TenSeven
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Re: 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.452Views0likes0CommentsRe: New guy - Where to start?
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.452Views0likes0CommentsRe: New guy - Where to start?
Vinsil wrote: If that is the case...I'd just rent something for once or twice a year. If your honest with your use, that will be by far the cheapest and most enjoyable way for you to RV. Add up the costs of RV purchase, maintance, depreciation, and mods to your less than ideal truck...rents you any RV you want for less for MANY years!!! My advice and since your retired and I can only assume on a fixed income, I'd like to see you save the money and headache of the road your about to take. Thanks. Having only rented larger RV's for trips my wife and relatives could enjoy, I didn't even think about looking into renting something much smaller, and cheaper, for just myself. Your right, cost, even at the end of the trip, would be much less than a buying a camper and upgrading a not so ideal truck. Good advice. That's what I like about great forums like this. The advice you get may not be what you want to hear but it's coming from those in the know so you'd better listen, ;) Thanks Mike452Views0likes0CommentsRe: New guy - Where to start?
Vinsil wrote: Mike, How often do you plan to go? This will be my first trip by myself with this kind of setup. Maybe just this once, but then again, if I get hooked it could be once, maybe twice? a year. If that's the case, I would, probably like allot of guys on here, upgrade to a more 'ideal' (i.e., fun :) )truck and camper. I could easily envision this camper covered and up on struts in my driveway much of the year since my truck is my only vehicle.201Views0likes0CommentsRe: New guy - Where to start?
Grit dog wrote: You're asking a lot of a 4 banger Taco to haul anything but your butt around and maybe a passenger..... My advice is its a bad decision to do anything but tow th smallest trailer and even then every hill and headwind will suck big time. Plus you'll basically only have a glorified tent whether you strap a dinky TC on it or pull one of those rolling porta potties. That Taco would however make a great toad behind a smaller nice used class C! Thanks. No problem with honest advice. Mike201Views0likes0CommentsRe: New guy - Where to start?
Hey, thanks for the quick replies! I appreciate it. The Tacoma I have was given to me by my elderly Dad before he passed away. It's a stock 4 banger not a v6. It only had 20k on it at the time so I've personally only put 40k on it, it's like new still so I really would rather, if feasible, upgrade rather than sell it. I realize from researching (what I've been doing since posting here :) ) that at least a 3/4 or even 1 ton truck would be more ideal. Great advice on the teardrop's. They look cool, but ya, a few days of bad weather and wet cooking might be a bummer. I've been looking at the Four Wheel Camper Fleet Pop-Up's as a possible solution. Nice slide in campers with cool features. They're website makes it seem that just a rear suspension upgrade and load bearing tires will do,? American RV Company is about two hours from me. My plan is to spend several months just traveling around the States, see the sites, visit some relatives and play my guitar by a campfire, type stuff. So, ya, I'd be living in it for awhile. Questions, 1) FWC seems great, what other pop-up camper manufacturers would you recommend? 2) As I mentioned earlier, it 'seems' like I could just upgrade the rear suspension a little, put on some load bearing tires and be good to go, true? Thanks again! Mike201Views0likes0CommentsNew guy - Where to start?
Hi everyone. From searching the Internet it would seem this website would be a great place to start. I'm a retired Firefighter living in Southern California that has enjoyed renting RV's in the past (class C to class A) always involving relatives. Now I'd like to venture out on my own so I'm trying to decide on the best way to do it. There are two different modes I've been thinking about. One is putting a small camper on my Toyota truck, the other is, towing a teardrop camper. My truck is a stock, 2007 Tacoma Access Cab with 60k mileage. From what I've read I will most likely have to modify the truck for camper use, i.e., at least suspension and tires. I really like some of the new tear drop campers I've seen which would allow for use of the truck bed for cargo. But I've also seen some really nice self contained pop up campers that fit the Tacoma bed and negate the need to tow anything. Can you guys with similar Tacoma's chime in as to which way to go and what's involved? Who makes the better Tacome size campers? Who makes the better tear drop campers? Thank you!3.4KViews0likes23Comments
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