Truck Camper Recommendations and Advice?

I'm a complete newbie to trucks and truck campers. I want to drive from California to the southern tip of South America. I've got a budget of $22,000 (financed) for the vehicles.

I heard the Tacoma was rock solid reliable so I'm going with that. Possibly a 2nd generation, manual transmission, with access cab (since I'll be infrequently hauling people on my travels).

Something like this:

http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/de...ear=2005-2014&distance=none&p=1&s=distanceasc

I'm totally new to campers. I'm looking for one that:

1. The Tacoma can take - apparently the Tacomas don't have much payload capacity?

2. Has a bathroom - shower and toilet

3. Gas stove.

4. Doesn't kill the gas mileage too badly.

5. I don't want a tent camper.

6. I don't know much about how the, ah, water and bathroom facilities work on a camper. I won't have real hookups in 3rd world countries, so I'll have to replenish the water by dumping it in with a bucket or a hose. And I'll have to get rid of the liquid and solid waste by dumping it out as well - no vacuum hose or anything. I have no idea if this kind of system is standard or if it isn't.

7. Will I destroy the water lines if I take this thing skiing in winter?

Thanks!

 

first you have to beef up the suspension. biggest problem will be finding a slide in camper. due to small bed, probably want find a camper with bath or commode. make sure you get a v6 4wd, a the camper has crank up top for less wind resistance. I had a jayco slide in popup camper and 1/2 ton long bed and only weighed around 1300 lbs. unloaded. after propane, water, cooking utensils, dishes, bedding it strained the hell out of suspension. I added 2 more leafs and load leveler shocks. you need 4 tie downs, I bought the ones for stake pockets, do not know if Tacoma has them. when you get it where it will carry the weight, then it is top heavy and will not handle very well. best alternative is a small popup, I pulled a jayco 1006 with my Tacoma.