Tundra Alu-Cabin Build - Does It WEIGH Too Much & What has he Broke?

[@OutdoorAuto]

Guess the wight in the comments before we reveal it at the end!

[@alafrosty]

That thing is dangerously overweight. He should probably replace all the wheel bearings at about every 25-30k as preventive maintenance. Front brake upgrade was a good start, but now do the rears as well. I'd also recommend u-joints and cv axles at 60k. Change the trans fluid and diff oil every 30-50k. And see whether he can find stiffer sway bars to help with the moose.

[@TinkerersAdventure]

Great video! Been waiting to see his detailed walk around of the Alucab. Super good info on the vehicle weight! We don’t see these very often

[@RevereOverland]

I still think it’s 1lb under GVWR.

[@OutdoorAuto]

It could be... some day 😬

[@bryzhouse8163]

@@RevereOverland not long my friend with that growing boy of yours! Lol

[@frontierstateoverland3816]

It’s 1 lb OVER Rob!

[@BWB3436]

Wouldn’t your GVWR change considering that you’ve upgraded your suspension, from stock coil springs to heavy duty and the other components?

[@bryzhouse8163]

@@BWB3436 all vehicles have the rating for GVWR and payload done by the manufacturer and that’s set in stone. The rating is not just for the suspension it’s for the frame, brakes, engine etc… In America they don’t enforce these safety measurements due to lack of interest but in commercial vehicles they harass us all the time that’s why the states spend millions on weigh stations. I’ve been driving for a living for 37 years and 4 million miles and there’s a lot of unsafe vacationers on the roads and they don’t even realize it. All I hope is this awesome video makes people aware that it’s not just throwing products on your overland build and getting on the road, it’s be responsible with what you’re doing. I’ve met Rob and he’s awesome and I wouldn’t worry about changing his set up but that weight comes at a cost.

[@leemen]

Awesome built truck. Rob always seems like the the nicest guy you would ever meet. I liked the 2 of you together. Great video.

[@Verb130]

I've made this comment before. This is why I watch your channel. You bring up the hard questions, and accept the answers where they land. Awesome content! After your GVW video, I loaded my Jeep Rubicon with all my overlanding camping and trail recovery and repair gear; with a full tank of gas, all our food and water, and my wife sitting in it. Without me, it was 400lbs over weight. That's with suspension, front bumper, winch on 17" Icon Rebound Pros, and 38" Nitto Trail Grapplers. I have a lot of mods and additions that I'm not listing. So with me it's 600 lbs over. It handles very nicely, even when breaking to full anti-skid on the paved roads. Yes, I also did a road test with full anti skid breaking from 45 mph on an abandoned paved road with my wife nervously watching on the roadside after I weighed it. I don't recommend doing that as you may find out you can't control it and roll your vehicle. For me, I had a test plan and worked up to that 45 mph test over about a 1 hour period with brake cooling time between runs. Don't do what I do.

[@OutdoorAuto]

I like it... I am the same as you... even if it is bad news I want to understand my constraints and risks in a more controlled environment rather than learn them in an emergency... its always good know.

[@dlansburg2673]

Rob was a great sport!

[@OutdoorAuto]

He is such a good guy... so fun to hang out with.

[@sarah_n_tank_girl]

I love Rob and his wife. I miss their 4Runner but the Tundra build is awesome! I'm going to guess 8300 with water tanks filled. I was close... I have never bought an impact gun for that reason. If you want your nuts and bolts tight-buy a torque wrench! When my son was 2 I loved taking him camping...it is so cool to see the outdoors through their eyes. I would love to show you my rig...and weigh it. My setup is for full-time living out in the middle of nowhere...not too crazy. It is my 4Runner and a self converted cargo trailer. I have 20in of clearance so no rock crawling but can get out farther than any of my full-time friends and with the single-axel have great turning radius. I even have a removable wood stove! My home base is close to Boise, ID

[@OutdoorAuto]

Are you living out of your vehicle full time... also the removable wood stove sounds awesome.

[@roberttaylor7451]

First time I have heard anyone else use the Star Wars reference for snow driving. I have been using that for years. Also with solar if you use some thin coragated plastic strips between your solar panels and the roof you will get a much higher output. Heat kills solar output, directly mounting on a hot hood or black roof greatly decreases output

[@OutdoorAuto]

Wow… thanks for the tip… I didn’t know that about solar and heat… now I gotta research that.

[@tinkering123]

Great video. I'll dig watching your stuff. Keep on tinkering...

[@OutdoorAuto]

I love tinkering... just redid the suspension on the 80 tonight... I don't know what I am doing sometimes but tinkering is a fun way to learn.

