Overland set-up total vehicle weight...

the brand lol

but i see it's a skinny tire, which definitely contributes a lot of weight savings. Mines a 285 lol. Might have to go skinny next.

My current wheel/tire combo comes out to 88lbs/corner lol. Thing is an absolute pig and gets about 13.5mpg

 

Yikes!

It’s a 255/80/17 tire size, can’t recommend them enough. They also have been absolutely fantastic off-road. Skinny tire seem to perform better then wide in most situations.

 

Yep that’s me chilling in the right lane, watching the world go by…

 

My truck in it's daily driven state is about 5710 with me in it, fueled up, spare in the bed, jack in the bed, couple tools to change a tire.

Loaded down for a big trip, with fridge, awning, tent (just ground tent), cooking stuff, passenger, I'm sure it's going to be 6100. Still drives better than stock at this weight, big brakes, 5.29s, 34's, nice suspension, etc. Completely comfortable to drive.

Without putting your truck on a set of scales you're just guessing.

 

Sweet, you got a pic of my truck! Well, kinda... it's in there somewhere...

 

Good call!!

 

It’s all fun and games until the frame snaps, or you are speeding because you’re late to work & you can’t stop in time to keep from killing someone and you’re over your GVW.

Are you really going over stuff so difficult that you need a skid plate over your gas tank? And you also want to drive it to work?

Get a 10 year old Corolla for work.

 

That looks like an accident waiting to happen… :wow:

 

I started wheeling in 1978. Up until four years ago, I lived on top of the Appalachian Mountains in WV. I have a bit of experience. I have wheeled in Utah and Nevada. Much different but same challenges. After 40+ years, you learn what you need and don't need. Take it with a grain of salt.

 

I used to love to read about the Camel truck series back in the day.
Those guys were out there in the worst conditions possible running tiny tires. Of course they got stuck a lot, broke stuff, flipped a lot of them on their side. But, they got it done with tiny tires.
Man, those were the good ole days. Before overlanding instagram accounts, social media influencers, raptor lights, and flat billed hats. I miss reading about that stuff.

I may try and find some ole school Camel truck series, down and dirty tiny tire action on YouTube tonight. Pour me glass of whiskey and enjoy the 80’s and 90’s Land Rover carnage.

 

Used to read the Turtle Expedition in what was it, Four Wheeler Magazine?

Kinda cool how they progressed over the years. They went huge at the end, and even questioned if it was too big.

https://www.turtleexpedition.com/vehicles/vehicles-2/


Always be the people that go full bore, others are minimalist, most are in-between. Think I am somewhere to in-between to minimalist. Tried to practice the K.I.S.S. method. If it wasn’t for all the dirt bike and/or mountain bike stuff, would be super minimalist. Don’t need much to get out and enjoy the outdoors.

That said my retirement rig will most likely be a F250/Four Wheel Camper or similar.

 

I wasn't planning on going bigger than 33's with the tires but that happen when the stock tires are done. Or, if there are no issues with the current size, then I'll just keep the same size I already have.

I wish i had posted this thread before i bought the steel. As i said before, I got pretty much all steel under the truck (engine, transmission, transfer-case, fuel tank, differential...alum cata guards (catalytics get get stolen here). When the time comes, if necessary, I can always remove some of that plate - like the fuel tank skid.

I'll be re-evaluating my gear wish list but the Smartcap and iKamper are pretty much solid. The tent can come off when not in use. I will probably get an alum front bumper and figure out the rear bumper if necessary; more research needs to be done.

There was always a suspension upgrade planned to help with the weight and I'll add a brake upgrade to assist with stopping.

My original thought process was to protect the truck from damage that might get me stuck in the middle of nowhere and that I was slowly going to work my way to that point. As it is, I can start traveling when I get the tent. If I find that I really want to go on the trails that would require the heavy stuff, then I'll worry about it from there.

The first goal is to actually make it out of Georgia and start to using what I have. I do have some time to figure it out, I need to retire first before I can go do the big stuff I really want to do.

Anyway, you have all given me a bunch if information to think on...

Thanks

 

I'll put my 2 cents in here, as someone who has built their truck for a similar purpose, even if retirement is much further off for me lol.

As far as the armor...you likely didn't need steel, but since you already paid for it, you might as well run it and see if it's necessary, then remove/change to aluminum skids as needed. I would definitely keep the cat guards on, like you said cat theft is rampant these days.

