Living In A Toyota Tacoma Truck Camper - Full-Time Digital Nomad - Slide In Pop Up Truck Camper

[@garystern4441]

Finally, someone who speaks of his stepdad with actual affection.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I've been lucky to have a lot of people willing to help with my crazy ideas, including my dad, step-dad, mom, uncles, siblings, friends... I definitely don't complain! Cheers!

[@texasplumr]

I married my son's mother when he was six. And I knew I was marrying a package deal and even though we were kids ourselves, we did the best we could. He and I shared some great times when he was growing up and we still do today. He's now 47 and a great dad himself. We live in different cities now but we still get together and it's different because he's grown up and a dad himself so our conversations are usually much more real. Real life stuff and feelings that he wasn't comfortable sharing when he was younger and I find them much more meaningful and kind of fulfilling. I listen to him and think that I must have done something right. I adopted him because he never knew his real dad and he needed one. That's one thing I've never regretted. I still call him a kid too and he used to hate that but somewhere along the line he stopped letting that bother him. Sorry. I didn't mean to go on about that. But yeah, there are some damn good step dads out there and I know quite a few.

[@KillerOfTheConcreteJungle]

Dad and stepdads were all shit. My mother has horrible taste

[@Sporky0000]

Tony Ferguson and Eddie Bravo both have great relationships with their step fathers; so much so, they took their step dad's last name.

[@tnygp]

my stepdads great. loves me and my mom and always puts us first

[@clayTRGR]

Sounds like your stepdad is real dad

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

I've been pretty lucky in life to be surrounded by a lot of great role models, he's one of them and I'm very thankful for that!

[@ddstanfield9259]

A real man

[@BodhiBodesSchuyler]

It’s like he loves him or something lol

[@guyh.4553]

Sounds like he IS your dad.

[@debrajones156]

Yes, I love the way you reference your family. You sound like you've been loved.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yup, I think I've had a great support system of family, I'm pretty blessed!

[@wrytoasts40]

All of that customization... this is a work of art.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, yeah, it was definitely way too much HGTV time before I started this project, ha!

[@Alex-xp7mz]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens what about toilet ?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@Alex-xp7mz I've found that I don't need one. I spend most of my days in town working from wifi hotspots or driving from place to place and have access to public restrooms. If I need one bad enough when I'm out camping I have a shovel with me.

[@UnknownUser-kp6gs]

This randomly showed up in my recommendations, but this was awesome thanks for sharing

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@musiclover10163]

Chris Tarzan Clemens could you explain how you did the hot water heater? I’m about to do this to a shed with a water hose

[@ottouring]

Hi from Australia I just read your comment and thought you might like to look at my set up, Australian locations and camp cook ups. Cheers Out There Touring

[@chelseab5467]

Finally a lite camper that actual looks livable! Thank you!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Cheers, thank you!

[@cybird6010]

Love these kinds of builds. Custom made with your own needs in mind and not something outrageously expensive and unrealistic for most people.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yeah, I think having lived in vehicles for several years helped me narrow down my wants and needs in a home on wheels. This one took some work, but I'm really happy with the results. Cheers!

[@3DGraphicsFun]

Awesome! is that an extended bed Tacoma. I might of missed that fact. Love your setup for sure!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, 2002 Xtracab. Thank you, cheers!

[@SuperKwame1]

Great job Lisa, for taking care of my other brother on the move! He sounds great! Stay love!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, cheers!!!

[@sunlite9759]

I have the exact same camper; stock. However mine came with the luxury of a flush toilet (original) located on the right rear end of the camper. It is mounted on a 2000 F250 super cab power stroke diesel with an 8' bed. The previous owner installed an A/C unit on the left side opposite the toilet. I converted the dinette into a permanent bed so that I can use it with the top down. i did build a 2' round table using the pedestal from the dinette I had to rebuild the lift system which you may eventually have to do.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! Ah, yeah, the previous owner has installed an A/C unit in mine too, I ditched that to save some weight since I'm on a Tacoma. I've got a few ideas on getting the lower bed back too so I can sleep without popping the top in high wind or to be more stealth. I do think I've got some work to do on the roof lift system, probably the next project! Cheers!

