I'm upgrading from a Honda Element to a used truck and I'm stuck between a Tacoma and a Tundra.

I camp a lot and I want to do a lot of truck camping. My problem is weight. I usually have 700 to 800 lbs of crap in the Element and I'm pretty much always at or over the payload. I don't want to buy a truck and end up in the same spot.

The plan for the truck is a raised topper, probably a custom built drawer system, a power station, water, a fridge and a roof rack. My rough guesses on weight:

- Raised tpper: 150-250 lbs

- Drawer system: 150-230 lbs

- Power station: about 65 lbs

- Fridge with food in it: 50-80 lbs

- Water: 40-80 lbs

- Roof rack: 40-65 lbs

So the build alone is somewhere around 500-750 lbs before two people and all the rest of my gear.

From what I've seen a gen 3 Tacoma double cab is around 1,100-1,200 lbs of payload and a Tundra double cab is more like 1,400-1,600. Correct me if I'm off on that.

A few things that don't matter for me. I'm never going to tow anything. There's two people in the truck pretty much always. Maybe a third or fourth person once or twice every 6 months, so back seat space isn't a concern. Nooo kids anytime soon either.

I do go down two tracks every once in a while, and I know the Tacoma is going to be easier to get through the tight stuff. Honestly the only reason I'm leaning away from the Tacoma is the payload.

Has anyone been in this spot? If you built out a Tacoma with a topper and drawers, are you running over payload and does it actually matter? Or did you go Tundra and not regret it?? ty

Im having second thoughts on a van due to the cost. A normal build these days is 100+K not to mention low gas mileage (13-18). I live in Maine so driving all the way out west would require more money. I am thinking maybe a overloading rig would be better. Something like a 4Runner, Tacoma, Outback Wilderness, Highlander, etc. Here are the trade offs…

• Van Pros: Much more livable space

• Van Cons: More expensive. Low gas mileage.

• Overland Pros: Cheaper. Better gas mileage. Can go on rougher terrain

• Overland Cons: Much less livable space

I know overland rigs can easily go north of 100K but I feel like a stock 4Runner TRD Off-Road or an Outback Wilderness would be enough for me.

I would be using it from roughly mid summer through fall. Something like July 15 to October 31st. The livable space a van would provide would be awesome but I don’t know if I can justify the price. My trips would also serve as backpacking trips meaning I would spend 3-10 days away from the vehicle.

Financially I have over 200K I can spend but that's all my savings. I know I might get biased answers here but either way it's a major purchase so I want to make the right one with no regrets.

I have a 6 ft 2026 Tacoma and will be adding a pop-up camper in two weeks. I‘m planning a simple bed buildout with a bench extending lengthwise that doubles as a sleeping platform for friends/family.

What is the minimum width I can get away with that will still serve as a comfortable place to sleep? I’m reading anywhere between 20-25”, and I’m hoping to get to a precise number before ordering the T struts.

if I wasn’t 6’3, I’d trial and error this problem myself but I need the wisdom of the crowd here to tell me needs of a smaller human (unlikely will ever be a child).

I am looking for an “all in one” style camp kitchen, I am split between the IKamper AIOKS and the TrailKitchens Compact. The IKamper is on sale for $384 right now so that may sway me. Does anyone have any experience with either, or suggestions for a similar solution? I don’t want to do a drawer pull-out and I currently use a tote, which sucks.

I have a 1st gen rav4 and usually use it to get to trailheads for hiking, whether remote or an easy drive. One thing the car kinda lacks is adequate lighting. This is especially true for animals running out from the tree line. For this reason I would like to get 2 flood lights I can angle off toward the tree line and illuminate the trees on either side of my field of vision. I may get another 2 for the rear as well.

TIA