Toyota Tundra with a camper

Anyone here have a current Tundra (the 2007+ one) with a truck camper in the bed? Not a shell, not a Flip Pac, but a camper like a Four Wheel Camper, other popup, or even a hard side.

Curious how it handles the load and what modifications you did to address the weight. E range tires would be necessary, and probably either airbags or Timbren/ Sumo Springs.

The 8' bed double cab Tundra has me wondering if I can make it work with my Northstar popup camper. I've been shopping for an updated 3/4 or 1 ton truck for a while, and prices remain ridiculously high for used trucks. If a Tundra would work, a new one is only marginally more expensive than a 5-year old F250, and it'd be nicer to drive when not loaded.

Starting a new thread specific to the Tundra - I know this overlaps with the "ski RV sleeping in parking lots" but trying to find info specific to this truck.

What does your camper weigh?

Almost always, even if the camper fits under the weight rating, by the time you pack your family, dog, food, water and all the other accoutrements for adventure you will be well over the rating.

Sure you could upgrade springs and tires, and it might work in practice, but you will be maxed out and if you wreck, and notably if you wreck into somebody else and they get hurt, insurance could deny your claim. Adding airbags and e rated tires doesn't pass muster legally.

I say this as a man who has a DC long bed. I went back and forth on it and settled on a very nice camper shell from century and shit in the woods.

My buddy has a 4WC and a recent issue Tundra Extended Cab LB and he gets by w it fine. Not sure if he's done any mods but will check. Check the weight rating of the wheels before putting the E range tires on, they might need upgraded as well. Also rv.net has all kinds of TC/truck threads and a bunch of old guys ready to answer questions.

New Tundra?

https://media1.giphy.com/media/gVv0K9mssfJao/200.gif

Don’t do it dude. 2018 Tundra here, I put a basic topper on and have visual sagging. I can’t carry a load of firewood without maxing this truck the fuck out. It tows my 5000 lb boat well and has a great back seat for the kids. The bed is a joke and not good for anything more than the dog. A 1/2 ton Chevy or Ford would be better, a 3/4 would kick ass!

I'd stay with a 3/4 ton if it were me. I agree though, prices are redonkulous.

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Originally Posted by easyrdr

Don’t do it dude. 2018 Tundra here, I put a basic topper on and have visual sagging. I can’t carry a load of firewood without maxing this truck the fuck out. It tows my 5000 lb boat well and has a great back seat for the kids. The bed is a joke and not good for anything more than the dog. A 1/2 ton Chevy or Ford would be better, a 3/4 would kick ass!

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There are two different bed lengths. Which do you have?

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

There are two different bed lengths. Which do you have?

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Is the factory suspension any different?

Tundra payload is something like 1600#, looking at what I see online for the double cab 8' bed 4WD. My camper has a sticker saying it is 1750# wet (full propane, battery, and 30 gallon water). So, it's over the stated payload.

OTOH, I see a shit ton of Tacomas with FWC, or with shell + roof tent + pile of overland stuff + bumpers, sliders, winch - - that are far less capable platforms to start with, and must be far far over payload. Tacoma payload is something like 1100#.

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. I kinda want a newer truck, but the 3/4-1 ton trucks aren't getting any cheaper.

you can get the 4x4 campers loaded up with all kinds of shit or stripped and they they will all look the same

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Is the factory suspension any different?

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The same weight distributed over a longer bed means some weight moves off the rear axle and onto the front axle. I thought that may make a difference in payload capacity but the Toyota website suggests there is no meaningful difference. Not as far as their ratings anyway.

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Tundra payload is something like 1600#, looking at what I see online for the double cab 8' bed 4WD. My camper has a sticker saying it is 1750# wet (full propane, battery, and 30 gallon water). So, it's over the stated payload.

OTOH, I see a shit ton of Tacomas with FWC, or with shell + roof tent + pile of overland stuff + bumpers, sliders, winch - - that are far less capable platforms to start with, and must be far far over payload. Tacoma payload is something like 1100#.

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. I kinda want a newer truck, but the 3/4-1 ton trucks aren't getting any cheaper.

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Buying a truck that you already know you are gonna exceed doesn't seem like a winning strategy to me.

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Tundra payload is something like 1600#, looking at what I see online for the double cab 8' bed 4WD. My camper has a sticker saying it is 1750# wet (full propane, battery, and 30 gallon water). So, it's over the stated payload.

OTOH, I see a shit ton of Tacomas with FWC, or with shell + roof tent + pile of overland stuff + bumpers, sliders, winch - - that are far less capable platforms to start with, and must be far far over payload. Tacoma payload is something like 1100#.

