Tacoma?

[myke]

What do you think of a Tacoma with cap for a dwelling? It would most likely be a 4x4 which would be nice for the ability, when needed, to get away from everything. I think it would be pretty stealthy too, except for the fact of having to climb in the back...

 

[SoulRaven]

Good for boondocking, not so much for cities.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

What do you think of a Tacoma with cap for a dwelling? It would most likely be a 4x4 which would be nice for the ability, when needed, to get away from everything. I think it would be pretty stealthy too, except for the fact of having to climb in the back...

They're extremely popular back country rigs.  There's a ton of aftermarket support for them.  There is a sub-forum devoted to them over on Expedition Portal.

That said, I would find one too small to live in full time.  You don't live IN a rig like that, you live ALONG side it.

Regards
John

 

[skyl4rk]

I would not mind a Tacoma as a tow vehicle for my cargo trailer. I used to have a Toyota pickup that was a very basic vehicle, but very reliable. I sold it because it did not have any safety features and I barely fit into it, my knees were on the dashboard.

The asking prices seem to be pretty high used. I did a Build It on the Toyota website and the MSRP (new price) for a 2WD is about $25,000.

The trucks are very small and only one very small truck camper is made in that size.

I am looking at the Chevy Colorado as well, plus this weird thing: http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/nv-cargo/?tool=vlp.nvcargo.regional.features.link

 

[LeeRevell]

The newer Tacomas are bigger than they used to be. My buddy has the 2001 model, which is small and compact. Leg room is lacking on the right passenger area, but he likes the smaller size for woods running and dog hunting for deer. A very agile vehicle in 4X4. The six foot bed would be very limiting for me. The new Tacoma, being a larger truck, might work for camping. Not sure about comfort for longterm dwelling.

 

[highdesertranger]

well first off they are better known as tacos by the off roaders. beware of the v-6 in the first generation taco. what year are we talking about? even the newer ones are kinda small for me, but for you they might be fine. overall Toyotas are above average vehicles. highdesertranger

 

[karl]

Had an 02 extended cab 4x4 Taco with a high top cap- loved the truck, would still have it if not for a drunk totaling it. It was great for weekending in rough country. Found that just the truck was just too small for fulltiming for me and a 70# dog.

Son and I took it x- country with a teardrop in tow, didn't like towing all the time. The cap and 900# trailer, plus our gear really worked the 4 cyl engine hard in the mountains and wind on the plains.

I prefer a van, even with forgoing the 4x4, there are ways to compensate.

 

[akrvbob]

I love the Tacoma and often tried to think of a way I could live in one, it's just too small for me. But here is a long thread about a guy who found a way to make it work. Check it out:
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-T...shell-for-a-stealth-adventure-vehicle-camper?
Bob

 

[myke]

The asking prices seem to be pretty high used.  I did a Build It on the Toyota website and the MSRP (new price) for a 2WD is about $25,000.  

The trucks are very small and only one very small truck camper is made in that size.

I am looking at the Chevy Colorado as well, plus this weird thing: http://www.nissancommercialvehicles.com/nv-cargo/?tool=vlp.nvcargo.regional.features.link

Yeah, I know, the prices for used tacomas are very high, I think it's one the best vehicles for resale value. That's why I think buying a new one would be a decent investment. That Nissan you linked to is nice, and huge, but the mpgs are brutal, like 12.

The newer Tacomas are bigger than they used to be.  My buddy has the 2001 model, which is small and compact.  Leg room is lacking on the right passenger area, but he likes the smaller size for woods running and dog hunting for deer.  A very agile vehicle in 4X4.  The six foot bed would be very limiting for me.  The new Tacoma, being a larger truck, might work for camping.  Not sure about comfort for longterm dwelling.

Yeah, the thing is the beds are still small, only 6' like you say, so it may be somewhat limiting...

well first off they are better known as tacos by the off roaders.  beware of the v-6 in the first generation taco.  what year are we talking about?  even the newer ones are kinda small for me,  but for you they might be fine.  overall Toyotas are above average vehicles.  highdesertranger

I'd probably go with a new one. 4-cyl. manual...

Had an 02 extended cab 4x4 Taco with a high top cap- loved the truck, would still have it if not for a drunk totaling it. It was great for weekending in rough country. Found that just the truck was just too small for fulltiming for me and a 70# dog.

That's what I would go with, just a high top cap, not a full camper. Those full campers are nice, but they are like 15k, and no stealth whatsoever. I would probably go with something like this:

I love the Tacoma and often tried to think of a way I could live in one, it's just too small for me. But here is a long thread about a guy who found a way to make it work. Check it out:
https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-T...shell-for-a-stealth-adventure-vehicle-camper?
Bob

That's very cool, thanks, I'll read through that...

 

[highdesertranger]

cool I think you will be happy just along as it has enough room for you. highdesertranger

 

[Woody Creature]

I am living full time in a 2006 4wd Tacoma. She has an A.R.E. wedge cap (33'-36"). I am more than comfortable, but I am 5'6". [img=600x340]https://truckcamperhints.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/truckand-rack.jpg[/img]

 

[highdesertranger]

nice rig. highdesertranger

 

[masterplumber]

Nice rig and nice blog. I love it when people don't let a lack of money get in the way of their dreams. I need to do more of that myself.

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

just saw this on reddit, probably easy to mimick
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8599-set-up-camper-shell-for-sale-2100/

 

[Belinda2]

You could sleep in the second row seat on top of all of your clothes as your bed. At night you could cover the second row windows. Bathroom could be a container under the second seat. Storage is in the back. If you sleep in the bed, the only negative may be coming out in the AM. No one>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!! would know you were there!-Sweet!
If you could live small,
or store stuff for the off-season at someone's house,
or put a roof top rack/carrier, you could do it and store it all!
GREAT truck. Great reliability. Great re-sale value. Off-road here you come!

 

[myke]

I am living full time in a 2006 4wd Tacoma. She has an A.R.E. wedge cap (33'-36"). I am more than comfortable, but I am 5'6". [img=600x340]https://truckcamperhints.files.wordpress.com/2015/03/truckand-rack.jpg[/img]

Awesome! Very encouraging... I will check out more on your blog...

just saw this on reddit, probably easy to mimick
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/8599-set-up-camper-shell-for-sale-2100/

I like it, thanks...

You could sleep in the second row seat on top of all of your clothes as your bed. At night you could cover the second row windows. Bathroom could be a container under the second seat. Storage is in the back. If you sleep in the bed, the only negative may be coming out in the AM. No one>>>>>>>>>>>>>>!!! would know you were there!-Sweet!
If you could live small,
or store stuff for the off-season at someone's house,
or put a roof top rack/carrier, you could do it and store it all!
GREAT truck. Great reliability. Great re-sale value. Off-road here you come!

Good suggestions. I'm not sure I could lie down fully in the back seats though, but it could work in a pinch. Maybe climbing through the window from bed to the main cab would be possible in an emergency; that would be nice just to know it's possible if need be. Thanks!