Frame mounted camper

Do any of the Gen 2 owners here have a frame mounted camper on their Tacoma?

I've been looking on the internet but I haven't seen much.

Anyhow I'm getting old and retiring and I was thinking about doing something like that.

 

http://adventuretrailers.com/

They make a flatbed and camper to go with it.

 

I seem to recall a guy on expo building one (not a flatbed w/ camper) but I don't remember which section it's in, try the other custom campers section.

 

That is absolutely badass, right up to looking at the price.

 

@Overlanerd

 

looks cool, but also extremely sketchy to drive or wheel at all lol

 

Not that sketchy. Re-gear and keeping the swaybar is recommended. Big brakes if you have an automatic. Mine was a "Falcon", which FWC only made for 2 years (2004-2006 IIRC).

Wheeled the 6700 lbs. thing a little bit.



Managed to keep up with these guys.



And ran Slickrock (Bear Valley) twice this past summer.



And camping was really nice.



Not re-geared yet, but will be soon. After it goes in for a custom camper tomorrow built on the new foundation.



Not a true flatbed. Kept it at stock bed height for a lower COG and lower travel height. Also pre- planning for 35's...

I'll probably start a build thread. Either way, I'll keep you posted on the camper company's future offerings.

 

Are XP Campers still being made? If I wanted a direct bolt on I'd consider one but a slide off tray back camper like a Travelander would be ideal.

 

Thanks folks, but no slide-ins please & I don't need a flatbed either thanks. I have a utility trailer.

I want to do a permanent conversion and sell off my nice bed and tailgate for cash.

I'm thinking maybe a custom coach build would be the only way, which means I'm doing the customizing.

I'd just prefer that when I got done it didn't look too Mad Max . . . LOL

 

Oh, yeah, 2WD only here so no rock-hopping antics to consider.

Imagine two geriatrics cruising the KOA's in retirement.

 

The XP camper was very impressive when I got to spend time with an early prototype in Prescott, AZ when I was at Adventure Trailers picking up my FlipPac. Brilliant design with a layout that made sense. When parked you can let the lid up which adds a huge amount of interior space.



Keep us posted as to what you end up pushing forward with and of course please provide us updates once you actually have it.

 

I agree, the XP fits the bill. It is still mounted on a flatbed though. And really expensive. It will be hard to find a fabricator that is willing to do a frame-mounted camper. It's a lot easier to find one to work off a flatbed.

My Madmax flatbed was basically built as a foundation for a permanently- mounted camper. It will never be used as a flatbed. My camper will not be self contained either, so they are mounting the walls to the edge of the flatbed. It's as close as I could get to a frame- mounted camper. It will end up looking something like this:




Won't popup that high, have a sloped nose, or be that low profile, but hopefully this gives you the basic idea.

What's your budget?

Also, do you want a hardside or popup frame mount camper? Cabover or just in the bed?

 

I think I would prefer a full size if I was going to put a camper on it. Maybe an AEV Ram with a four wheel pop up.

 

I google searched "Phoenix campers chassis mount" and couldn't find one. Any links to a build or pics?

 

Found this in the FAQ on their site...

 

Well we're getting way off track here with Fords and 1-tons and 4 wheel drive Rigs.

None of that is going to happen.

 

This is sort of what I was imagining. A hard-side with a pop-up.

I haven't made any decisions because I don't know what's available but it looks like there's not much.

 

So, why DID Toyota quit making the chassis they used to have for frame-on Campers and the U-Haul rental trucks? Have a friend here with a neighbor who just bought a older used Toyota truck with dualies and a box body that was either originally a frame mounted Camper of one of the U-hauls. Seems that a 2nd or 3rd gen with the more powerful 6 cylinder engine would be a natural for that type of conversion...

 

Well that's exactly what I had seen before as well and I think that the new trucks need a little stouter frame to do this. Maybe I'm mistaken but I think the older trucks had a thicker frame.