The Fellowship of PNW Tacomas | PDX Area Wheeling

Soooo since we're TBD for the next meetup - wife and I have been weighing the options between RTT/Camper shell/travel trailer

We're leaning a lot towards the camper shell as far as "bang for your buck"

A question to those of you who are equipped... few questions
1. how tough is it to water/dust proof/resist the bed
2. is it a royal PITA to take on/off with two adults
3. preferred brand canopy?
4. shit you wish you would've thought of/done during/before your build
5. any quality of life stuff you'd like to so kindly share

TIA

 

1. It's not a easy task, but it's doable. Start on the front and get under the front rail cap really well. Also don't forget the areas where the cubbies are, and the bed light holes. Hardest part is the window in the back. Still haven't gotten that right.
2. Pretty much IMO
3. They all suck to some degree, no opinion here
4. Truck drove poorly after putting a canopy on. The rear felt like it was gonna tip over on corners. (Note I drive fast) I am not certain if this was made worse by having over loaded my truck before and flattening my leafs a bit, but I suspect it was. I added an AAL to help fix this. It did, more or less but it is not great. The AAL applies too much force upwards (or at least the cheapo one I got does) and the rear of the truck jumps on small bumps.
5. Sliding windows are a must IMO. Really wish I had windors. You are going to bump your back on the top of the canopy getting in and out. Worse if you build a platform. A high rise might be a good option if you plan on sleeping back there a lot.

These are only my opinions, and I know fuck all really so take them as you will

 

There are other factors that come into play regarding a stand alone vehicle, or towing a trailer.

Do you plan to move around each day or sit in place a few days or more?

Do you like to setup camp daily, or not?

Do you have a need (like me) to bring damn near everything when you go "landovering"?

 

Hey guys, i have a set of 4 Goodyear Kevlar tires off my 2020 off-road 265/70r16. They only have about 400 miles on them. $25/each , is anyone interested?
I'm in SW...

 

Post that here....

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/oregon-washington-craigslist-ads.244890/page-1380#post-25309169

 

1) depends how dust/waterproof you wanna get. Mine is good enough and wasn’t hard at all but I also don’t mind a little drip here or there. Some people are OCD and want everything perfectly sealed and bone dry.

2) I look at canopies pretty much as a permanent install. It’s not too bad to lift off with 2 people but storing it without damaging it is the bigger issue. You won’t want to be taking it on/off regularly.

before I got my wedge camper my shell was on the truck for 10 years without ever coming off.

3) My leer was nice but no strong opinion.

4) get windoors. It was a game changer when I switched from my shell to a wedge camper and got side panels that open. Makes packing for a trip way easier and you don’t have to crawl in and out of the bed to get stuff at the front.

5) I camped out of a shell for years and it is pretty tight for 2 people, works much better solo. My fiancée hated it and is much happier now that we have a wedge camper. Most of the time we’d set up a tent opposed to staying in the shell.

It is also a real pain having to move EVERYTHING out of the bed to go to sleep.

 

Here’s my dilemma… I want an RTT but in my brain I don’t wanna pack it up every time I take my pontoon boat/kayak fishing while I’m camping…

 

Ok I’ll bite...

1. I had my dealer do the install for me after reading a lot of threads where people couldn’t get the best seal, plus they do a ton in the PNWet without issue. Mine has been 100% waterproof since install over a year ago.
2. Haven’t taken it off but I’d imagine it would be a PITA if you don’t have a hoist in your garage. I don’t want to remove because I’m lazy and afraid that I might start getting leaks after reinstalling.
3. Snugtop has been solid. Comes standard with a lot of features that would make a Leer etc same price when optioned out.
4. You probably won’t be removing it often without a garage hoist, so really think through the pros/cons of not having an open bed. It’s also a new huge area to potentially damage when wheeling lol, keep those side mirrors pointed to the shell on narrow trails.
5. NO ONE ASKS YOU TO HELP THEM MOVE ANYMORE! A telescopic boat hook will save your ass and no need for windoors. Build a platform if you’re going to camp a lot, you can keep your gear under the platform/in the cab and not need to remove anything to sleep back there - it’s a game changer and you’ll never go back to flappy wet tents. Truck drives a little different at first (I also drive fast @TacoTim85 can attest) but proper suspension let’s you keep ripping!

For my needs, it was the best thing I did to my truck. Sometimes I miss the open bed look, but for functionality it can’t be beat.

Oh, you’ll have to deal with the “wHy dIdNt U jUsT bUy a 4rUnNeR” crowd too. They can’t keep wet, dead, smelly stuff in their cab. Or build it out as easily. Or remove to have an open bed if needed.

 

I tend to fall along similar lines as @plurpimpin.
1.the way the dealer installed mine has been water tight enough. The dust is another issue, but it’s not the end of the world.
2. If not purchasing a trailer to sleep out of, I think a quick set up tent is a better sleeping option.
3.at least one Windoor is a good investment.
4.I don’t plan on taking my cap off, unless I absolutely need too.
5.I may get a rack for the top eventually, just to store more junk(ya know, cause kids want bikes and toys when camping).
6. Don’t over think it and have fun!
7. My truck seems to ride as good with the cap on as it did before. I have after market suspension.
Good luck.

 

The struggle is real. Buy a Gazelle pop up and then you still get the Instagram points.

 

Ground tent, trailer, or camper shell seems like the only way around that unfortunately. That’s why I didn’t get a RTT, mobile camp is important to me.

 

don’t even have insta. Haha

 

Phew. Me either.

 

You could always go for a hitch tent .. https://rubiconep.com/hitch-tent-rack-system

I have a 4are shell (see profile). Leaks a little. Whatevs, it's a truck bed. Put in a sleep platform if you want to stay try (and have storage). It's pretty much a permanent install. I think I took it off once (it's a pain, I set up a pulley system in my garage to do it) to move some stuff, but yeah, otherwise it's pretty permanent.

 

Just buy a Scout Yoho!!!


NOT MY PIC - STOLEN FROM FB GROUP

 

Thanks to my poor judgement and some slick roots on Cedar Tree at Browns I got to improve my mechanic ability. Replacing one bumper extension and both bumper caps.

Any advice on installing parking sensors?

Doing this much to a car I own is new to me. Thankful for all the resources that exist for Tacomas.

 

Oh baby! Can’t wait to have time to get these installed. I know they’re not King’s, but I’m stoked about having height adjustment without having to take anything off (probably still take the wheel off, but Eibach claims you can do it with it still on)

 

I have no idea, but I've got tools, YouTube and beer if you're interested in learning

GL!

 

Let's see how far I can get first and I will let you know!

 

Yeah - the stupid inserts they go into suck pricewise. But ya just stick 'em in for the most part.