Campers for Tundra

stevef · #1 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 12:37 PM

What brands of campers are available for the Tundra? Anyone have any recomendations either good or bad on any particular brand of camper?

Thanks

EFTundra · #2 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 04:26 PM

I saw an earlier thread for www.six-pac.com. I sent them an email, and they replied that for 2002 they were making a camper for the Tundra. I had just recently started looking at campers for the Tundra, and there are just a few that will fit due to the bed size. Do a search on Google for truck campers.

Sweetwater · #3 (**permalink**) 03-10-2002, 08:14 PM

stevef,
I've experimented with two slide-in truck campers on my '01 LTD 4WD. The limiting factor for the Tundra in one word is PAYLOAD. The truck cannot handle anything but the very lightest campers, even then its likely to be over your payload rating and GVWR. My payload is 1,400# give or take and does not include passengers or all the things you load into a camper. The two campers I have tried are NON-self contained, meaning no toilet or shower. They do have heater, stove, fridge, etc. It's too bad but here is what I've tried...

The two lightest non popup types of campers I found were both fiberglass (Northern-Lite and Bigfoot). Northern-Lite makes a 6'10" and an 8'4". Both can fit the Tundra but if you want to carry the 6'10" you need to add a bed spacer and its width makes using tie-downs tricky (camper is 78" wide). The 8'4" extends out the back of the bed by almost 2' feet on the access cab models and I felt the center of gravity was just too far back. The truck handled ok and the weight of the camper UNLOADED was about 1,100#. When loaded with water and propane I was about 300# over GVWR though I was under front and rear axle ratings.

I traded the Northern-Lite for an older Bigfoot camper that is no longer made. It was produced for smaller import pick-ups. Mine is '95 and it weighs just a bit less than the Northern-Lite and the floor length is 6'11", meaning it fits the bed well, with the COG over the rear axle. It is narrow also but I was able to modify the tiedowns to make it work. GVWR is just over the recommendation. Any camper that is self contained will likely greatly exceed the Tundra's ratings.

Lots of people on RV forums debate how safely you can exceed GVWR but the Tundra just isn't made for full size slide-ins (at least not yet). I added a rear anti-sway bar (Hellwig) and air bags (Air Lift) and cannot recommend these two mods enough for carrying a camper. Oh yeah, the other mod was a rubber bed mat. It will keep the camper from sliding around. The last mod will be adjustable shocks by Rancho when they make for the Tundra.

There are many pop up campers that will fit and keep you closer to your GVWR (if you have 4WD). Some that come to mind that I looked at are Four Wheel (California), Phoenix (Colorado), Hallmark (Colorado), Lite Craft (Colorado) and North Star (Iowa). Four Wheel makes the lightest of the bunch. Even pop-ups can weigh 1,200# plus so compare specs when shopping. Good Luck! Joe

jsimpson · #4 (**permalink**) 03-11-2002, 11:16 PM

I solved my camper problem by buying a 94 one ton Dodge diesel for $7500 and a 93 Lance 900 for $9500. For less than the price of a new fully equipped slide-in for the Tundra, I've got a 15 mpg, 75 mph camping rig that can tow my horses, motorcycles or boat, WITHOUT screwing up my Tundra!

buckm · #5 (**permalink**) 04-04-2002, 07:50 PM

I bought the Phoenix Pop-up with Refridge, Stove, Sink, Queen Bed and Hot/Water outdoor shower. I have added the Air Lift Bags. I still feel this is borderline for the payload. If I had it to do again I'd reconsider the camper for sure and maybe the Tundra. I really like the truck, but with the camper, passengers and gear I just think its too much. I wanted to add a 250-400 street legal dirt back with one of those hitch carriers but I know that would go to far. The Air Lift bags help but the left side sags and I believe there is a leak in the line or bag so I have to watch the pressure on that side.

I'd really look at the 4wheelcamper. Not just because of the weight but various problems that I've encountered with the Phoenix that haven't been fixed satifactory. I got the larger size fridge (3 cf) and I had to install an additional fan to provide adequate ventalation. The fan is loud and drains the battery too much. When on DC power while driving the fridge doesn't come close to "maintaining" tempurature as advertised, I think this might be the ventilation issue also. I mainly camp (boondocking) on Forest Service and BLM land so I don't have AC to plug into. Having that extra battery drain creates more problems in that type of camping. I believe the ventilation problem is caused by the modification Phoenix campers did to the camper to minimize the space between the Tundras cab and the camper. The distance between the floor and where the pop-up starts is shorter than in other full size trucks, and with the larger fridge there isn't the required ventilation space above the top of the fridge. SO if you do go with Phonix DON'T get the larger fridge!
When I first picked up the camper I couldn't stand up in it( I am 6"2) so they added more of the softside pop-up. Also on my camper the roof is very hard to raise. And forget it if you store anything on top.
Also when I first got the camper they hadn't installed the water tank properly, there was plenty of flow initially but then would slow to a dribble. Of course I only found this out while on my first trip with the camper. After some investigation I found that they hadn't drilled the whole in the water tank completely after drilling it out myself that problem was solved.

SO I have railed a little against the Phoenix. Much of this might not be a problem with another truck since the modification of camper height wouldn't have been required and maybe another truck could better handle the load. Unfortunately I like the truck a lot, just wish there was a better camper or the truck could handle greater payload.

wingman25 · #6 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 09:45 AM

I asked the Phoenix camper people about the above problems, before I purchased our camper. They have fixed all of the problems on the new models and so far (knock on wood) the camper and Tundra are a good fit and we look forward to many exciting outings. Wingman25

SunStorm · #7 (**permalink**) 06-14-2006, 02:21 PM

You can also check out Outfitter Campers at: http://www.outfittermfg.com/
They make a very high quality pop-top camper and even customize one specifically for the Tundra. I don't own one yet but hope to get down to Colorado this summer to check them out.