[@sunlite9759]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens The lift system is tricky. I have seen whole roofs removed to fix it. The rear anchors had come loose and started to twist up roof the roof. Tip: weld a nut on the rear torsion bar anchor to be able to rotate it back in place.

[@ashdudzinski2458]

I love this so much! My boyfriend and I spent our savings on a 1999 Jayco Eagle and live in it full time now in Colorado and we are transitioned into a minimal nomadic lifestyle. You are an inspiration. :)

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! That's awesome!! I love spending time in Colorado, enjoy and have a great adventure!!!

[@rbmedia8798]

I’m 17, and my dream is to get a truck camper pretty much exactly like this one. Having this video to watch really helps me get a better idea of what I’ll need to do to make it work, and how it’ll be living in a truck camper. Thanks for this, I’ll definitely be coming back to this in the future to reference when I get my truck.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's great! Good luck and have awesome adventures!!!

[@questioner1596]

It's nice to see someone else who appreciates a manual transmission.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, yes, I agree! I haven't had an automatic in 15+ years!

[@AVI80R907]

I'm from Alaska. That jaw bone is from my dog that ran away during an earthquake and then was eaten by a wolverine and dispersed by bald eagles and ravens. Glad to see it's living it's best after-life. Nice truck!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, cheers!!

[@ModernDayPilgrim]

Just “Dad & Brother” will do. They are the real deal. No Pre-fix needed. ❤️😊 Awesome video. Happy Trails!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yes they are, and I also have an awesome Dad and Brother by blood, I think I've been blessed by incredible family members all around. Thank you!!!

[@salvadorzamora236]

Dude. I so love how you brought that camper back to life and kudos to your step father too! Your rig has so much character. Congrats on finding a lady who is willing to live on the road!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yeah, renovating the camper was a ton of work, but I'm really happy with the result and love the lifestyle now. Cheers!

[@gypsypurl5574]

Thank goodness for a great stepdad and brother. I love your renovations, I got hooked when you said "I watch way too much HGTV!" Stay safe in your travels, thanks for sharing.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! Thank you! It was a big project, but with great help, and a lot of time and work, I think it turned out great! Cheers!!

[@zakkredabaugh199]

I build pop up truck campers for a living it's so much fun. They are totally custom so every one of them is a little bit different. Love the home build and complete set up of this rig 👍

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! Thanks man, ha, not going to lie, during the remodel I was thinking "hmmm, maybe I could turn this into a career" but by the end of it I was like, "ummm, naaahhhhhh...." ha! I definitely learned a lot from the project, thanks for the message! Cheers!

[@ralphmoehrke3103]

Awesome. I would love to get an older camper and do something like that.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I'm super happy with the finished product, but the project was much more involved than I first anticipated, ha! But, totally worth it!

[@SuperKwame1]

That’s all a family needs! The rest is all for show! Thanks

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, yup, don't need much stuff to be happy, cheers!

[@ralphlauren6639]

I was smiling while watching the whole video

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@maldaconengenharia7741]

Greetings from Brazil ! We are watching your camper, and we are building ours too. Soon an adventure departing from Florianópolis-SC, heading to Argantina, Chile and Peru. Thank you for the informations.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That is awesome! I'm still hoping to head there as well, maybe get to Argentina in a year or two, but that's all dependent on the international borders after COVID. Cheers!

[@jeep1962]

Opa, estou desenhando um viagem de jipe pela América do Sul. Vamos trocar umas figurinhas. Abx

[@sunlite9759]

I have a Sun Lite Pop-up (1993) mounted on a 2000 F250 Ford Ext Cab Power Stroke 7.3 Diesel 8' bed. Needed the torsion bar system reworked. My SL has the OEM Toilet. I converted the dunnite set up as a bed. That way I can use it without setting it up. Needs more structural work and could use new canvass.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! I love the Sun Lite setup, I got rid of the lower bed in my renovation, but I plan to add it back in to avoid having to pop the top in high winds. Cheers!!

