We thought long and hard about what we needed and wanted in our vehicle and sleeping arrangements.  Since the two of us are planning on a multi-year adventure and the fact that we’re not young anymore we wanted some creature comforts.  Although we’ve been lifelong backpackers and in fact still backpack, we didn’t want to sleep on the ground in a tent; no way, no how.  It’s simply not comfortable enough, takes too much time to set up camp, and who really wants to pitch a tent for a weeks on end on the muddy ground in the tropics.  We also needed/wanted a place for the two of us to get away inside to our own private place bigger than the vehicles front seats.  Although our goal is to learn about different cultures and see beautiful landscapes, we need to be able to take a short break from extensive interactions with endlessly curious people.  We also wanted to be able to cook inside and my wife also wanted an inside toilet and shower.  We also wanted our vehicle to be reliable, I don’t want to be endlessly wrenching on the truck even if parts are available locally. Sounds easy so far, right?  In my mind these wants/needs eliminate some otherwise very capable overlanding setups such as Landrovers/Landcruiser SUVs with rooftop tents. We also wanted a setup that looked modest.  We didn’t think that driving into a remote village with a completely blinged out truck worth quarter million dollars sends the right message.  Furthermore, cost was an object.  Although we’re recently retired, we left early and need to watch our money carefully, lots of rice and beans in our future.  Really nice comfortable vehicles beyond our budget are Unimogs, Earthcruiser, Earthroamers, etc. Getting more difficult now:We also wanted our vehicle/home to be able to drive off the paved/graveled main roads and be a capable vehicle to explore muddy/sandy back country areas. We also wanted a vehicle that we feel comfortable driving.  We simply did not want to be tethered to pulling a trailer.  So we’re left with driving some type of pickup or flatbed truck capable of carrying a camping system. 

We chose a Toyota Tacoma

Toyota was an obvious choice due to its legendary reliability and its worldwide dealer/parts distribution.  As much as I’d like to root for the home team (think Ford, Chevy & Ram), there’s simply no other brand that comes close. For our worldwide adventure we chose to purchase a new 2019 white Tacoma 4*4 TRD Sport model with the 6 speed manual transmission.  It has the long bed (73”) and the Access cab.  We chose the Access cab with its tiny jump seats in the back row over the full four door Tacoma because we don’t want and didn’t need the extra interior space.  We also both prefer to drive a manual transmission primarily because we’re used to it but because it gives us better control; yeah call us old-fashioned.  We decided to purchase a new, instead of used, Tacoma because of the lack of easily available parts outside of North America.

Why a Toyota Tacoma

We thought long and hard over what vehicle we should build our home away from home on.  After listing our requirements the remaining possible options were the Toyota Tacoma, Toyota Hilux, Toyota Landcruiser flatbed, Ford F150, Ford F250 2019 with a gas engine, Ford F250 2002 with 7.3 liter diesel, 4wd van, or Mitsubishi Fuso.

½ ton pickup

We briefly considered a new Ford F-150 but realized that we would exceed the payload of up to 2,000 lbs. and so we moved on to a ¾ ton truck.  By-the-way, the Hilux and the Landcruiser pickup have a higher payload of around 2,000 – 2,200 lbs, impressive!

¾ ton pickup

We thought long and hard over buying an older (<2003) Ford F-250 7.3 liter diesel and changing all of the potentially worn-out parts but was worried about the complete lack of parts and inevitable breakdowns.  A new diesel is risky because most of Africa and Asia still uses high sulfur diesel, which could cause major problems for engines designed to run on ultralow sulfur diesel.  We also thought about a 2019 Ford F250 with the 6.2 liter gas motor.  This would hopefully provide a (hopefully) breakdown-free 100,000 miles or so and also have plenty of payload of over 3,200 pounds.  But that comes with poor gas mileage, slimmer dealer/parts availability, and more importantly a much wider track. The deciding factor we learned is track width, which is the outside dimension across the vehicle’s tires.  The Taco’s track is 63″, full-size trucks are 68″, while the world-standard Hilux is only 59″.  While driving in South Africa, Botswana, and Western Europe a full-size pickup truck would be severely handicapped on back country roads; one tire in the rut with the other out.  Some national park roads were so narrow that brush beat the crap off our Hilux even, sorry rental company.  If we were just driving North and South America we would definitely do it in a 3/4 ton pickup.

Van Conversions

A well-equipped Quigley van or a Sportsmobile conversions are quite compelling but new ones equipped with 4wd and toilet/shower are around $170,000 and out of our financial reach.  While they do come with four wheel drive and can be lifted for some offroading, they were originally designed for two wheel drive use so that worries me a bit.  We do like the access to the living compartment but the driving position would be quite a change for us.