[@TUNDRALU]

This was to cool to see you both together as i have been watching you two for a while now! I have the 2015 Tundra with an Alu-Cab. Building it now for a year and a half, first one to get one here in Ontario for a full size truck. I also plan on living in mine like Rob so I have built the camper to fulfill that. Suspension after a year was sagging and was always the plan to upgrade so I went with the Dobinsons as well.. different tho because mine I could use the Leaf spring set up. I am testing my Rig out really for the first time by traveling to the east coast of Canada.. leaving tomorrow! just happen to see this video so had to reply! cheers

[@OutdoorAuto]

Have an awesome trip... that sounds like a good time.

[@sfbigdawg]

Did they switch to coil over springs in the Gen 3? I have a '21 with Alu-Cab cabin (just picking it up) and am contemplating the suspension upgrades I'll need. I don't plan on going extreme with my offroading, but would like to be able to handle a variety of terrain. It has the TRD upgrade package on an SR5, but 35K miles, so figured if I'm upgrading leaf springs, I should do the front & rear shocks at same time.

[@MSchumacherfan]

Great sport Rob

[@bluecruiser2019]

My LC200 is 6800 lbs. empty and when we are fully loaded it is 7800 lbs. I believe the stock weight was around 5900 or 6000. It doesn’t take long to max them out😬🤔

[@jamesmcgarry8660]

More than anything, I was surprised by the balance from corner to corner. That makes for a sturdy base.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yeah... both of us were pretty surprised by that.

[@dontask7898]

Tundras are made to go fast from gas pump to gas pump babay!!!

[@jaretmoskal5558]

Welcome to America Rob! We’re all a little overweight here lol. I love Toyotas but their payload capacity isn’t all that great. Have you considered an axel truss? If I were camping with my family almost full time I’d prefer an f250 honestly though. I really respect what you do. Camping with a 2 year old can’t be easy, but I can’t imagine a better bonding experience

[@fscottgray9784]

I know both of you will be honest about this. Good to see real life data.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Rob is a good sport and definitely and honest guy.

[@John-ke2jm]

This is why you shouldn't use a 1/2 truck for extreme overland builds. I'm not sure why people think Toyota's work for this. You need a 3/4 or probably a 1 ton truck for that much stuff.

[@Baebon6259]

Nah you need SAS up front and diesel engine like the LC 70s series.

[@andrewr2650]

You take a half ton pickup add heavier springs better shocks better brakes improved sway bars and higher capacity tires but the sticker doesn’t change. Similarly you take a 1 ton put softer springs, softer shocks a weaker sway bar and under inflate the tires and the sticker doesn’t change. I am well aware there are legal ramifications to what that sticker says, and I’m not advocating for using a half ton, but once you start swapping out parts and changing ride characteristics those stickers and the calculations used to print them are no longer an accurate representation of what is “safe” for your vehicle. Which is why in some states certain mods will get your vehicle designated off road only even if you make the vehicle stronger.

[@John-ke2jm]

@@andrewr2650 The frame,axles and drivetrain doesn’t change.

[@sfbigdawg]

Great build, good ideas for upgrading my Tundra with Alu-Cabin. Curious how he handles the water heater exhaust? Any issues with it venting inside?

[@BigWheelFab]

Nice rig but remember if you’re overweight and get into a wreck your insurance can deny you claim. If you hurt someone you can get sued and you will lose.

[@gunnybunnyak3311]

I love my ALU CAB! But where is his spare tire? I miss something?

[@LiterallyOverTheHillAdventures]

I have a Cascadia 100w on my 2018 JKU and have had it for almost 6 years and never had an issue with it and it keeps my batteries charged up rather well.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Is it a hood mounted one?

[@LiterallyOverTheHillAdventures]

@@OutdoorAuto yep.

[@Russianmafia10]

Can't forget plus passengers

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yeah.. that gets called out in the last minute of the video...

[@joncothranphotography9375]

Cool build! Thanks for sharing it! I love the colour of the rig as well. I wonder what the paint colour is?

[@jeepncj7]

It's a custom wrap.

[@joncothranphotography9375]

@@jeepncj7 Yes. I was wondering about the paint colour under the wrap...

[@jeepncj7]

@@joncothranphotography9375 If I remember right silver. Revere Overland goes over the paint I'm pretty sure when he goes over ordering it. I'd look at his older videos on the tundra and it should be mentioned.

