Trout Truck?
- This topic has 55 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated Oct 28, 2008 at 10:14 pm by
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Another option Drifter would be to go with the camper trailer and get a folding pram or dingy or an inflatible like a SOAR canoe.
I added a wood frame storage area to my dakota bed for our trip to Alaska in 2004. The Pendaliners have slots for 2x6s that make it easy. I just made it so it flips open in half on a hinged top, but you could just as easily make a sliding end drawer or two for it.
A Coleman double bed air matress fits perfectly on top of that size bed. Would definitely recommend the high top camper shell if you are going to be living out of it for a while.
Wow Scott! That’s what I’m looking for. I hadn’t thought about the lack of headroom. It might be a PIA to try to sit straight up to put on a shirt.
Does you camper top have screens….I can’t tell from the photo? And…..is the storage cabinet still in your truck or did you take it out after your trip? The Truck Vault is a semi-permanent fixture so I want to be sure about it. I forgot to mention….the Truck Vault manufacturer claims it is lockable and vandalproof….that would be a big selling point for me.
When you mention a high top camper shell I’m assuming you are speaking of this:
just recline the front seat and you can sleep in any parking lot you want especially if you can sleep on your back… Subies are nice
Drifter, there are screens on the windows. On cold nights there is quite a bit of condensation build up especially with two people and a dog in the low style camper shell with the windows closed. If you are wanting to stay in it and get ventilation during a rain, you’d definitely want the old roll out style windows, not sliding windows.
Still have it in the truck. Will need some new carpet before long, and I’ll probably replace the top plywood then–I just used 1/2 inch to keep the weight down, but it warps a little over time. Requires removal of the top plywood and unscrewing the 2xs to get it out although I built it in two sections split down the middle to make it easier to remove.
When you mention a high top camper shell I’m assuming you are speaking of this:
Exactly. Our shell is the mid-height and I was wishing for a little more head room.
just recline the front seat and you can sleep in any parking lot you want especially if you can sleep on your back… Subies are nice
Patrick’s subaru idea is great, Drifter, for bear country. Makes for a quick get away. ;D
I did sleep in the cab once, driving back by myself on the way off the Richardson highway. A club cab is great for leaning back, but I’m a big fellow and was not comfortable at all. But no way was I gonna sleep in the camper that night. Too many scary things out there.
Patrick,
In my younger days….in true trout bum fashion….I slept in the reclining seat. Can’t do it anymore. I dare say my back is not as strong as yours.
Drifter, I have a Toyota Tacoma with the six cylinder and I think that you would be greatly disappointed with the fuel economy when towing with it. I like the truck a lot and it satisfies my needs very well, but you hook a boat or snowmobiles behind that thing and you can count on getting about 12mpg. I would much rather have a v8 if I was going to be towing a lot with it.
It sounds like you are getting a lot of great ideas here. You will have to keep us posted on what you end up with.
Joel
yeah Nate….you read my mind. I’ve been reading all I can find on diesels. Looks like either a F250(Izusu), Dodge 2500(Cummins) or a Chevy 2500(Duramax). I’m looking hard at a used Lance camper….8 1/2 footer to go in the bed.
I found a good deal on a 2007 Dodge 3500 diesel dually regular cab. Brand new on the lot and discounted because the regular cab ain’t selling. It’s what I want except it has the lower-geared rear end housing.
I drove over to the Chevy dealer on Sunday. they have so many trucks on the lot, you hafta back out of the lot if you want to leave. These gas prices are really hurting truck sales or so it seems.
One thing for sure….the diesels ain’t cheap. Most all the dealers are offering 0% financing….just to move them off the lot. Heck….even the Tundras are slow to move. I figure when diesel gets to $4 bucks a gallon, I’ll make my move.
IMHO, a 98-2007 LandCruiser and a caravan topper (like they use in AU and NZ) is the way to go… you can get the tent topper in a rugged version that would easily allow you to put the bike and kayak on top of it… whole thing sits on your roof… then the bed or back of your rig can be 100% for gear… and of course you can allways get down and get into the rig if the weather gets real nasty…
You could easily adapt to a tundra….
http://www.loftyshelters.com/MaggExtreme.htm
http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/products/brand/eeziawnindex.html
I don’t know if the Engle fridge freezers have been mentioned or not
I drive a GMC right now, but this would be a sweet rig…sans the ugly interior color.
http://www.pickuptruck.com/html/autoshows/sema2007/toyota/tundradually1.html
What I’m talkin’ about……………. 😮
http://www.earthroamer.com/galleries/xv-jp_first_photos/index.htm
http://www.earthroamer.com/tab_xpedition_vehicles/vehicles.html
Just add some rod holders…
http://www.flickr.com/photos/americanexpeditionvehicles/2109296686/I’ve always wanted a brute…
Update….with diesel well above 4.00 a gallon…I still haven’t commited. I’ve driven a few and liked what I saw….but the dealers ain’t budging on price. The reliability of American made siesel pickups is nothing to get excited about. So….I’ve just about settled on a V6 tacoma with camper shell….although I value Joel’s feedback….he said the mpg goes south when towing the boat. The Tundras are nice for towing with a comfy interior but they also suck a lot of gas.
I dunno.
I forgot to mention….I’m not driving the Tundra now. My oldest son was determined to buy a used truck. He was looking at garbage and I hated to see him get beat out of his hard-earned money. So…..being the caring father that I am, I sold him my Tundra at about half it’s value. I’m now driving his 2001 Tacoma which will be given to my youngest son this summer. Can you tell….I’m getting hosed. 🙂
So I’m out of a vehicle. I love the Tundra but the new ones are only gettin 13 to 16 mpg.
All this truck talk made me start thinking. When is Toyota going to introduce diesel to the American market? They have it everywhere else. They have a clean twin turbo full size that gets about 23-25 miles to the gallon and the technology to get more. This engine runs cleaner than gas. Americans are missing out. Why have they not tapped that market.
We also have the tacoma which is different that the rest of the world – who has the hilux. The Hilux ride is not smooth enough, so Toy built a different truck for us. The hilux is still built on the frame and suspension that made the toyota truck famous. The T1000 was built on the same frame then it changed to the tundra for the Americans. No one else has this soft ride tundra as well, it’s an american thing.
What happened to the good ole beater that was tough as nails. I remember my first truck and it was made like a good stout beer. In comparison our trucks now are like a weak pilsner. They ride better but I’m scared to get off the pavement
Dual Fuel, Flex Fuel…. another little rant. Why abuse our land by subsidizing corn. If we want to use a plant for fuel, use something that is drought tolerant and doesnt need all the pesticides and fertilizers that destroy our streams – soybean is better and more efficient and doesnt leach the soil as bad, i mean… kudzu would make great gas.
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