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New member w/Q's about Tacomas and Ocelots


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#1 JzeroThree

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Posted 29 December 2020 - 06:48 PM

Hello, I just joined this incredibly valuable forum after lurking for about a week or so. I have been looking into truck campers for a few months, have finally made some basic decisions and am impressed on how well this forum can be used as a resource. Thank you all for being here.

My first basic truck camping life decisions are this:

 

Light overlanding and weeks/month(s) long off-grid living will be the objective. In both moderately cold and hot climates.

 

I definitely want a 2ed gen Tacoma, probably in the 06-09 year range. Extended cab V6 4x4, and planning on spending several thousand on initial upgrades for overlanding/payload capacity.

 

All Terrain Campers is the best option for accommodating customization so I am definitely going with ATC, starting with a shell.

 

My main question is the only option for a 2ed gen Tacoma the Bobcat model? I would REALLY like to put an ocelot on the back with the tailgate down. Mainly for the 78" width of the bed. I'd like to avoid the pull out bed set up. However, I am 6'3" and need the 3" extra side sleeping width the ocelot offers.

 

So before I start drawing things up from a shell model, I want to make sure I can optimize my choice of dimensions. Thank you for reading through this and let me know if I can describe anything further.

-Joe


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#2 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 29 December 2020 - 08:05 PM

Welcome to the cult Joe.Can't really give you any info about the Ocelot on a Tacoma.

I have a Bobcat on a 1st gen Tundra,which doesn't help you,but the choice of an ATC

product IMO is a good one.

Have you talked with Marty/Jeff at ATC? They could give you some good incite.

 

Also there are members who will also help.

Enjoy your planning.

Frank


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#3 JzeroThree

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Posted 29 December 2020 - 10:27 PM

Thank you for the fast response Frank! I have not contacted ATC directly yet, I was hoping to get farther down the road of figuring things before I get stuck and need help with a technical question. I appreciate the guidance and assurance, thank you!
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#4 Cottonww

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Posted 29 December 2020 - 10:39 PM

I don't recommend an over-the-tailgate set up. You will never get the load right for handling on rough roads and cornering. Either downsize your camper plans to one that fits on a 6.5' bed or get a truck with an 8' bed. If you can find one, a Tundra with an 8' bed would be ideal.


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#5 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 29 December 2020 - 11:19 PM

Hi Joe, welcome to WTW.  You’re definitely going in the right direction with ATC, but my personal belief is you’re wanting too big a camper for the Tacoma.  I recommend staying with a Bobcat shell, or getting a larger truck.   Have a chat with Marty about what you want to do, he is easy to work with, and has great ideas.

 

For the shell, my recommendation is to get a factory installed furnace.  You won’t regret being warm.


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#6 goinoregon

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Posted 30 December 2020 - 12:55 AM

i was thinking about going the tacoma route, then switched gears to full size gmc, with 6.5" bed. the mpg is as good or better than tacoma - 0r not significantly worse.  the bigger vehicle can handle the camper very well, and you get a bigger camper.  i like the full size for traveling as well as backroading.  i went with atc since i was going shell route, and they will do a few 'custom' things for me, and price. with shell pricing, i am now getting higher priced/quality components.


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#7 JzeroThree

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Posted 30 December 2020 - 03:04 AM

Thank you for the advice all! I think I should definitely contact ATC directly about the initial fitting question... Gotta get started in the right direction. So I am now looking at V6 SR5 Tundras. This is my only alternative to the Tacoma I would consider, and I'd rather compromise on that than the smaller camper.

Would the older SR5 Tundra work with the Ocelot model?
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#8 JzeroThree

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Posted 30 December 2020 - 07:33 PM

Thank you all for the encouragement to call Marty, I just had a wonderful conversation with him. He said he can fit a bobcat floorplan onto a 78" ocelot frame so it will fit in a tacoma but my 6'3" self can slept sideways in the camper. I am so excited to start drawing this out!
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#9 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 30 December 2020 - 07:41 PM

A 1st gen Tundra would be a great choice.

Get a V8 not a V6. More power in the V8.

I really like mine.Very comfortable and with the Bobcat

the truck has a lot of power.

Frank


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2002 Tundra AC TRD 4WD Limited 2009 ATC Bobcat loaded http://sharychic.blogspot.com/


#10 Vic Harder

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Posted 31 December 2020 - 12:14 AM

+1 to what Frank said... the bigger engines tend to "notice" the camper less.  Check out the MPG threads and you will see that the smaller fuel efficient (when unloaded) trucks really suffer when the camper is on there.  For example, my camper is on all the time, and I get 16 US mpg and am not a slow driver.


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