyone is over the GVWR.

FWC is the lightest and best way to go.

 

You might take a look at this thread:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/truck-camping-photo-thread.407866/page-183#post-18972841

 

Understandable Response. I have thought of selling my truck and getting a 19' f250 to help with the load. It Would almost be an even trade if you do it right. But I love having a tacoma and its small truck capabilities. I sold my camper top today and am have started the FWC search. I should have a flat in bed in a week or two. I will make sure to hit the scales and see. I get tires this week. If I drive slow and safe as usual Im sure the truck will handle the load just fine.


RM Pic for Maverick

 

I will check that out. I love your set up!

 

1100# AluCab Khaya, fully loaded with water tanks filled.

OME +660 rear leafs, 886X front coils. Firestone Ride Rite Airbags. JBA UCA’s helped a TON with stability. Also Cooper ST Maxx E-rated 255 85 R16’s.

Haven’t done gears, 5.29’s are in my future, Covid messed up my plans last summer to visit ECGS to have them installed.

Runs great at 65 and under, I don’t care for much over 70 mph, starts to feel a little questionable.

I like it, wouldn’t change a thing honestly.

 

My bad..I thought you were going to put a flatbed on your Taco. I'll get off my soapbox now.