Trucks are made to take a beating, go off road, carry a load and pull loads and just basically get er done. Trail and error is nothing to feel sad about. Experience teaches us what works for us...happy travels 🛻
This was the right choice. A truck camper setup is great esp for getting to places you normally can't with a van or bus. Can't wait to see what you do with it.
Saw another youtuber who also got a Bigfoot and he loved it and yes for the same reason the claim shell no leaks mold etc.. good luck and I can't wait to see how you renovate it
The great thing about a fiberglass clam shell truck camper is it ages really well and as mentioned has no seams above the belt line, so no leaks. Part 2 - the Big Foot with the aid of a bed platform to raise it a bit will fit any newer truck that has a 6 foot bed. I have a 1st Gen Tundra and find it handles my own FWC pop-up extremely well - with the exception for gas mileage. Newer trucks with their 10 speed automatic transmissions achieve significantly better with regards to gas mileage.
I was kinda hoping your favorite Canadian camper might turn out to be Matthew at VanlifePLUS You two would be awesome together. Yes, I'm just an old lady trying to hook up two young people. Can't wait to see the new build!
You probably already know this, but as you build out your “new” camper, consider the GVWR on your truck when you consider building materials and things to bring with you when you camp. We have an EagleCap 850 truck camper on a 1-ton truck and we’re careful about every pound that we put into the camper and truck. Our fresh water tank is 49 gallons. Despite our caution about weight, when our water and gas and propane are full, we’re over our GVWR! I know you’re going to do an awesome renovation, like you have on your other builds. Truck campers are wonderful! Wishing you good luck and safe travels.
100%! This is also part of the reason I am hoping to remove and simplify some of the interior components that I dont truly need - so that I can add weight where it counts such as with house batteries! Thanks so much for the reminder, 50 gallons of water is so awesome!!
So looking forward to what you have planned for this new baby and to see you and Tara reunited. 🐾❤️🐾 Your rig building skills are so impressive. You've got this! Cheering you on from BC 🇨🇦
Alittle Skeptical about this one l think you should of just got one of the ones that you tryed free and you would of been all set brand new truck and camper and you would of had a warranty on it also but l am still rooting for you and hope it all works out but that beast need a lot of tlc and work
I have been watching Jonathan Yentch's channel for a while, starting with the Slumber Queen to his new fiberglass camper and he also has a Tundra as well. Follow him and he can exchange ideas for you! I love the whole set up and can't wait to see your reno on this camper! I wished they would make it more affordable but I guess it is what you get to pay for it. Good luck! Can't wait!
Congrats, I think this was a great move for you, looking forward to seeing the build. Wish you would post more videos weekly lol...would love to see more.
Hi Alex. Best to get experienced advice. Been traveling for 40 years with every rig imaginable. Now I travel in an RV or a Prius. And have a homebase in the west to launch from or rest. Which comes to my point. The rig you may want to use depends on how long you will stay in a place. As you have found it depends on many factors like gas consumption and comfort. Your current build is a good start. Tundra is most reliable. But just to be safe I would get maintenance insurance with zero deductible. Premium cost is small compared to cost of major repairs. There are thousands of things to consider and cover to be safe on the road. Hope I can help one day. Stop by when you can to my wilderness compound I mentioned before. I am hoping to have Vanlife community soon to help Nomads. Good luck
Yay Alex! I'm so excited for you and Tara. I love this one and I saw the pass thru to the cab so that makes me happy. Cant wait to see your personalization to it!
Definetely a maker creator renewer's dream, a chance to bring new life. Already has that spark. What a delightful of scenarios and landscapes you've shown, and the ones rising on the horizon are beyond any fear could hold for it's own. Ready to conquer!!
Interesting to see! We are also going to build a Camper in the future but I never thought of this solution! But you have so many good points with it! As going to the really remote places! This is exactly what we want! I think we need to give it a thought! Good luck with your build! It will be interesting to follow 🌟
good snag. i can see how this will fire up your creative juices. very excited for you and cara, and to watch it unfold into your new rolling home. nice.
It takes experience to find the right fit for your life 👍. I'm a 'glamper' and to get mine out where I wanted to, I raised it 6" and put on fabulous suspension through Weldtec.... It was a lot of money but worth it the first time I got out to where I would never have gone before ❤️! Congrats! 👍👍👍
I have 06 Tundra as well. Girl, you made a really great choice. The best year of first gen Tundra. The V8 (2UZ-FE) is known for a million mile engine. at 104,000 miles, it might outlast you.. Look for Lower ball joints(they known to fail), timing belt and water pump
Why won’t Bigfoot company starts putting this model to production again, I’ve seen more youtubers were seeking this model even driving all the way to Canada to purchase this outdated as you said but a beautiful build clam shell fiberglass camper, I think it would sell with this as being one of the most sought camper, now with modern interior.
Ah yes welcome to MN where it constantly snows and it is just depressing... I'm from ND and absolutely can't stand the winter but somehow we don't have snow yet. Congrats on the new truck!
Wishing you well and looking forward to watching your new adventures. With your past experience it looks like a home you can make your own . . . and Tara’s!
Will be interesting to see how you plan the space, good on you. The vehicle will not let you down. Lot to be said for a fibreglass shell, no leaks like you said. Enjoy the next venture.
