The 6’ bed is key. I’ve got the access cab manual, 6’ bed trd. The topper is the mx. great set up. I’m picking up my AT summit next week and it’s great but your set up is really nice and much cheaper. That extra head room in the mx makes all the difference IMO.
I did a similar set up with my 2010 tacoma. I used OSB instead of the plywood. I also use a golabs 300 solar generator as my battery power. Just gotta find time to get out now, lol.
You started out with the correct base, a cap higher than the cab. I have camped out a week at a time during deer season in the worst weather, and the couple extra bucks for a high cap is well worth it.
It definitely heats up. As long as evening temps are decent (80s or below), it’s pretty comfortable for sleeping. During the day, I open the windoors and it keeps the bed fairly cool (a good breeze helps). I bought used, so color was secondary to finding a DCLB off road with reasonable mileage. Had I purchased new, I probably would have opted for a lighter color. Good luck with the search!
As a black TRD off road owner, I’d suggest another color. Black is a terrible color if you plan on doing any off roading in general, the thing just shows every little scratch or dirt on it! But when it’s clean oh boy it’s a good looking truck. I like to get it dirty though... it’s just a pain cleaning it. If I was to to do it all over I’d probably do cement or quicksand..
Overlap of the truck topper? Nothing I noticed. But my truck is plenty scratched up from bushes, trees, and rocks, so not a huge concern. I've since changed the setup to a bed rack and roof top tent.
could you tell me what the maximum vertical clearance inside? like from bottom of bed to just under the roof? I also have a gen 3 tacoma, but ARE website is not super clear
It’s 43” from the bottom of the bed to the underside of the roof. It’s 37” from the bottom of the bed to where the rear window opens on the ARE topper.
Yes-Total Chaos bed stiffeners: www.chaosfab.com/accessories/2016-2020-Tacoma-Rear-Channel-Bed-Stiffeners-48676?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgtWDBhDZARIsADEKwgPQAF6pl9WsC9dx1OkTnWOm9Xvd31PBSXO-HaF041YiLjxLkh9g2O8aAtL_EALw_wcB
CBI 3rd gen Tacoma Antenna Mount. I used adhesive Velcro to mount the internal antenna and booster in the cab. Link: cbioffroadfab.com/product/3rd-gen-tacoma-antenna-mount/
I think around $3200-ish, new. I got the windoors with sliding vents/screens and the single t-bar handle with a rear window. Make sure to get an online quote from the ARE (or other brand) website and take that to the dealer so you don’t get overcharged.
I seriously don't know why a lot of people are buying those truck tents. Much simpler to just sleep in the cargo bed like this. Safer too when it comes to large predators. I used to car camp in my Prius and this is pretty much how you go about it. Less money too!
I can see there being some advantages to a truck tent (more bed storage for gear?), but I definitely prefer sleeping in the bed for the reasons you mentioned.
I added an OME heavy duty lift kit shortly after this video www.4wheelparts.com/p/arb-old-man-emu-2-inch-lift-kit-heavy-load-omekit-005/_/R-BHWQ-OMEKIT-005
@@dguti thanks for the reply, had the same suspension on my old Tacoma with a go fast camper. Are you able to hang out comfortably on the sleeping platform in the mx shell? Ex sit up inside or is it basically just used for sleeping.
@@Skifishbum91 I can’t fully sit-up under the camper shell, so I’ve since setup a separate work station in the front passenger’s seat. But the bed is still comfortable enough to hang out in when I’m not sleeping.
As a Canadian Tacoma and gun owner and hunter I will never understand the American handgun obsession. CAMP IF GRIZZLY COUNTRY ALL THE TIME. otherwise thanks for the video, cheers
Love that you did this for your grandfather.
I love how simple and practical this setup is. Also, fantastic book.
Thanks!
The 6’ bed is key. I’ve got the access cab manual, 6’ bed trd. The topper is the mx. great set up. I’m picking up my AT summit next week and it’s great but your set up is really nice and much cheaper. That extra head room in the mx makes all the difference IMO.
Sounds like a great setup! Hope it works well for you.
Love that you are talking to your grandfather!
I did a similar set up with my 2010 tacoma. I used OSB instead of the plywood. I also use a golabs 300 solar generator as my battery power. Just gotta find time to get out now, lol.
You started out with the correct base, a cap higher than the cab. I have camped out a week at a time during deer season in the worst weather, and the couple extra bucks for a high cap is well worth it.
I very much agree-high cap is the way to go.
Great looking setup man. I just got myself a 2000 Tacoma and plan on building it out similarly. Murphy looks like he's chillin hard.
Thanks! Murph is always ready to chill. Good luck with the build!
@@dguti Thanks amigo!
You have a Vizsla! Loved my guy, sadly long departed.
Great setup 🤘
Murphy living the good life! Oh, and just a pistol to keep the bad guys away! Lol
Great video, Murphy definitely looks happy! Just got my new Tacoma and can't wait to take it camping! Got some great tips from this video thanks!
Thanks, and have fun with your build!
NICE SET UP , I LOVE YOU RE COUNTRY.... I M FROM CANADA QC, AND SOME EQUIPMENT YOU HAVE, I CAN T HAVE HERE..... WHIT OUT PROBLEM ... 👍👍👍
Nice! I have same truck n similar topper but from leer. I am working on similar setup but don't think I will do platform.
