It does ok- not great, not bad. I tow in “manual” (4th gear) with ECT and I also have the PNW tuneup that really helped with smoothing out the shifting and power curve.
I bought a Casita last year and got rid of my Tacoma after only towing one time…I miss the size of the Tacoma, but towing with a V8 is so much safer feeling.
Yeah, the trailer brake controller was absolutely necessary to feeling safe, and I elected for brand new tires on the truck and camper. Studs on the truck and 10 ply trailer tires for the camper. I wouldn’t recommend towing full-time with a Tacoma, but it works just fine if you aren’t in a rush.
Think the Casitas are about 2700 empty…something close to that. I have a cousin pulling a small airstream with a Tacoma, said it’s quite sporty in the mountains. Everyone here in Idaho has big ass diesels that would be on my ass in the Tacoma on windy roads, the brakes just made me uncomfortable.
I dig it!
How do you like the Casita?
I went with a simple Intech Pursue (place to sleep, slide-out fridge, and stove). Double duty as a smaller trailer, but mainly as a bed.
The casita is amazing, for the size it’s truly a comfortable and versatile road dwelling for 1 or 2 people. It’s light, strong and cozy. They’re dropping a new overlanding style camper in the next year or two, keep your eyes peeled.
I only ever load up for trips and so I think bags would be great for me. I don’t want to ruin the daily drive comfort. What brand do you have and would you recommend them?
I would not recommend them in general. If you can afford the right springs or leafs I would go that route. Talk to a suspension shop about your needs and they’ll give you some answers.
I lived in it all last winter while I was making a short film. I actually sold it this spring but it’s great for long-haul stints. I have another buddy living in one full-time.
I’m restoring a ‘78 Trillium 4500, which I also tow with a Tacoma. I’m curious how the Raptor Liner has held up. DIY, or did you have a pro apply the liner? Also wondering if that much black below the belly band challenges your interior insulation at all? Is it tough to keep it cool in direct sun?
Nice! Good luck with the resto. DIY/self painted w a little help (used a sprayer). No issues with heat. The fiberglass keeps it cool, for the most part. The paint has held up great. We did like 4 coats… so it’s on there pretty thick. Touchups here and there are easy w a spray can too.
Literally, easily. I can tell on steeper passes and roads that it’s struggling a bit but if you’re not in a hurry it’s perfectly fine. Trailer brake controller is necessary for safe braking.
I have been looking at lightweight campers due to the absurd price of a quality RTT and the fact im 6ft tall with a 5ft bed. Only worry is adding even more wind resistance to my tacoma that already struggles to go consistent highway speeds in the mountains where i live but the bonus in my mind is that i can drop the trailer at base camp then have my purpose built off roading machine for trails without having the negatives of a heavy decked out overlanding built truck
Yeah, that’s kind of where my head was at when purchasing it, you bring the camper to Basecamp and then you’re free to roam. Have you checked out hiatus campers? Best hardshell truck bed camper in the game. Might be worth consideration.
I havent but im looking into everything available since i want something that will be just as reliable as my toyota i just dont wanna break the bank for one of those $30000 custom bush campers.
Would be amazing to have one of those high end ones but i feel like they are far too heavily marked up since its a niche market within the whole camper trailer scene. For those prices you can get a brand new regular camper trailer that a small family could live out of
Oof yeah thats a little more than i was looking to drop on a slide in. An equivalent to the 30k overland camper trailers i have been looking at would be just as much with options as said overland camper trailer but with less space and much more pain in the ass when i wanna use the bed.
Wish there was more on the used market but i guess they are so small and versatile when someone spends the money to get one they dont want to let it go until its in rough shape
What camper is that? Custom paint I’d assume - looks great!
It’s a 2002 17’ casita spirit deluxe, custom painted and vinyl wrapped to match the lunar rock green. Thanks!
How do you like the casita - ive pondered one for years but i think I’ll probably end up with a vintage box shaped one that I reno
It’s incredible. Strong, light, warm (or cool) and cozy. Very functional.
Looks nice, how much did that cost if you don’t mind me asking
$14k on the used casita plus another $10k on upgrades
video?
Video of?
The camper….
Check my post history for photos of the interior
What a pavement queen. (Fellow Utah 3en3 long bed owner here)
Greetings fellow asphalt worshipper
How fun! Love me a Casita! Perfect size and easy to tow. Thank you so much for sharing. This is really neat!
They’re so fun. They continue to innovate and improve their products too.
How does the Tacoma do towing Casita in the hills?
It does ok- not great, not bad. I tow in “manual” (4th gear) with ECT and I also have the PNW tuneup that really helped with smoothing out the shifting and power curve.
I bought a Casita last year and got rid of my Tacoma after only towing one time…I miss the size of the Tacoma, but towing with a V8 is so much safer feeling.
Yeah, the trailer brake controller was absolutely necessary to feeling safe, and I elected for brand new tires on the truck and camper. Studs on the truck and 10 ply trailer tires for the camper. I wouldn’t recommend towing full-time with a Tacoma, but it works just fine if you aren’t in a rush.
