Slide in truck campers in 1st Gen

Hey Everyone - long time reader, but my first time posting here.

There's lots of opinions out there on slide in campers in 1st Gens, especially relating to weight and payload/GVWR capacity. Definitely understand the concern there, however I have finally found a long-sought after and (relatively) rare 2007 Panther Cheetah camper from Best Built Inc, out of Kalama. Definitely a bare-bones style of camper (love this), and it's reflected in the base weight of 620lb. (I have not gone to a truck scale to confirm this - planning to do this soon)

I have a 2004 Extra cab, 3.4L, with the 5 speed manual transmission. Considering an max weight of 340 lbs of people, 400 lbs of gear/100 lbs fuel (max), I would still come in under max payload capacity of 1,560 lbs. I have ride-rite airbags installed, E-load rated tires, add-a leafs, bilstein 5100's, and I'm planning to install torklift tie downs.

The camper fits perfectly in the truck bed, as far as footprint is concerned, but it sits a ~7" high off the bed rails and above the cab. (see photos)

Additionally, I'm going to try to build a wind deflector/acrylic plastic box that fills some of the gap over the cab. (if anyone has experience with something similar, I'd love to hear what you did)

- Does anyone have experience with slide in campers that sit a higher off the bed rail?
- If you have had a slide in camper, how has your 1st gen travel experience been?
- Do the torklift tie downs really help that much?

Thanks in advance!

 

Subscribed!

 

Sweet setup! How much air do you have in the bags when the pictures were taken? The room above the cab may be a good place to put some pelican cases.

what’s the layout on the inside look like?

 

Yes yes! Inside pics!

 

Those photos were taken pre-airbags, actually. I've taken it out on pretty mellow roads, and around town (speed bumps, cornering, Portland's low quality pavement) at 50psi, and it seemed to be fine. Granted, there's nothing inside at the moment and there wasn't much side-to-side action.

I'll take some inside pics this week and post. It's very similar to @Shape-Shifter rig - same wood paneling, green carpet, two fold down bench beds that can be converted into an entire cabin bed. I'm going to do some modifications and move them to one side with a slider (kinda like a futon folds down) and then add fridge, sink, heater, etc on one side, and a battery compartment on the other. Not wanting to take up any of the center space yet I like having the option to carry things like dirt bikes, kayaks, skis etc in the space inside.

Also - I'm gonna go to the truck scales and see if it actually comes in at the 610lb stated dry weight.

@hucklebarry, good idea on the pelican cases. I was thinking of building a lightweight storage box underneath - but getting a cage for the truck cab roof would probably be much easier and lighter-weight. I've already got a plastic fairing being cut that will connect to a yakima cross bar.

 

Mm, mm, m. Excellent!

 

oh man, what a rad camper!

 

I am guessing you built those jack mount's, they look stronger than commercial offerings. can you tell us about them?

 

Some photos of the inside of the camper - I've done nothing to update/change it at this point.

 

The jack mounts are just small flanges mounted through the wall of the camper with a metal plate backing on both sides. The attachments to the jack are angle welded with a small post (to insert into the flange). Nothing fancy, but they seem to hold alright. I have hydraulic jacks on the front, mechanical on the rear. Its kind of a pain to raise and lower, but hopefully it's not something I'm doing too often, otherwise I'll want to come up with a better system.

 

Thats so cool! It's like a mini version of the Panther!

 

I hope the air bags are independently filled.

 

As RV insurance adjuster (25yrs)

the absolute best/most expensive bed mount camper is a Lance
Same wall structure as a Class A coach(light weight/insulated…Bonded Wall)
Hydraulic Jacks
Slide outs as well !!

I went into a Lance during TX summer, was cooler inside that outside temperature….bed mount camper not plugged into shore line
Not cheap thou

 

Lance is top of the line but I dont think they make anything light enough for a first gen Taco.

 

Dang^^^

IMO light enough yes
Will fit non full size bed….no

I did see a Class C coach one time
Build on a Tacoma chassis!!!!
Early 1st gen….2dr cab
Let’s just hope was a V6

 

Ha!
Kinda like this

https://sanantonio.craigslist.org/rvs/d/san-antonio-1985-national-rv-toyota/7717778795.html

 

Ive always wanted to do a resto-mod on a Dolphin! They have half-ton rear ends though. Beefier than a Taco

 

Found another
Geez $11k??

https://yuma.craigslist.org/rvs/d/yuma-1991-toyota-sea-breeze-motorhome/7723977994.html

 

Shape…..in your opinion what rear end is used?
New drive shaft needed?
Interesting

 

That's one of the long ones with a 1 ton DRW axle. $11k is average. When I moved to high altitude, those things became less appealing to me.

PH_Diamond has the perfect setup for a truck of this size. I am jealous of his Cheetah.