Let's see those Alu-cab setups

Killer shots man

 

Sick build Bigmo!

Old post, but I'm wondering if you how much your setup weighs. Looking to do something pretty close and I keep running out of payload.

Thanks!

 

Dude. Sick shots! Looks like a great trip...

 

shoot I want one haha

 

My build is still coming along, slowly but surely.

Power command center is all mounted up on a custom panel

Went Renogy, Controller is a DC to DC with built in MPPT, 100ah Lithium house battery, 1000W inverter, BlueSea DC panel.

Had leftover space on the 23" x 23" panel so I added the ARB dual comp to the panel as well.

The panel is thin sheet metal from HD. Reinforced it with 4 pieces of angle aluminum riveted to the backside. All components are attached to the panel via M5 nutserts for one tool removal. There is one common grounding lug on the upper right corner.

It is connected to the tracks built into the ACCC.

Now I just need to wire it up! Common ground is affixed to frame and power wire from starter battery is also ran into the camper. Penetrated the bedside near the house battery with waterproof fittings.

Tacoma Work Round 5 by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

Took the trip out on its maiden 'campered' voyage this past week. A friend and I wanted to test it out, to see what it is like, even though it isn't complete at all.

I have to say, after spending a lot of time and trips using an open bed with a more common rtt on a bed rack, this setup is worth every single penny. The enclosed nature of the bed is much, much nicer and more comfortable. The wedge tent is so convenient it's not even funny. The side access through the hatches is just awesome. The entire setup just feels way more natural to use in my opinion. I am excited to keep improving it and making it better.

Oh, and the Shadow Awning is just insane. Massive coverage and is completely deployed in all of 22 seconds. Packing it back up takes just a hair over 60 seconds. The fully cantilevered design is just unmatched IMO. This thing takes making shade to a level I did not know existed!

We brought along our mountain bikes to ride while in Sedona. Installed two fork mounts to the rear molle panels and hung the bikes from there. Used ratchet straps, temporarily, until the rear tire trays arrive and I can affix those to the bumper caps. First couple of times it was cumbersome to get the axles inserted, but it's easier now that I have done it a few times.

Tacoma Work Round 5 by Michael Rickerd, on Flickr

 

What water tank do you have? Looks like you have it set up below the bulkhead instead of the normal accc available. I have a front runner tank that I'm trying to modify for use.

 

It is a simple rectangular tank that I purchased from Plastimart.com. It is marketed as a RV/Marine water tank, potable water safe, etc.

I have a Long Bed, so I have 'extra' space up near the cab in the bed. I didn't want ~20 gallons of water mounted high up on the front wall of the camper. It just so happened to be a tight fit with the bed rug underneath.

Front runner makes good stuff, but I will be spending a ton of time living out of this truck, so I took a more long-term, higher capacity, approach.

 

I have a very basic question. I'm new to the Tacoma (have a 4Runner) and am working on an accelerated build with an Alu-Cab canopy camper on a 2022 TRD Offroad. This will be a very basic build with just the tent setup and an empty bed. I will load in a Goalzero and cooler / gear during trips. The rest of the time it will be by daily. I'm also adding sliders, but keeping the bumpers stock. So I figured ~475lb in the bed + 180lb sliders permanently and then more for trips.

I am trying to understand if upgrading the entire suspension is necessary. If I do, I will go with BP-51 + Deaver leafs (stage II likely). But is this really needed? I keep hearing reports that even with light loads the factory suspension will sag and ride the bump stops.

Has anyone ran similar weights with the factory TRD Offroad suspension? How was it?

 

I run a canopy + a big james baroud RTT and when I was loaded for camping I definitely thought I should upgrade the rear suspension a bit. For reference I ran a fiberglass canopy + the same RTT on a 2004 for years and when I finally got off my lazy butt and put in a set of Deaver's it was a night and day difference. Not completely applicable to the current setup as my 04's suspension was probably way overdue to replacement due to age and mileage but it's on the short term list of things to do on the 2021. For now I've bought time by installing a hoist and getting the RTT off on a day to day basis.

 

Anyone have or willing to make a video going into detail on wiring the camper and how you ran the power back from the engine bay? About to order my camper and trying to plan clean power management

 

I am in the process of running power back to my Alu-Cab. Will try to get pics and post. Basic plan is Blue Sea Systems 4366 Panel mounted above the cubby on the drivers side. Alu-Cab LED lights will be tapped off of the Blue Sea after the switch. Alu-Cab 3rd brake light is tapped off of the passenger brake light.

 

The brake light taps that puppypunter is selling would work perfect. I pieced it together on my own but if his were available when I did it I would have gotten his. You can route some wires from behind the taillights into the bed without cutting anything as long as you don't attach the connector beforehand.

 

I can't promise anything, but I may be able to satisfy this request, as I just finished the bulk of the wiring for my camper. I suck at taking videos, and I often provide too much detail in what I am explaining, and have no fancy camera equipment, but I can try. I too was in the dark about what to do, and figuring it out was a slow process for me.

 

I don't have any video, but I chronicled some of this in my build thread with some pictures and details. It seems daunting at first, but honestly, it's not rocket science and the most important thing is to plan, plan, plan and know exactly where you want everything to go and in what order you need to do it as to not cause issues with complicated rework.

 

Here Is a canopy camper we just finished up not a taco but still a nice build

Electrical is full Redarc redvision with an inverter and a lithium battery

Goose gear interior buildout with Dickinson heater

 

Im a alu-cab explorer owner, got the blank cupboard, building a shelf for a goal zero yeti core 1000 at the moment powering a arb zero 63. I really want to insulate this thing, the summer months are brutal, the black soaks up heat something fierce! Ive even painted the roof very light gray and while it helped a little the heat comes through the aluminum quickly! Looking for photos of others that have insulated the explorer canopy

 

I’ve heard a lot of people using bed rug material but no experience personally

 

Im thinking the water heater reflective silver coated bubble wrap type stuff. Just dont wanna stick it up on the walls / roof if it wont amount to much of any savings.

 

I put a marine vent in the roof of my explorer. I was wary about putting a 4” hole in the roof but no leaks and definitely helps with the heat. It does not generate positive pressure, I still have some minor dust intrusion from the usual spots.

Overall, I’m happy with the vent and it’s close able so I can easily seal it up.

https://www.fisheriessupply.com/vetus-denouden-ufo2-closeable-deck-ventilator/ufo2

 

I LOVE THIS IDEA! the temp is always hotter towards the roof, i might be popping two of these bad boys in! one in front, one in back. Thank you