Can my 02 Tacoma Prerunner TRD handle a lance camper

Hi there!

I am new to the forum. Can someone tell me is 1200 pound cabover is too much weight for my 02 Tacoma Prerunner TRD?

Any advice will be appreciated>

Thank you.

 

My 1998 Extended Cab has a GVWR of 5,100 Pounds. My truck's curb weight is ~ 4,200 pounds. That leaves you with a weight allowance of 900 pounds without any cargo.

You're really pushing it with a 1,200 pound cabover, especially with the stock suspension. I wouldn't even try to put that on the stock leafs. You'd need custom Alcans or custom leafs for that weight application, AllPro Expeditions might not be sufficient enough. Where did you find a Lance camper that would fit the 1st Gen, I've never seen one before. They're usually for mid-size and full-size pickups with eight food beds.

 

Welcome to TW!

I don't know if it was Lance or not, but I drive a 2nd Gen RC 5-lug, and there was a company that made a slide-in truck camper specifically for the long bed Tacoma (RC, AC, and DC); It was specifically for the 2nd Gen, but I see not reason why it wouldn't fit a 1st Gen.

On another note, my uncle has one of those Bestops on his 2017 TRD Sport. A Bestop is a soft topper that can be both a tonneau cover and a cap. His is originally from a Ford Ranger, and he bought it for a Ford Ranger that he owned before the Tacoma, but it fits the Tacoma just fine.

 

And this is a bit off topic, but...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CShvD9A6XRg

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/slide-in-truck-campers.353756/

 

To move a few miles down the road sometimes you need to do things .

Since your 1200 pounds most likely is the empty weight the amount of things you can`t leave home without gets heavy fast.

Auto or manual good way to take out your auto transmission .

It comes down to it is your vehicle you can do what you want.

It would suck to get popped for being over weight

 

So, your truck weighs approximately 3355# curb weight, with a GVWR of 5100, that leaves 1745# for cargo, passengers, etc...

So 1200 for the camper, that's 545 pounds left. Now add a couple passengers, and you're down to less than 200 pounds for EVERYTHING else.

Does that sound plausible that you can only carry less than 200 pounds of gear/food/tools/clothing/etc... with you?


http://www.new-cars.com/2002/toyota/toyota-tacoma-specifications.html

If you want a cab-over, get a full size truck.

 

Thank you, everyone! I am new to the forum and really appreciate the feedback. The Lance Lite Squire is only 1000 lbs dry weight. My bad, I thought it was 1200 lb). I have also removed the front seat to have about 35lbs less cab weight. The Prerunner is TRD equipped. It is lifted in front and has Hellwig adjustable springs installed in the rear. The GVWR is 5100 lbs. The curb weight is 3475 lb. Leaving 1625 lbs. I travel alone with my 25 lb dog. I weigh 160, supplies weigh in at 200lb. That would be 385lbs+1000lbs would be 1385lb. So at 4860lbs it seems like it should be safe. Haven't had problems yet but want to be super careful as we are planning a cross country trip

ANY feedback will be so welcome as I am a newbie.
Thanks.
MASON

 

Just do a shell

 

Thanks but I like the cabover.

 

Have you planned on a extra fuel tank ??

The increased wind resistance will suck down the fuel.

Then maybe stopping every few hours is part of the adventure .

 

Thank for that!

 

You would have to do suspension upgrades, in particular the leaf springs & front coils, have E load rated tires to accomodate the weight of your camper, spray in bed liner like Line X & rubber bed mat to keep the camper from sliding around in the bed, and tiedowns & turnbuckles to secure the camper the frame. You might also want to consider installig air bags if your truck leans left or right to balance it out as well.

You might want to go to a truck scale weigh your truck with the camper unloaded and then weigh your truck fully loaded with fuel/water/food/passengers. You'll want to avoid having your truck being overweight for your own safety.

In this picture taken about 2 years ago when I bought this camper from a barn in Hollister, CA, I'm using the stock suspension (stock leaf springs, worn out shocks), 15" OEM aluminum alloy wheels with load C tires, and nylon straps attached to the truck frame. It made for a white knuckle/butt clenching ride home. It was windy on the highway, the camper is top heavy & swaying from the wind. The back end of the truck made me feel like I was on a small fishing boat in choppy water with the way it was rocking sideways. The plastic bed liner made the camper slide around in the bed. The stock suspension & load C tires has poor weight handling & stability. I had to drive around 55 mph - 60 mph on the freeway just to make it home safely. I was scared that I was going to drop it on the highway since my truck was poorly equipped to handle a big camper with that much weight. I'm posting this as a warning to other truck owners not to do what I had done due to my ignorance.

 

When hauling loads like this I will only use a Interstate Highway if that is the only option

I get so bored and hate being passed by the vehicles driving 20 plus mph above the speed limit

 

That's why I drive in the slow lane or the middle lane to avoid vehicles that are merging. If they want to pass me, the other drivers will have to take the fast lane to pass any way, but people like to go lane hopping around everyone without consideration for the safety of others on the road.

 

Hi Everyone,

I have upgrades the Tacoma with Billstein shocks front and back. Also leaf springs for the back and larger All-terrain tires. I need to find some frame mount tie downs but they are sooo expensive. I was thinking of going to a welding shop and have them made and attached. Any suggestions or other ideas would greatly be appreciated. I have been using the Brophy tie downs but they are time-consuming to install and deinstall.

Thanks

 

And I think you have to add your weight and the weight of food water ect.. You are going to be way over