Truck camper for Toyota Tacoma - Questions

SupWheeler wrote:

billtex wrote:
Yeah...the beaches down our way do spell out "self contained". You might be able to sneak a cassette toilet thru...but they will check for grew water tank at inspection.

I wasnt planning on having a grey-water tank. No sink, no shower. Do I need one?

You need to check the regulations for where you plan to beach camp. As noted, self contained is typically required. How that is defined/enforced may vary state2state.

If you don't mind going old school (they were only made from '85-'92) and you can find one (they show up on craigslist sometimes) maybe try a Palomino Mini L

They were originally made for Rangers & S10s, I think dry weight is listed at 670# but if you remove the fridge/stove/heater it would be a bit less.

Cabover sleeps 2 and the dinette could be widened to fit another 2 (though its definitely gonna be tight quarters), and you can fit a small portapotti under the step for the cabover

Still probably gonna want better tires & airbags but it could be an option for you, especially if you're on a tight budget

Good luck!

billtex wrote:
Yeah...the beaches down our way do spell out "self contained". You might be able to sneak a cassette toilet thru...but they will check for grew water tank at inspection.

I wasnt planning on having a grey-water tank. No sink, no shower. Do I need one?

Yeah...the beaches down our way do spell out "self contained". You might be able to sneak a cassette toilet thru...but they will check for grew water tank at inspection.

RichandLiz wrote:
Make sure you check with the parks / beaches and get something in print. A TC for small trucks is possible, however features of comfort are limited. I have a PU-TC on a dakota but despite having a porta potty and water tank, from what I have learned is the toilet needs to be a permanent fixture with holding tanks and the grey tank needs to be a permanent mount also. I asked about rigging up a holding tank on a hitch haul or side of truck bed for grey tank and bringing extra holding tanks for porta potty and was told it would not be permitted. Needed to be a permanent fixture of TC. The fear was that anything portable can be removed, carried, and dumped in the dunes or beyond.

I'm sure every two people will give a different story so plan ahead and have it in writing. Little trucks like yours and mine are limited and weight adds up quickly.

Thanks, this makes sense and echoes the only thing that Ive found in writing...

Self-contained vehicles with a valid Bullpen OSV Permit
may park overnight in the Bullpen camping area only if they are equipped with an approved toilet and permanently installed waste storage tank capable of holding 2 days’ volume of waste for all occupants. Only approved self-contained vehicles are permitted in the Bull Pen overnight. All waste (including gray-water) from self-contained vehicles must be retained in vehicle’s holding tank while in the OSV zone and emptied in an approved location outside the park or at trailer dump stations located in Seashore campgrounds. Travel trailers and tents are prohibited in the
Bullpen. Non self-contained vehicles are prohibited from parking in or adjacent to the Bull Pen from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m.

I'm going to assume that porta-potties will NOT be approved. Cassette toilets also do not have a "permanently installed tank", but Ive heard from other people that as long as its "factory installed" (ie: built into the camper), they will OK it. One guy suggested that cassette toilets are very common in many of today's TCs (is this true?) and said the Bullpen is full of them.

RichandLiz wrote:
Make sure you check with the parks / beaches and get something in print. A TC for small trucks is possible, however features of comfort are limited. I have a PU-TC on a dakota but despite having a porta potty and water tank, from what I have learned is the toilet needs to be a permanent fixture with holding tanks and the grey tank needs to be a permanent mount also. I asked about rigging up a holding tank on a hitch haul or side of truck bed for grey tank and bringing extra holding tanks for porta potty and was told it would not be permitted. Needed to be a permanent fixture of TC. The fear was that anything portable can be removed, carried, and dumped in the dunes or beyond.

I'm sure every two people will give a different story so plan ahead and have it in writing. Little trucks like yours and mine are limited and weight adds up quickly.

Interesting . I wonder how they view a cassette toilet ?

Check out LivinLite aluminum truck campers. They may have something that would work for you.

If you CAN use a porta-potti I would look into a flippac which weighs about 300 lbs and will allow you to carry hundreds of pounds of camping gear and beer: Flippac. I think you could sleep 2 above and 2 in the truck bed.

Make sure you check with the parks / beaches and get something in print. A TC for small trucks is possible, however features of comfort are limited. I have a PU-TC on a dakota but despite having a porta potty and water tank, from what I have learned is the toilet needs to be a permanent fixture with holding tanks and the grey tank needs to be a permanent mount also. I asked about rigging up a holding tank on a hitch haul or side of truck bed for grey tank and bringing extra holding tanks for porta potty and was told it would not be permitted. Needed to be a permanent fixture of TC. The fear was that anything portable can be removed, carried, and dumped in the dunes or beyond.

I'm sure every two people will give a different story so plan ahead and have it in writing. Little trucks like yours and mine are limited and weight adds up quickly.

SupWheeler wrote:

JacintoKid wrote:

SupWheeler wrote:
Thanks for all the input. I think I know what I want, now the question is how do I get it?

I think what I want is a 6.5' pop-up TC with a bed over the cab and two beds along either side of the truck bed. (no kitchen area - no tanks). Hopefully I can find an approved cassette toilet that would stow away.

Ideally, Id like to get a shell (like the Eagle from FourWheel or the Bobcat from All Terrain), but living on the east-coast, this doesn't seem possible/practical. Im guessing my best bet is to find a used model and strip it out? Anyone have experience something like this? Any suggestions on finding one?

Four Wheel campers just announced an East coast dealer somewhere in PA. Check out their website. I just purchased an FWC Fleet model for my new Tacoma. So far, I'm very impressed. The top bunk slides toward the rear to make something close to a queen size, maybe larger. The rollover couch down below can sleep 2 small kids easily. So, sleeping 4 is doable but it would be very tight. Just depends on your comfort level. I miss the space of our previous AF 990 and the wet bath but this camper better suits my camping style. Good luck in your search

Thanks, I was looking at either the Eagle or the Fleet. What year/configuration/bedsize is your Tacoma? Do you know what it says the max weight is? Id like the extra width of the fleet but not sure if the extra weight is worth it. I plan on going with just the shell and 2 couch/beds, so hopefully it will be light.

I have a 2014 4x4 longbed / double cab. I have most of the options available for the fleet so, i'm a little heavy. The capacity for my truck is right at 1200 pounds. I'm not sure the weight difference between the Fleet and the Eagle but I'm sure it's negligible, I believe the only difference is the extra 5" of width. I wanted the extra width for the ability to sleep east/west. I added airbags and the rig drives and handles very well, much better than anticipated.