New guy - Where to start?

Thanks guys.

In reference to older 4 banger Toyota trucks, I do have to defend them a bit. I've owned both a 91 Toyota pickup Auto 2WD 4cyl and a 94 Toyota pickup Auto 2WD 4cyl. I used both to haul building and landscaping supplies for years, those 22r engines were bulletproof and got the job done. More than once I would have to get a load of sand, gravel, rocks, dirt or concrete pavers. Id load those poor trucks up until the tires would almost scrape the wheel wells and never had single breakdown.

Now, I can't say the same for my current Toy truck because I got out of the building/landscaping biz so I have no idea if this 'newer' version of my old dependable Toy trucks is as robust as they were forced to be.

Some great suggestions have been made, all of them good, I appreciate it. Just in general, if I had a choice, I would prefer a TC Pop Up. I love the mobility and leaving it up on struts option. Though they're cool, I'd prefer not to tow anything behind, also, though I've had some great times in RV's, I would only ever rent one (I've spent a poop load on rentals, the last being a deluxe Class A that was delivered and picked up, awesome!). Personally, in no way would I want a full sized RV taking up my driveway for most of the year. If I thought I would be using it all the time I'm sure I would feel different about that though.

Had this for 8 years,towed with 4x4 Tacoma v6 and Ranger 4 cyl
Got the job done but mostly in 3rd or 4th gear

My Tacoma 4 cylinder automatic 2wd with 3.58 axle and 14" wheels is a real dog, even when empty. It simply doesn't have the power to pull or haul much of anything. Also, the springs are way too soft and saggy to haul much weight. I didn't get it for those purposes though. It's for running around town doing errands and day trips on highway with good gas mileage. It works perfect for that.

I would keep the Toyota as a run-around vehicle and get a bigger truck to go camping with.

While the chassis will take a camper just fine with a few upgrades, I think that six pac would bury a 4 banger with wind resistance alone, much less the weight of a (small) hard side camper. That's like putting a double slide Host on a short bed 3/4 ton, but probably less hp per pound.
Stick with a popup IMO if you're going to put a camper on it.

This looks it might work for you also looks like a great price

Six pac t-100

Ten 7. Go weigh the Taco front , rear and whole truck and that will give you a good idea of what you can do with it. I had a 93 4x4 22re toyota and pulled a bass boat with it no problem. Those are great trucks as you know and worth hanging on to regardless.

If you are set on keeping your Taco then you might want to check out the Facebook group called Truck Cap Camping. I would throw a cap on (not much money) and see how you like it. Ultimately if you find it too lacking in amenities and desire a full fledged truck camper (soft or hard side) I would suggest you spend your money wisely on a one ton. If you go very big with a hard side or one with a slide, then you really should do the dually.

nomadictxn wrote:
Looking at specs for your truck, which all you indicated was that it is a 4cyl. access cab, your payload capability varies from about 850 to 1575ish lbs. A lightweight truck camper is not out of your realm. Suspension help will be necessary and tires and now we start spending the dineros! And in all likelihood it still won't be self contained. So, as suggested, you may need a heavier duty truck. Truck campers are the best do it all camper imho, and worth the money for the freedom and ease they offer.
Good luck on the right decision for you. Let us know.

I'm really liking this place, good on you guys for being so welcoming to a newbie.

I just went out and took a look at the door pillar sticker.

MFG: 4/06 GVWR: 4850 lbs
GAWR: FR. 2380 lbs
RR. 2685 lbs

Also, I read somewhere (probably here :) ) about leaf spring differences and recalls on the Tacomas. Mine has 3 leaf springs with the bottom one being at least twice as thick as the top 2.

Ya, no way I could get rid of my Ol' Mans truck. I went with him when he bought it and in the back of my head I knew at the time he was actually looking for a truck to replace my aging 1994 Toyota Pickup.

Looking at specs for your truck, which all you indicated was that it is a 4cyl. access cab, your payload capability varies from about 850 to 1575ish lbs. A lightweight truck camper is not out of your realm. Suspension help will be necessary and tires and now we start spending the dineros! And in all likelihood it still won't be self contained. So, as suggested, you may need a heavier duty truck. Truck campers are the best do it all camper imho, and worth the money for the freedom and ease they offer.
Good luck on the right decision for you. Let us know.

If the memory of your father's truck trumps the fact that it's too small to do much with any size of TC, go for the easiest, cheapest way to keep the truck and do some camping.
There are still a lot of questions to broach. How many bodies are going camping in a potential truck camper? If it is just one, get the cheapest used lightweight pop up you can find, especially if you are a fix-it guy. Retired firefighters have a lot of life left, so i'm assuming this would be a good way to see if you have it in you to try out TC-ing, and which way you go from there. For most small TC owners, there is a subtile paradigm shift toward something larger, more capable and more comfortable for long trips. This comes right along with age. Then again, some of those large tear drop looking trailers look very interesting and we saw a lot of them in the last 12 days on our Oregon Coast trip. Do you have a lot of camping experience? If so, you know the value of choosing the appropriate vehicle. If not, check into a used Class C and keep the Taco.Just remember the huge advantage of having a truck camper is its multiple use: camper and hauler. If you don't haul anything, then it doesn't matter.
We just got back from our annual 'kids and grandkids camping trip' on coastal Oregon. It was 63 degrees much of the week along the shoreline. On our return trip through Redding, CA it was 114 degrees. Our adult kids rented a 29 foot class C. It sleeps 8 and got 11 mpg to boot. Chevy 454 F.I. on a 3500 chassis. They have no space to park any RV during the year living in San Jose, CA.
My son (47) is now living alone and is contemplating joining the Mercedes Benz Sprinter Van living club. Now with 4WD they are a great place to build a stealth RV. It is still multi purpose.
So many ways to go. If you do decide to go with a rental RV just for a week or two a year, just remember jefe's dictum: "Nothing off roads like a rental rv."