Fuso & Ford F450

We briefly considered a Fuso/Ford F450 but were ruled out because they are too big, too wide and too heavy.  Many of the bridges we encountered in Africa have a 5 ton weight limit; all others have to drive through the river, yikes.  Also most of these vehicles are simply too pricy for us.  Even used ones built for expeditions are $150,000 to $250,000.  Furthermore with the Fuso the driving position over the engine and the front wheels is quite noisy and very different than what we’re used to; a pickup truck.

Gasoline versus Diesel

In deciding which type of fuel, gas and diesel both have their advantages.  If you run a diesel engine, it can’t be a modern North American/European model unless you run a detuning mod or you risk messing up your motor burning high sulfur diesel.  But diesel gets better mileage and has more low-end torque. My understanding is that gasoline is more uniform around the world, except that they use different units: their octane rating of 98 translates to our 93, their 95 is our 87.  Water contamination in both fuels will be a big issue in places. Especially in the tropical areas. We’re planning on carrying hydrometer and check the specific gravity of your fuelFor us, a Tacoma is unfortunately only available from the factory with a gas motor.  There are aftermarket options to add diesel Hilux motors in a Tacoma but are unfortunately too expensive for us – happy to demo one though…

Hilux & Landcruiser

This was probably the toughest choice.  I thought, dreamed really, about buying a new diesel Hilux or Landcruiser flatbed and then somehow getting it here to outfit it, but was simply too difficult.  Had I been a resident outside the US, the choice would have been easily one of these. 
While I’m certainly not adverse from buying a Hilux/Landcruiser overseas, the challenge becomes how do I modify it to my specs while not blowing the budget. Most of the English-speaking countries drive on the wrong side (just having a wee bit of fun here) of the road so then I would need to buy it in a country in a language that I don’t speak.  I’m NOT going to drive a left-hand vehicle for 150,000 miles. Even though I am left-handed I hate shifting with my left hand, it’s just wrong (I’m stomping my feet in a tantrum right now).  Also how do I find a highly qualified shop in a foreign country to do the mods?  And then how do I transport the camper to the truck?  I can’t buy the truck, say in Mexico and just bring it into the US without it first being licensed in Mexico.  Even then I could never get it registered in the US.
Ideally my favorite would be a new Hilux.  However, they now run on ultra-low sulfur diesel with a particulate filter. This fuel simply isn’t readily available in Africa and much of Asia. I would have to buy a gas Hilux.  Might as will buy a new Tacoma and take a low risk on the lack of parts. If I have a breakdown, while waiting for parts we’ll make lemonade. Who knows maybe we’ll make some friends, after all we’ll be retired. I’ve looked online at Hiluxs in Germany and Australia, some of them even have pop up campers on them. A lightly used Landcruiser with a flatbed in Australia is roughly $80,000 USD and that’s without their taxes.  Most countries overseas that drive on the right like the US, have extensive vehicle taxes, VAT, etc, with some ending up some doubling the original cost. Also, crossing over international borders in third world countries with a US passport, a US driver’s license while driving a vehicle registered in another country I think is going is going to cause us endless hassles by customs people looking for a bribe. The cost, including all of the taxes, of 2019 Tacoma (I paid $32,500), when compared to a comparatively equipped Hilux overseas is actually pretty darn cheap. For us at least, the choice of the taco has been made. Being white we’re hoping that it will blend in with the other half brother- Hilux’s at least at first glance.

Truck & Camper Upgrades

Truck Modifications

• Camper – Pop-up flatbed Fleet from Four Wheel Camper

• Flatbed – Norweld Basic Lite aluminum flatbed with 4 underbody boxes

• Differentials – Front and rear ARB air lockers, regeared with Nitro 5.29s

• Suspension – OME BP-51 shocks in both the front and the rear with custom Deaver rear springs in the back and Total Chaos upper control arms with uniball ball joints with zerk fittings in the front

• ARB Safari Snorkel

• ARB twin air compressor with a Slee mounting bracket mounted under the hood with a remote air chuck accessible in the front grill

• ARB front and rear differential breathers

• Front bumper – CBI T3 aluminum powder coated white with a Baja Designs S8 20” light bar

• Winch – Warn Zeon 10s

• Sway bars – Hellwig front and rear anti-sway bars installed,; what a difference!

• Tires – 275-70-17 load range E, BF Goodrich KO2

• Fuel – 33 gallon Long Range Automotive replacement gas tank, plus 8 additional gallons in front rack of the flatbed in 2 Rotopaxes

• GPS – Garmin Overlander RAM mounted on the dash with a Garmin Inreach Explorer handheld satellite communication

• Seats – Scheel-Mann Vario F seats; these are really comfy!

