Baja Taco's Tacoma Camper
- Thread starter Super Doody
- Start date
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Sleeping platform and storage solution lay out
Gents,
If you have not already, you may have read the thread about DC Taco Drawer System build.... One important thing to consider is how you will lay out your storage/sleeping platform. There are a few different variations, and I'm considering re-designing mine to include pull out drawers to make access easier. BajaTaco had provided the attached picture over on 4WDTrips.net for one layout he had in mind (can’t open the page right now). At the end of the day, everyone will have different requirements for gear storage and sleeping so the more thinking you can do now, the better off you will be.
:iagree: I’ll second that, can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read through the BajaTaco website. My wife just rolls her eyes now when she sees me reading that website because she knows that a change is coming…
Cheers :beer:,
P
Gents,
If you have not already, you may have read the thread about DC Taco Drawer System build.... One important thing to consider is how you will lay out your storage/sleeping platform. There are a few different variations, and I'm considering re-designing mine to include pull out drawers to make access easier. BajaTaco had provided the attached picture over on 4WDTrips.net for one layout he had in mind (can’t open the page right now). At the end of the day, everyone will have different requirements for gear storage and sleeping so the more thinking you can do now, the better off you will be.
.Super Doody said:
:iagree: I’ll second that, can’t even tell you how many times I’ve read through the BajaTaco website. My wife just rolls her eyes now when she sees me reading that website because she knows that a change is coming…
Cheers :beer:,
P
BajaTaco
Swashbuckler
Thanks guys
SD, that is a cool link. I hadn't seen that one. They have some adventure reports on that site too.
And that link brings something to mind. If you aren't planning to add a roofrack or haul canoes/kayaks, etc, then a high-top shell can add a substantial amount of headroom for the sleeping deck. Because I use a roofrack with stuff on it, I didn't want the truck to be any higher than it already is.
SD, that is a cool link. I hadn't seen that one. They have some adventure reports on that site too.
And that link brings something to mind. If you aren't planning to add a roofrack or haul canoes/kayaks, etc, then a high-top shell can add a substantial amount of headroom for the sleeping deck. Because I use a roofrack with stuff on it, I didn't want the truck to be any higher than it already is.
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
My 4Runner set up.
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3033
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3033
TeleScooby
Adventurer
I had a set up also inspired by Chris in my '00 Tacoma. Super Dooper, my set up was much more rudimentary (only had a day to build up before leaving for central Oregon), so it's easily done by one person with basic tools and even more basic wood cutting skills. Basically I had boxes running down the sides of the bed, with a 3-piece platform that filled in the middle, resting on 2x4s... This let me access whatever I had in the middle or front of the bed with ease, and left me with a full size platform for sleeping on... and BTW, I'm 6' ~260lbs, and I was able to get a good night sleep in there...
Let me know if you want any more info or some sketches...unfortunately I lost most of the pics I had of this set up when I switched computers a couple of years back...:-(
Jesse
Let me know if you want any more info or some sketches...unfortunately I lost most of the pics I had of this set up when I switched computers a couple of years back...:-(
Jesse
Super Doody
Explorer
I think I'll be using some aluminum angle iron to make the plate form remove about.
It will mainly be using for the center support panel. I need hammer out some other details but this what I'll be using if I go with a wood design.
So basically using two aluminum angle iron to sandwich the 10X1' panel. In additional I will add bolts which will go through the wood panel and the two al angles.
The angled cube holes for the corner are going to be trickt on the plate form. I might have to custom make some 45 degree angles. And I can only use this method for the cab end whereas, the tail gate end needs to remain open for sliding boxes in and out.
Any comments? Thanks
It will mainly be using for the center support panel. I need hammer out some other details but this what I'll be using if I go with a wood design.
So basically using two aluminum angle iron to sandwich the 10X1' panel. In additional I will add bolts which will go through the wood panel and the two al angles.
The angled cube holes for the corner are going to be trickt on the plate form. I might have to custom make some 45 degree angles. And I can only use this method for the cab end whereas, the tail gate end needs to remain open for sliding boxes in and out.
Any comments? Thanks
Super Doody
Explorer
TeleScooby said:
Hey Jesse,
I'd love to see some sketch of drawings. Is it 3 piece like this set up?
http://www.pigseye.com/jackson/bed.htm
I like this setup because its easily removable. The supports are using 2x4 instead of panels. I don't which design would be lighter.
robert
Expedition Leader
I'm only 5'10", but on my old truck I wanted the headroom as well as using my truck as a daily driver. I cut plywood to cover the entire floor then built a storage box along the left side (tools, little used stuff, etc)- it came out just past the wheelwell and was just under the rail high. It had hinged doors on top along with a small rail and some screw eyes so I could secure Rubbermaid's small boxes on top. The whole thing was carpeted along with a piece of carpet stuck to the front of the box with heavy Velcro (I always hated rolling over in the night and putting my arm against the cold bed).
With two people it was cozy and you had to take stuff out or have it in the Rocketbox; with only me (how I usually travel), I would just pile everything up on the top of the storage box and the opposite side and sleep in the middle.
