Question: Taco 4x4 2012 Access Cab, build Attached Camper to Cab instead of a Flatbed

P

PaulThePhotographer

New member
I understand all the advantages of a making a Flatbed on a Tacoma. Both for a Better Camper size and yet still a truck with a usable Flatbed, with the Camper off.

But I also know of the advantages of a "One-Piece" design. I have a 1990 Toyota Mini-RV, that we loved and beat the heck out of it. But I let it sit for quite a few years and it was already showing it's age. Plus it was geared for that 55 mph speed limit at the time.

But it was built on a Truck Chassis, right? But the rear section was attached to the cab. And the Cab had a Cut out so we could get up and walk back and forth will driving. Plus if it was great for stealth Boon docking. No one had to see anyone get out of the vehicle.

i-JG4X6XG-M.jpg


I have seen several new TRUCKS that do the same thing. Such as "THOR MOTOR COACH" and others.

Why can't I do that, instead of having a Flatbed on my Tacoma? Is there is reason? I love the Tacoma for it smaller size and all the 4x4 stuff.

You know, remove the bed, and rear fenders, and Build up from the frame. Then using maybe Galvanized Steel either pop-rivited of spot welded to a cut out section of the Cab of the Tacoma. And then of course finish work to make it look nice.

I realize that it is a big job but the ability to lower sections of the Camper and the ability to enter from the cab seems to me to be a huge advantage?

Or am I biting off more that I can chew?

TIA for any advice.

Paul.
 
W

Wainiha

Explorer
There may be an issue of the frame flex between the cab and camper. I would look at frame reinforcement and/or a "soft" connection. What will happen to the cab's structural integrity when a hole is cut in it?

A flexable gasket between the cab and camper maybe. I do like this idea. Way better than opening the doors and walking around to the back truck.

Have ever seen a Trekker? http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=86346.0
 
2

2025 deleted member

Well-known member
It seems for the money your going to spend on the engineering and design to get this right, you could buy a purpose built setup. Maybe a sportsmobile.
 
robert

robert

Expedition Leader
You're going to need a new rear axle also- those 1ton camper and U-Haul rental trucks had a heavier full floater axle in the rear. If you wanted to keep it Toyota, I'd ask on some of the overseas forums about a 60, 70 or 80 series Land Cruiser axle since some of them used the heavier duty full floaters (some were, some weren't depending on how it was originally spec'd).
 
T

tanglefoot

ExPoseur
You can build a camper right on the truck frame. The Supercamper is built this way, but they didn't engineer a pass-through.

http://thesupercamper.blogspot.com/

Frame flex can be an issue with a pass-throughs but it doesn't seem to be much of a problem with the Toyota commercial chassis, maybe due to lighter weight. We have a Toyota class-C RV in the family as well. Even with one of the front tires off the ground (don't ask), there was no threat of any integrity issues due to flex. With a lighter-duty Tacoma, some frame reinforcement and maybe some articulated camper mounts may be in order.

I don't think cutting out the back of the cab is an integrity issue--it was commonly done on the commercial cab-chassis units.

You can retain the original semi-float rear axle as long as you don't build too large and heavy. On the original wheelbase, you can't build too large of a camper and the original axle would likely suffice. If you stretch the frame and go big with the cabin, a full-float rear axle may be in order.

I've dreamt of building something similar--here's my result from Paint:

tacocmpr_zps950ab0b2.png
 
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