Camper

Ok. So not sure if this falls here, but I have a dumb question. What is the biggest slide in camper anybody has used in a 3rd gen. I have a 6ft'r. I don't want to go crazy, but I also don't want to buy a new truck just to carry one

 

As pretty much any slide-in will put a Tacoma over its GVWR, the answer is "the lightest one you can possibly find, and you're still going to need to install the heaviest springs you can buy."

That of course hasn't stopped anyone. Many people have run some serious campers with great success. Look at the "round-the-world Tacoma" thread for a dream build.

 

I wouldn't use a slide in camper on anything less than a 3/4 ton truck. Just because it can be done doesn't mean it's a good idea.

 

Getting tired of towing a trailer. These trucks are dogs when it comes to towing. That and they have no legs. Exploring other options that don't involve me spending another year on another project

 

Four Wheel campers, Project M. Tune campers M1. Topo Toppers. & so on & so forth. Not slide in but similar. Good luck

 

This implies you have a trailer now. Out of curiosity, what are you towing? I'm going to rail on a weird unpopular soapbox and say that most people underestimate the fun factor of a smaller trailer. A small, high clearance teardrop or pop-up can get to places that the typical twin axle can't. I'm still team trailer because I can pick my spot in the woods, drop my gear, and not be an ungainly top-heavy elephant on the trails.

The other half was unsure about it, but once she saw the fun factor of setting up on the remote back acreage or BLM land and not your standard issue concrete pad and one picnic table's -width of grass, she bought in. And then the empty truck is free to run into town or take the trail uphill, without worry of clearance or getting off camber.

But, you know, horses for courses. Slide ins definitely have their fan base too.

 

I custom built out a 12ft cargo trailer. 3500lb gvw with a 2246 curb weight. Not much cargo except for what gets loaded in the back of the truck. Already have a Ranch Echo glass truck cap with a legacy Decked system. Last trip, I struggled to maintain 65-70 and never saw 6th gear. Just a dog on anything but back roads

 

You're in Colorado aren't you? No issues with finding spots that fit a trailer? I'm still using my rtt, but am looking into other options. Towing a trailer seems like a pain, but it's starting to make the most sense.

 

It's going to be a dog with a camper in back too

You'll need to upgrade leaf springs and/or install airbags with the weight

 

Towing and using 5th and 6th gear is difficult. Both of those gears are overdrives and are there for Toyota squeezing out the best milage for economy and emissions, not towing. I feel you have unrealistic expectations. I've towed at full 6500lb weight and rarely found 5th even going downhill, never 6th. I also only count being in a gear if the converter is locked.

 

As someone who has lots of miles with an overweight camper in the bed... the only way you are going to see any improvement is with a re-gear. Get that done and see how you feel about your trailer before buying a slide-in.

I'm in a 2nd gen, but similarly I was unable to use my highest gear (5th) before the re-gear. Only on perfectly flat or slight down hills. I went from 3.73 to 4.56 and that was a huge improvement. I now use all 5 gears, and only lockout 5th when I'm climbing. Where I couldn't accelerate past 50mph up some hills, I've yet to find something steep enough I can't accelerate on, even when pulling my trailer. I can easily pull well beyond the speed limit on any pass I've hit (not that I recommend that, just saying it can).

The downfall though, is that when I'm not hauling anything, my mileage is MUCH lower since my engine is spinning so fast to maintain freeway speeds. For me, the tradeoff was well worth it and I highly recommend.

 

I'm not, but my trailer goes coast to coast, and has been in Colorado (plus the three other corners) many times. With a small trailer and big leveling jacks, you can park it in a lot of unusual spots. If I can parallel park it in downtown Manitou Springs, then threading it between trees or up switchbacks is easy in comparison. (Most obstacles**. If the truck can make it without having to three-point-turn, the trailer can too.) There have been a few spots where I have gotten out and walked it, planning my line and where I'll swing the trailer to get to the spot that I want. But I don't feel like I've missed out on a prime site when I get out there.

 

I run Airlift bags in back already. I'm out on Cape Crud (Cod) Mass. I usually run up north in Me, Nh, and Vt. Lots of hills and mountain roads. It does decent on back roads. Just sucks donkey balls on the highway. That and it doesn't stop for shit. Hate the drum rears. As for a re-gear... I'm not sure I love the truck that much to risk voiding my warranty if something goes wrong. I got the extended and they fight with me on everything. Even if it states its covered

 

As long as you use a reputable shop, they will warranty the gears. Mine fell apart and they fixed for $0.00.

If you aren't willing to spend $3-4K to get gears done, slapping a $10-30K camper on your truck is going to do absolutely nothing to stop your truck from sucking "donkey balls", lol.

I've never felt an issue with my brakes. Do you have larger tires than stock? I only bumped up one inch in order to get E-load tires in the brand/model I like (you will need e-loads if you buy a slide-in). Also, does your trailer have brakes? I don't like towing without brakes, they help a ton. Dual axles are also drastically easier and more comfortable to tow, as well. I figure your trailer is single based on the low GVWR

 

I run the original stock until they need to go. As for stopping, my beat to shit 2nd gen 4 runner stopped better. Gotta be the difference between drum or disc rear. Truck only has 33670 on it. I would've expected better