Truck Camper on my Tacoma

[Italia7087]

Ok, I have been doing some research on putting a truck-camper on my 2016 Tacoma. Looks like the payload on the sticker is 1150 lbs.  Most campers I've seen that boast for midsize trucks have a dry weight of that amount, and wet weight of about 1700 lbs.  Would this be ok to have on my truck all the time stock or would I need to upgrade my suspension or anything? Or should I look for other options? 
Also, I specifically want a hard top, not a pop up.
The two Im looking at that seem to have what I want is the:    Travel lite 690fd or the Kimbo 6.
Please some advice. Thanks!

 

[tripper]

That would be a better question for a Tacoma forum or even better possible an over lander forum if you intend to do any backcountry 4x4ing

 

[Italia7087]

Fair enough. I will post there as well. Thanks

 

[bullfrog]

Tacomas have weak rear suspensions and loose all gas mileage when loaded. Get a heavier truck, even a Tundra may not be enough if you carry a decent amount of water. I have seen a foamy built topper with no water on an older Tacoma but even it needed helper springs and it only weighed 800 lbs. I had a wedge topper and drawer system with mattress and needed helper springs to make it sit level.

 

[tripper]

I do know that there are a lot of small Toyota trucks running older Six Pac campers, I used to see them all the time 20 years ago. If you Google them you will see. I actually have a larger one (8ft, weights 1200 lbs) on a 1/2 ton truck (2003 Silverado) and it works perfectly because the are so light. They made a lot of small Toyota specific ones years ago and are well built and insulated. Mine is an 1984 modl and is great.

 

[Telcobilly]

I have a 2008 Tacoma 4x4 access cab with a fiberglass utility shell. I had a super long thread here that faded out because the photo hosting site shut down my pictures. The comments about weak rear suspension are absolutely true. When I slid the 350 lb shell into the bed it sank down to the axle. I ended up adding a leaf to the spring packs plus Super Spring overload springs. It's a fully contained pod with its own floor and no weight on the bed rails with barn doors on the back. It's the Durashell 165 model. I ran 2x4 joists across the width of it at the bed level and put two plywood sheets to form a queen size bed platform with a basement below it. I'm still trucking but I'm actually getting my first social security check next week. I'm back on this site to start preparing to do extended camping in it as I do not own a home other than living in the company truck. I have a 2000 w Honda generator, 7 gallon polyethylene water can, ARB refrigerator freezer, microwave and 1,000 watt inverter. No solar yet or deep cycle batteries. They are on the list as the truck has been paid off for 7 years.  I have a pretty decent savings now. I think $1,000 worth of solar and battery upgrades should finish this project out 100%.
The comments about the gas mileage are also true. Mine took a hit with the lift and the shell in the back. And this is with a streamlined shell, I can only imagine a true truck camper would really kill it.

 

[bullfrog]

^^^Welcome back!

 

[tx2sturgis]

I remember that build with the Durashell...I had considered one for my build but they are too pricey and too hard to get out here in flyover country... but I was impressed with what you can do with one.