Thoughts on the Truckhouse Tacoma expedition camper...

[wordofbabb]

I think it looks pretty interesting. I think mini Earthroamer instead of new take on the Sunraider, personally. I think that look appeals to a lot of people. Tacomas get a lot of airtime in this "overland" vibe coming off all social media platforms. All the classic Toyota reliability, etc. I can see how something like this appeals to folks looking for a fully contained and integrated camper to go explore in. I know a lot of people prefer a turnkey vehicle over something they built up due to inexperience or just wanting to chase the dream because they have the cash to do it.

This thing is 2 ft smaller in height than an ER, 9 ft shorter in length and almost a foot more narrow. On paper it feels to me like 60-70% of the experience lacking the custom fit and finish Earthroamer offers with extreme luxury, but for their max price being 45% less than a fully optioned Earthroamer LTi. I can see a lot of people thinking that make sense without really thinking about the Tacoma and it's capabilities.

I am interested to see more on this and how things work out for them. I know Earthcruiser Terranova is aiming around the higher side of this price range and both are pretty interesting concepts to see emerge in the market.

 

[AbleGuy]

Seems backwards. How do you get deposits with no product or investors? Are there really people willing to give them a $50k check (non refundable), and hope it all works out?

The least I'd want to see is a working prototype that has been thoroughly tested... and that they have funds, equipment, and personel to do the job. Otherwise the *best* scenario is that you get the rig at some point and you are the alpha tester. The worst scenario is that your $50k disappears. Seems way too risky.

Kinda like a huge KickStarter Campaign?

 

[AbleGuy]

I think it looks pretty interesting. I think mini Earthroamer instead of new take on the Sunraider, personally. I think that look appeals to a lot of people. Tacomas get a lot of airtime in this "overland" vibe coming off all social media platforms. All the classic Toyota reliability, etc. I can see how something like this appeals to folks looking for a fully contained and integrated camper to go explore in. I know a lot of people prefer a turnkey vehicle over something they built up due to inexperience or just wanting to chase the dream because they have the cash to do it.

This thing is 2 ft smaller in height than an ER, 9 ft shorter in length and almost a foot more narrow. On paper it feels to me like 60-70% of the experience lacking the custom fit and finish Earthroamer offers with extreme luxury, but for their max price being 45% less than a fully optioned Earthroamer LTi. I can see a lot of people thinking that make sense without really thinking about the Tacoma and it's capabilities.

I am interested to see more on this and how things work out for them. I know Earthcruiser Terranova is aiming around the higher side of this price range and both are pretty interesting concepts to see emerge in the market.

There’s no need to wait to see if this ever becomes an affordable reality, just buy a regular cab Provan Tiger to get a relatively narrow, short wheelbase 4wd fully self contained camper ?

 

[rruff]

Kinda like a huge KickStarter Campaign?

My first thought was just that... like Solar Freakin' Roadways.

 

[waveslider]

It’s cute!

 

[s.e.charles]

.... don't know how any full sized human and drive a Tacoma anyway ....

i was pondering how soon this would surface. at a shrinking 5'7", 172# on a good day, i always have to remember to duck when i get into my (second) tacoma. admittedly i do have 1" slugs under the rear bolts on the driver's seat so i can sit more comfortably and see over the hood, bit it's a small cab. wide or long doesn't help height.

but i chuckle when someone my size whizzes past in a tricked F-150 and is sitting at the red light when i arrive. maybe not relevant to the conversation, but somehow on my mind. need coffee now . . . . .

 

[s.e.charles]

I am kind of glad they haven't yet. I am enjoying all the experts on here tearing it apart when they haven't seen it in person. Everyone is an expert on the internet.

i thought i saw one on my front lawn. it was next to the unicorn meadow next to the pot o' gold. right under the end of the rainbow.

there's difference between being an expert and believing what you are seeing.

 

[s.e.charles]

Kinda like a huge KickStarter Campaign?

one word: shark tank

 

[quickfarms]

one word: shark tank

That is actually two words!

