Toyota dealer wouldn't work on my truck w/ camper attached.

[craig333]

In my case it wasn't weight they were concerned with. Its actually better balanced with the camper on than without. It was something to the effect that we can't adjust it properly unless its in the stock condition. I've never been back.

 

[camper rich]

Never had a problem at any Dodge dealer I've taken it to, and I have a 3/4 ton with a Grandby on a 6' 3" bed.

 

[JHanson]

This sounds to me like an over-the-top way to avoid any kind of culpability if something happened on their lift. The issue with lifting a Tacoma with camper isn't weight, it's balance and the flex in the open-channel rear section of the chassis. Normally the rear lifting pads could be placed pretty far forward on an empty truck given the nose-heavy weight distribution; if you put them in the same spot on a Tacoma carrying a camper you'd run the risk of, at least, flexing the chassis behind the pads. Your flat-bed configuration probably set off even more alarm bells.

 

[Zoomad]

Most above ground lifts have a shut off switch directly under the cross channel that the cables go from tower to tower. That switch will stop the lift from going any higher to keep from smashing the roof into that channel.

When I lifted my K5/Camper combo on one it would not get high enough to allow me to stand up straight. I normally could on any other full size truck on that lift without a camper on it.

I'm betting the dealer got spooked over the possible liability of anything happening in their shop. Plus with the lack of quality techs out there they may have been worried what a lesser experienced guy could do to it.

Honestly I'd be thankful they bowed out. They may not have been exactly clear on the reasons why, but it's better they said no than took it in and damaged it.

Call around. Somebody is capable to work on it.

 

[Augs_N_Brandy]

I've pretty much lost faith in most dealership service centers, so I went to Ron Tonkin Toyota in Portland a few months back just to pick up a oil filter from the parts dept to do my own oil change. When I parked out front, an employee came out & complimented my truck/camper combo. He told me he was a manager in the service center. I said I was there to pick up an oil filter from the parts dept, but I'm curious if your service center could/would work on my truck w/ the camper on if I wanted them to. He said No, and actually invited me in and walked me around 2 or 3 different areas of the shop showing me a bunch of the lifts & explaining to me why each respective lift couldn't handle either the weight, balance, or headroom. He also told me that they didn't have a single creeper in the shop. I couldn't tell how much of what he said was legit, or just trying to avoid liability, but I did remember thinking to myself about how the heck they deal with a rigged up Tundra, if they can't handle my Tacoma/Swift???

 

[AWG_Pics]

Interesting. I go to Broadway Toyota in Portland and never get even the slightest hint about a problem. The only questions they ask are: what service am I in for and will I wait in the waiting room until it is finished.

 

[Augs_N_Brandy]

Interesting. I go to Broadway Toyota in Portland and never get even the slightest hint about a problem. The only questions they ask are: what service am I in for and will I wait in the waiting room until it is finished.

I bought my truck at Portland Toyota on Broadway in Feb 2019. Brought it back to their Service Center months later for my 1st free oil change & was severely scared of the level of service & competency that I experienced there. Among other things, they did NOT change my oil even though they said they did. Scary! I vowed to never bring my truck there again. Have you had OK experiences at the service center there?

 

[rubberlegs]

Our Everett WA Toyota dealer didn't balk at the camper when we brought it in for the free oil changes when it was new. Next oil change will be at home! I need to do a front-end alignment soon though, not something I'd tackle. I wonder if all those rough roads are kinda tough on the alignment. Seems like our tires are wearing faster than I hoped, just like mentioned on the tire threads here.

 

[Augs_N_Brandy]

Our Everett WA Toyota dealer didn't balk at the camper when we brought it in for the free oil changes when it was new. Next oil change will be at home! I need to do a front-end alignment soon though, not something I'd tackle. I wonder if all those rough roads are kinda tough on the alignment. Seems like our tires are wearing faster than I hoped, just like mentioned on the tire threads here.

In case you're not aware: FWC dealer Mule Expedition outfitters in Prescott, Wa has an alignment machine at their shop.

 

[AWG_Pics]

I bought my truck at Portland Toyota on Broadway in Feb 2019. Brought it back to their Service Center months later for my 1st free oil change & was severely scared of the level of service & competency that I experienced there. Among other things, they did NOT change my oil even though they said they did. Scary! I vowed to never bring my truck there again. Have you had OK experiences at the service center there?

I have been using Broadway Toyota for at least 15 years or more. I took my Camry, RAV4, Highlander, my wife's Highlander and now my Tundra there with no issues at all.

 

[Colorado Mark]

Its probably that that dealer has standard two post lifts. You get a truck with lots of weight in the bed (utility body, box van, camper) and some of those lifts become unstable. The style of lift and the offset on the lifting arms has to be correct for trucks that are heavy in the bed.

Most modern lifts in shops, the two posts are placed further forward in the work bay so there is more room in the shop and, the posts don't block the doors on the vehicle. Also gives the mechanic more room underneath when performing certain jobs like transmission work. Those off-set lifts are dangerous on trucks with a lot of weight in the back. The truck can fall off.

I'm sure the capacity on their lifts is just fine. Its a balance problem once raised.

Try a different dealer