Sweet setup bro, how tall are you?
Thanks! I’m 5’9”
What’s the link for the antenna!?!
www.weboost.com/products/drive-reach-otr
that's a very nice truck. Im looking to buying a tacoma as well for camping in. Is that the Mojave desert in the background?
Thanks! It’s just some BLM land southwest of Phoenix.
Great setup! Does the black truck get hot in the summer? I can't decide between a black tacoma, cement, or silver!
It definitely heats up. As long as evening temps are decent (80s or below), it’s pretty comfortable for sleeping. During the day, I open the windoors and it keeps the bed fairly cool (a good breeze helps). I bought used, so color was secondary to finding a DCLB off road with reasonable mileage. Had I purchased new, I probably would have opted for a lighter color. Good luck with the search!
As a black TRD off road owner, I’d suggest another color. Black is a terrible color if you plan on doing any off roading in general, the thing just shows every little scratch or dirt on it! But when it’s clean oh boy it’s a good looking truck. I like to get it dirty though... it’s just a pain cleaning it. If I was to to do it all over I’d probably do cement or quicksand..
Does the overlap scratch up the truck paint? So far everyone I've seen makes contact with the track bed especially off roading and shreds the paint
Overlap of the truck topper? Nothing I noticed. But my truck is plenty scratched up from bushes, trees, and rocks, so not a huge concern. I've since changed the setup to a bed rack and roof top tent.
@@dguti that's good to ehar, thanks! i'll get the same one
could you tell me what the maximum vertical clearance inside? like from bottom of bed to just under the roof? I also have a gen 3 tacoma, but ARE website is not super clear
It’s 43” from the bottom of the bed to the underside of the roof. It’s 37” from the bottom of the bed to where the rear window opens on the ARE topper.
Did you install bed stiffeners? I'm researching for when I start to build out my 2021 trd offroad doublecab/longbed
Yes-Total Chaos bed stiffeners: www.chaosfab.com/accessories/2016-2020-Tacoma-Rear-Channel-Bed-Stiffeners-48676?gclid=Cj0KCQjwgtWDBhDZARIsADEKwgPQAF6pl9WsC9dx1OkTnWOm9Xvd31PBSXO-HaF041YiLjxLkh9g2O8aAtL_EALw_wcB
@@dguti cheers!
Like the simple, easy, practical setup. What mount are you using for the WeBoost ?
CBI 3rd gen Tacoma Antenna Mount. I used adhesive Velcro to mount the internal antenna and booster in the cab. Link:
cbioffroadfab.com/product/3rd-gen-tacoma-antenna-mount/
nice video
Hi! How much did you spend on your topper & what accessories you added on?
I think around $3200-ish, new. I got the windoors with sliding vents/screens and the single t-bar handle with a rear window. Make sure to get an online quote from the ARE (or other brand) website and take that to the dealer so you don’t get overcharged.
I seriously don't know why a lot of people are buying those truck tents. Much simpler to just sleep in the cargo bed like this. Safer too when it comes to large predators.
I used to car camp in my Prius and this is pretty much how you go about it. Less money too!
I can see there being some advantages to a truck tent (more bed storage for gear?), but I definitely prefer sleeping in the bed for the reasons you mentioned.
How high up is the platform from the bed of you don't mind me asking? Trying to figure out some dimensions for a build.
The platform was about 10” up from the bed, but I probably had around 8” of space beneath it because of the 2x8s I used to support the platform.
@@dguti does this leave you enough space to sit up?
Good view
Solid 👊🏽 Where did you get the antena?
www.wilsonsignalbooster.com/weboost-drive-reach-otr-mobile-signal-booster-kit.html?keyword=drive%20reach%20otr&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI26Kwv9WK9gIVWB-tBh375wI2EAAYASAAEgIpivD_BwE
What size gunner kennel?
Intermediate.
How’s the headroom when you sit up on the bed?
It’s a little cramped. I usually sit in the front passenger’s seat or work off the tailgate if I need to work/sit on video calls, etc.
Are you running airbags or any aftermarket suspension?
I added an OME heavy duty lift kit shortly after this video
www.4wheelparts.com/p/arb-old-man-emu-2-inch-lift-kit-heavy-load-omekit-005/_/R-BHWQ-OMEKIT-005
@@dguti thanks for the reply, had the same suspension on my old Tacoma with a go fast camper. Are you able to hang out comfortably on the sleeping platform in the mx shell? Ex sit up inside or is it basically just used for sleeping.
@@Skifishbum91 I can’t fully sit-up under the camper shell, so I’ve since setup a separate work station in the front passenger’s seat. But the bed is still comfortable enough to hang out in when I’m not sleeping.
Vizsla!!
Hi what type of work do you do?
Hey! I work in wildlife conservation.
As a Canadian Tacoma and gun owner and hunter I will never understand the American handgun obsession. CAMP IF GRIZZLY COUNTRY ALL THE TIME. otherwise thanks for the video, cheers
I don’t understand your comment, but thanks?
What sizes bed is that?
Twin size with about 4” cut off the length.
5 or 6 bed?
@@robertjr9844 6 foot bed.