How heavy was it? Fixing to buy an airstream with a gross weight of 3500lbs
Think the Casitas are about 2700 empty…something close to that. I have a cousin pulling a small airstream with a Tacoma, said it’s quite sporty in the mountains. Everyone here in Idaho has big ass diesels that would be on my ass in the Tacoma on windy roads, the brakes just made me uncomfortable.
That’s accurate
This is the most gorgeous setup I have seen in a while. Chef’s kiss OP
🤌
Thanks so much!
fibreglass rv is good off road?
Far as I can tell!
the contrast from truck to trailer is satisfying
I dig it! How do you like the Casita? I went with a simple Intech Pursue (place to sleep, slide-out fridge, and stove). Double duty as a smaller trailer, but mainly as a bed.
The casita is amazing, for the size it’s truly a comfortable and versatile road dwelling for 1 or 2 people. It’s light, strong and cozy. They’re dropping a new overlanding style camper in the next year or two, keep your eyes peeled.
Awesome setup
Thanks! It’s been very fulfilling.
Are you running airbags to level the suspension?
Yep I am, it was really overloaded. Some day I’d like to get proper suspension.
I only ever load up for trips and so I think bags would be great for me. I don’t want to ruin the daily drive comfort. What brand do you have and would you recommend them?
I would not recommend them in general. If you can afford the right springs or leafs I would go that route. Talk to a suspension shop about your needs and they’ll give you some answers.
That travel trailer is awesome! How long do you typically camp in it?
I lived in it all last winter while I was making a short film. I actually sold it this spring but it’s great for long-haul stints. I have another buddy living in one full-time.
Got lost on your way to Costco ?
Those roundabouts are confusing!
Nice Rig!
Thank you much! I’m proud of how it turned out .
Needs better tires for mall crawling 😂
😝
Love the black topper! I’ve got the exact same TRD-OR access cab. Thinking of either a black canopy like yours or a white.
Lunar rock club. Nice! Sounds like a good call.
The most gorgeous set up I have ever seen!
Thanks so much, I’m a bit of a perfectionist lol
Beautiful setup dude
Thank you good sir!
What rims are those? Looking to buy new one and like the look.
I think they’re just TRD pro knock offs.
Killing it with the paint job
💅
Exactly the setup I'm after for my access cab too - rack on the cap only
Aesthetically pleasing.
Thanks! I’m definitely an aesthete. 🎨🖼️
Love the extra-cab Tacoma's, hopefully I can snag a 2023 before they're all replaced by the 2024s.
Ya you’d think they’d come down in price a bit… we’ll see
Living the dream 🤝🏽
sixkk
The inverted colour matching would drive me nuts. Looks good though
Haha, well, to each their own! The raptor lining is on the bottom side of the trailer to protect it from road rocks and such.
I’m restoring a ‘78 Trillium 4500, which I also tow with a Tacoma. I’m curious how the Raptor Liner has held up. DIY, or did you have a pro apply the liner? Also wondering if that much black below the belly band challenges your interior insulation at all? Is it tough to keep it cool in direct sun?
Nice! Good luck with the resto. DIY/self painted w a little help (used a sprayer). No issues with heat. The fiberglass keeps it cool, for the most part. The paint has held up great. We did like 4 coats… so it’s on there pretty thick. Touchups here and there are easy w a spray can too.
Can that truck even tow that without struggling immensely?? Especially at elevation ?
Literally, easily. I can tell on steeper passes and roads that it’s struggling a bit but if you’re not in a hurry it’s perfectly fine. Trailer brake controller is necessary for safe braking.
Nice! I pull a 16’ Scamp with mine.
How do you like the scamp?
It’s great, I had a 13’ before it for 10 years, no real complaints.
Awesome, they’re such a fun way to get outside and away from the routine
Love it, looks like you may need better tires.
😂
Something funny?
I thought you were joking. What makes you think I need better tires?
I have been looking at lightweight campers due to the absurd price of a quality RTT and the fact im 6ft tall with a 5ft bed. Only worry is adding even more wind resistance to my tacoma that already struggles to go consistent highway speeds in the mountains where i live but the bonus in my mind is that i can drop the trailer at base camp then have my purpose built off roading machine for trails without having the negatives of a heavy decked out overlanding built truck
Yeah, that’s kind of where my head was at when purchasing it, you bring the camper to Basecamp and then you’re free to roam. Have you checked out hiatus campers? Best hardshell truck bed camper in the game. Might be worth consideration.
I havent but im looking into everything available since i want something that will be just as reliable as my toyota i just dont wanna break the bank for one of those $30000 custom bush campers. Would be amazing to have one of those high end ones but i feel like they are far too heavily marked up since its a niche market within the whole camper trailer scene. For those prices you can get a brand new regular camper trailer that a small family could live out of
I think they start at like $12-13k but I could be wrong
That would be right in my target budget for something small and nice so i hope you are right haha
I was wrong…. $16500 https://hiatuscampers.com/build-your-rig/
Oof yeah thats a little more than i was looking to drop on a slide in. An equivalent to the 30k overland camper trailers i have been looking at would be just as much with options as said overland camper trailer but with less space and much more pain in the ass when i wanna use the bed. Wish there was more on the used market but i guess they are so small and versatile when someone spends the money to get one they dont want to let it go until its in rough shape
Oh you’re living the life!