[@therealtashiro]

Great video Chris! Love the truck setup! Thanks for sharing and safe travels!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! It was a process, but it's an awesome home on wheels now!!!

[@kert987654]

I have the ‘88 Viking version, almost identical. Was like walking into a time machine. Everything was flawless. The Reno was really fun, and next adding solar. Thanks for the video!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! Yeah, I'm really happy with how the camper turned out, good luck with the solar setup!!

[@Thiker927]

Finally someone who actually uses they’re truck to its full potential. Well done!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thomastice9209]

I had a Six Pac Mini Six slide in for my 2009 Tacoma, I miss it, it was my Mobil surf cabana. for my suspension I added some leaf springs, air bags, 10ply tires and put 3/4" plywood cradle that I made. I never had any suspension issues. about three years ago i built a house in Hawaii and needed the truck over there so I had to sell the camper.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! Yeah, the leaf springs and tires made a huge difference on this rig. Hawaii sounds pretty sweet too! Cheers!

[@DaDavidVids]

I've never been a fan of slide-in truck campers because they're not as stealth, but I absolutely admire all the hard (and creative!) work you and your stepdad put into this rig! My first thought was "How can that little Tacoma support a camper?" knowing the cargo specs for that vehicle, so I enjoyed seeing the custom suspension work you had to do. Curious if you needed airbags.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Agreed on the stealth part. I started out living in a Honda Element my step-dad and I converted into a full time living vehicle. At the time I was still working fulltime in the city and camped on the streets every night, the Element was stealth. Then I went to a VW Westy campervan and started traveling. I could still be somewhat stealth, sleeping on the bottom bed in town, but I started boondocking more. Now I hardly ever need to stealth camp, so going to the pop up truck camper wasn't an issue for me. I have slept in it a few times in town though, and it's not my favorite! If I'd put the custom rear suspension (leaf packs) on first, I probably wouldn't have added the airbags. I still have them, but I don't use them at all, unless I really need them to help level the rig at camp. Cheers!

[@jimjanlekha891]

What a lovely video. I’m considering living full time in a similar truck one day soon. Thank you 🙏🏼 for making this.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yup, I love living on 4 wheels. It can have challenges, but it's a pretty good life! Cheers!

[@gregmohr3740]

You and your companion are living my dream safe travels

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@MichaelforGod]

My 02 Toyota Tacoma has 380,000 miles on it...what a tank

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! That's awesome. I hope to keep rolling miles onto mine too, cheers!

[@chrisfederoff1047]

That’s a sweet set up. Dreamed about it when we first got married but bought a house instead. Good lord those campers are expensive.!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! Ha, yup, even starting with a cheap used camper and putting in most of the work myself, the end result still got expensive! Ha!

[@s_e_r_g_i_o_BTG]

Awesome. Very encouraging. My wife and myself are still considering options for our full-size Nissan Titan rear wheel drive pickup.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah! It was a bit of work but once everything came together it's been super nice. Good luck, cheers!

[@73elperro]

You are living my dream brother!! good for you!! cheers up!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@stevefournier6375]

Awesome video, have a off-road 2009 Toyota Tacoma, been all over the beaten path, with it and 185,000, miles still run like a champ, gets me to work everyday. Got to get me a camper, looks like a lot of fun!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, that's awesome! Toyotas are definitely the way to go! Cheers!

[@BourbonSauced]

what would be a nice luxury item, gas struts to hold the bed up when you access the cargo hold.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Agreed!

[@alexhardy7859]

Watching videos like these make a free spirit like me very happy. Pls countinue these cool videos and very cool truck indeed

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!!!

