The Camper, Trailer or Adventure Vehicle Thread

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Posted by: Endurimil

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Price of canopies has me weeping. I'm considering building my own box out of plywood, 20g steel studs and 90 degree angle but I'm sure there are tons of good reasons not to.

What brand truck do you have?

2021 Tacoma 4x4 sport. 6 foot box.

Lots of people have built their own truck camper cap. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlCinRvWLBQ&list=PLcyAldwNVdG-wZYl3-X6K2ioWzwY3wayS&index=4&t=9s

If you work in construction you can most likely do it even cheaper with salvaged material that is deemed unusable for what ever reason. There is also a couple of Homemade camper FB groups can also check if you ever go on FB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/261064430758701

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067812996438

Posted by: Endurimil

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Posted by: Endurimil

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Price of canopies has me weeping. I'm considering building my own box out of plywood, 20g steel studs and 90 degree angle but I'm sure there are tons of good reasons not to.

What brand truck do you have?

2021 Tacoma 4x4 sport. 6 foot box.

Lots of people have built their own truck camper cap.

If you work in construction you can most likely do it even cheaper with salvaged material that is deemed unusable for what ever reason. There is also a couple of Homemade camper FB groups can also check if you ever go on FB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/261064430758701

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067812996438

Yeah I frame steel studs mostly so all the steel I would be able to get for free. I'm just worried it would look like ass on my nice newish truck. I'll check out those groups for sure. Thanks.

I wouldn't be building a full camper just an insulated and weather tight canopy. Don't want to lose the tailgate or be so tall I can't make it into a typical parkade downtown. don't want to add too much weight either.  I'm getting too old for tents but still wanna keep my setup fairly minimal.

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Posted by: Endurimil

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Posted by: Endurimil

Posted by: Fast-Orange

Price of canopies has me weeping. I'm considering building my own box out of plywood, 20g steel studs and 90 degree angle but I'm sure there are tons of good reasons not to.

What brand truck do you have?

2021 Tacoma 4x4 sport. 6 foot box.

Lots of people have built their own truck camper cap.

If you work in construction you can most likely do it even cheaper with salvaged material that is deemed unusable for what ever reason. There is also a couple of Homemade camper FB groups can also check if you ever go on FB.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/261064430758701

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100067812996438

Yeah I frame steel studs mostly so all the steel I would be able to get for free. I'm just worried it would look like ass on my nice newish truck. I'll check out those groups for sure. Thanks.

I wouldn't be building a full camper just an insulated and weather tight canopy. Don't want to lose the tailgate or be so tall I can't make it into a typical parkade downtown. don't want to add too much weight either.  I'm getting too old for tents but still wanna keep my setup fairly minimal.

Get the whole fuck sleeping on the ground factor given an option.

I'm probably looking for a vehicle that would occasionally be an adventure wagon, but 99% of the time a 'drive around town and go to Vancouver a couple of times a month' type vehicle. 

I don't want to do a conversion, make bed frames that I'd have to store etc.

I would want AWD / 4WD for winter driving and mild FSRs but not proper off-roading.

In a perfect world I'd buy an estate / wagon, and it would have fold flat seats AND be able to fit a 6' tall person without having to curl up or lie at an angle. 

A Honda Element would be ideal but I think they are a little too short. The earlier ones apparently have passenger seats that move forward more, but they are getting old / high mileage now.

I'm kind of tempted by a Ford Flex! As an acquired taste, you seem to get a lot of vehicle for the money. The trunk is certainly long enough.

Is there anything else that would fit the bill in the 10-20K range? I don't reeeaaaally want an SUV. I might end up giving up on life and buy a mini-van (again....), but trying to see what else is out there more of a wagon style.

Posted by: trumpstinyhands

I'm probably looking for a vehicle that would occasionally be an adventure wagon, but 99% of the time a 'drive around town and go to Vancouver a couple of times a month' type vehicle. 

I don't want to do a conversion, make bed frames that I'd have to store etc.

I would want AWD / 4WD for winter driving and mild FSRs but not proper off-roading.

