Jack
Senior Member
19 years later, Toyota has a true upgrade to the 2nd and 3rd generations and they can now be purchased at dealers. Anyone with experience with a FWC - mounting, mpg, etc.?
Just a note on the Toyota bed bolts mentioned above. I stripped one out on my 09 Tacoma so I found a machine bolt that just fits inside the Toyota bolt hole, I believe it might have been 3/8". I used a high grade steel bolt and secured it with lock washers and lock nut. Obviously you have to crawl underneath to tighten and have someone up above (or use a vise-grip) but mine has not loosened up at all with many years of rough road travel. This would solve the bolt length problem, but probably not the best solution for all 4 attachment points.
Good Morning, I was getting ready to put in an order for a base model FWC Fleet. Dry weight at about 1100 lb.s In my search for the right camper I was deciding on camper then truck. The Fleet meets all my needs as I have outfitted it. Retired and will be my bird hunting rig. Now test driving Tacomas and been very underwhelmed with power of two I have driven. Tough to imagine what adding 12-1300 lb.s wet weight would do. Drove the 2024 Tacoma yesterday and much more impressed. Was going to upgrade older Taco leaf springs at minimum. Now reconsidering. Saw your comment here and wondered if you could offer any advice. FWC not currently putting Fleet on 2024 Tacomas but think they are getting closer and I am willing to wait some. I know coil springs likely to require some upgrade as well. Thank youI'm about to get one to review. Given the significant upgrades in chassis (fully boxed once more), power (especially the torque peak at lower RPM), and load capacity, the new generation should be far more capable of handling a FWC.
I have no doubt, after reviewing a 2024 TRD Off Road model Tacoma, that it is far better able to handle a load such as a FWC than the previous generation. The chassis is certainly substantially improved, and the engine is also a leap forward (never mind that it's "only" a four compared to the previous six), given a torque peak at a proper, diesel-like 1,700 rpm instead of up in the sports-car stratosphere where it has been. Models with coil spring rear axles will be easier to upgrade to handle extra weight—and let's not forget the looooooong overdue rear disc brakes. But you need to keep in mind the substantial differences in payload ratings between models. There are a couple specced for 1,700 pounds, which would make it possible to load a Fleet along with necessities and passengers and theoretically remain under factory GVWR. You'd still need to upgrade rear springs and shocks, however.Good Morning, I was getting ready to put in an order for a base model FWC Fleet. Dry weight at about 1100 lb.s In my search for the right camper I was deciding on camper then truck. The Fleet meets all my needs as I have outfitted it. Retired and will be my bird hunting rig. Now test driving Tacomas and been very underwhelmed with power of two I have driven. Tough to imagine what adding 12-1300 lb.s wet weight would do. Drove the 2024 Tacoma yesterday and much more impressed. Was going to upgrade older Taco leaf springs at minimum. Now reconsidering. Saw your comment here and wondered if you could offer any advice. FWC not currently putting Fleet on 2024 Tacomas but think they are getting closer and I am willing to wait some. I know coil springs likely to require some upgrade as well. Thank you
First thing you should decide is if you plan to keep the camper on the truck full time.Thanks, maybe just need to be willing to do the same. Likely just the reality with mid sized truck.