2012 Tacoma Build...ish

[sdfreediver]

I use this site a lot for information and ideas; usually I modify and hopefully improve on ideas. This is my first post; mods please feel free to move this thread if it is in the wrong section.
I've been slowly working on my Tacoma for awhile. Here are some pictures of what I've done so far:

2012 Toyota Tacoma Prerunner with Flippac


Flippac rear window mod


Rear closeup


Inside camper


Inside camper: showing fridge, security screens, and the orange thing is my first responders bag. It has two quick releases holding it and is packed to the zippers with just about anything you could need.


Fridge


I use Kelty Base Camp bags to store my stuff. I attach attach them with quick clips and para-cord


Closeup of clips


Ok, on to the outside of the truck and camper.
I will start with the truck first:

Custom (and cheap) rails


Rail shot 2

 

[sdfreediver]

Rail shot 3


Firestone RideRite Airbags


Not great, but they do the job... Rancho 9 way adjustable shocks


Airbags routed into the tow harness. Clean and not noticeable.


Camper rear light; 9 led flood


Camper rear door build 1


Camper rear door build 2


Camper rear door build 3


Door complete


That's it so far. Please let me know if you have any suggestions...comment away.
Side note: I will eventually be moving to the OME setup, but honestly, the rear springs, airbags, Ranchos, (and I forgot to mention the Bilstein 5100's up front), do a great job. The components also allow me the flexibility to adjust for when my camper is not on the vehicle( about 50% of the time).

 

[NorthernWoodsman]

Wow! That looks great man. Could you explain the purpose of the rear door mod you did on the Flippac?

 

[Frostymug]

Nice job on the custom rails. Please tell us more about the rear doors.

Cliff

 

[sdfreediver]

Wow! That looks great man. Could you explain the purpose of the rear door mod you did on the Flippac?

Sure! There are a few reasons.
#1, barn doors are awesome!
#2 I bow hunt and freedive spearfish. The doors provide a bit more security for my gear when I'm in the woods or in the water. Of course someone will get in if they really want to, but the doors are a little extra bit of security. At this point I have two latches on each door; the top set slide into the steel tubing and the bottom set slide behind the tailgate. Oh, and of course I have a locking tailgate. If anyone is wondering why I didn't go all the way down to the bed with the doors, its because I use my tailgate camera every single day when backing into my garage. Also, the camper is only on about 50% of the time. The rest of the time it hangs in my garage.
#3 As a watermen, I kayak a lot. I take my boat with me on most trips. Be it to fish for trout or to shoot white sea bass/yellowtail (ideally). It may be difficult to see, but I have feet mounted on the two edges (passenger and driver side) of the flippac. The feet are for a quick release Thule rack. I use a Rhino Rack T-bar in the receiver. The glass window does not allow entry into the camper with the kayak strapped on. With the doors, I can have my boat strapped to the top and still grab fresh veggies/cheese/fruits/drinks for lunch or a snack. If I need to enter the camper for anything else, I can do that too. That is the main reason, security is a close second.

On a separate note: I know there has been discussion about the use of airbags. When I upgrade to my OME lift, I will probably keep the airbags too. The reason why? ... They help to level the truck when setting up camp. I set my pocket level on the camper, get the Viair out and level it up. I really hate the sliding forward /back/side to side feeling you get when the rig is not level. Given that I don't camp in campgrounds, this is a necessity for me.

Well, I hope that answers your question.

 

[sdfreediver]

Nice job on the custom rails. Please tell us more about the rear doors.

Cliff

No problem...what do you want to know?

 

[RangeBrover]

How does the carpet in the bed hold up with the flippac off?

 

[sdfreediver]

Now that is a great question!

The Bedrug holds up...great! So far.

I have had it for over a year, so that's not very long. Plus I park my truck in the garage exclusively. However, I take my truck everywhere; It gets very, very dirty. I haul rocks and building supplies all the time too. The point is, I definitely use my truck bed. Before I put on my Flippac, I pressure wash the Bedrug. The water drains right through it. I have never had a mildew or mold issue. In fact it dries in a few hours. Put my camper on and I'm off.

Its not cheap, but the last Tacoma I had, the bed got scratched and chipped up. The Bedrug does a good job of protecting the bed.

Would I buy it again? Yes.

 

[RangeBrover]

That's pretty impressive, I would have thought it would get chewed up pretty quick. How does it attach to the bed, adhesive, screwed down?

 

[sdfreediver]

That's pretty impressive, I would have thought it would get chewed up pretty quick. How does it attach to the bed, adhesive, screwed down?

It Velcros down. There are large strips of Velcro with adhesive backing that you stick directly onto the bed surface. The Velcro is strong; the liner has never shifted. I did re-position it once and I was impressed at how difficult it was to pull the rug off the Velcro strip(s).

 

[2025 deleted member]

Nice setup!

 

[dnorrell]

I really like your camping setup. I'm curious where you find those clippy doodads at? They seem super handy.

 

[sdfreediver]

Yes, they are super handy. I use them for everything. They are wire clips. You can buy the at HD for a dollar fifty for three. They come in three sizes, won't rust, hold strong, and are simply/reliable.

 

[RangeBrover]

Know you're out in Cali, but what has your experience been like with the flippac in the rain?

 

[sdfreediver]

Know you're out in Cali, but what has your experience been like with the flippac in the rain?

I've seen this question come up a few times; however, let me give you my spin.

The camper does very well in the rain. Precautions need to be taken. I will explain what I mean below, but first lete qualify my statement. The worst rain I have been in was not just rain; I was in a down pour with hail as an added bonus. I'm not talking Florida style down pour, but definitely a good drenchg for sure.

Ok, from my experience the tent and rain fly (from slo sails) work great. No leaks. The issue with this camper where it meets teh rails. The camper has rounded rails, which encourages water to roll under rails and up aginst the seal. Also, obbttnr my camper is not as flat on the rails as it could be. This is anFRP issue. I will not go into that, except to say, buy yours from AT Tailers or be expecting to fix the poor quality work FRP is famous for.

If syou seal the camper to the bed well, you *should have no leaks.

Side note: sorry for spelling issues. Just got done trout fishing and I'm on the phone, motcomputer.