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. I kinda want a newer truck, but the 3/4-1 ton trucks aren't getting any cheaper.

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You'll be at ~2250lbs loaded once you add beer, etc. Probably going to be a LOT cheaper to refurb the chevy. I have a '13 Tundra reg cab w 5.7 and it absolutely drinks gas w a load on it.

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

The same weight distributed over a longer bed means some weight moves off the rear axle and onto the front axle. I thought that may make a difference in payload capacity but the Toyota website suggests that is not the case. Not as far as their ratings anyway.

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The TC weight is borne by the rear axle almost 100%. The rear axle weight capacity is really the limiting factor. Heavier springs, heavier tires and wheels, air bags,anti-sway bars etc can improve the ride, handling and stance, but may as well have bought the correct capacity truck from the get go, imho.

Dammit.

Oh well. Back to searching for 3/4 ton and bigger, and waiting...

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

Tundra payload is something like 1600#, looking at what I see online for the double cab 8' bed 4WD. My camper has a sticker saying it is 1750# wet (full propane, battery, and 30 gallon water). So, it's over the stated payload.

OTOH, I see a shit ton of Tacomas with FWC, or with shell + roof tent + pile of overland stuff + bumpers, sliders, winch - - that are far less capable platforms to start with, and must be far far over payload. Tacoma payload is something like 1100#.

I have a 2000 GMC Sierra 2500. I kinda want a newer truck, but the 3/4-1 ton trucks aren't getting any cheaper.

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My 2003 Tacoma payload (4X4, x-cab, off-road pkg) is #1500lbs. It will carry my 600lbs sled, and 2 guys and gear (500lbs) without issue. But that's it.

What is your budget, Chup? And are you willing to have something shipped?

A buddy has a 2nd Gen Tundra with a FWC Hawk. He originally had just airbags but has since thrown down on a full OME suspension from Slee Offroad. He says it handles like a dream.

I have a Outfitter Caribou Lite in a 1st gen Tundra. Running aftermarket shocks, an add-a-leaf, and airbags. drives great.

Your Northstar is probably too much but you can absolutely run a lighter camper in either generation Tundra.

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

What is your budget, Chup? And are you willing to have something shipped?

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Intriguing... Why?

Budget is somewhat flexible, depends a lot on the truck itself. Not looking to spend $40K+, on anything.

Trying to figure out if you're open to looking out of state and if we need to start a thread titled Find Chup a Cah, Brah.

Sure, I'll go out of state. I'm in Reno NV.

My ideal used truck is something out of California, no salt. Not one of the Alberta oil field trucks that I keep seeing listed for sale in Oregon and Idaho - those things look hammered.

Negotiate a few thou off sticker, add a thou for shipping, and this is pretty close.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing


Have you tried pricing something new and local via Costco?

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

Trying to figure out if you're open to looking out of state and if we need to start a thread titled Find Chup a Cah, Brah.

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I'm in on this no question. The man has already given so much.

You are looking for, like, <5yr old trucks I gather? I swear somebody had a sweet 7.3 3/4 ton for sale on here recently. That'd haul the shit out of a camper

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

Negotiate a few thou off sticker, add a thou for shipping, and this is pretty close.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing


Have you tried pricing something new and local via Costco?

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Whoah. OK, I need to shop new ones too, I guess. That truck would be perfect.

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Originally Posted by dannynoonan

You are looking for, like, <5yr old trucks I gather? I swear somebody had a sweet 7.3 3/4 ton for sale on here recently. That'd haul the shit out of a camper

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I was tempted. I think VTeton has it listed.

My experience shopping domestic trucks was that 15% off sticker was baseline, 20+% very doable with some emailing and patience (cyclical factory rebates and such help). Usually a little less wiggle with the 3/4 ton, but they’ll still knock a bunch off.

Paging norseman and jackattack. Also look at the RV thread.

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Originally Posted by The Artist Formerly Known as Leavenworth Skier

Paging norseman and jackattack. Also look at the RV thread.

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Yeah, I was holding back considering it’s been covered ad nauseum in the rv thread but... It works fine for a few trips a year. If I was full timing I’d go back to the big diesel but daily driving the Toyota is SOOOOOOO much better.

Only modifications I’ve made is e-rated tires and airbags.

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If you don’t think most domestic one ton diesels hauling quadruple slide 12’ campers aren’t over gvwr, you’re delusional.

Want to save on costs so looking at a Tundra. Does not compute.

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Want to save on costs so looking at a Tundra. Does not compute.

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Cost of ownership over a modern diesel is no comparison, Tundra is cheaper.

Resale value over domestic gassers is no comparison, Tundra is higher.

