Which Slide-In Campers Work with my Tundra...?

I have a 2012 CrewMax 4x4 with a 5.5' bed and a 1,575 Lbs payload capacity. I've been looking online trying to find out which slide-in campers will work with this truck. I know based on the limited payload capacity and bed length that my options are limited, but there are some out there. so far the only ones I've found that'll work are the Palomino Backpack SS-500 and the Four-Wheel Campers Raven Model. Do you guys/gals know of any others that'll work?

 

Put my money down on a Raven shell model today! I upgraded to e-rated tires, heavy duty shocks and struts, new coils, and Timbren helper springs to control the weight. Also the shell model is pretty light relative to the camper model, and I’m planning a lightweight modular interior to help.

 

@Bailey

 

Four wheel campers are amazing. Are you wheeling or just highway trips to campgrounds?

 

Backwoods camping. I grew tired of "glamping" at campgrounds full of people, so I sold my trailer.

 

Right on. 4 wheel camper is cool. There was another company founded by some offshoot people. Atc or something. Not as common to see though

 

just put a 2019 hawk on that has the roll over couch interior! only put 3800 miles on it so far! but hay it's winter in iowa

 

Mine

 

Put tailgate back on an added nitto ridge grapplers since pic was taken

 

This is what I went with to stay light. You could take it on and off like a topper if you wanted but mine stays on full time

 

How noisy is that setup during a wind/rain storm? My RTT is noisy as hell, but is an amazing camping experience in calm weather.

 

it’s pretty quiet for the most part. I’ve been in heavy heavy rain and it never bothered me.

camped in high winds (30+ mph) out in New Mexico and the zippers would tink against the support poles which was kind of annoying but easily fixable.

the interior space of this is awesome in addition to the covering behind the truck. Setup is a minute or two, packed up in 4.

I’ve been very happy with it and it’s <350 lbs

 

Wow 350 lbs is really nice for such a spacious camper

 

here’s a video of setup and the interior

 

I really like how it flips backwards instead of over the cab like the flip pak. Gives a nice shaded area to sit

 

Nice rig! I have a 2018 Crewmax. I'm eyeing the same rig. How are you liking it? Why tailgate back on? Did you get an aftermarket back up camera?
Does the camper hanging out the back bother you? I have 2 small kids and a wife, feel like the Raven would be a better fit but too small for the family. Thx!

 

tailgate added support for floor! yep camera is from fwc for tundra $$ but nice! hope IT'S there an don't notice it! no it doesn't affect front steering! an i get a little shelf for camp light etc to place on it!

 

oh, okay, the makes sense! what suspension upgrades have you made, if any?

 

i added timbren bump stops for tundra i believe they are 6,000 lbs ones

 

Hello all, we are looking at purchasing a used palomino pop up camper SS1240 which has a dry weight of 1850lbs. If we put airlift airbags on our 2014 Tundra DC 4x4 will that be safe and enough to handle it? anyone else have a similar set up? Pros and cons? thank you!

 

I believe you would want a 1 ton truck for that much weight in the back

 

Loving my FWC raven shell. Can’t wait to get it out this weekend.
I have the Timbren but am unhappy with the overload spring’s stiffness. Whenever you hit a bump it handles it, but bounces off the Timbren and overload spring to make for a pretty harsh ride. Looking into leaf replacement. My camper dry is listed at 875 lbs. I will be taking it to a scale at some point in the next few days to make sure I get the suspension right this time.
Love camping in it. So roomy and comfortable. Alu cab awning adds a ton of outdoor living space. I don’t like campgrounds, we just use this like a fancy tent in dispersed areas.
Fair warning I ordered mine in November and got it mid August. When I ordered they had a 12 week wait time listed. Now they say if you order it it’ll be ready next June.

 

I stayed up too late last night looking at the Granby Shell Option and it is pretty amazing too!
Way too pricey for me but a boy can dream I guess.

 

Oh yeah, back when I thought I’d be taking a ski trip as my first trip with it :/ nov 23

 

I had a basket case skamoer slide in that I rehabbed and put in my crewmax. I weighed the truck and camper and I was at 7200 pounds with just me in the truck. So loaded up I was over the payload sticker. Truck handled it great though with E rated tires and airbags. It’s easy to find stuff that will sort of fit the crewmax but it’s also easy to pack on the pounds with a slide in too.

 

You gain in fuel economy with the pop-up camper and there is a lower center of gravity for trail running but you also loose a lot of space for gear with this type of camper. I have gone with either a shell that goes up for more height in the back or with a cabover camper where all the cubic feet of space over the cab and be used to store gear and have it completely out of the way and out of sight. The cabover type also work well in winter. The type that have a flip out platform for sleeping are fine for warm summer months and when there is no wind in the area.

The campers sold for off-road use with be the strongest and lightest. The real weight limitation is the load capacity of the two rear tires. Most Toyta Tacoma and 4Runner vehicles are badly in need of an extra leaf in the rear to keep them level. Fortunately this is a cheap upgrade to do.

Lots more options these days for lightweight slide-in campers. Important to realize that if you buy a new camper a year later its value has dropped by more than 25%.

https://www.crowsurvival.com/10-best-truck-campers-for-1-2-ton-pickups/

There are definite advantages to paying for camper lift jacks for all four corners. They make is possible to put on or remove a heavy camper by one person.

 

New guy here!

I’m looking at a 2010 Tundra Double Cab 4.6L 4x4 with a 6’ bed and thinking about getting the Palomino SS-500/550.
Either that or the Four Wheel Camper if I decide to splurge about $10k more.

looking to do Baja California trips, US road trips/destinations and likely some light trails.

I’m an avid offroad/wheeler, but this rig will be used much more differently. No hardcore obstacles so I think we’d be ok.

Planning on suspension beef and likely staying away from airbags as I don’t want that being a point of failure.

hopefully this will come together in the next couple weeks!

Well...if I go Palomino, that is. Long wait for the FWC.

Wish me luck!

 

i run a fwc hawk on my tundra

 

I too don't really want the bother of adjusting air bags and worrying about a failure. So if no air bags, what "suspension beef" will you (did you) do?

 

This quote has not aged well. Especially for Four Wheel Campers. They have always kept an exceptional resale value. Regardless.

Now with the Covid crap the used units have accelerated in value. Like a LOT.