[@tsamson2606]

Chris, I have the 1988 Skyhawk model. I really like what you have done with it. Good job!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! The Sun-Lites are good little campers!

[@ArkyJane]

Like the bungee cord idea around the fabric portion of the popup.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, I tried a few other ideas, people suggested closing the doors and windows, turning on the FANtastic fan and lowering the top, but nothing worked quite as well as the bungee cord! Cheers!

[@Critt75ih]

If your ever bombing down or up I5 in Salem, Oregon and need a driveway, hit me up. My wife and I would love to enjoy a cup of tea with you!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, I definitely love Oregon!!!

[@fognnorway6471]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens Also western south dakota, wife and i have a small private campground. and she is from alaska!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@fognnorway6471 Awesome!!! Thank you!

[@fognnorway6471]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens Hell yea, 30 miles from Mnt Rushmore and Crazy Horse, and some of the best mnt biking and hiking around.

[@themandalorianfromstarwars7342]

I like your curtains & matching pillows! Cute cute cute!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! My mom definitely helped with that part!

[@josealbertobarreto3585]

I have always dreamed of doing something just like this congrats on living your dreams!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@jeffgrey663]

She got you hooked and told you I aint living in a fucking camper so you bought a house

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Haha, nope, I lost her and am back to traveling solo, bicycle touring through Thailand, looking for a woman who is down with living on a bike. Cheers!

[@jeffgrey663]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens hahaha thanks for responding and cheers to you brother on your endeavors from Arizona

[@justnicholas]

As someone from Gig Harbor, I dig the hat. Totally caught me off guard.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Ha, I love Gig Harbor! Such a beautiful place!

[@larryschenck5705]

Mhm?

[@guyh.4553]

Chris, thank you for sharing this. You, your dad & brother were an immense help. I have a Jayco Sport 7 that i need to get working on. Now I feel well enough to start on my work. Great job! PS: I am going to try and use mine in the winter. I'm a northerner, I like cold weather.😁😁😁

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! Yeah, it was quite a project, but I'm super happy with it now and have definitely enjoyed exploring from Alaska down to Baja. There are always small projects that keep me busy, but I love the freedom of a home on wheels! Cheers!

[@Zoofactory]

Watching with my sons,,, This is great stuff. Thx!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!!

[@fourground4363]

I was really impressed. Then it got to the hot water heater & my mind was blown! This is honestly such an inspiration. Trying to get myself a Tacoma right now too.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I think a few years living in an old VW van really helped me come up with an ideal truck camper setup. It was a lot of work, but turned out really nice! Cheers!

[@pre-paidcustomer5601]

Your step dad and step brother sound like some cool dudes 🤠

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yup, they are! Cheers!!!

[@SweetTone76]

Nice rig, if the weight, balance over landing gets too heavy, I’d find a 1 generation Tundra, it has a lot more power, the 4.7-liter V8 engine with 245 horsepower, and 315 pound-feet of torque engines were built like all Toyota trucks, bulletproof. Safe happy travels. 🍻🤙

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I agree...ha, I totally wish I'd started with a Tundra or T100, but my first year living in the truck I put a lot of work into the Tacoma, then I got the camper, put a ton of work fitting the camper onto the Tacoma, realized I'd be better off with a bigger truck, but was nearly 2 years in, so, I'm rolling on a bit under powered for now! Cheers!

[@santoscarlos3650]

I must give you a like for the space you have in this little truck

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@followthepinkline]

Simple life is the best life❤

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yes! So true! I've found that the less I have, the less I have to worry about!

[@gregoryrodzenko1026]

Careful with those Tundra comments! (Dalton Highway video) After 14 years, sold my Gen. 1.0 Tundra with a FlipPac camper. Wanted more amenities with a slide-in camper. Consistent with your suggestion, bought a bigger truck with more payload capacity. Keep the travel videos coming.....

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Awesome, ha, thanks for the message and cheers!