[@citizenpark2782]

I feel the same way bout the Heretics

[@daves3016]

Hmmm 7895lbs, i have an 08 ive loaded down pretty good, this one looks heavy for sure. wow it is heavy - edit

[@bryzhouse8163]

I’ve been saying the average overland build is at least 600-1200 lbs overweight. Thanks guys for the reality check! Now you know why Australia’s use trailers a lot because in Australia and Canada they ticket you for being overweight. Again great video and useful information.

[@OutdoorAuto]

Rob was a great sport to let us make this video... and I agree it really is good info for people to have for reference.

[@John-ke2jm]

You absolutely should get tickets for being over in the US too. I'm so sick of seeing trucks with trailers and loaded up well over what they should be. Most of them probably don't even have all the upgrades this Tundra does.

[@bryzhouse8163]

@@John-ke2jm being a truck truck driver for 37 years I tend to agree we’re scrutinized everyday, but it would be interesting to find out from independent sources how far off the manufacturers are on their weight restrictions.

[@John-ke2jm]

@@bryzhouse8163 Well, I would be willing to bet they are very conservative, which they have to do for liability sake. They don't want someone 5-10 pounds under having something fail and blaming them. I also wouldn't be running a truck 800-1200 pounds over that rating. Rob doesn't seem to understand it's not JUST brakes and suspension, but it's frame, axles, transmission, that also impact that weight rating.

[@dustinationunknown]

So the Alucabin itself weighs about 500lbs lets say Rob weighs probably close to 200 lbs average male weight in US. Add 25 lbs for the kid. That leaves less than 1000 lbs to play with. What i would really like to know is how is gvrw calculated and how can we determine how our upgrades effect that number. I know legally it doesnt move the number at all, but changing components out definitely shifts the payload that can safely be carried either up or down.

[@jpentzien]

Don’t forget to add in passenger weight, all the baby gear. I knew it was heavy but woof. Is there any medications you can make to increase the GVWR or is that set in stone because of the frame?

[@RevereOverland]

That weight is with all the gear in it, but no driver/passengers! Unfortunately in the US there is no recertification process. In other countries I could get it raised based on my modifications.

[@OutdoorAuto]

This is true... I have always been curious how the recert process works in Australia.

[@jpentzien]

That’s interesting. So for a vehicle over weight other than decreasing gear and stream lining. Do you install braces or other safety devices to artificially inflate the GVWR so it’s safer to operate?

[@John-ke2jm]

@@RevereOverland you don't need one because NO ONE is checking. I've seen idiots with 1/2 ton trucks with fifth wheel trailers on them even. There is no one checking trailers or anything anyone is hauling in their trucks if it isn't commercial OTR trucking and weigh stations. But either way, the frame and axles are a BIG part of that rating that you haven't changed.

[@StlrNtn95]

​@John-ke2jm Nobody is checking....is that true if you were involved in an accident? I thought I read that in some states, they will take the vehicle to a scale, but I could be wrong.

[@johnhancock1855]

What’s the name of the E-bike?

[@chucklesthefireguy5356]

suspension upgrades help the real weight capacity limit. Springs and shocks etc all add up

[@chuckgmanleyphotos7197]

2 things Robs accent has become American with a hit of. The other earlier this year I was in Yosemite walking the west end of the Awhwanee meadow next to employee housing and see the Blue Tundra on an 80 inch screen. All while a spectacular sunset on Half Dome was starting. Rob won out of a sunset in Yosemite.

[@TrashPandaGarage]

Dang. 800 lbs over without occupants. Super nice truck, though.

[@MikeUtah]

That’s why all these big overland trucks need to be built on 3/4 or 1 ton trucks. You cannot do these builds on half tons.

[@brandonwebb4221]

The most shocking part is that the stock tundra is 1,000 pounds heavier than an f150

[@OutdoorAuto]

Huh? Yeah thats crazy.. I suppose it depends a lot on the trims and packages but I wouldn't have guessed even the most basic package was that light.

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

Ya my F-150's dry weight was 4550 lbs. So 1300+ lbs lighter then a stock Tundra. My fully loaded & fully fuelled travel weight is around 6260 lbs with me in the truck which is probably over 2200 lbs lighter, then Robs build, and my GVWR is now 7866 lbs which is about 1600 lbs higher than my travel weight.

[@MV-Dan]

Cool truck. Still more impressed at living this lifestyle with a two year old😂

[@markausa9057]

Rob’s face when he heard it was over 8K 😂

[@OutdoorAuto]

Yeah, nobody can accuse us of staging this stuff... he was genuinely surprised

[@markausa9057]

@@OutdoorAuto for sure! Great video and breakdown of Rob’s build. Now help him save weight lol