This is the way to go. Get the tallest cap you can aesthetically tolerate. It’ll help with not just room while inside but also in moving large items in the bed without removing the platform system. I built my platform with two 6’ slide out doors out of 3/4” ply for about $250 and have never looked back. Best and most affordable system out there. Time tested 5 years and hundreds of trips
@@PacificRoamer damn I feel that man. So much so I’m thinking of trading in for a 6ft bed. I own a 2020 TRD off road I bought brand new but the 6 fit bed is tempting before I starts build.
I have an F150 4x4 short bed with a cap on it. For a decade now, I spend most of my summer overlanding around the western US backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking or just chilling in backcountry campsites. Occasionally solo, but usually with a few of my teenage kids or the whole family of 6 ( why I have crew cab and bench front seat: 3x3). I watch vids and read magazines pondering fancy overland builds or off road trailers. However, after doing the decision matrix, I always come back to what we are already doing - pitching tents on the ground with a well organized load plan in the caped shortbed - cooking case, pantry case, duffle with 3-4 tents in it, duffle with sleep bags, duffle w/sleep mats, case w/ climbing gear, up to 6 backpacks, recovery case, 20 gal of water, 2 metal Jerry cans of fuel, 2x maxtrax, cooler, case w/dehydrated and freeze dried meals for backpacking, 1 inflatable kayak, 1 folding kayak, 4 bike rack on hitch. Each person has a small gym style bag in the cab w/few changes of clothes, their toiletries and personal electronics; rain and cold weather gear is normally kept in the backpacks. The cases form a layer across the bottom of the bed, duffles, backpacks, etc are on top of the cases. Least used stuff goes to the front ( kayaks, recovery, etc.., most used in back by the tailgate (cooler, food and cook stuff), w/ tents and sleep bags on top. We can pull into a spot, have the tents up w/ pads and sleep bags in them in
I'm surprised you didn't go with a taller rack system to allow for more storage under the iKamper; would also allow for a dry spot when unfavorable weather. But love the build. Toyotas are perfect for this type of off-roading. Excellent Build!
Thanks for the honest breakdown of your build. I was considering the ikamper but wondered about the downsides. The comment about moisture settled it for me...I need to go another route.
Camper shell is the only way to go. I've watched rooftop tents flapping to hell while watching a movie with the downwind window vented in my shell. I did an accordion boot pass through, so you can climb straight back from the cab.
Ground tent. Lighter and more convenient because you can leave setup while going on an excursion from base camp. The day you leave you can set it up inside your house when it’s raining outside. Pretty convenient I have a 2 person tent that I can air out inside a 1 bedroom apartment
Great and honest video! Some very good points and things to consider. I’ll be starting my build here in a few weeks when my truck arrives. You’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks!
Thanks! Seems you would really have to camp a LOT to have your DD set up like that. Researching hard covers like the Diamondback HD for security, load/weight on top benefits, and other non-permanent/modular load ups just for when camping... and then easy disassembly to empty for everyday use. I'll figure out to "Marine Corps" it into being adequate, but convenient at the same time.... somehow, LOL. Thanks for the tips!
Upgrade your leaf springs with some heavy duty ones. You’ll get better gas. I have old man emu on my 2010 taco pulling a Apex Nano camper trailer. Made a huge difference.
Man I spent 2k on a 04 Jeep WJ and sleep in the back with the seats down flat and a roll up pad. I put a cheap roof top cargo box and called it a day. Overland rig done. My whole rig cost marginally more than your rooftop tent alone. I do have a box of recovery gear and a traction board too if you want to include the in the price then maybe 3k total.