 

[s.e.charles]

there's no fooling you guys. now send me 50 large and i'll put your name on "the List". don't call us; we'll call you!

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Sooooo much about this entire thing is just weird, bizarre, and doesn't make a lick of sense to me...

A couple young recent college grads with no proof of concept on anything prior, concoct this idea, spend a GRIP of cash on a very extreme marketing push/reveal and now want $50k NON REFUNDABLE deposits to get your space in line based on some marketing fluff, some renderings, and one photo that might be real? Ummm

Ooooh... Look... A camper that looks cool...

I see close to zero solid information or photos of said "frame modifications" and "trophy truck like suspension" or any of the "custom rear end."

The front appears to be the standard Total Chaos Long Travel Kit which i have personally come across THREE of these broken in my travels on trucks WITHOUT campers on them, and have 2 friends personally that removed them because they kept breaking them. Add all this camper weight, and then... Yeah...

I love seeing folks push the envelope and innovate new rad things, but there is literally not a single thing about this that legitimately makes any sense.

Is it poor marketing, with the thinking keeping things hush will build intrigue? Or is it they dont have that figured out yet...?

I predict (and hope) no one hands over a $50k NON REFUNDABLE deposit based on what little they've provided so far. Its quite asinine, and insulting for them to think folks would.

I also find humor in the ignorance of a lot of the comments regarding "Should of at least used a Tundra" Ummmm.... They are almost the same payload (300-400lbs or so)

Its also kinda sad that all the "Media Outlets" pushed it for their money, knowing damn well its an unsafe liability, cash talks, screw everything else, that's the American way

Again, love the idea of pushing the envelope and innovation, but this thing is a train wreck looking for a place to crash

 

[rruff]

Its also kinda sad that all the "Media Outlets" pushed it for their money, knowing damn well its an unsafe liability, cash talks, screw everything else, that's the American way

Is that how it works? I figured they just had a slick presentation and the media outlets knew it was good clickbait.

 

[86scotty]

"Its also kinda sad that all the "Media Outlets" pushed it for their money, knowing damn well its an unsafe liability, cash talks, screw everything else, that's the American way"

You honestly think the 'media outlets' know anything about it's lack of safety? I think you are assuming WAY too much. Of course cash talks and screw everything else. Have you looked around lately at our 'leaders' or the shameless materialism kids are raised in?

"I also find humor in the ignorance of a lot of the comments regarding "Should of at least used a Tundra" Ummmm.... They are almost the same payload (300-400lbs or so)"

In stock form, yes. I was one of the 'ignorant' people who said they should've at least used a Tundra. The comment had much more to do with practical base size and power plant than it did with payload/suspension which would obviously be upgraded for any box this size.

You know, not everyone wants a Ram 5500.

 

[RAM5500 CAMPERTHING]

Is that how it works? I figured they just had a slick presentation and the media outlets knew it was good clickbait.

Yeah, and i'll stand by that statement

Clickbait that damaged the integrity of some of the outlets for pushing it in the first place... cmon now...

 

[pugslyyy]

"Its also kinda sad that all the "Media Outlets" pushed it for their money, knowing damn well its an unsafe liability, cash talks, screw everything else, that's the American way"

You honestly think the 'media outlets' know anything about it's lack of safety? I think you are assuming WAY too much. Of course cash talks and screw everything else. Have you looked around lately at our 'leaders' or the shameless materialism kids are raised in?

"I also find humor in the ignorance of a lot of the comments regarding "Should of at least used a Tundra" Ummmm.... They are almost the same payload (300-400lbs or so)"

In stock form, yes. I was one of the 'ignorant' people who said they should've at least used a Tundra. The comment had much more to do with practical base size and power plant than it did with payload/suspension which would obviously be upgraded for any box this size.

You know, not everyone wants a Ram 5500.

I was in the neighborhood yesterday so stopped by to say hello (unannounced) but nobody was there. That's the Taco that was the inspiration for their new camper in the foreground.