In the Current Taco I just have a plywood floor with carpet on it. I throw a couple of Ridgerests down and sleep on them.
With two people it was cozy and you had to take stuff out or have it in the Rocketbox; with only me (how I usually travel), I would just pile everything up on the top of the storage box and the opposite side and sleep in the middle.
In the Current Taco I just have a plywood floor with carpet on it. I throw a couple of Ridgerests down and sleep on them.
Super Doody
Explorer
p1michaud said:Camper sleeping solution. I've used the same set up for camping for a few years now(see pics below).
My main issues are:
1- Lack of head room.
2-Accessing items at the very end of the compartments (i.e. towards the front of the truck). I've made a simple tool an old broom handle with a hook at the end to reach things without having to climb into the camper.
3-For two people camping, I think that 5' 10" is about the max height for this set up IMO.
Chris,
Out of curriosity, how tall are you? I essentially have the same set up as you (inspired by you!) and was wondering how tall you are. I'm 5' 10" and can't typically sleep with the rear door open due to weather and bugs. I don't have much room lenght wise with this set up. I'm considering going to a RTT for more room especially since most of my camping trips are not solo. My wife likes camping more than I do!
Cheers :beer:,
P
What kind of wood did you use?
I did some research on wood densities but after talking to some people with wood working experience, their thought is that I wouldn't save a whole lot of weight but I probably spend a lot more money.
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Camper set up
Super Doody,
I used 3 pcs of 1" x 10" x 6' pine board for the 3 pieces that are standing on their edge as well as 6 pcs of 1" x 3" pine boards laying accross the top and screwed into these the first 3 pcs. Finally I used some 1/2" plywood for the top deck covered in carpet. I'll try and get some better pictures for you later.
The pine borads are relatively light weight and seem to be holding up ok after two seasons. If you plan on intalling and removing them often, I would not go with pine. I'm thinking up changing to some 3/4" plywood for the 6' long pieces that run front to back on their edge for greater durability. I don't leave the platform in all the time.
Cheers :beer:,
P
Super Doody said:
Super Doody,
I used 3 pcs of 1" x 10" x 6' pine board for the 3 pieces that are standing on their edge as well as 6 pcs of 1" x 3" pine boards laying accross the top and screwed into these the first 3 pcs. Finally I used some 1/2" plywood for the top deck covered in carpet. I'll try and get some better pictures for you later.
The pine borads are relatively light weight and seem to be holding up ok after two seasons. If you plan on intalling and removing them often, I would not go with pine. I'm thinking up changing to some 3/4" plywood for the 6' long pieces that run front to back on their edge for greater durability. I don't leave the platform in all the time.
Cheers :beer:,
P
Super Doody
Explorer
p1michaud said:
Thanks
I thought it looked like pine from the pics. YOu can remove your plat form without destroying it?I'm going to make my removeble too. I think I've finalized the designed. Its going to be 2 pieces with some supports on hinges so its easier to remove. I need to transfer my drawing to visio.
p1michaud
Expedition Leader
Platform removal
I can remove it but it requires dismatling. I use a cordless drill and it take about 20 - 30 mintutes to install/remove.
Cheers :beer:,
P
Super Doody said:Thanks
I can remove it but it requires dismatling. I use a cordless drill and it take about 20 - 30 mintutes to install/remove.
Cheers :beer:,
P
Martinjmpr
Wiffleball Batter
I have a commercial "carpet kit" in mine (which is actually made for a "Pre-Tacoma" Toyota truck) and I've determined it's not an ideal platform for sleeping, much to my chagrin. I'd had a similar setup in my Ford Ranger, but the difference is that on the Ranger I had a high-rise camper shell that added about 6" of headroom. While this may seem like an insignificant amount, it's not. With only a cab-high shell, it's very difficult to move around in the back of the truck, and the GF and I determined that it's not adequate for two people (though it may be satisfactory for one.)
Right now my options are to go back to a high rise (which will cost $$) or back to a tent, which will be something of a PITA.
It's too bad they don't make panel trucks anymore. Panel trucks had low load decks (only slightly higher than the deck of the truck cab) and didn't waste any space. A Tacoma-based panel truck would make a great camping rig!
Right now my options are to go back to a high rise (which will cost $$) or back to a tent, which will be something of a PITA.
It's too bad they don't make panel trucks anymore. Panel trucks had low load decks (only slightly higher than the deck of the truck cab) and didn't waste any space. A Tacoma-based panel truck would make a great camping rig!
TeleScooby
Adventurer
Super Doody said:
Sorry, I just found this post...
Yeah, it was very much like that. My side boxes were almost identical, just close off the end and inside edge, and run the carpet over them. I used three equal pieces of ply to fill in the middle, so when they were removed all that remained was the side boxes, and the center pieces were laid down covering the bed, so essentially the whole bed was carpeted.
I found using ply panels for the sides actually seemed a little lighter than 2x4s, but that may have been me deluding myself...
I'll try to get some sketches done today and I'll post them from home tonight...