Toyota Tacoma with camper initial research thread

[dtessman]

We have been putting small campers on the Tacoma trucks for years & years.

New here, so perhaps forgive my complete ignorance! I am seriously looking at the soon to be available 2016 Tacoma, and would love to put a FWC on the back of it. On the FWC site, this forum, and other places on the Internet I see lots of Tacomas with pop up campers on them. So I know lots of folks are doing it. But, every time I run the numbers against payload, it seems like folks must be way over the GVWR, especially when adding a winch, off-road bumpers, recovery equipment, etc. Certainly adding airbags and good tires can't change what the frame, brakes, etc. are designed for. So what gives? Is everyone just ignoring the GVWR? Thanks!

 

[brianjwilson]

I wouldn't say ignoring, maybe disregarding...?
I know my Tacoma and Fleet is well overweight. But I've modified it for my use (probably more than most) and I'm very satisfied with it. It is the smallest and lightest four door 4x4 truck I was comfortable with. So yes I'm over GVWR but thousands of pounds lighter than a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab 4x4. Much shorter height and length, better clearance, more narrow etc. All of those things are very important to me for off road use. With the money I have into the truck I could have bought a full size.
Lots of people (most?) with tacomas are using air bags and heavier tires and are satisfied. To each their own. You will be over GVWR when loaded up. If that's a deal breaker than start looking at 3/4 ton gas trucks or possibly a heavy duty f150.