Scout Yoho Slide-in Truckbed Camper

It was suggested to me to go ahead and start a Scout Yoho thread even though mine isn't scheduled for delivery until December of 2021. There hasn't been a whole lot of chat about it on TacomaWorld, so hopefully this will change that.


The Scout Yoho is one of three campers built under the new Scout brand, under the umbrella of Adventure Manufacturing out of Yakima, Washington. They have been building campers for years (decades?). Their lines include Adventurer, Eagle Cap, Overlander, and now Scout.




Truck Camper Magazine put together a decent introduction article for it you can check out here: TCM - Scout Yoho

A 3D "walkthrough" is also available: 3D Scout Yoho Interior

 

Picked up our Scout on 9/9/2021. I knew there was a reason I saved the 2nd post on this thread...

 

It was about 4 years ago when my wife and I were introduced to "Overlanding" at the Northwest Overland Rally in Plain, WA by a co-worker who quickly became one of my best friends. We quickly built out my Tacoma with an AT Habitat and swingout/sliders, Fridge, hot water system, dual house batteries, and a bunch of other stuff. It was a lot of fun, and super capable. HOWEVER, we quickly found we didn't really dig the miles and miles of offroading/overlanding. We preferred just hitting forest service roads and finding a nice place to camp for days on end. We often hit the Oregon Dunes or Moses Lake Sand Dunes towing our toys out onto the sand and camping. The AT Habitat was great, but it's main downfalls were the lack of comfort during inclimate weather and it's inability to stealth camp. As it's a tent there is no real insulation and the material makes a lot of noise in high wind. We really liked the idea of a slide in style truck camper, but did not want a popup. We figured in a few years we'd see about building a flatbed Ram 5500 with a big camper with multiple slides. But then the Scout Yoho was unveiled and we figured it would be a great stop-gap until we finally decide to upgrade. Hoping this will help us get out and take some road trips. Being able to pull off just about anywhere, get some sleep and make some food, and then head on again will be great.



The Habitat has been sold, the deposit put down on the Yoho, now we wait!

 

Great plan, and the YOHO looks like a really nice camper! Congratulations!

 

Well before we put down a deposit we were able to arrange with Apache Camping to view a Yoho that was being delivered for customer pickup. We saw it the same day it came in, and it was being picked up the next day. Thank you to whoever purchased that unit!

We took various pictures with my wife in it for a size reference. We were actually blown away by the amount of storage. Looking at pictures online without a person for reference I thought all the cubbies were about half the size they actually are.

One problem many potential buyers will have is that the bed is east/west oriented, and only 72x54. That 72 inches is tight. I rolled up my jacket and used as a pillow and when laying on my back my toes would bump the opposite wall, and I'm not quite 5'6". For us, it'll be fine, but for someone taller I could definitely see it being uncomfortable.





My number one complaint, and something I'll be fixing immediately after pickup, is the "shore plug". It's a simple one of these as a pass through for an extension cord to reach the Goal Zero Yeti that is used for the campers power source. This leaves no insulation, and literally an open hole through the wall of the camper you can see daylight through.



I'll be installing a Noco Plug that I have from my Habitat buildout and plugging the whole with some sort of insulation. Others have already done this mod on the FB Group







My wife says this is going to be her spot. Right in front of the propane fireplace. I've been following a FB Scout Camper Owners Group and it sounds like it puts out plenty of heat and it's externally vented for intake and exhaust, helping to keep the condensation level down (still condensation, but it could be WAY worse). No thermostat is biggest complaint I've seen. Also needs lit manually, but I'm cool with that.

 

These little steps fit between my kimbo and the side of the bed on my 3rd gen. Height comes out to where the top step handle is the same as the tailgate so you are not stepping over the handle and possibly hooking your foot on it.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Project-Source-Compact-2-Step/5000211399

 

Is it the one in this image? I couldn't get your link to work, but i searched and this looks right? Sounds like that works out well for you. I'm really curious high the rear of my truck will be once I get my Yoho. I'll be running without my tailgate though, but might be ok to just step straight into the camper.

