Newbie Seeking Camper ID - Tacoma TRD Offroad Shortbed

JoshWilliams wrote:
Assuming that I move forward carefully, what are the risks that I may be taking?

Overloading your truck.

You need to diplomatically tell the guy selling it that it's too heavy for your truck.

Better to not go down that road, than to buy it and regret it, and have one heck of a time trying to sell it.

J

Have the current owner take some measurements of the camper. Check the width of the camper where it goes through the tailgate opening. It may not even fit your Tacoma. Surely the seller would let you back out in that case.

That camper is designed for a compact truck, but not one with a super-short 4.5' bed as pictured.

As others have alluded, what this means is that all the weight of the camper is behind the rear axle of the truck. This makes the truck unstable. It may drive fine in a straight line but handling will suffer in turns and emergency maneuvers.

To me the weight isn't so much of an issue, as WHERE the weight is. You can upgrade tires and add helper springs, but you can't change the fact that the weight of the camper will be behind the rear axle of the truck...

It may have worked fine for him, but you're taking a chance here.

Now if you decide you want it anyway, you can use load straps to anchor the camper down for the trip home. Just take it slow and easy and stick to "back roads." Then you can save up for proper tiedowns and the suspension add-ons you'll need.

It's really surprising me that so many people are telling you that this is a bad idea based on weight alone. This forum is full of people who regularly overload their trucks, including 1/2 tons and compacts, every day and don't think twice about it. I used to ascribe to "the ratings are the ratings and nothing you bolt on will change that" which is still true, but seeing so many people grossly overloading their trucks and happily getting from point A to point B, I guess it just doesn't matter all that much as long as the truck is in good shape to begin with, with good tires, and properly maintained.

Thanks for the helpful tips and concern. I truly appreciate you taking the time to assess my situation. I have measured and seen the camper in person and talked to the owner in person. He was very open and honest about the camper and its flaws. I'm wondering if it would change anyone's mind to know that he drove this camper across the country from Tahoe to Vermont in the colorado which has very similar payload ratings to the tacoma. this camper also has no heater, electrical system (battery inverter etc) nor does it have a bathroom or fridge. It does have an ice box, and three burner stove. The platform in the picture is to accommodate the cab over height (although may help with distributing weight off the tailgate. It seems like a pretty lightweight, no frills camper. It is 38" wide in the wheel wells and 7' and change in length. What is the consensus on how much this camper may weigh? I was able to find specs from Toyota about my truck GVW = 5350, Curb weight=3855 which leaves 1495 for payload. Do you think this camper is over 1200 lbs? Also worth noting that this will primarily be used for weekend trips to tahoe with very little additional weight. Some ski gear, a couple sandwiches for lunch and bedding. Seems like it will be close but right in there... am I way off base here? Also anyone who can help ID this camper would be greatly appreciated that would help get a solid idea of weight.

Take it to a scale and find out. It really doesn't matter what it is supposed to weigh.

I don't think the weight is an issue but how do you plan to combat the center of gravity issue? IMO this is the real concern to me.

A few inches behind the axle wouldn't concern me but this will be extreme, not sure how it even stays in the truck without tipping out from that pic lol.

Scales absolutely, I have already mapped out the nearest scales. I have also bought a set of TorkLift frame mounts and StableLoad with the basic turnbuckles. I'm wondering if a wedge shaped bed platform would help distribute the weight off the tailgate and move the COG forward a bit. In time I will continue to add suspension mods, airbags, bump stops etc. but I can't afford to do it all now.

The scale can tell you what the weight is per axle. If you do an empty vs loaded weight, you can know how bad it is.

That't my plan... very curious about weight and distribution. I will post back with the details when I know them.

JoshWilliams wrote:
... I'm wondering if a wedge shaped bed platform would help distribute the weight off the tailgate and move the COG forward a bit. ...

This "wedge" will not alter the COG location... it might physically "lift" the camper above the tailgate. COG is affected by the Natural Force (gravity) and changing the angle on which it sits will not move its location along the X-axis... basic physics.

In my opinion, it would be advisable to heed the opinions, direction and experience of the many here who have posted. If if it were me, I would not be throwing good money after bad. if you want this camper then get a truck on which to place it. If you keep the truck, then get a camper that fits it (there are very few if any that will fit it)
JMHO.