FWC on a 2013 Tacoma regular cab? Looking for advice...

[dnorrell]

We have a 2013 Tacoma regular cab (went with the slouchy 4-speed auto for buckets) and I really do love the 'little' truck. Right now, I've got a commercial grade Snugtop with windoors, but I went to look at some FWC offerings over the weekend and feel pretty smitten with that setup. First off, anyone here running a FWC on their regular cab?

I saw the new flatbed fleet model, and while I really like it (really!), I've heard they won't be offering it as a shell model and I think a kitted out one may be too much weight. I just don't have any perspective on the weight issue. Should I be looking at a shell Eagle, or one of the built-out options? I have never used a pop-up truck camper, so the simplicity of buying one built with options is alluring because I'm not sure I would know what features to build out on my own in a shell (what things would I need, what could I pass on, etc). Watching the TARDIS build, I have to admit that it looks fun building out a shell as you want it.

I'm just looking for any input on the issue, particularly from those with experience with a FWC on the smaller Tacoma engine. Thanks!

 

[bimmeryota]

Not sure if the payload is any different than the extended or double cab but it would be worth finding out. Regardless of what you choose, you'll likely need an upgrade in rear spring capacity to handle the load safely(air bags, helper, or new springs). As far as the power goes, you will just not have to expect much speed out of it with the weight in the back. I'd reccomend sticking with stock height tires as well. I went through a similar decision process before I ordered my Eagle, but I have a pre taco and the fleet would be too big IMO for the older truck. Plus, I plan on updating to a double cab with the family demands it and will put the eagle on that!
I follow Tardis also and wish I had the skill and motivation to do what he's doing, it's a top notch build but I decided to go the factory route and be done with it.

 

[Overland Hadley]

If you have read my thread you know my thoughts on weight and the joy of building out a shell.

The reg cab will have a slightly higher GVWR.

I have a photo of a FWC on a reg cab Tacoma, let me dig it out....

 

[Overland Hadley]

Here we go. Spotted in Zion in 2011.

 

[dnorrell]

Hey, that's the perfect color on those pics! Thanks, that's great.

Yup, a slightly higher payload on the regular cab due to the reduced cab weight, I reckon. I've got stock size Duratracs and love them - I was planning to keep tire size stock, and likely upgrade to some Dakar springs, though the air springs on Hansons' JATAC look compelling for load leveling.

Thank you all for the input and thoughts. I'll be really curious to see how the power is affected, though I've hauled 800lbs of landscaping supplies a few times and didn't have to ask my passenger to get out and push.

Edit:
Also, it was Denny that let me know this morning the shell won't be offered for the flatbed Eagle

 

[tanglefoot]

The regular cab Tacoma does have an impressive payload capacity--1485 lbs with the manual and 1380 with the automatic. That's more or similar to most configurations of 4wd Tundra.

The 2.7 is not a slouch at all in the output department. With 159 hp and 180 ft-lbs of torque, it has slightly more output than the 3.0L V6 (150 hp and 180 lb-ft) in the 1988-1995 trucks and 4runners while being lighter-weight and more fuel-efficient.

For some perspective, I have a wooden-construction pop up camper (heavier than any of the FWC models) on a 1985 Toyota 4wd with the 2.4L 22RE (116 hp and 140 ft-lbs). It's a fairly satisfying power combination for me, although it is slower than the vast majority of the other traffic on the road. I just let the grade and wind direction/speed dictate my cruising speed. Ah--just saw you're in CO too. I can maintain the speed limit up Coal Creek and Boulder canyons but on on the Eisenhower tunnel climb, I slow to 40 or 35 mph for the steepest parts. On the flats I cruise at 55-60 (sometimes it can go faster but I don't want to push that much wind).

You might look into the Ranger or Fleet for a little extra space. In a compact truck bed, it helps a lot with storage space and stretch-out room to have an extra foot or two. I'm glad I ended up with an 8 foot camper (reaches the end of the open tailgate)--it has an extra storage closet and plenty of stretch-out room on the lower bed.

Good luck!

Eric

 

[dnorrell]

Thanks Eric, great info and feedback. I am sort of leaning toward the wider Fleet for the space - I hadn't thought about going long. I enjoy seeing the scenery at a slower pace, so I'm thinking I'll be quite happy with whatever I end up with. Now I just have to save some so I can be camping in a FWC next year.

 

[Denny@fwcjh]

Brian and Jess just sent me this pic tonight. They moved out of their rental house and into a FWC!!

 

[Denny@fwcjh]

One more pic of Jason, Jess and myself once we completed the install. They purchased this Eagle Shell Model about two months ago and are true skiers, living up in Northwestern Montana.

Just for clarification, we are not going to offer the Flat Bed Camper in a shell model, and it is offered in three models, (Fleet, Hawk or Grandby). I am still working on some other aluminum flat beds options for full and mid size trucks including a manufacturer called Stronghold for custom beds with boxes.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

The Standard Cab Tacoma with the 4 cyc. is a good truck, but pretty small over-all.

Small pop-up campers are a good choice for trucks like that.

I would suggest to stay on the conservative side.

Resist the urge to put the biggest posisble camper on it.

Keep the camper as simple and as light weight as you can.

Get some good truck tires and a do a rear suspension upgrade.

Here are some other small standard cab trucks with campers mounted on them.

: )


.

 

[dnorrell]

The Standard Cab Tacoma with the 4 cyc. is a good truck, but pretty small over-all.

Small pop-up campers are a good choice for trucks like that.

I would suggest to stay on the conservative side.

Resist the urge to put the biggest posisble camper on it.

Keep the camper as simple and as light weight as you can.

....

Thanks, Stan! Should I read that as opting for the Eagle (or even Finch) over the Fleet?

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

The Eagle will be a few lbs. lighter and a little norrower.

But the Fleet should be OK, if you want to go that route.

The Fleet looks good on the 2005 - 2013 Toyota Tacoma.

Just keep your options simple.

Don't get every option available under the sun like ... a sink, stove, refrigerator, solar panels, roof racks, kayaks, dual batteries, carry 26 gallons of water, carry extra fuel cans, carry 500 lbs. or personal gear, tow your boat, etc.

Just get the basics of what you might need.

KISS = Keep It Simple Silly

Then get out there and have fun camping & exploring.





.

 

[burt]

On a rc taco do people still opt for the extended cab over (4' ?). If so is there any negative feed back like humming from the aerodynamics or not being able to see up at things like traffic lights. The cool part about a fleet is that you can sleep sideways and with the longer overhang you can sleep two with no platform in the cabin (you can leave the bed made). I can't really tell in the pics how long those cab overs are.

 

[Overland Hadley]

The photos that Denny and I posted look to be the longer extended cabover. The photos Stan posted look to be the shorter cabover length.

My thought is that either one is going to be directly in the airflow, so it will not make much of a difference if it is the extended cabover or not.
(Even on my truck the camper is directly in the airflow. Thought about going with the shorter cabover, but am happy that I did not.)

 

[Jonathan Hanson]

"Smaller Tacoma engine?" Shoot: Roseann and I hauled our first FWC (Eagle) for six years with a 1992 Toyota pickup and a 22RE engine. Yes, it had a manual transmission, but we're talking 116 horsepower here. When we swapped it to a 2000 Tacoma with the 3.4 V6 and an automatic the combination felt like a Carrera by comparison. You'll do fine.

Our current Fleet on the JATAC does have noticeably more room, and we really like the front dinette, not to mention the shower that's available with it.

Jack Dykinga has an Eagle on a four-cylinder (manual) Tacoma and tells me he can break 20 mpg on the highway at 65 mph.