Truck Camper Recommendations and Advice?

[fuzzybabybunny]

I'm a complete newbie to trucks and truck campers. I've got a budget of $22,000 (financed) for the vehicle and camper.

I heard the Tacoma was rock solid reliable so I'm going with that. Possibly a 2nd generation, manual transmission, with access cab (since I'll be infrequently hauling people on my travels).

Something like this:

http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/de...ear=2005-2014&distance=none&p=1&s=distanceasc

I'm totally new to campers. I'm looking for one that:

1. The Tacoma can take - apparently the Tacomas don't have much payload capacity?

2. Has a bathroom - shower and toilet, indoors

3. Gas stove.

4. Doesn't kill the gas mileage too badly.

5. I don't want a tent camper.

6. I don't know much about how the, ah, water and bathroom facilities work on a camper. I won't have real hookups in 3rd world countries, so I'll have to replenish the water by dumping it in with a bucket or a hose. And I'll have to get rid of the liquid and solid waste by dumping it out as well - no vacuum hose or anything. I have no idea if this kind of system is standard or if it isn't.

7. Will I destroy the water lines if I take this thing skiing in winter?

8. What size skis do I need for a Tacoma with camper?

 

[SyndromeOCZ]

The Tacoma isn't big enough for a camper with all that stuff. Even full sized trucks have a hard time fitting all of that. The largest camper I have seen has a bathroom, but you have to pull the toilet out of the wall, and there is no sink in it. You also have to realize that with a camper the holding tanks aren't very large, as there simply just isn't room.

Now if you are talking about camp trailers, that is a different story.

 

[herm0016]

tacos do not have the capacity for a truck camper with all those features. for a camper with a full bath, you are really looking at at least a 3/4 ton truck.
You will be looking at used truck campers for your budget, they are hard to find for small trucks or 6 foot beds, much easier for 8foot beds.

read here:
http://www.expeditionportal.com/

I own an old truck camper and like it. would love to build out my own shell model 4wheelcamper hawk. for my half ton truck i plan on just a bucket toilet system for emergencies, and an outside shower i can run out of a water jug. No permanent water system. longest i have stayed in mine is about 10 days, could have gone longer. current camper has no water system or heat.

 

[Greenman]

I'm a complete newbie to trucks and truck campers. I've got a budget of $22,000 (financed) for the vehicle and camper.

I heard the Tacoma was rock solid reliable so I'm going with that. Possibly a 2nd generation, manual transmission, with access cab (since I'll be infrequently hauling people on my travels).

Something like this:

http://www.kbb.com/cars-for-sale/de...ear=2005-2014&distance=none&p=1&s=distanceasc

I'm totally new to campers. I'm looking for one that:

1. The Tacoma can take - apparently the Tacomas don't have much payload capacity?

2. Has a bathroom - shower and toilet, indoors

3. Gas stove.

4. Doesn't kill the gas mileage too badly.

5. I don't want a tent camper.

6. I don't know much about how the, ah, water and bathroom facilities work on a camper. I won't have real hookups in 3rd world countries, so I'll have to replenish the water by dumping it in with a bucket or a hose. And I'll have to get rid of the liquid and solid waste by dumping it out as well - no vacuum hose or anything. I have no idea if this kind of system is standard or if it isn't.

7. Will I destroy the water lines if I take this thing skiing in winter?

8. What size skis do I need for a Tacoma with camper?

There is no camper that fits these criteria. It will be a lot easier to find the skis.

What you've described is a motor home, an entirely different critter than a camper. They're big, and they drink gas at an alarming rate.

 

[jlee]

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3693175450.html + http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Palomino-Maverick-8801-108968667 = way better than a Tacoma with a slide-in, and oddly enough will probably get the same or better fuel economy. Repair bills will suck, though.

 

[summit]

there is no way you get a camper w/ a toilet and shower.

 

[jlee]

there is no way you get a camper w/ a toilet and shower.

*cough*

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/3693175450.html + http://www.rvtrader.com/listing/2008-Palomino-Maverick-8801-108968667 = way better than a Tacoma with a slide-in, and oddly enough will probably get the same or better fuel economy. Repair bills will suck, though.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Bah, who am I kidding. I'm just going to get a small AWD fuel efficient stick shift hatchback for my trip.

I've criss crossed the entirety of the US multiple times in a manual Toyota Echo coupe, using lodging a total of 2 days. I've lived for 4 months out of my manual Honda Fit, happy as a clam. I don't like large vehicles at all. The Subaru Forester felt huge to me when I test drove it a couple days ago. The ONLY reason I'm not using a motorcycle for all my traveling is because my work requires me to have a shelter of some sort for when work actually pops up, which can be at any time, rain or shine. I just drove 400 miles (on the way to Colorado from California) and it reminded me of the joys of traveling in a small peppy car with a manual transmission and living compactly and simply.

I talked to a good friend of mine who is a local in Mexico and she said I will have no problems with break ins and car thefts while driving through central America unless I park it right in the middle of a ghetto, favela, or border town.

Crosstrek XV in 5 speed stick shift it is.

With a 125lb motorcycle mounted on the back: http://www.fxbikes.com