[@veteranveteran9915]

This video made me smile. 🥰

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@brawnyjust4968]

Right on looks cozy to me looks like alot of good times guys family is everything 🤗

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah! Thank you so much! Cheers!!!!

[@kolbecorreia6988]

This is an incredible setup thank you for sharing!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@coltwinchester6124]

My 97 Sunlite is alot like yours, with the exception of mine has a bathroom. I carry it in a 2001 Silverado 2001 2500HD.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That sounds awesome! Would totally love to have a bathroom, maybe on the next rig. Cheerss!

[@147stretch]

Very cool build. Looks like a blast traveling in it! Would love to see more about the solar setup. I have a similar truck camper that i wanna do solar on

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! I'm working on a more detailed blog as well as a before & after video talking about some of the specifics. I have two 160 watt panels that came with the camper, I remounted them and added an inverter, over the summer they worked well!

[@lisafleming9603]

I thought I wanted a flatbed popup, but after seeing yours and its relaxing effect on me, I know now what I was running to.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! Yeah, I've been daydreaming of a flatbed setup, I like the side door vs. the rear door, but this one works pretty well for me!

[@slamboy66]

I hated my BFG's too hard, went with Cooper never looked back.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! I've heard people raving about the Coopers, I've had really good luck so far with the BFG's, so far so good!

[@AceThaKushKing]

Ayeee love seeing fellow hoosiers out here living this way 😁 cant wait until I get myself a camper

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!!! That's awesome! Ha, I still enjoy coming home to Indiana to visit, but there's also so much of the world to see. Cheers!!!

[@zippingthrucactusland5718]

This is an AWESOME RIG. I'm soon getting my Tacoma. Yep and I'm gonna grab a camper like that....Such BaddA$$...🤙

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! I love the Tacoma, if I could do it over again with a camper I probably would have started with a bigger pickup truck, but so far the Tacoma has done really well!

[@gma729]

TOTALLY COOL BRO !!!! Man I envy you younger guys n gals who just do it !! Living raw simple !!! Raw !!! I never have, I'm a slave to the machine for another cple yrs. I utterly enjoy watching these vids. I live it thru you. 🙂👍

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yeah, trying to fit as much into life as I can, ha, cheers!

[@gerardhoward3084]

Cheers...Thanks for posting 👍🏻

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!!

[@byronclyatt9896]

Living the dream! Love the setup!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@NickedOff]

Great video! Looking to do a similar set-up soon. Would like to see a video of "What not to do" or what you would do differently now if you were starting out.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I'll work on that soon, currently I'm "locked-down" on a small island in Thailand, was taking a break in Southeast Asia for the winter and ended up here longer than expected. I'm daydreaming of getting back to the rig soon! Shoot me a message at www.ChrisTarzanClemens.com if you have any specific questions!

[@shannmartin7453]

Great content, 1 of the better Taco truck camper vids on KZbin, love the older Taco too, you're actually living the taco camper life vs some of these other content creators showing their Shiney just scraped off the price sticker new camper and acting like they been living the lifestyle for year's. Best of luck on your future adventures.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yup, it took a long time to build out but I'm definitely glad I did it! Cheers!

[@rmoran113]

Love it! Living the dream!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I've got no complaints about life! :)

[@coopbran]

great build out, and use of space is wonderful. not to mention tides tavern! 👍🏼👍🏼

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Gig Harbor is an awesome part of the world, cheers!!!

[@JesusSaves3-16]

Great vid my Brother.. live life to the full, no regrets.. GodBless..

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!

[@CaptainFALKEN]

Incredible. Also awesome to have met you a woman during your travels

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Cheers!

[@damecioyonh5554]

A real dream,,, simple wonderful

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@cameronmurdock7760]

Love the Tides Tavern hat! Take my boat out there every summer. Great video!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah!!! Ha, that's awesome, such a beautiful part of the world!!!

[@Enfluentz]

Dude this video was great!!!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@clementwilliam9395]

My name clement william from Malaysian Borneo ,state of Sarawak.you are very loving couple together.nice rig.jealous of your life,living, travelling your big country in a camper.so nice i think i can live as nomad until i die.tq

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you, cheers!

