Howdy folks!
About a year ago I purchased a 2000 Tacoma with a Four Wheel pop up camper on it:
Behold, Lolita!
It has served me very well and I lived in it for about eight months last year, travelling around the desert on climbing and boating trips, and working in the Tetons in the summer.
It's an older model (eagle?), maybe mid 90's and is in great shape, but there are things that I would like to change.
First: the fridge. The propane fridge is finicky at best and blows out in a strong wind (common occurrence in the desert and Wyoming), is difficult to maintain temperature, and doesnt work on the 12v while driving. I would like to replace it with something that I can afford (ummm... I live in this thing out of necessity, not just for fun!). Right now it's just taking up space.
Second: another thing that's taking up space: the Water tank. Can I just rip it out and have more storage, and carry around a 5 gallon jug for drinking water and dishes?
Third: Roof rack: I commonly am carrying two whitewater kayaks around with me- a creek boat which goes on my super ghetto homemade 2x4 roof rack, and a play boat that fits inside. This makes stealth camping in parking lots somewhat difficult, since I can't fit inside with the playboat and occasionally a bike. Also, I can't easily lift or lower the roof with one kayak on there, much less two (or future solar panels, etc), so I have to always take the boat off while camping. One time it also snowed 5" of wet heavy snow and trying to lower the roof resulted in a pretty good knock to the head and a sore neck (it pretty much collapsed as soon as I touched the knob on the panels). I see that the newer models have hydraulic lifters on the roof. Can mine be retrofitted with these?
Fourth: the cushions on the bed are thin and uncomfortable. They are the older 1.5-2" thick version. It's a pain to carry around an extra Paco pad, so when I'm alone I just keep the two cushions together and they are comfortable but a little short (I'm 5'8" and they're about 5'4"). Then when another person sleeps in there with me, it's back the the very uncomfortable cushions. I can't make them thicker because I won't be able to fold the camper down. I have thought about having Jacks Plastic Welding make me some custom Paco pads which would be awesome, especially to take them out and sleep under the stars, but then there's still the problem that they would be too short. Probably not a cheap solution either, since the stock pacos cost around $250 each new. I would love some suggestions for a relatively cheap, durable, and supportive solution.
I would also love some suggestions for lightweight materials to build new cabinets out of.
Thanks!
About a year ago I purchased a 2000 Tacoma with a Four Wheel pop up camper on it:
Behold, Lolita!
It has served me very well and I lived in it for about eight months last year, travelling around the desert on climbing and boating trips, and working in the Tetons in the summer.
It's an older model (eagle?), maybe mid 90's and is in great shape, but there are things that I would like to change.
First: the fridge. The propane fridge is finicky at best and blows out in a strong wind (common occurrence in the desert and Wyoming), is difficult to maintain temperature, and doesnt work on the 12v while driving. I would like to replace it with something that I can afford (ummm... I live in this thing out of necessity, not just for fun!). Right now it's just taking up space.
Second: another thing that's taking up space: the Water tank. Can I just rip it out and have more storage, and carry around a 5 gallon jug for drinking water and dishes?
Third: Roof rack: I commonly am carrying two whitewater kayaks around with me- a creek boat which goes on my super ghetto homemade 2x4 roof rack, and a play boat that fits inside. This makes stealth camping in parking lots somewhat difficult, since I can't fit inside with the playboat and occasionally a bike. Also, I can't easily lift or lower the roof with one kayak on there, much less two (or future solar panels, etc), so I have to always take the boat off while camping. One time it also snowed 5" of wet heavy snow and trying to lower the roof resulted in a pretty good knock to the head and a sore neck (it pretty much collapsed as soon as I touched the knob on the panels). I see that the newer models have hydraulic lifters on the roof. Can mine be retrofitted with these?
Fourth: the cushions on the bed are thin and uncomfortable. They are the older 1.5-2" thick version. It's a pain to carry around an extra Paco pad, so when I'm alone I just keep the two cushions together and they are comfortable but a little short (I'm 5'8" and they're about 5'4"). Then when another person sleeps in there with me, it's back the the very uncomfortable cushions. I can't make them thicker because I won't be able to fold the camper down. I have thought about having Jacks Plastic Welding make me some custom Paco pads which would be awesome, especially to take them out and sleep under the stars, but then there's still the problem that they would be too short. Probably not a cheap solution either, since the stock pacos cost around $250 each new. I would love some suggestions for a relatively cheap, durable, and supportive solution.
I would also love some suggestions for lightweight materials to build new cabinets out of.
Thanks!
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