In a perfect world I'd buy an estate / wagon, and it would have fold flat seats AND be able to fit a 6' tall person without having to curl up or lie at an angle. 

A Honda Element would be ideal but I think they are a little too short. The earlier ones apparently have passenger seats that move forward more, but they are getting old / high mileage now.

I'm kind of tempted by a Ford Flex! As an acquired taste, you seem to get a lot of vehicle for the money. The trunk is certainly long enough.

Is there anything else that would fit the bill in the 10-20K range? I don't reeeaaaally want an SUV. I might end up giving up on life and buy a mini-van (again....), but trying to see what else is out there more of a wagon style.

What about Outback/Forester?

Maybe slightly too small? They are so common there are a lot of great bed platforms and other accessories for them to maximize car camping functionality.

Yeah, funnily enough I realized that the Outback is just long enough after posting this. The Forester is a little short.

Volvo XC wagon?

Edit, oops, I see your budget. 10-20k Does that even exist anymore in a used car?

https://www.autotrader.ca/a/volvo/xc70/burnaby/british%20columbia/19_12860779_/?showcpo=ShowCpo&ncse=no&showVs=1&orup=1_1_1&sprx=-2&nobar=1

Yes! Just barely broken in. I’m actually tempted myself. Throw some nice AT tires and a mattress in the back,,,

I had a 83 Subaru wagon so if I unscrewed the seat bottom which was 4 screws I could put a piece of foam in the back and easily sleep in there, i had  a buddy who used to sleep in the back of a passat sedan he just put the seat back down and feet in the trunk area

Posted by: trumpstinyhands

I don't reeeaaaally want an SUV. 

I bought an SUV. A first gen Toyota Highlander V6 AWD. In the end it ticked the most boxes and as SUVs go it's pretty understated, and doesn't carry the 'cool' premium. Came in under budget with  full inspection, new timing belt and a few other things done.

Posted by: trumpstinyhands

I'm probably looking for a vehicle that would occasionally be an adventure wagon, but 99% of the time a 'drive around town and go to Vancouver a couple of times a month' type vehicle.

I don't want to do a conversion, make bed frames that I'd have to store etc.

I would want AWD / 4WD for winter driving and mild FSRs but not proper off-roading.

In a perfect world I'd buy an estate / wagon, and it would have fold flat seats AND be able to fit a 6' tall person without having to curl up or lie at an angle.

A Honda Element would be ideal but I think they are a little too short. The earlier ones apparently have passenger seats that move forward more, but they are getting old / high mileage now.

I'm kind of tempted by a Ford Flex! As an acquired taste, you seem to get a lot of vehicle for the money. The trunk is certainly long enough.

Is there anything else that would fit the bill in the 10-20K range? I don't reeeaaaally want an SUV. I might end up giving up on life and buy a mini-van (again....), but trying to see what else is out there more of a wagon style.

Had an Element for 10 years, fantastic car and there’s nothing else like it.

Long enough for a 6’ person if you fold the front seats down. Air mattress on the platform and you’re comfy as heck.

Edit:  you got a Highlander. Good choice, hard to beat a ‘yota

Saw an older Toyota Matrix AWD with offroad tires, a rooftop tent and a box on top, hitch mounted spare tire carrier, loaded to the gills with a family of four from out of province on their best camping adventure. 

You don’t necessarily need a truck or SUV.

Posted by: trumpstinyhands

Posted by: trumpstinyhands

I don't reeeaaaally want an SUV.

I bought an SUV. A first gen Toyota Highlander V6 AWD.

Congrats! Pics or it didn't happen. Preferably after the AT tires are on.

Ha ha. Yes I will probably purchase some beefier tires once I know the Highlander isn't going to explode on me. It totally owned the gravel car park at One Mile Lake today though. 

I had one of those for a while, good little winter car.

I put cooper discoverer st's on it, i would go where my suburban would spin out in the snow and get stuck

They do like to drink oil.  There is a known issue with a baffle under the valve cover directing oil to the pcv valve and burning it off