[@AndreBrickwork]

That is so awesome, I'd add an additional 4 anchors on each corner of the camper to take alittle bit of the load off of the tires, struts an shocks, also to keep from rocking left an right as much. It would be anchored to the ground and be easier to just drive from underneath it if it had to be removed for some reason.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Great ideas, luckily I rarely take the camper off, but it makes total sense! Cheers!

[@MikAnda]

Nice setup! 👍

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@Dusty11408]

Well done. Enjoyed your presentation very much. You are a cute couple. I hope you have a wonderful life together.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@xXCatWalkXx]

This is so cool! We want a set up like this for when we’re not sailing. Thanks for the inspiration!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Nice! Ha, and I dream about living on a sailboat! So much to do, only one life! Cheers!

[@krayzel]

Surprisingly spacious inside! I like it.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@realtor411]

Nice rig! Great job! Cute couple!!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks!

[@kernelpanic901]

You two are living your best life, nice video and great setup 👍

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@DrumD8on]

Congrats on making this a way of life. This is something I’ve often thought about doing, and I find your video inspiring and encouraging. I’m in Ohio and do mostly canoe camping, but I love your setup. Best wishes to you both on your adventures out there!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Yeah, I've found that with a home on wheels, no matter which I've lived in, the freedom to drive and camp and explore is really something great! Cheers!

[@bahamasking2063]

Nice pop up

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@mitchwinder1204]

What a fantastic space. Great job.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!! Cheers!

[@travisdiller6879]

Good stuff man!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! Cheers!

[@tbcarleton]

Your camper looks remarkably a lot like mine. You could just about double the size of your table if you put it on drawer slides. You'd get more room to move around when it's retracted over the bench seat too. Mine also doubles as a bed rail for one of my kids. The other bed is a slatted extension of the counter over the sink and stove that retracts over the fridge.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! Yeah, I had plans to work on the table this year, redesign it, and use it to extend the lower bed. I secured the lower bed slide when I added the rear storage cabinet. Unfortunately I took off to Asia for a few months last winter and due to the global lockdowns I've been "stuck" on a tiny Thai island, so that project will have to wait til I'm back in the States. Cheers!

[@jj_gaylor]

Great video, always love seeing other people’s setups. I’ve got a suspension question for you. I see that you added heavier duty leaf springs to the rear, paired with airbags. How much capacity did you add to the springs? I have a GMC Canyon and am deciding between beefing up the rear with a new leaf pack and then pairing it with Timbrens or air bags...or just cutting my losses and buying a bigger truck. My options a for the springs are anywhere between +600 to +1,200lbs capacity. Thanks!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! First, if it’s an option to go with a bigger truck, I’d do that. I would have, but I already spent a year building out my Tacoma with the bumpers, winch, and lots of off road mods which made changing trucks a bigger investment. Since I wanted to stick with my Tacoma, I had custom leaf packs arched and installed. I’m not sure the capacity, the camper was on the truck and fully loaded and the shop arched packs, installed them, and then took the driver’s side pack off, arched it more and added 1 more leaf to level the camper (much of the camper’s weight is on the driver’s side). I actually don’t use the airbags anymore except for leveling the rig at camp now and then. If your losses aren’t too big, I’d suggest going with a bigger truck! That being said, with my camper build and everything I own, I would still be pushing the weight limits on even a Toyota Tundra! Good luck!

[@jj_gaylor]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens Chris, I wanted to thank you for the sound advice! I'd spent countless hours trying to figure out how to get my mid-sized GMC Canyon to accommodate a camper very similar to yours. After weighing it on a truck scale and calculating the free payload, I found out that I only had about 500lbs of free payload. I could have gone over the GVWR, but I calculated how much it would cost for tow mirrors, new leafpacks, shocks and airbags, and found out that you were right. I'm now the proud owner of a GMC 3500, and don't have to ever worry about how much beer I pack in there! I also figured that the truck would make it easy to upgrade from my remodeled '97 Shadow Cruiser if I were ever able to score another model with a bathroom. Thanks again! You really saved me a lot of worrying down the road.