• Accessory Controls – Switch Pro 9100 with a SDHQ Dash Mount running the compressor, both lockers, 20″ light bar, two sets of Baja Designs S2 sports for lighting the left and right sides around the camper, water filtration system, and

Camper modifications by us

• 4 Baja Design S2 sports flood/spot lights at the camper corners

• 100 amp-hour Battleborn lithium battery

• Redarc BCDC 1225d battery charge controller

• Victron BMY-712 battery monitor

• 2 - 160 watt semi-flexible solar panels from Overland Solar mounted on the roof

• Custom front UTE dual rotopax mount on the front of camper

• Custom rear UTE mount for Hi-Lift jack and Maxtrax

• Custom aluminum stairs

• Flamma F35 6’ Awning

Camper factory options

• Yakima roof rack tracks

• Two FanTastic fans

• 85 liter refrigerator/freezer

• 6 gallon hot water heater

• Indoor cassette toilet

• Indoor and outdoor hot and cold shower

• Rear LED flood lights

• LED exterior lighting package

• Flush mount stove and sink

• Propane furnace

• Thermal pack

The Challenges of the Tacoma

The major drawback of the Tacoma is the payload being limited to 1,200 lbs.  I am resigned that the truck will be over its Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), period.  However we’re not just going to give up and just drive a stock one.  There is no way to change this GVWR, but what can be done is to adequately mitigate the risks through modifications to the truck.  Therein lies the Tacoma challengeThe way I see it there are three risks categories; Mechanical, Regulatory, Legal.  I think the major mechanical problems could come from the following: tires/rims, shocks & springs, braking, engine cooling, axles/wheel bearing, clutch, transmission, and drivetrain.

Mechanical

This is what we would call the risk of the excess weight causing truck breakdowns. Bottom line is we think the truck can handle it due to our modifications and with driving like a retiree (that sounds scary). Since the truck can tow up to 6,500 lbs.  I don’t think the engine, transmission, clutch, brakes, or drivetrain will be strained. With upgrading the wheels, tires, and suspension, it leaves the axles and the frame whether they can handle the additional weight.  Since the 2019 TRD sport now comes with the same rear axle (8.75”) as the Hilux, which have payloads ranging from 2,000 lbs. to 2,200 lbs and that we’ve upgraded both differentials to ARB lockers, I feel like that’s covered.  It leaves the frame as the final unresolved question. The Tacoma has a fully boxed frame except for aft of the rear axle.  We’ll watch and see if that needs to be reinforced

Regulatory

This is the risk of authorities causing us hassle for being above the GVWR. I’ve heard of authorities in the province of British Columbia and Australia checking vehicles’ weights.  But I’m hoping they won’t do it to a foreigner, our truck doesn’t look overly heavy.  There is a tiny risk in Europe but if there’s a problem I will simply put it on a flatbed and ship it out of country and drive around the offending country. I’m not too worried about this.

Legal 

I call this the risk of being sued if we were involved in some motor vehicle accident and somehow the weight of the vehicle was implicated. There’s been several forums threads talking about this with lawyers involved. Even in the United States it is not clear that there is a big risk. No one has been able to point to a specific incident.  But since we will be retired, driving will be done at moderate speed.  If I want to race I’ll drive a Porsche. I smile at these people who take 25-year-old Land Cruisers on multi-thousand mile trips and sleep on the ground. They are hoping for the best but you can only buy what you can afford.

Why a Four Wheel Camper?

The FWC fleet and the XPCamper V2 have toilets/showers, abet tiny.My wife wants an inside toilet and shower. I can’t blame her. Having to get and go the bathroom after having a hippo walk around your tent, a hyena howl 100’ away, and meeting an elephant at the campground bathroom all at night is freaking scaryGermany has some interesting camper options, but with the VAT there, the cost of a Hilux and the camper, ends up with a doubling of cost. And then for example, where would I find someone who I can trust who is an expert in electronics to put in relay switches while twiddling our thumbs while hanging around Germany? We chose the Fleet flatbed due to the interior room being night and day difference between that of the Fleet slide-in model. One of us can be cooking dinner while the other one is completely away while the other is sitting at the rear table. While we plan to be outside as much as possible there will be bugs and extremely curious locals so we need a place to go and sit by ourselves. 

The removal of the flatbed model is only a bit more complicated to take off than a slide-in model. Both of them use camper jacks to lift either camper. Remounting it requires lining up of bolts which would be more nitpicky than a slide-in which use turnbuckles and carabiners. For long-distance, bumpy travel I would prefer a more secure bolt mounted system. We will not be carrying jacks, too heavy.  

The storage boxes below the flatbed should be very useful as they are supposed to be dust proof but we must be mindful of the weight especially in the rear boxes. 

Our HiLift jack and the maxx tracs have been mounted on the rear of the camper with a custom locking rack.You’re definitely right that you cannot “stealth” camp in a pop up and my wife and I are not going to sleep on the couch or floor. I haven’t found a hard sided pop-up yet (XP Camper V2) that is definitely worth it. Securitywise seems like if bad guys want to get us, they will anyway they can. 

Lack of direct cab access is a real concern.  Still haven’t figured out how to get into the truck itself though as I am way too big for the trucks tiny sliding rear window.Definitely think the moisture is going to be a problem, I’m planning on showering outside, maybe I convince her of that later in the trip.