I think its hilarious that we both made basically the same trip in opposite directions. I drove from Chicago to Portland OR to pick up a Northern Lite 610 and it seems you drove from the west coast to the midwest for yours as well. Gotta love how what you want always seems to be so far away.
I'm so looking forward to seeing you build your dream rig Alex. You're super talented!!! Wishing you and Tara lots of joyful, safe ,exciting travels in your new home ❤
I am beyond stoked to see the Alex Lives Overland chapter unfold! The sneak peak on Patreon did not do this justice lol You have inspired me to get a move on building the overland rig I’ve been wanting to build! I hope I can see your rig in person one day! Best wishes to you and Terra!- With love, from Oregon
That is BEAUTIFUL!!! $12K? Never will be worth less. Can't wait for Jonathan Yentch to see this! Just like his. You two gotta meet up. Hey, he was just in Idaho. Huh.
I have had a few rigs that didn't fit for me also. I ended up with a truck camper. Who knew it would end up being my favorite rig. I have a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 and a 2001 Lance camper. I love the fact that I can go anywhere. Good luck. I hope you love your camper also.
Hello!!! I joined your channel because we are in the same situation!! I too have a first gen Toyota Tundra (2005) and I am building a camper as well!! I went with a complete shell Four Wheel Camper Hawk, which comes in under 900 lbs and plan on building it to do the same as you. I am building the Tundra first;you are correct that the Tundras is very reliable and should not give you issues. Every 90K, you should replace the timing belt. If you get the entire kit off of eBay, it will provide a new water pump, pulley, thermostat housing, etc… which is very good for longevity of the truck. All suggestions, but if you change the lower control arms, upper and lower ball joints, please use OEM parts. Aftermarket parts fail way too often on Toyota Trucks. I am going with the Old Man EMU 3inch suspension kit with upper control arms, and add a leaf for the rear. Instead of messing with air bags, take a look a Sumo springs, the work just as well and you don’t have to worry about addition parts failure/ Lastly, the brakes on the Tundra are 5 out of 10 at best, so I would look at upgrading the front discs and brake pads to a more heavy duty setup. Just my two cents!!! I will be following your build and good luck and continued success!!!
It’s wonderful that you’ve found your camper dream. Three’s the charm they say. With your expertise and experience I think “you got this girl” Can’t wait to see what you do. Best of luck for many safe, happy adventures.
@@SheRoamsWild Hi Alex, for electric issues look into the Jackery. It may be a little costly, yet will help tremendously for all your electrical power needs.
I figured it would be something like this.I think you got a deal on both of them.Those are popular trucks up here in Montana.I love the upgrades you've got planned for the truck.Can't wait for the build.
Very cool. Those fiberglass Bigfoot camper that specific size for a mid size truck is so rare. Jonathan Yentch on his channel also got one too. You can’t go wrong with a Toyota truck.
Hey Alex omg you love a challenge! That camper was $12K that seems expensive considering what you may need to spend on Reno? Good on you for following your dream for just right Camper Home. 😍🇦🇺🍻
Hoping to keep reno low! Thankfully price of materials have come down a bit, and the space is small, so it’s really more just some good elbow grease and getting thrifty :)
Nice to see the Lions Club badge. I've been connected to the UK Lions Club for over 40 years and a lot of great work done over the years. Your wagon looks good, I was looking at a demountable this week, what a coincendice 🙂
Goodness, girl... #3! ! Can't wait to see the adventure unfold & transform. As I've said before, you're an amazing young woman. 💃 (The feel of this video is very authentic. Your tone and demeanor is such that we're all in the same room, just chattin' with you. It feels comfortable and relaxed. Love it!!)
Love it! We are excited to see your mods! Hope you’re planning on sharing that with us. We recently bought a 99 Lance lite and paired with with a Chevy 2500. Currently renovating and looking for ideas! 🎉😊
Hey congrats on your new rig and new adventures. In terms of truck modifications, I suggest to spend time finding the right people to do it. I also follow "Tails of Wanderlust". She bought a Tundra with the mods already done thinking she had a good deal. She soon regretted it because the mods were not properly done. While she did what you are doing want to do, now, initially she had a small "offroad " travel trailer. Easier to pull than having a truck camper on top. She ended selling the Tundra. If you truly want to be as off-grid as possible, your $10K will no be enough. While your current fridge be "enough ", your biggest expense could a 12V fridge and solar system. Different that two and 3-way RV fridges that you have to be perfectly level for they to work, a 12V fridge consumes much less energy, have much more interior space with the same footprint, more efficient and cools 4 times faster. If you can fit some of the biggest fridges (10.7 CuFt) you could be off-grid easily 3weeks depending on the fresh water tank which you should try to fit the biggest one you can too. From female RU-vidr to another one, you may consider contacting the gal from Tails of Wanderlust because she just did what you are attempting to do. You may save yourself some headaches and frustrations. Good luck and congrats again.
Great price!!! I just bought a 2012 grand caravan for that price … sad face but hey it’s going to get me out there so it’s good❤ but you did well!!!!!!
wow! impressed you are salvaging something used and not getting new high end. I think you can save a lot of the cabinets, etc and paint and be done. Excited for your new rig!