Great vid. Love the honesty. Hanging stuff off the outside or putting it on a rack on top may look cool, but man it kils mpg. Combine that with the added weight, an aftermarket bumpere and winch, and the grippier, wider rubber we put on our rigs and it combines to just slay fuel economy. Seriously consider a metal cap- I went Alu-cab on my Gladiator but RSI Smartcap is another popular option. You can access gear from flip up sides which eliminates need for slide outs which weigh a ton. They dont weigh that much compared to alternatives and for what you get (mine is 125 lbs). You can store stuff on ceiling to maximize use of space. I have my max tracks and shovel up there, plus a net attic for my kotb clothes. With front wheel off, seat down and rear wheel forward I can even fit my mtb in there, which is good cause I carry it on me 24/7. Roof has like a 700 lb ststic and 350 lb dynamic load capacity, so when you go on a trip you can put a RTT or gear up there. I carry 24/7 my mtb and related gear and helmets etc, all my recovery gear including hi-lift, max tracks, shovels, straps etc, hammock, sleeping pad, chairs, small table, flashlights, popup changing/shoering/toilet privacy shelter. And it all fits in bed, safe and secure, with no water or dust intrusion. When I go on a trip I just toss in cooling and eating stuff and grill/stove, big table and ground tent and Im off. Check out Quechua 2 second fresh and black two or three person pop up tent by decathalon
@dadventuretv2538. How do you like those Decathlon tents? I have been considering one. Also aluminum caps are great. Easy mods, hold more weight, more practical than fiberglass. Rugged purpose built look too.
@@RM-bx2zt so I actually went with the Gazelle T3 Tandem for a ground tent and a wedge style RTT from Centori. The RTT is for quick camping and when on the move, ground tent is nice and big for a base camp. If you get the Decathlon post a vid. Be good to seen what you think.
I’m honestly over my bed rack, still love the RTT , I got the same set up I made custom brackets to fit my truxedo cover, but I’m thinking of going with canopy to get more space in bed, good video laying down the TRUTH hahaha 🤙
I'm obsessed with getting one like this. I'm not even sure it's practical! Hah. It reminds me of wanting a swiss army knife as a kid. I was planning all the stuff I would do with the corkscrew. But the knife just sat in my pocket. 😄 I've been thinking of a long bed crew cab Tacoma with a hard shell but I'd almost have to remove the back seat to use as storage since I'd be sleeping in the back on trips and there wouldn't be space for other things. I could then clean out the back and use it for 'truck' duties as needed.
Do you have a build video or a closer look of how you built your slide out? I have a 3rd Gen and I’m looking at building a simple bed slide with heavy duty drawer slides where I can attach the slide rails to the factory bed mounts. And from what I can tell, your rails are attached to your bed without the need of an outer frame. Thanks in advance!
What is the lift on your truck? I got a rav4 and want to give it a 2.5” lift to go off-road on it more or take the bad roads to mines. Tacomas look have some of the best clearance I’ve seen, but I wanted to know what your overall clearance is? Wanted to head out to Tyro mine in arizona.
You got a bargain. Charge more for your drone cam service. People are depressed at home you’re out there living a dream. My roof nest cost 3k, high rack 1k, cover 1.5k and I don’t give a fck , I’m living my dream. #gratefil
800 pounds ain’t jack, it’s the wind resistance of all the crap you have on there. Yes the weight does reduce fuel efficiency but not to the degree you mentioned
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Another awesome video! I just got done filming the walkthrough of my truck camper I just built and can't wait to hit the road! You'll have to check my channel out! Keep up the awesome work!
Am I the only one who has NOT seen a drastic decrease in MPG?? With an Uptop overland Truss rack that fits over my softopper, I still have a ton of room in the bed for EVERYTHING I want/need. Combine that with a decked system for storage, I have just fixed my security issue. Ikamper 3.0 on top sticks up over the roof, but I have only experienced maybe a -2 mpg deficit. I have not modified the Bilstein suspension that comes with the truck because it does what I need it to. I have only increased the rim and tire size to give me an extra inch or two in height/clearance. My front has a BA lo pro bumper with hidden winch. Still does not change my fuel economy all that much. With all of this, I'm averaging right around 15 MPG. If I remove the RTT, then I can get about 18. My Taco is a manual and I am not constantly in the tank and she does just fine. The only time that I ever see a major difference is when I add towing with everything else. A small trailer loaded with a couple of Yamaha Raptor 700's and I'm lucky to get 9 MPG, 11 on the highway. Build smart. Build it like a secret squirrel lego hideaway and you will absolutely have room for everything you want and need.
