New pop up camper? Topo Toppers

Just wanted to chime in on the fan. I've had my topper since May, and have just been camping in the California coastal fog, or the Sierra when it was still chilly. Then, we spent a week along 395 last week when it was crushingly hot. Even with the pull-down windows, it was cooking! After second guessing my decision on the fan a few times given its added height, I was REALLY glad I had it last week. If you are going to be using this somewhere hot, I really can't recommend it enough. I was so glad we had it. It's also good about keeping condensation down.

 

Are the bed stiffeners required? I don't do alot of offroading, just gravel roads. Is the lighting directly connected to truck battery?
Also I have a 2nd gen tacoma, will the badland also fit a 3rd gen tacoma if I get one in a couple years.

 

I'm still waiting for my Badlander, but I had the same concern as you. They have two different types of awning brackets, regular and heavy duty. I'll be getting the heavy duty brackets. I even asked if they can use three, instead of two. They said it wouldn't be a problem.

 

required technically, no but with any weight on top of the composite bed... i would say, yes. Our beds are weak. $100 safety net is cheaper than a cracked bed

 

The lighting just plugs into a 12v outlet, but it has switches along the rear drivers side of the topper to control them. Just like the Solar has an 8mm connector, perfect for using something like a Jackery as your power source. I asked them the same question about if I were to ever get a 3rd gen. They said the 6' 2nd gen model fits a 3rd gen as well. I'm not sure if it is the same for the 5' bed model, but I don't see why they wouldn't. These don't fit as flush and snug like a regular fiberglass shell. Like for instance my Reg Cab, a shell made for an AC or DC will rub the top of my cab, but with the profile of this setup, it will clear. Hope that helps

 

I'm lazy and have been rolling the dice with a snug top and OVS 270 awning and no bed stiffeners. I'm glad that I'm finally going to have them AND I don't have to install them myself

 

They are easy to install and relatively cheap. Most people in this site have more than $100 in patches

 

Yeah, I know. My laziness works in strange ways. Other than the regear and lockers, I've done all the other mods to my truck either by myself or with friends. But, I take it to the shop for maintenance. I even bought a set of stiffeners, but they are stashed in my garage somewhere. Probably next to the pop lock and tailgate cover that I've also been putting off installing. Working 12 hour shifts with a two hour round trip commute has something to do with it. I should have my Topo on 11/4, then I won't have to worry about not having the stiffeners, anymore.

 

With the topo, you can camp at work… more time for going to see a man about a dog

 

Oh hell no! I run a Sulferox Gas Treatment plant. It stinks so bad, I won't even take my personal vehicle within a mile of this place. lol

 

For what it’s worth, I just confirmed my order for a badlander. To me, the ability to sleep comfortably with my feet facing the tailgate with plenty of head room is 100% worth it. They pretty much look the same closed and aesthetics while open aren’t a big deal to me. When it comes time to sleep in the camper, once you go full pop-up you never go wedge.

 

Lets see some more pics and buildouts! @Emptyage @Cosmo4252 @jdblu @Veggie Taco

 

Thank you everyone for your help with questions. I'm new to the forum so other then hitting "like", I'm not sure how to thank you. I've got a bluetti eb55 power station that would be great for the solar and lighting. And have made my mind up on the badland. Hopefully with in a couple weeks I will have my order placed.

 

Sorry! Been super busy, currently moving apartments.

Here's a pic from July/August.

 

How come it bends at the top? Does the topo toppers usually do that? What's the reason? I've just never noticed a hinge before.

 

Here's my rig. Uses Bambeds for the interior setup.

Pic 1- Badlander w/ OVS Nomadic Awning 270.
Pic 2- Interior with loft bed slid back. Note 3 Bambeds stacked to make an interior bench.
Pic 3- 2 Bambeds deployed with Bambed sliders serving as emergency cutting board (forgot to pack one).
Pic 4- Massive sleeping loft has room for 2 fully grown basketball players. Almost.
Pic 5- Bambeds in full sleeping mode. Rig can sleep 4 plus have storage under the bed.
Pic 6- Badlander opened.

 

Is you passenger side window the new cargo door?

 

Cargo door on passenger size of the shell.

 

What are you looking at?

 

Can you show some pics of the outside of it? Will it drip water in if left open in the rain or does it have a channel around the opening?