TRUCK SLIDE IN CAMPER?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=225&v=H-fCZ5L61vs

 

At what point does "custom made" cross over from "home made"? I think the OP has done himself a favor by having the 4cyl that makes this over priced monstrosity not practical.

 

Agree you can haul it, slow uphill etc. The strain on the drive train has to take its toll so plan on premature rebuild or replace of engine, tranny, wheel bearings, brakes, diff, CA and more. That will, in the long run, cost more than trading up to a used V6 off road with towing pig which has bigger altenator, tranny radiator.

My pic shows a FWC on a V6. I got the stripped down shell. Travelling solo with 2 weeks food, water it weighs 150 lbs under GVWR. But I bet the drive train won't last as long as not having a camper.

 

I had this camper on my 1st gen 4 cyl, auto. With camper and all the other stuff it was close to the limit.
Air bags, Rancho adjustable shocks and a trans cooler. Sure it was slow up hills(faster than a VW bus) but if you are not in a hurry its fine.
I never had any problems and I got into places a trailer couldn't go.

 

My truck isn't overloaded, and won't be. I consider that my Right to Choose.

 

May want to consider a heavy Dakar leaf pack and re-gearing. That won’t be fun in a 4-cyl. I use to have a 4-banger

 

Trade your truck in for a V6 and then upgrade suspension and regear for added weight to reduce strain on power train

 

Hey couchless, I got the V6 automatic and uphill it shifts often. So what I do is put it in next lower gear. The rpms may be a bit higher but seems like a reasonable solution. Do you see an issue with this?

 

Nope, thats what I do if I'm loaded up. If its pulling up the hill in a lower gear and you're not seeing the temp go up or anything, you're probably fine.

 

I would just take it slow going uphill carrying a load. Try to keep the RPMs lower than about 3500 going uphill, these engines can take that all day.

 

Used to have one of these but 1000 pd dry for a 4 Cyl will be a no go. For reference my father had a 2.7 Tacoma with a 900 pd slide in, I borrowed it once in the mountains of CO and we maxed out at 50MPH up the hills, boarderline dangerous for CO.

http://www.hallmarkrv.com/campers/hallmark-expedition/

 

Figured I'd bump this thread and give my $.02. I am currently the owner of a GFC and I run it with a Decked Drawer system 63qt ARB fridge, Full Armor, and Sliders... That said it's still quite light and nimble.

I JUST sold my GFC (accepted a deposit to hold it) because ordered a fully loaded Alu-Cab Khaya camper. The Khaya fully loaded and "wet" weighs in at 1100lbs, Which I figure is nearly exactly 500lbs heavier than my current set up. I am already running E-Rated Cooper 255 85 R16's and the heaviest OME suspension offered. That said I am adding a set of Firestone Ride Rite bags and Daystar Cradles. I will be re-Gearing to 4.88's and adding the OVTune to my truck next year when funds replenish. I am going to be right at or maybe just above by a hundred or two hundred pounds GVWR but I'm not super worried about it.

All that said the 4cyl Taco will probably REALLY benefit from gears and the V6 taco's need them badly too, as mentioned E rated tires and airbags should be on your list.

I looked very hard at the Kimbo campers, they are COOL!!!, and obviously 4Wheel Campers as well but for me the Khaya seemed to be the best, albeit the most expensive option. However very low profile and incredibly overbuilt.

Before anyone asks I LOVE(D) by GFC... But my wife and I wanted hot and cold running water, a shower, an indoor stove and sink, a 270 degree awning, a furnace and more storage... I was going to add a Trail Kitchens water/ sink system to my Decked, a Kinsman 270 degree awning, hot water on demand, ect. and it got to the point that it was silly to continue on with such a platform. It seemed better to start over with something more appropriate.

Final thought the ONLY thing I did not like about the GFC was how the panels had to be shuffled out of the way to use the back to cook or work or whatever during lousy weather, the Khaya, as well as the SNAP! treehouse (maybe the Drifter by IDK) have bed platforms that simply push up and out of the way. Is it a big deal? no but it will make things nice in the morning when we wake up and it's cold or rainy out. It's more of a time saver than anything as the GFC panels are super light and moveable.

I will update when my camper arrives/ gets installed (end of June) but for now I will continue to enjoy the nimbleness of my GFC.

 

Had a Northstar 700SS camper on our 2001 Taco for 17 years with zero problem. Last year we upgraded to a 2018 Taco & a new 700SS. Our initial camping trip was four months long. Very pleased with Northstar campers. Yes suspension upgrades are required.

https://www.truckcampermagazine.com/buyers-guide/pop-up-truck-campers/northstar-pop-up-camper/

 

Nice.... what are you running for suspension and any power train changes? How is it on the highway? Mpg?

 

Hellwig sway bars front & rear
Hellwig rear helper springs
Firestone Ride-Rite air bags
Bilstein 5100/6112 shocks
No power train modifications
Handles well on the highway and surprisingly tight in the twisties.
MPG between 10-16 mpg depending on conditions.

 

i have the canopy camper and while it doesn’t offer a “live in” build arrangement like a traditional camper it is totally awesome. and it weights sub 400lbs.

 

Love it... very similar build to my current GFC.

 

I liked the GFC until I saw the price, the lead time (14 months last I looked), and they raised the pricing without adding any features from $5400 to $6400 plus a $1100 delivery/install fee. or you can spend $700 in fuel to go pick it up in just over a year.. so now I have $500 down payment on an item that wont even start production on for a year?? screw that..

I went with a RTT (ARB Series III Simpson, $1449 shipped to my door), and a rack to mount it on (I got the KB voodoo highrise bars due to budget constraints.. really want the 14" max modular rack with tonneau mounts but I was short about $500.... and I need the tent for an upcoming trip.

 

4 cylinder?

 

the bed tents are ok, but.... I hate that you lose all the bed space for storage to put air matress in, and a cot takes up the whole bed.. at least with my RTT I retain my bed for storage (under the tonneau cover), and I can leave everything in the bed.. secured, and less risk of theft, and I can pack up and leave in 10 minutes or so..