Best Affordable Pop-Up Truck Camper for Family of 4 to Go RTW?

[Motoprof14]

We are a family of 4 (two pre-teen kids, 2 average-size adults) planning to overland South America, Africa and beyond starting 2020. We have overland experience in Mexico, USA and Africa, but none with truck campers, so could use some advice. We are thinking a 4-door Tacoma with pop-up camper. We want to keep the whole rig reliable and relatively small and light, since many routes will be twisty and rough dirt roads and international shipping will be involved. We don't mind travelling in tight quarters; we are used to it. Anyone recommend a pop-up camper brand/model (no more than 25k) that sleeps two small kids and two adults and allows for a card game or two on a rainy day? Maybe the Fleet model from FWC? The high end stuff from XP etc. is not in the budget. We also do NOT need toilet, shower, or cooking amenities in the camper; we'd rather devote that space to a larger dinette or storage space. Fridge, for sure. So something relatively minimalist/basic, but with a good size dinette, low profile, and durability. Not sure if such a thing exists, so appreciate any and all advice. Thanks!

 

[nobueno]

Contact outfitter manufacturing. The caribou lite starts at $16,700. They've done a lot of custom work over the years for customers so leaving the kitchen out of the mix might not be out of the question.

 

[UHAULER]

All Terrain campers does custom work.

 

[STREGA]

The Tacoma will not be enough truck to haul the load you will have IMO.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

This family is doing the exact same sort of trip.
3 Kids, 2 Dogs, and 2 Adults.
BUT ... They went with a Hawk Model on a Full Sized truck with a small Trailer (Adventure Trailer) for their gear.

http://www.clunkmonkey.com/?page_id=409


This family is also doing the same, sort of. Full time.
3 Kids, 2 adults, and a cat.
Full sized, long bed truck with a Grandby Model on it.

http://malimish.com/


Trying to make a Tacoma work for that sort of trip, with that many people, and any type of truck camper as well, might be asking a lot.

: (



.

 

[nobueno]

Yeesh. Agreed. I read tundra not taco.

 

[Clutch]

For a Tacoma, either an AT Habitat or used Flip Pac....lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Pretty sure you can stay under your $25K camper budget.

Can build the interior to suit your needs with Goose Gear.

http://adventuretrailers.com/campers/toyota-habitat/

https://www.goose-gear.com/

Think if you keep it simple and light, the Tacoma should have no problem.

 

[Flhtruss]

Hello Motoprof4

I was also going to mention ATC Inc. I was thinking a camper on a Tacoma would be small for four. Not sure all you would travel with but I would definitely calculate weight and gvwr on the taco.
Russ

https://www.allterraincampers.com/Shell




Edit:link

 

[Roaming Robertsons]

For a Tacoma, either an AT Habitat or used Flip Pac....lightweight and relatively inexpensive. Pretty sure you can stay under your $25K camper budget.

Can build the interior to suit your needs with Goose Gear.

http://adventuretrailers.com/campers/toyota-habitat/

https://www.goose-gear.com/

Think if you keep it simple and light, the Tacoma should have no problem.

If I were doing it, this is the route I'd go. With the AT Habitat, you can add an insert to sleep four comfortably. I don't know of a camper that will fit a Tacoma and sleep four comfortably. Goose Gear can customize the interior to have exactly what you need and nothing you don't. If you're looking to save costs, it can be done on your own but I it would be tough to match their space efficiency skills. I've built up a similar rig myself and camped with 4, 5 and even 6 people (2 in the cab due to fold flat seats). We had an amazing amount of storage and were very comfortable.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/52625-Nissan-Titan-FRP-Flippac-Build