 

Sorry on the link, yeah that's it. We had a bit larger one but the very top handle was over the tailgate and it didn't fit between the camper and bed. This one is just the right height and fits, seems very sturdy as well.

 

Probably you can go bumper as a step then up to camper and hang on to the camper door frame at the same time. I am fairly spry for an old dude and I can go ground to tailgate in one big step by hanging on to the side of the truck bed or camper, but not ideal for everyone and wet conditions, hence the step.

 

I've got a DCSB, and a HC rear bumper that is super short. I'm pretty sure the camper will be sticking out slightly further than my bumper, lol.

 

Maybe just one of those 8 or ten inch plastic steps. Hand hold helps a lot as well if you can grab on to the door frame.

 

We have two of these lil 16 inch tall steps that treated us well for getting into and out of the Habitat, but no where near as stable as an actual step ladder type thing. And it'll be a little higher to step up too. These are still great though. Perfect height for using as a side table to a camp chair, a foot stool, or a simple seat. Folds up to next to nothing in size. We'll definitely be bringing them along even if not used as an entry step anymore.

 

Yeah those look good and worth trying, and if not, you will find the right thing.

 

Years ago I had a slide in on a 3/4 ton Chevy. Weight was no problem, and this was before lightweight construction.

I got rid of it for two, well three reasons. First side wind pushed it around a lot. Second the higher center of gravity made it feel tippy. Those two together made for spooky driving in areas where surprise gusty winds are common.

The third was terrible mileage. But in all fairness I knew that going in.

How have they addressed the first two? Not much can be done about the third.

 

1. Side wind is always gonna push you around

2. Most of the weight on the Yoho is down low, only heavy piece up high is a 5 gallon jerry can, which obviously is pretty heavy. The Scout Olympic (the larger camper for full sized rigs) has a RTT on top of the camper, which puts a hunk more weight u there. They haven't offered that on the Yoho (their smallest camper to date). Probably for that reason, or possibly just to save weight. I'm planning on running with the camper with my current suspension setup, but I'm also open to purchasing a rear sway bar and adding to the truck. Upgrading to E-range tires, as well. My SLs don't deserve that kinda abuse anymore.

3. Gas mileage on my Taco already sucks like none other. I tow a trailer regularly so I'm used to seeing 8-10 mpg from my previous Habitat setup and towing. This will be a bit less aerodynamic for sure, but at least I just got my truck back from a re-gear. Hoping I'll finally be able to use 5th gear again.

 

Most of the first two can be addressed by how fast you are going, but agree with Ryan wind will be felt. The main amount of weight on these campers for tacomas is below the bed rails. The mileage, 12 or so on mine isn't as big of a factor if you are going somewhere to stay for a while. If someone is trying to "make good time" zooming across the country then probably a 40mpg vehicle and staying in motels is the way to go.

 

Interesting, that they tried to put as much weight low as possible. Score a point for them.

I went from the slide in to a Hi Lo trailer. The handling difference was amazing. But the Hi Lo’s had longevity and leaking issues.

I’m currently looking for a small trailer now that it’s just the wife and I.

One thing I did learn, unless you want to be loading and unloading the camper between trips it’s best to have a dedicated vehicle.

The small trailer leaves me a viable truck at home or on the road after parking the trailer.

 

My AT Habitat lived on the truck, so I'm used to having the bed unavailable for hauling large items. My trailer has been used many a time in place of the bed. Still not sure how I'll like daily driving with the camper on, though. (3 mile commute).

 

With the battery operated drill and socket those camper jacks go up and down pretty fast. The tight fit backing the truck in takes me a couple tries - still new at it though. Agree on the trailer part, makes sense if you don't mind the towing and space requirements. Really what it comes down to is that each set up has pluses and minuses just depends on what's best for you.

 

I'd be all over a trailer if I didn't also want to haul my SxS and ATV. I coulda got a really awesome travel trailer for what I am paying for a practically empty box on the bed of my truck! lol.