Truck Camper build

Okay... Got a 99 Tacoma that's pretty low to the ground, thanks to factory specs... Anyways. I'm in the middle of designing a camper for my truck. The main reason I'm doing this is that I'm PAST tired of being stuck in my current living situation. Not going to give away specifics but it just got WAY more messed up than it was before. Can't move in with any of my friends and some other things so I'm just diving into living out of my truck.
With all that said, does anyone have design suggestions for a camper? The picture attached is the side and rear view of what I have drawn up so far.

 

Your pictures are to blurry to read!!

Been here it sucks

Maybe explore some other options? a pull behind tent camper in decent shape would give you more room.

Building a camper on the truck will kill your fuel mileage .

In no time at all the weight will really add up killing fuel mileage more.

Sticking with a Pick Up Fiberglass cap and make easy access from the cab.

Would you be driving this on a constant basis or would it be parked more then driven.

I know your on a very limited budget but we just had a thread some what like this a better option is a 4Runner if your needing a 4x4 and plan to stick with Toyota.

Best of Luck I hope things improve!

 

I built a camper once on an old Chevy pickup out of plywood. Iwas real heavy. With the cost of building materials today, my two cents would be to look for a decent used aluminum top. There're deals if you shop around.

 

How about this one?

 

Okay. Gonna toss this into the mix, so everyone has a bit of a grasp on my financial situation. Please don't judge me for this, have WAY too many family members saying negative things about me because of it. I'm on SSI, due to being mentally disabled thanks to my schizoaffective disorder- bipolar type. In short 900 a month to live on. Knock about 500 out of that for bills and another 150 a month for gas for Scarlet, the truck. So in short 250ish a month for whatever else. In this case- parts or tools, and cat food.

With all that said, yes, my budget is pretty much screwed right now.

The truck would be driven often but stay somewhere different every day. Hopefully far FAR away from my family...

I LOVE the idea of the brown/tan camper truck but budget wise it's... Not gonna happen.

The idea of just slapping on a bed camper/topper and working off that would be budget friendly so I MIGHT go that route. Providing I can find a cheap top...

 

If need be a cheap nylon tent pitched in the truck bed . Keeps the bugs out and perhaps a cheap tarp to help shed the majority of a real hard rain.

I did that when I lived out of my truck.

I feel for you no support from your family.

Best of luck.

 

This might work but it may be a drive from where you're at. You'll also need to confirm its for a 1st gen since seller doesn't specify. It is for a 6' bed.
https://norfolk.craigslist.org/pts/d/norfolk-camper-shell/7588536939.html

 

I would think if you are going that route you are correct - find a used cap. I found one luckily and local to me for $200. I camp in it all the time. I have a long bed so I can close it up and sleep nicely between the wheel wells on a mattress. If you build something - it will most likely be a lot heavier than 200 lbs. About what my cap weighs. Good luck and I hope you find some peace.

 

As a side bar; because you are on disability look into housing maybe ? What state are you in maybe we can help do some research for you

 

My heart goes out to you, my friend. You’ll figure it out and everything will be fine. I’m praying for you!

 

https://greenvillecan.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/SC-Housing-Guide-for-Individuals-with-Disabilities.pdf

Living out of a truck that wasn’t intended completely for living out of an extended period of time is miserable.

Please read that pdf I posted it might help start the path to you getting a place away from your family alone.

 

Having lived out of A tent on the truck it plain sucks no other way to describe it.

Even though I was set up to camp it gets old.

Many a bath in ice Cold water

Best of Luck OP

 

Been looking into housing authority for a bit now. The more I read, the more I'm confused and aggravated and feel like breaking down and crying. But that last part isn't an option because of the screwed-up things that were drilled into my head as a teen- 'men don't cry', 'suck it up', 'you're useless/worthless so live with that fact', and so on... It's just a lot to take in right now...

 

Alright bro, listen.

you have worth, don’t let shitty people tell you otherwise. Let me see if I can find someone you can call and talk to, to explain how to start using these programs and to maybe set it up for you

 

https://sc211.org/index.php/housing#


look into this, also can call 211 on your phone and hopefully be connected to a real person inclined to help

 

There is no shame in crying only a very weak person would ever say that their is.

I cried when I had to put my Canine down. I cried when I lost a friend when the Towers came down.

Mental stress will bring it on to me.

You need to vent one way or another.

I hope things improve.

 

Find a job at an RV store/manufacturer and you’re half way there

 

Here's the full story for my decision to want to get the hell out of my situation. Hopefully some or all of you will understand.

To start, gonna rewind the clock to back when my oldest daughter was a toddler (about 11 years ago). During the time my fiance was cheating on me with one of her 'friends' and well... I got mad and had a machete in my hand. I smacked the porch with it and threw it behind me. After that I was carted away to 3 Rivers because I was deemed a hazard to my family and a court order was put on me to where I was to NEVER be left alone with my children. Fast forward to the start of 2020, SOMEHOW we got back together for a few weeks and she and our kids moved in. She ABANDONED me with the kids fully knowing of the court order and still she left with her new/current boytoy. After a few months she came back and took our kids with her. In between March and September I would watch them at my house. During the visits, my children would tell me things about what they were going through. Finally, in October, my daughters were dropped off for a few hours. Both of them had bruises from the top of their hip to under their knee. Being responsible, I asked my ex about the bruises only for her to freak out and snag them up... A few days later I confronted their mom and her boytoy and they both told me the things they did to my children. The list includes ROPING my son to a couch, beating my children with belts and boards, and many different things. The way they told me... It was like they were proud of what they were doing...I left after hearing too much and told my friends. The next day, my friend and I called DSS and my kids were put in foster care. It's now going on 3 years and I FEEL that they're better off in foster care. The reason I feel that way is because, I see that they're getting what they need, they're okay and happy where they are right now.

What is best for my kids is that they get the help they need and... I can't provide for them. Because I want what is best for my kids, I'm a horrible person to my family.

I'm worn down, exhausted to the point that sleep doesn't help anything, my cats try to cheer me up and all I can say when asked if I'm okay is 'sure'...

 

Prayers for you and your kids.