Hello all,
My name is Ben and I am joining from Brooklyn, New York City.
I joined to ask a handful of questions regarding a project I have planned for this coming summer. My goal is to build a camper that I will be able to take cross country and live out of until spring 2015. I have been doing some fairly extensive research on the camper portion of this project, but I am much less versed when it comes to the vehicle itself, so I am hoping you guys can point me in the right direction and provide some friendly advice.
There is an older Tacoma in my family that I just might be able to get for a very cheap price, but I'm just not sure if it would be the appropriate template for what I hope to accomplish.
I would like to have a metal-framed cabover pop-top camper that is able to house all the necessities - water and propane tanks, small cook stove, furnace, bed, storage, solar power, roof racks, etc. I anticipate the camper and all gear weighing no more than 1,500 lbs.
The truck is a mid to late 90's 2WD Tacoma STD. I believe, but am not positive, that it is a standard cab model. If I were to use this truck, I would definitely choose to upgrade the suspension in order to increase payload as well as off-road capabilities. I would also opt to throw on some steel wheels along with some more capable tires. I want this truck (or whatever truck I build on) to be able to perform in snow, sand, and some mild trail riding, however, I do not need an overland super-vehicle, nor do I want it to end up looking like a cheap, poorly done Gravedigger.
In order to save on weight and maximize interior space, I have also been thinking about the idea of building the camper on an aluminum flatbed rather than the standard pickup bed - I'm just not sure what this cost would look like since I will not be doing the metal work myself.
My goal is to do this project the right way, but spend is little as possible!! I know that may sound somewhat contradictory, but I'm convinced it's possible.
Would the truck I mentioned be a realistic possibility for what I have in mind or do I need to look elsewhere? If you guys think this truck would work, can you make some recommendations and suggestions? Also, if anyone has tackled a similar project in the past, I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks for reading, everybody - I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
My name is Ben and I am joining from Brooklyn, New York City.
I joined to ask a handful of questions regarding a project I have planned for this coming summer. My goal is to build a camper that I will be able to take cross country and live out of until spring 2015. I have been doing some fairly extensive research on the camper portion of this project, but I am much less versed when it comes to the vehicle itself, so I am hoping you guys can point me in the right direction and provide some friendly advice.
There is an older Tacoma in my family that I just might be able to get for a very cheap price, but I'm just not sure if it would be the appropriate template for what I hope to accomplish.
I would like to have a metal-framed cabover pop-top camper that is able to house all the necessities - water and propane tanks, small cook stove, furnace, bed, storage, solar power, roof racks, etc. I anticipate the camper and all gear weighing no more than 1,500 lbs.
The truck is a mid to late 90's 2WD Tacoma STD. I believe, but am not positive, that it is a standard cab model. If I were to use this truck, I would definitely choose to upgrade the suspension in order to increase payload as well as off-road capabilities. I would also opt to throw on some steel wheels along with some more capable tires. I want this truck (or whatever truck I build on) to be able to perform in snow, sand, and some mild trail riding, however, I do not need an overland super-vehicle, nor do I want it to end up looking like a cheap, poorly done Gravedigger.
In order to save on weight and maximize interior space, I have also been thinking about the idea of building the camper on an aluminum flatbed rather than the standard pickup bed - I'm just not sure what this cost would look like since I will not be doing the metal work myself.
My goal is to do this project the right way, but spend is little as possible!! I know that may sound somewhat contradictory, but I'm convinced it's possible.
Would the truck I mentioned be a realistic possibility for what I have in mind or do I need to look elsewhere? If you guys think this truck would work, can you make some recommendations and suggestions? Also, if anyone has tackled a similar project in the past, I'd love to hear about it!
Thanks for reading, everybody - I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
