2012 Fleet in Gen 1 Tundra bed build-up question?

[odannyboy]

Hello FW camper community, I am happy (and proud) to announce that I am buying a 2012 Fleet for my 06' Tundra double cab. I'm wondering if there is anyone on this forum that has installed a Fleet on a Gen 1 Tundra that might be able to share information as to how much I'll need to build up the bed in order for the camper to clear the cab. I've been told 1.5" will do it. FW Service suggested to simply screw treated 2x4's (on the broad side) to the underside of the camper's factory skids. They weren't entirely certain of the build-up space required but thought 1.5" sounded correct.

Since I need to build up the bed, I'm open to building it up a bit higher to potentially create some under camper/bed storage drawers. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Lastly, should I use a rubber bed mat to decrease vibration?

I'm planning on attaching by Torklift external frame mounted receivers with Derringer Fastgun turnbuckles.

Thanks in advance for your help.

 

[Vic Harder]

I use Fastgun Derringers, but use the standard FWC in bed mounting system. External frame mounted hold downs can catch on stuff...

Also beware of lifting the camper too much, as it raises the COG (Center of Gravity).

 

[odannyboy]

I use Fastgun Derringers, but use the standard FWC in bed mounting system. External frame mounted hold downs can catch on stuff...

Also beware of lifting the camper too much, as it raises the COG (Center of Gravity).

Hey Vic, I called FW Service and they said the "bed bars" for the Fleet wont work on the Gen 1 Tundra. Is your truck a Gen 1 Tundra (00 to 06')? I thought about external mounts, but I wont be doing any "extreme" off-roading so am not too worried about them getting hung up on things. The guy i spoke with at FW Service said that it was his preferred attachment method for sureness of attachment and ease of removal. The downside (in addition to having the turnbuckles potentially get hung up on things) is the cost of the Derringer turnbuckles and the external mounting hardware $$$$. Thanks for pointing out the potential COG issues. at this point, I only want to lift whatever is needed to clear the truck cab.

Thank you for taking the time to respond to my post.

 

[Vic Harder]

Best if a Tundra owner responds, but... I'm confused. The "bed bars" are only used on composite bed trucks. The early Tundras had metal beds. (I had a 2002).

Yes, Derringers are expensive, but they hold really well!

 

[Living The Dream]

Welcome,

I have done this exact build, well with an older fleet but same same. 1st gen trundra are awesome trucks. How many miles on yours?

Let me know if you have any other questions. - Tim

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

You are gonna need approx 3” platform

And make sure the camper is wide enough for exterior tie downs or the torklift tie downs might rub on the side of your truck.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

Watch this ...

 

[DonC]

I'm confused. I have an 06 Tundra with a 2012 Fleet and it just slips in. There is the extra space on the side but no bottom build-up necessary. Mine is an access cab, so don't know if that is different size from double cab. FWC did the install and just put bolts in the bed and it is attached with turnbuckles. I broke the 4 turnbuckles supplied by FWC and got others that were later recommended.

 

[odannyboy]

Welcome,

I have done this exact build, well with an older fleet but same same. 1st gen trundra are awesome trucks. How many miles on yours?

Let me know if you have any other questions. - Tim

Hi Tim, It's an 06' with about 130k on it. I've had it since 07' and its been an awesome truck. I appreciate your reply and was able to get some good info and ideas from the videos you attached. Thanks again, Dan

 

[odannyboy]

View attachment 06 Factory tundra specs.pdf

I'm confused. I have an 06 Tundra with a 2012 Fleet and it just slips in. There is the extra space on the side but no bottom build-up necessary. Mine is an access cab, so don't know if that is different size from double cab. FWC did the install and just put bolts in the bed and it is attached with turnbuckles. I broke the 4 turnbuckles supplied by FWC and got others that were later recommended.

I believe that your bed depth is 17.2" and mine is 20.7" (see attached). The one I'm buying has some black "skids" attached to the underside of the camper that are roughly 2" thick. Does yours have these? Best, Dan

 

[DonC]

ah, didn't realize the beds were that different between access and double cab. No on the black skids, just the factory bottom of the camper.

 

[Porkface]

2015 Fleet in a 2004 Access Cab. Bought mine used in 2004 (< 1 year old @ 16K miles) and it has a hair over 108K miles (including 1 1/2 round trips to Alaska).

You may be mixing up areas of concern: bed rail and cab height.

I have about 17.5" bed depth (bed rail) with about 19" bed to underside of camper (about 1.5" clearance).

My Fleet measures about 43" from bed to underside of over cab area. Cab is about 40" above bed so I have about 3" clearance. Since your Double Cab bed depth is different, be sure to check your cab height (truck bed to top of cab).

FWC recommends against rubber bed mats and plastic bed liners. Spray-in liners are OK.

Internal camper anchor eye bolts are bolted through the steel bed (installed by Rocky Mtn. FWC).

I installed airbags (Riderites) on my Tundra, replaced the original shocks with Bilsteen 5100's and mounted light truck Goodyear All Terrain T/A KO2's Load Range E. I couldn't see diddly when backing up the truck with camper so I installed a new radio and backup camera too.

 

[odannyboy]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I ended up using a 3/4" thick 4' x 6' rubber horse stall mat (available at most feed stores for $50) and pressure treated 2x6 laid flat for a total bed build up of 2 1/4". This gave me roughly 1" of clearance on the bed sides and 4" over the cab.


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[AWG_Pics]

Thanks to everyone for the information. I ended up using a 3/4" thick 4' x 6' rubber horse stall mat (available at most feed stores for $50) and pressure treated 2x6 laid flat for a total bed build up of 2 1/4". This gave me roughly 1" of clearance on the bed sides and 4" over the cab.


.

I just picked up the same horse stall mat for the Tundra bed. $48 at a farm store nearby. Will get the Hawk installed January 7th. Jeff at Mule outfitters said the rubber non-compressing horse mat style mats don't hurt and may help with keeping the turnbuckles from loosening and that some folks report a bit of added insulation for the floor..

 

[Wallowa]

My 2 cents....'05 Tundra AC/'16 Hawk...Rhino Liner as anti-slide bed protection [pads hold moisture/add weight] ... Ride-Rite [Firestone] air bags...Hellwig Rear anti-sway bar...Cooper AT3 E rated tires.... lots of rough and tumble roads...so far doing great...very happy camper!

Make the truck/camper what you want it to be...all good.