06 Tacoma with ATC camper mod.

[kcowyo]

2) It does whine a little when engage, not bad but you will know it.

That's the flavor....:costumed-smiley-007


Congratulations. That should make hauling the camper around inconsequential. You've put a lot of time and effort into getting everything put together. It really shows. You're a long way from the Vanagon.

I think you're really going to like the increased ability the SC will give you. Passing people on a long uphill pass, when you're in a Toyota truck with a camper on the back, is a real kick. I'll be interested to hear your future impressions as you rack up the miles.

 

[heeltoe989]

How are you making out with the SC?

Like it?

 

[slooowr6]

Like it a lot, it does exactly what I want.

Here is my impression after my 265miles trip to ATC today. The trip involves climbing over 2 passes in SF bay area, Altamont pass and Sunol grade.

I use cruise control to do the test, before the SC Taco will down shif to 4th or even 3rd to keep 65mph on the passrs. Taco's cruise control is not very patient, if it can't keep the speed it'll down shift till it can. This is very annoying, sometime it'll reve at 3500rpm-4000rpm.
Today, I set it at 65mph and wait to see how it handles the climb. At the bottom of the climb TPS is at 25%, as the freeway starts to climb TPS slowly increase the moment it passes 27% SC starts to whine at 30% bypass is fully closed. The RPM is steady at ~2000 and keep 65mph going up the hill. Only at the steepest part I see the RPM raised to 2500rpm and TPS to 40% for a couple seconds. The SC does great on climbing.
On rolling hills the SC helps Taco stay in 5th. All in all the SC makes my Taco feels light again. I would recommend SC to anyone with overweight Taco!

My 265miles trip has 17.8MPG not too bad for a 5600lbs truck with aero dynamic of a brick.

 

[heeltoe989]

Like it a lot, it does exactly what I want.

Here is my impression after my 265miles trip to ATC today. The trip involves climbing over 2 passes in SF bay area, Altamont pass and Sunol grade.

I use cruise control to do the test, before the SC Taco will down shif to 4th or even 3rd to keep 65mph on the passrs. Taco's cruise control is not very patient, if it can't keep the speed it'll down shift till it can. This is very annoying, sometime it'll reve at 3500rpm-4000rpm.
Today, I set it at 65mph and wait to see how it handles the climb. At the bottom of the climb TPS is at 25%, as the freeway starts to climb TPS slowly increase the moment it passes 27% SC starts to whine at 30% bypass is fully closed. The RPM is steady at ~2000 and keep 65mph going up the hill. Only at the steepest part I see the RPM raised to 2500rpm and TPS to 40% for a couple seconds. The SC does great on climbing.
On rolling hills the SC helps Taco stay in 5th. All in all the SC makes my Taco feels light again. I would recommend SC to anyone with overweight Taco!

My 265miles trip has 17.8MPG not too bad for a 5600lbs truck with aero dynamic of a brick.

Wicked, glad you like it. I still love mine. Its the best mod to date.

 

[Rockcrawler]

I just read through your whole build thread... nice buildup! Any impressions on the ATC with a year under your belt now?

Kyle

 

[slooowr6]

Kyle,
I'm working on a write up on one year impression. Can't call it a review cause I'm not comparing it to anything and don't think I qualify.
All in all I'm happy with it and Ben at ATC is great to work with. ATC will be perfect for your Ram!

Alex

 

[slooowr6]

Went to ATC yesterday to get the Jerry can holder mounted. Ben, Marty and Jeff did a great job. The mounting idea is from lqhikers.

 

[lqhikers]

sloowrl6 05 taco NICE!

been following your build nice job. Since you used the Torklife mounts have you had any problems with hanging up on rocks etc.?Also when you had atc mount your gas carrier did it attach to the bottom of camper along with jack brackets?I really like the sc but it would hurry me up which would go against my style!
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les Lqhikers

 

[slooowr6]

been following your build nice job. Since you used the Torklife mounts have you had any problems with hanging up on rocks etc.?Also when you had atc mount your gas carrier did it attach to the bottom of camper along with jack brackets?I really like the sc but it would hurry me up which would go against my style!
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les Lqhikers

Thanks!
I've not really offroad other than go to Racetrack in Death Vally so I can't say if it will hang on rock of not, but I can see it's possible. I'm going to add rock slider later so I think if I hit the rock slider then I need to take a different line so I don't break the torklift mount.
They used a foot long 1/4" steel plate and bolted to the bottom of the camper with 4 through bolts. The can holder then bolt to the plate and the jack bracket.
I rarely go above 70mph usually I set the cruise control at 65mph. The SC helps Taco maintain that speed nicely. Before the SC any little incline will make the Taco down shift and reve to 3-4000 RPM and that is very annoying. My wife also notice with the SC Taco feels more at ease with the camper on the back. My current ready to travel weight is around 5900lbs so a little help on power is very nice to have.

 

[ExpoScout]

Good thread, just read all the way through it and it seems like the tacoma gets better and better....now you have me wanting a camper

 

[slooowr6]

Did some work on the truck today.
1) Added back up camrea. With the camper on the back I can't see anything when backing out of a parking space, after reading the thread by another forum member on back up camera I order the same model from Amazon. It's made by AudioVox. It's a really nice unit with the LCD in the rear view mirrow. The camera truns on when shift to reverse and can also turn on manually. There is a mic in the camera and speaker in the mirror. I mount the camera right above the license plate. Not the best image quality but it works pretty good.

2) I got the Femco drain plug to make the oil change less messy. For some reason, the oil always splash out from the tacoma even I kept the fill cap on tight. Evey time there is oil everywhere even with a big oil pan.

 

[kcowyo]

Did some work on the truck today..... Added back up camrea.

Hey, nice touch!

I saw that rear camera thread and another from articulate, and his Nissan build. I've lamented over the poor rear visibilty as well. I've got a couple of dingers in my rear bumper from over estimating the distance between me and a tree when backing up. Probably time for me to consider this mod, before I accidently back over some kid or dog or Yaris.

I'm loving the way your set-up keeps evolving. Some really nice unique touches. Well done.

 

[larry.mahoney]

fairing

I saw your post on 4 wheel w picture of the truck fairing can you provide more info? How much gas does it save? I thought it would be taller. If it has results I'll get one.

Thanks

 

[slooowr6]

Larry,
I tried to address 2 things with the fairing.
1) Wind noise.
2) Wind resistance.
I did not take mpg measurement before and after install the fairing. Before I install my supercharger, on my 2000 mile trip to Yellowstone I averaged 18mpg. The last 350mile trip to Humboldt redwood state park averaged 16mpg with the supercharger, there is a lot of climbing to get to the park. So I think it helps with the mpg. Wind noise is much less with the faring. I planed to add a airfoil (http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/17575645/srt/pa/pging/1/page/1) I saw on RV.net later to further reduce the wind noise.

 

[larry.mahoney]

truck fairing

Saw you post on 4 wheel camper. Can you provide more info on your fairing ie gas saving ect. I thought the would be taller. Looks sharp!