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I own a 2006 Toyota Tacoma with the off road and towing package with 6 cylinder engine. I live in Illinois but like to go camping in Wisconsin and off road camping in Colorado and Utah for extended camping trips. I put a cap on my truck so I can sleep in the back, protected from rain and bugs (in Utah, you sleep under the stars). I cut a custom fit floor for the truck bed so I can put in padded carpet. That way, I don't wreck my knees when in the back. I added in some LED lighting so I can illuminate the truck tail gate for when I cook. To do this, I added in an "always hot" cigarette lighter in the back so I have access to constant 12 volt power. I used 10 gauge wire for this run so I can draw 20 amps if necessary. I added in a relay for my LED back up lights which are activated by a push button on the dash. I mounted the LED backup lights on the top edge of the cap.

The truck has tinted windows so the back window is tinted. The cap also has tinted windows. At night, with two tinted windows, I can't see a damn thing out the back of the trunk! Because of this, I pulled out the original radio and installed a new radio head unit made by Boss. It has a 7" display and supports a backup camera, which I installed. the backup camera solves the problem. The boss head unit also has an auxiliary video input that I can connect to a front facing camera (work in progress). This would be useful for front tire placement when going off road on a rocky 4X4 road.

I replaced the original fog light button for one that illuminates when activated (the original fog light does not indicate when it is active either by the button or by an indication in the dash). I also modified the fog light so it will come on when ever I like (not dependent on the low beam head lights being on). That way, I can use the fog lights to provide light for setting up a tent or driving around in a camp ground without blinding everyone with the headlights.

So far, I have found the 115 volt inverter to be useless. Since I have 12V in the back, I use that outlet to charge cell phones or tablets.

I installed a 105 amp hour marine battery as my main battery. To fit this big boy, I had to modify the battery holder and had to extend the heavy gauge wiring. This battery is a deep cycle battery which has more stamina when compared to an engine starting battery. It does not have the high cold cranking amps of an engine starting battery, however. I was curious to see how it would do in my trunk. As it turns out, the large battery spins the engine like a top when I start it. Now, I don't worry so much about running down my battery when running accessory lights while camping.

I am researching the possibility of a duel battery system. I have a 12 volt refrigerator whose native voltage is 12 volts, not 115 volts. In the desert, the most I can get out of a cooler with ice is about 3 days. I calculate that I could run that refrigerator all night on the main battery and still be able to start the engine in the morning. I am also investigating 100W solar panels. My goal is to be able to live in the desert for at least a week or more with cold drinks and fresh meat on the grill.

 

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