Anyone have a Pop-Up Camper on their short bed Tacoma?

We've narrowed it down to the Four Wheel Camper or the Palomino SS-550. We can find a 2017-2018 Palomino for right around 10K. The Four wheel campers are stuck at 17K+.

We plan on using this thing for Camping and for the parking lot while skiing. We're not retired so we won't be using it for months on end.

I know the Four wheel unit is way better for the long haul. Especially taking the abuse of off road adventures but since I'll be throwing it on when ever we feel like going somewhere on a weekend I think the cost savings on the Palomino might be worth it. If we were retired and traveling around the states I see the Four wheel unit being much better for constant use. But since we're only throwing it on for camping and having a nice warm place for when we're at the mountain the cost savings of the palomino is pretty big.
And yes, I've seen all the other units that have been popping up lately but it's two adults and a 3 year old so that takes a lot of the new fancy units out of the equation. Hell, I'm happy to build a trailer with a RTT but the wife wants to take a few runs than climb into a 75 degree camper with cold beer in the fridge. P.S. Earth Cruiser is way out of the budget. P.S.S. The Flip-Pac style is also out. We want to Open the door, Pop the Top and your good to go. Like I said, this thing comes off as soon as we get back to town. P.S.S.S. Does MESOJDM make Campers?

 

I don't have one, but I was considering looking at a Palomino SS-500... problem is, I could NOT get that camper in my garage. Even off of the truck, without an AC on the top, at its lowest, I couldn't get it in the garage.

There's a guy here doing a build thread where he's using a FWC, and it looks really nice. I'd love one of those.

What I'm really potentially considering next year or the next would be a GoFast Camper... then make my bed out into a 'modular' RV type camper.

 

We are running a FWC Swift shell model on our Taco. We've use the FWC campers in the past and absolutely love them. There is a big difference in price between the FWC and the Palomino...but there is also a huge difference in quality, weight and resale value down the road. My wife, 10 year old son and myself all sleep comfortably in the FWC. Weight is king on these small truck/camper setups so we are running the light weight shell model and using a portable ARB fridge unit inside. We found on our old VW Syncro camper that we rarely used the built in water system or cook stove so not having a kitchen built in works great for us, we would rather have the space and weight savings. We do most all cooking outside the camper but have the option to cook inside if needed with the portable stove. We use light weight backpacking gear when in the camper to save space and weight. We have the propane furnace in ours (a must for us as it keeps us toasty warm), dual batteries arctic pack liner (keeps the inside warmer) rear steps and yakima roof rack tracks on the roof (will carry kayaks on some trips).

You might watch the Wander the West site for a used FWC...they pop up once in a while but usually sell quick.

Here's a few pic of the camper on the truck. I'm running medium dakar springs in the back with air bags and Daystar cradles...truck drives great with the camper on the back. The upper bed slides out into a queen but we usually just sleep on it in the smaller configuration. The canvas on the FWC is also top notch, it's a vinyl material that holds up extrremely well and is 100% waterproof, couple that with the one piece aluminum roof and it’s a four seasons camper. We have camped in our past FWC Raven camper in some torrential down pours without a drop ever making it into the camper.
















The ARB Compressor fridge fits perfectly on the drivers side shelf.



Hodakaguy

 

Yep, That's about perfect! I know what you mean about the quality difference between the Palomino and FWC. Even though the Palomino is a lot cheaper, That's just what it is. Cheaper quality. Thanks for the Wander the West info. How often do you remove the camper and drive without it? Do the rear leafs still feel fine? I knew I'd have to get bags but didn't plan on upgrading spring packs. Thanks again, Great looking setup. Nice and simple, exactly what we're looking for.

 

Upgrading the springs isn't a must but does help, the stock springs with air bags should be sufficient. I went with the Dakar medium springs so when the camper is off the truck the ride quality will still be good. I drove the truck with the Dakar springs and bags for quite a bit before installing the camper and it rode great. I mainly keep the camper on in the summer as we use it quite a bit, but I can remove it from the truck in about 20 minutes so it's very easy to do if needed.

Let me know if you have any questions on the setup. More info on my build thread, link in my signature line.

Hodakaguy

 

That is a really nice build on the truck.

 

How is that passenger side window working out? does it help with visabilty while driving? does the width of the camper affect your rear view? I don't have rear view camera, only mirrors. Thanks

 

The camper side winow does nothing for visibility when driving. The side mirror on the truck still work great and if you keep the rear curtains open you can still see through the camper with your rear view mirror. Visibility with the camper is actually pretty good.

Hodakaguy

 

What's the financing like on one of those? Wife and I have been wanting one.

Thanks,

 

This is beautiful, but how much does it weigh? How hard is it to put on and off and how is that done?

 

About 850 lbs. The camper is held onto the truck by turn buckles that are hidden from the outside. There are little doors on the floor of the camper that you open to gain access to the turn buckles. I can remove the camper in about 20 minutes, it's a pretty simple process.

Hodakaguy

 

I have two deep cycle batteries in the camper that power the heater, lighting and fridge. I installed a Powerlet port to connect the fridge to the camper batteries. Details on the fridge power in my build thread here: http://advrider.com/index.php?threa...d-tacoma-builds-on-to-new-adventures.1274770/

Hodakaguy

 

Did you look at Hallmark by chance, they have very nice quality campers, we had one for 10 years and never had a single problem.

 

Does Hallmark make a camper model for the 5' bed Tacoma?

 

Do you mind posting some interior pics?

 

So they say they do, go to their site as the pic above is from there and they do have interior pics as well. They make a very nice camper though!

The Hallmark Expedition Camper (EXC) is a choice of 6.5′ , 8′, 8.5′, OR 9.5′ foot pop-up truck camper for 5.5′, 6.5′, & 8′ foot short & long bed trucks. A North-South cabover is optional for the Hallmark EXC. This camper is simple and light weight. (Water Systems/Cook Top, Propane, shown are optional equipment for the EXC.) Cabinets & Cushions are what an EXC starts with. Contact hallmark for a full list of EXC add ons. This is an “a la carte” camper series.

www.halmarkrv.com

 

Sweet setup. How much does it weigh? Your truck is almost identical to mine as far as mods. What size tires? MPGs?

 

Guaging interest in my 2009 Flip Pac. Fits 5' beds 2001-2015 Tacomas

 

Good looking red heeler. I see so many blues, it's nice to see a red once in awhile.

 

thanks shes great dog.