Who hauls a truck camper in their Tundra?

[joseywales]

I am in the process of selling my heavy truck camper and would like to get a lighter pop up. That could possibly lead to me selling my 3500 Cummins truck and getting a Tundra. I’d be looking at a ‘07-‘11 range of years most likely. Anyone hauling a camper on their 2nd gen?

 

[joseywales]

All right. So nobody does. Cool.

 

[mukker4life]

Have about 3k miles with this set up, barely can tell it is on there other than mpg. Added airbags to help out.

 

[joseywales]

Have about 3k miles with this set up, barely can tell it is on there other than mpg. Added airbags to help out.

View attachment 2918254

That’s a great looking set up. Do you know what the weight is on it loaded and ready to travel?

 

[joseywales]

I watched a video where a guy was reviewing the same camper I’m looking at mounted on a 2012 Tundra. He didn’t get into specifics of how he prepped the truck, and has only owned the camper 4 months. There were a lot of inaccuracies in his “review”, so I’m taking it with a grain of salt. It was at least suitable for a couple of screen shots to show the possible pairing.

 

[mukker4life]

I think it’s just over 10’, it’s currently off the truck for the winter. Don’t have a total weight, but the camper is just under 1200lbs.

 

[mukker4life]

Another thing with that gen tundra is the small fuel tank, 26.4. I believe 14 and up have the option of the bigger tank. 38 gallons is a game changer for me.

 

[joseywales]

I think it’s just over 10’, it’s currently off the truck for the winter. Don’t have a total weight, but the camper is just under 1200lbs.

Just over 10’? Is that long? Most truck campers are measured by length in the bed, not including the cabover portion. 1200 lbs would be ideal. The one I looking at is 1700, so I’d be over GVW a bit.

 

[mukker4life]

10’ high when on the truck. Specs show 74.25“ long, 1133lbs. I can close my tail gate when it’s on the truck.

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[mukker4life]

A friend put in a lot of miles with this set up with no issues.

 

[Gsw234]

I have a FWC Hawk. Sticker on it says 750 lbs, but it has some extra options. Likely around 1000 lbs loaded. Originally just put timbrens on and it worked great. Just recently added some progressive springs, after adding new Bilstein shocks and it handles very well.

 

[joseywales]

I was looking at FWCs, but SWMBO has put the kibosh on them. She wants an actual toilet/shower for the 2 week trips we often do. I have to agree, it is really nice to have those on cold wet mornings.

 

[joseywales]

I’m starting to think I’ll end up with a 3/4 ton now, although I’m a month or more away from buying. If I buy a Tundra of any generation,I’m going to likely be 1,000 to 1,200lbs or more overweight. While I’m sure the truck can handle it, our local DOT has been taking a hard look at RVs lately (according to local RV dealers). I’ve always tended towards trying to have more truck than I need, but was hoping to get away from a domestic. If Toyota offered a 3/4 ton Tundra (maybe with a diesel option?), I bet it would sell very well.

 

[kz195688]

I had a 2021 Real Lite 1604, sticker weight of 1545 pounds. It was supposedly made for 1/2 ton trucks. I had it on a 2007 Tundra, 4x4, 5.7 liter with tow package and 4.30 gearing. I had upgraded to front and rear tow/haul brakes, bilstens upgraded shocks with reservoir shocks on the rear and Sumo springs. Truck drove, handled well and stopped with no problems. I drove from the East Coast to West Coast with no problems. Truck has 230k.

I did sell the Real Lite and now have a FWC Eagle on it. Sticker is 600 lbs but it has some options so maybe 900 pounds. Truck drives better with the Eagle. Your results may vary. I went to the Eagle due to smaller size and weight.

 

[joseywales]

I had a 2021 Real Lite 1604, sticker weight of 1545 pounds. It was supposedly made for 1/2 ton trucks. I had it on a 2007 Tundra, 4x4, 5.7 liter with tow package and 4.30 gearing. I had upgraded to front and rear tow/haul brakes, bilstens upgraded shocks with reservoir shocks on the rear and Sumo springs. Truck drove, handled well and stopped with no problems. I drove from the East Coast to West Coast with no problems.

Awesome input. After 10 days of looking for a gas engine 3/4 ton, I’m exhausted. There is pretty much nothing out there. I’m back to thinking I may just buy some air bags and the well maintained ‘08 Tundra dbl cab that I have my eye on. It’s got 140,000 miles on it, t-belt etc done at 120k.

Did you ever feel “unsafe” with the bigger camper on the truck? I do have an Airstream as well, and will use that for longer trips. The camper is intended for local hunting and fishing trips. I’m in BC, so there are mountains etc, but I’ve been driving in them with big truck campers for over 30 years.

 

[kz195688]

Awesome input. After 10 days of looking for a gas engine 3/4 ton, I’m exhausted. There is pretty much nothing out there. I’m back to thinking I may just buy some air bags and the well maintained ‘08 Tundra dbl cab that I have my eye on. It’s got 140,000 miles on it, t-belt etc done at 120k.

Did you ever feel “unsafe” with the bigger camper on the truck? I do have an Airstream as well, and will use that for longer trips. The camper is intended for local hunting and fishing trips. I’m in BC, so there are mountains etc, but I’ve been driving in them with big truck campers for over 30 years.

View attachment 2930416

The 2007 Tundra drove fine with the Real Lite camper. Driving through some parts of the country which had 80 mph speed limits was a non issue. We did have the master brake cylinder go out in Kentucky at a local park, but we had purchased the truck used and we had flushed the brakes after the brake job but it was one of those quirks that happens. Fortunately, we were not in traffic. After the replacement there were no other problems. We just did not like the “bulky” size of the Real Lite
Prior to the Real Lite camper and 2007 Tundra, we had a 2017 FWC Hawk Shell on a 2006 Tundra A/C, 4x4. We had upgraded the brakes, e-rated Dick Cepek tires and rear Sumo springs. we drove that from Virginia to Washington State then to DeadHorse, Alaska and back. Took us 2 1/2 months. Truck drove and handled fine. I forgot to mention, I also had Dick Cepek e-rated tires on the 2007 Tundra. I used DBA brakes on both trucks.

 

[joseywales]

Thanks for that. I had (until last week) a Northern Lite, and a 10’ Adventurer before that. One was 2800 lbs and the other 3200 lbs dry, so the Real Lite pop up will definitely be less bulky. I’ve seen more than a couple of Tundras with the Palomino campers on them, but it’s great to be able to actually talk with someone who has done it. You have helped me feel better about my proposed choice. I know I will be overweight, but I know the truck can handle it too.