Pencils out fine in my books.

I guess if your plan is to buy a cheap high mile domestic, that’s another equation altogether. But sounds like the OP already has one of those.

Not everyone want to drive a POS

I’m a Toyota fan boy, worked at a couple Toyota dealerships over the years. I loved my two Tacomas, beat the shit out of them. I even tried to tow my first camping trailer with my 2007 Tacoma, that was a mistake.

There is no substitute for a 3/4 or one ton truck if you are hauling a load. Typically you don’t want to tow/haul more than 80% of your capacity. If you ever get into hilly terrain at the limits of your vehicle you’ll see what I mean. My scariest time behind the wheel was towing my 19’ trailer over big mountain pass in my Tacoma. I was fine the whole way up, the backside was a different situation, brakes fading way before the bottom will scare the shit out of you.

Keep searching, buy a GM product if available, Ford next, then travel as far as you can not to buy a Dodge.

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Originally Posted by jackattack

...........If you don’t think most domestic one ton diesels hauling quadruple slide 12’ campers aren’t over gvwr, you’re delusional.

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GVWR is only part of the story, neither axle alone is allowed to be over weight so in the case of truck campers with the weight on the rear axle that is the key number to look at. It's good to run over a truck scale and get the exact weights of the truck, truck and camper, and each axle loaded.

That's a nice BF and truck. I understand the newer BF's are quite a bit heavier.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mazderati

Negotiate a few thou off sticker, add a thou for shipping, and this is pretty close.

https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...ckType=listing


Have you tried pricing something new and local via Costco?

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Ain't nobody getting wet if you roll up in a XL W/T package.... King ranch or go home. El chup you know what you have to do now

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Originally Posted by stuckathuntermtn

Want to save on costs so looking at a Tundra. Does not compute.

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If a Tundra would work, I could get what I want/need for around $35K, new. That is in contrast to a 5-year old F250 for $30K.

When I started casually shopping for a replacement truck a year or two ago, it seemed like I could find appropriate ones in the low $20K range. Now, the same trucks are older, but more expensive.

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Originally Posted by dannynoonan

Ain't nobody getting wet if you roll up in a XL W/T package.... King ranch or go home. El chup you know what you have to do now

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That XL work truck would be perfect for our use. Camping, biking, skiing, dirty dogs...

Our current truck features 3 doors and manual windows. Nearly anything is going to be nicer.

Removed fridge, water tank, water heater, and cabover cupboards.

OME Dakar leaves, TRD sway, Bilstein remote reservoir rears.

Firestone bags for leveling side to side.

Empty it's right at GVWR.

Works for me for a few trips a year. Rest of the time it wears a fiberglass cap. Rear end is stiff when empty but not as stiff as a 1T etc. With 600lbs of camping gear or whatever it handles superbly... and I only use it as a truck so that works well. It's not a weaksauce Tacoma.

Attachment 361184

Attachment 361185

Quote:

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Originally Posted by El Chupacabra

OTOH, I see a shit ton of Tacomas with FWC, or with shell + roof tent + pile of overland stuff + bumpers, sliders, winch - - that are far less capable platforms to start with, and must be far far over payload. Tacoma payload is something like 1100#.

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Actually the Tacoma’s payload goes as high as 1,620 and the Tundra is 1,730. I woulda bet my paycheck their would be more than a 110 difference.


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I think you put a heavier set of spring on a tundra (see norseman with ome) and a tundra rivals anything domestic 3/4 ton gas in regards to stoutness. In fact the rear axle in a tundra is as stout as alot of 1ton trucks, it's out of hino medium duty cab over trucks originally and much bigger than the land cruiser axles everyone gets hot and bothered about.

This was the same situation I was in last year. I’ve had 3 Tacomas and wanted a slide in camper. Sold the Tacoma and started shopping for a bigger truck. Big 'yota fan and wanted a tundra but the payload is pretty low and started looking domestic. Realized I didn’t want a 3/4 ton as a daily driver and really wanted to stay with Toyota.

Decided to go for a light weight camper, FWC Hawk shell model, about 1,000# dry. I didn’t want sink, stove, and shitter so it was an easy solution. Tundra has a 1300# payload so loaded up I’m about at limit or slightly over.
There is no shortage of discussion of this topic on the overland forums, and most say it’s fine.

I added e rated tires and airbags cause the camper is only on part time, if not I think an added a leaf spring would be a good idea.

Truck handles the load no problem, hardly registers any difference except on corners and off-road. Good solution for my needs but ymmv. It sleeps our family of 3 comfortably with a good heater and I can rally from the mountains to Baja no problems. The camper is on a dolly in the garage and I have my truck when not in use.