[@PeacefulLifeYT]

Everything is "CUSTOM-MADE" 😁

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

It was quite the project, but I'm happy with out it turned out. Cheers!

[@PeacefulLifeYT]

@@ChrisTarzanClemens i love your truck ❤️👍🏽

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

@@PeacefulLifeYT Thank you! Cheers!!!

[@saintsxsinners6816]

Truly Inspiring.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!! :)

[@mikeb2496]

Would so much rather this than those massive "madden bus" style. Nice man!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, I've found that smaller spaces means less stuff to worry about! Cheers!

[@cambodianrefugee6305]

Thanks for the vid! Hard to beat a tacoma poptop to balance livability with offroad ability. If you dont mind...does having the tailgate down have a significant effect on departure angle?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

For the tailgate, not really. I have a steel step attached to the hitch, so that's really my exit angle issue (which can be removed easily), though, with so much weight on the truck, and being my full-time home, I'm not really looking to test the rig in extreme situations. I've actually considered ditching the tailgate more to reduce weight hanging off the back of the truck, as the camper is supported in the bed, not on the tailgate.

[@theparkjunkie]

Oh man, that under the bed closet is fab! I have a fourwheelcamper on a Taco. I am afraid I don't have enough space under the bed for a closet... hella jealous! Nice rig!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thanks! That under bed storage came stock on mine, I think I saw the same thing on a few others, really great for storage, but just maybe not as low profile as the FWC. Cheers!

[@dlight1999]

Nice👍🏽

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!

[@tomkirk6942]

Cool camper. A pal and I drove from Salt Lake to Denali Ntl Park in a late 90’s Infinity G20 to work for the summer years ago. One hell of a drive, although not as long as yours. Cheers from Northern Utah.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

That's awesome! Such a beautiful route and an incredible part of the world!

[@ItsWaterTime]

You are my and my Tacoma’s inspiration! Do you have Instagram or Facebook we can follow you on?

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! I should be pretty easy to find, Chris Tarzan Clemens or on Instagram it is Tarzan.Camps.With.Terk. I'm currently waiting out the pandemic in Thailand, so not many camper posts, but I hope to get back to the truck camper soon!

[@BrianGlassEOD]

Great truck/camper combo. Also a good video tour.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

“Living in a Tacoma full time”. No thanks.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yeah, it's definitely not for everyone, but I enjoy it! Thanks!

[@Chance-ry1hq]

Chris Tarzan Clemens Enjoy.

[@nofurtherwest3474]

uh dude is this the first time seeing someone doing this? it's more common that you think

[@Chance-ry1hq]

no further west What makes you think this is the first time I’ve seen it. And because it is “more common” I am supposed to want to do it. I don’t follow your logic. You kind of sound like a Lemming.

[@carolineorita9774]

More than beautiful. Awesome work. Aloha

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you!!!! Cheers and Aloha!!!

[@RhettTheFable]

I recognized Resurrection Bay and Mt. Alice as soon as I saw it. Seward, AK is my hometown!

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Yes! Definitely one of my favorite places ever!!!

[@hello_its_me.]

Dude, you are very talented. I need a pre-assembled truck with all the bells and whistles like yours...will you sell me yours? My adventures are pale in comparison to yours. For example, I camped in Acadia NP in my RAV4. The seats are moved forward and custom 18" boards secured by headrests and rear seat edging. Add a 4" tempur-pedic cushion and you have paradise. LOL.

[@ChrisTarzanClemens]

Thank you! That's awesome, I started out living in a DIY Honda Element camper, I loved having the small simple space! Over the years I've lived in various vans and truck setups, I like what I have now but any vehicle that allows simple living is perfect! Cheers!