2024 Tacoma with FWC?

[Jack]

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.?

 

[JHanson]

I'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.

 

[Kodachrome]

I'm looking at the Trailhunter, but I am wondering given the rear coilovers if one can use Firestone airbags on it? The payload capacity is only 25 pounds more than my 2005 so I am curious as to how this might all work.

Given the boxed frame, how do you even mount the attachment points?

 

[Kodachrome]

Ok, I just talked to Marty at ATC and he said there is a big issue with the new design of the bed and hardware. In my case, putting my 2009 Bobcat in the new Taco really makes the long story short that it will need longer bed to frame bolts.

The issue with that is that the stock ones are not long enough and are some proprietary Toyota thread so you just can’t toss some garden variety new bolt in there.

He said right now, FWC won’t even touch the 2024 Tacomas since there is no solution in place yet. He also suggested something like Torklifts but I’m not a fan of those from a tampering and off road standpoint.

I put down a deposit on my Trailhunter today and it will likely take 5-6 months to fill the order so I have time to research this and mull it over…

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I wonder if TorkLift is going to make anything for the new Tacoma. I used their external frame mounts when I moved my Cougar to the new Super Duty. It’s very secure, but not something for tight trails.

 

[CraggyMan]

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.

 

[Kodachrome]

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.

Marty told me it is a proprietary thread now in use. It’s possible a different sku number bolt could work, perhaps one from a current model Tundra.

 

[Vic Harder]

Proprietary? I find that highly unlikely, and I really like Marty. Sounds like a trip to the parts counter at Toyota is in order.

 

[Upland Roamer]

I'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.

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

 

[rubberlegs]

Admittedly I'm not into power and don't mind slowing down driving long uphills. We do that hiking after all. But I've not noticed any power issues with our Tacoma/Fleet. It's definitely overweight though as the payload is more than 1100 lbs with food, water, full tank of gas, etc. If that's a concern, maybe you need a truck with more payload capacity. We baby our truck due to it being overloaded. It hasn't stopped us from going on some pretty rough roads or driving 1000 miles on freeways and highways.

 

[Upland Roamer]

Thanks, maybe just need to be willing to do the same. Likely just the reality with mid sized truck.

 

[JHanson]

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

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.

My full review will be out later in Exploration Quarterly.