Any upgrades needed to handle this camper?

Ok, I have been doing some research on putting a truck-camper on my 2016 Tacoma. Looks like the payload on the sticker is 1150 lbs. Most campers I've seen that boast for midsize trucks have a dry weight of that amount, and wet weight of about 1700 lbs. Would this be ok to have on my truck all the time stock or would I need to upgrade my suspension or anything? Or should I look for other options?
Also, I specifically want a hard top, not a pop up.
The two Im looking at that seem to have what I want is the: Travel lite 690fd or the Kimbo 6.
Please some advice. Thanks!

 

Welcome to TW, stock suspension won't be able to handle that weight for very long. I'm just going through suspension upgrades on my 2016, leaf springs flattened out and I'm not even at half the weight you will have.

 

If you're referring to adding a camper over bed, that's too much weight, especially when greatly raising the center of gravity. There's a reason you typically only see those old school campers on 1 tons. I'd look to a pull behind.
Welcome btw!

Edit: also look at the sticker in the driver's door jamb, for the actual rating of your specific truck.

 

Ok, now subtract you and your passengers weight, and the weight of all your stuff from that number...

These trucks aren't designed to carry 2,000 lbs.

 

Tundra upgrade?

 

$270 Timbren TORTUN4L Suspension Enhancement System

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001TNBTK2/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ??

 

With that much weight, your gonna be riding the bump stops on the stock suspension. If I was putting a camper on a Tacoma, I’d stay as light as possible something like a alu cab canopy camper. It’ll save you a lot of weight and you can outfit the inferior however you want.

 

Thanks everyone. Is upgrading your suspension for the overcab-camper an option?
If I don't have to tow and store a pull behind camper everywhere I go, I'd rather do that.

But yes, I will also take advice and look to lighter or different options at this point. Just curious. Thanks again!!

 

You can, but also consider other upgrades you may need outside of just suspension to support that extra weigh in addition to the impact in fuel economy and drive ability. I’d plan on doing gears for sure.

 

You can certainly upgrade the suspension, but that doesn't change you payload rating. That rating is based on things like those dinky rear drum brakes, the lack of horsepower and torque in your engine, the less than stellar transmission gearing and design. It isn't as simple as putting on heavy duty tires, some more leaf springs and air bags. Do owners do those things? Heck yeah! But it just a bandaid and not a designed system.

The simple truth is the Tacoma is a great truck for what it is. Trying to make it something it isn't really isn't possible and will end up costing you more in the end than just getting the right tool for the job would have in the first place.

I get the whole idea of not wanting to drag a camper behind you. In that case I would look long and hard for a full-size truck designed for a camper. Any 3/4 ton truck will do the job and the footprint, mileage, and even durability will be better than the little Taco's.

 

Buy an F150

 

Thanks again. Appreciate the answers!!

 

Very old thread but caught my interest. Toyota payload is not a true representation of what the sticker says. With Suspension upgrade and tires that truck will be fine. Stay off highway and take your time driving.