Alaskan Mini on Toyota Tacoma

[haven]

Hard side campers don't have to be big and heavy. If you're traveling solo, a hard side pop up that's light enough to fit a mid size truck like the Toyota Tacoma might be the ticket. The Mini by Alaskan Camper is on example. The new design by XP Camper is another.

Truck Camper Magazine has an article that describes a custom Alaskan Mini mounted on a standard bed Tacoma. The owner uses the camper in the Pacific Northwest, where the hard sides add security in rain, wind and snow.

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/guy-tokunaga:-living-large-in-an-alaskan-mini/

 

[robert]

Very cool- much more practical for folks like myself who like to travel solo most of the time.

 

[Hill Bill E.]

Just the basics! Perfect for a lot of folks.

 

[BobcatBob]

Haven,
I enjoyed reading your post.
Just a thought.
If you were to put a Thule Cargo Box on the top of your truck cab, the right one might act as a spoiler to get the wind up and over your camper top helping to reduce the wind drag.
The one we have, (that my daughter tested for durability in a low clearance parking garage, with only some paint transfer as evidence) works great. So great in fact that my brother borrowed it a few years ago and hasn't yet returned it. He even made mention to "his" pod working so well a while back..... Check it out at this address:
http://www.thule.com/en-US/US/Products/Cargo-Carriers/Boxes/667ES-Excursion

 

[haven]

Not my camper, but a worthwhile idea that could improve gas mileage and provide more storage. Thanks!

 

[Clutch]

I like the concept. I also am one who doesn't need much more than a truck cap but would like to be able to stand up in the back. A cab over pop up shell that was a cap instead of a slide in would be perfect for me.

Have you looked at Flip Pacs?

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/flippac.html

Might meet your weight requirements that you are seeking in your other thread.

 

[Clutch]

I like the idea of a flippac but tend to carry canoes on the roof regularly. If I was going that route I could probably stick with the truck I have but my Spacecab has an odd sized bed. That's one of my problems. I have too many interests. It tends to muddy the camper deal some. What works for bassboat fishing doesn't always work for the 4x club trips or backwoods canoe trips. Rtt tent doesn't do much good on canoe trips. Similar on my m416 doesn't work if I'm towing the boat. Ground tent is often the best solution but can be a pain. Lately if it's just me I'm liking my tentcot for quicky trips but it's not a camper. If I just had way more disposable cash! Thanks for the response.

You're welcome.

You could do hinged cross bar though, so it opens to for the top to deploy of the FP. The rack could also double as a awning.

 

[Flagster]

You're welcome.

You could do hinged cross bar though, so it opens to for the top to deploy of the FP. The rack could also double as a awning.

good idea...the roof rack "thing" is the one reason I haven't bought a flippac...

 

[Clutch]

good idea...the roof rack "thing" is the one reason I haven't bought a flippac...

Would be super easy to do, and for the awning, could go one step further, make an enclosure out of it.

I missed buying a Flip Pac (in Tucson no less!) by a day, kicking myself for not calling sooner.

 

[Flagster]

Would be super easy to do, and for the awning, could go one step further, make an enclosure out of it.

I missed buying a Flip Pac (in Tucson no less!) by a day, kicking myself for not calling sooner.

Thought you had a wildernest...imo much better since it gives you an area to stand under?

Regarding weight though...
From Alaskans Website"The dry weight of the Mini is 940 pounds with battery. With a full ten-gallon water tank (80 pounds) and a full two-gallon propane tank (about ten pounds) the wet weight would be about 1,030 pounds."

I like the Alaskan Mini and the fact that it is hard sided but without the cabover you lose a lot of interior space...Also 1030lbs is about 200-300lbs more than a loaded FWC Finch/Eagle IIRC...

On a Tacoma that 300 lbs is the difference between me taking my dirtbike on the hitch or leaving my GF and her bags at home...

 

[Clutch]

Thought you had a wildernest...imo much better since it gives you an area to stand under?

Sold it, couldn't have a hitch moto mount with angled rear window.

It hangs too low to stand under, and slightly annoying to even sit under, our EZ-UP is much nicer for that.

I do go back and forth on getting a Flip Pac, probably why I called a day late so I knew I wouldn't get it.

.

On a Tacoma that 300 lbs is the difference between me taking my dirtbike on the hitch or leaving my GF and her bags at home...

That is a problem!? :ylsmoke:

Oh, I hear you on the lack of capacity, I do love my Tacoma...however it gets overwhelmed right quick, have been looking at 70's era Ford crew cabs....and Cummins swaps, be nice not have to weigh everything in my head and just toss everything in and go...about the same miles per gallon as the Taco, and waaaay more truck.

I almost have myself convinced to sell our '73 Westfalia, and get one of these:



Rather sell our Trooper as I hate it, but funny thing, the powerless turd VW will fetch more money. If it weren't so darn cute...lol

 

[zimm]

have u found one of those in good shape yet?

 

[suntinez]

This thing definitely caught my eye recently … camper weight listed at 650 lbs with standard H20/propane/fridge which I guess it doesn't actually have. Thanks for the peek at the interior, was wondering which way the bed went.