For the Smartcap and iKamper....i'd echo someone else's suggestion to look at the GFC platform camper. You'll save a considerable amount of weight, its overall a very easy system to use. You won't be able to take the tent off when not in use, but to be honest that's more hassle than it's worth. Unless you have sons/a strong wife/gf handy every time, or build your own sort of hoist/support system to easily take it off on your own, it'll become really annoying to track down a friend to help you with it every time. I had a softshell RTT before the GFC, and it eventually got to a point I just never took it off. You'll also need extra space to store the tent.

Suspension upgrade I would definitely advise, at the very least a spring upgrade for the front to handle a steel/aluminum bumper, as well a new leaf pack in the rear to support extra weight and minimize sag.

But as you said and many others have suggested...get out there and see what you need. Who knows, you may see some of the tougher trails and decide it's not worth the potential risk of getting stranded or breaking something, thus meaning you don't need any of your armor besides the front skid.

 

I've looked at the GFC a few times but I'm not a fan of those support bars that go across the side window/door openings. If i were to go that route, I'd go with Gaia Camper or the Alu-Cap Canopy Camper (i wish I had the money for the Alu-Cab).

 

Love the simplicity of the GFC, considered one, but no side window options. My truck is a daily, it is a must have for navigating parking lots. Plus darn near impossible to mitigate dust too. If you never been out here in the West, it is extremely hard to keep it out of everything. Especially with the Tacoma’s sieve of a bed. Better off with a self contained camper, of course really hard to keep it under payload.

Had a Wildernest on my 1st Gen, loved that it looked like a regular topper. Would buy an updated modern version in a heartbeat. Wedge campers come close, but just aren’t quite there. Felt quite huge while inside, while the wedge style are fairly cramped.

 

Agree with ya on the over GVW.

Though, my 3G didn’t come with a skidplate, (my 1G did) while I don’t do anything too radical with the truck anymore, since the new one is plastic it does concern me that it might get rock thrown into it, or pierced by a random branch running down FS roads at speed. My 1Gs factory plate is fairly peppered by rocks.

Use to do the 2-3 vehicle thing, its actually more trouble than it is worth. One do-it-all vehicle is better for me. One way to get around from hauling all that weight all the time, is just do a trailer. Or have super lightweight camper like a GFC, with a modular interior or that you can pull in and out real quick. I just do totes, and cook on the tailgate, or one of my 2X4’ folding plastic tables. No interior build at all, no need.

Another you can do, which I haven’t read yet. Pack and eat like a back packer. I switched to dehydrated hiking meals. Saves a bunch of weight. Don’t need a fridge, batteries, solar, etc. just need a little stove and a container to boil water. Best thing of all, no dishes to do. I cook all the time at home, hate doing it while camping/traveling.

I use Mary Jane Farms organic. Plus I supplement going out to eat when I am on the road, half the fun is trying new places to eat. The Galena Lodge outside of Ketchum Idaho was the latest, it was good, the “scenery” wasn’t too bad either.

https://www.galenalodge.com/

https://shop.maryjanesfarm.org/

 

OP- legit concern staying inside payload window. Sounds like you have a good start. As has been mentioned, just get out and do it, learn what you do and don’t need before you drop a lot of money. I prefer a light truck due to daily driver capabilities and technical trail work so I just run an ARE cap to keep gear protected. On short weekends I’ll just run that setup as well as exploring. That entails a ground tent or hotel depending on the trip. Or both. On longer trips, like hunts I’ll run more gear in an offroad trailer which carries the rtt. Like others on this thread I believe the tacoma is designed to be a light duty truck and that loading it down ruins the experience.

 

Have you looked at a V1 or a V2,they have pretty radically different space frames.

Unfortunately all the other options on the market currently come at a significant weight penalty.

Is your plan to move daily or settle into a spot for several days?

 

Totally fair, that's your preferred style and I can't dispute it. It hasn't bothered me much really, but I can see it being an issue for others depending on how they set up their bed and use it. I mostly use my bed for storage of stuff when going out camping/on road trips, the rest of the time it pretty much stays empty so those bars don't really get in the way of anything I do.

 

Probably move daily but if I'm in a really nice spot, I'll stick around for a day or two.