SS 500 Backpack Question

[TruckCamperNewby]

We want to purchase the SS 500 Backpack for our 2022 Toyota Tacoma. It is a 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive with a black plastic liner in the truck bed. Does anyone have one of these campers in a similar vehicle? Just wonder how it is working out for you?


Also, can the camper go directly on top of the plastic liner or would it have to be removed and if so, how do we remove it because we purchased the truck with the liner already installed in it.


Thank you!

[bikendan]

What does the driver's door payload capacity sticker say your max payload is?

It should say something like "Occupants and cargo should not exceed xxxxlbs". The driver is considered as an Occupant and their weight has to be subtracted from the truck's payload capacity.
Personally I don't think a 4cyl Tacoma is enough truck. Can I ask why you didn't buy one with the v-6, if you intended to put a truck camper on it?

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[TruckCamperNewby]

Thanks so much for your reply! The door sticker on the truck says 1500 lbs. We actually wanted a 6 cylinder but at the time we made the purchase, inventory at our local dealerships was very low and they said anything else might take a few months to get. My husband's 2017 Tacoma was totaled in an accident and he didn't want to have to wait a few months on finding something else. Also, at the time we purchased the 2022 Tacoma we did not know we would ever want a truck camper. My husband just decided he wanted one about a week ago.

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by TruckCamperNewby

We want to purchase the SS 500 Backpack for our 2022 Toyota Tacoma. It is a 4 cylinder, 2 wheel drive with a black plastic liner in the truck bed. Does anyone have one of these campers in a similar vehicle? Just wonder how it is working out for you?

Also, can the camper go directly on top of the plastic liner or would it have to be removed and if so, how do we remove it because we purchased the truck with the liner already installed in it.

Thank you!

I'm with Dan--doubtful that the truck will be safe;

Designed for compact trucks. Ship Weight: 1,197 lb. Exterior Length: 12' 8"; Exterior Height: 6' 0"; Exterior Width: 76"; Floor Length: 6' 0" ...

Your truck payload is 1500 lbs. The camper weighs 1200 empty. The two of you maybe weigh 250. That leaves only 50 lbs. for food, water, bedding, dishes, utensils, grill, cooking gear, etc. You're gonna be overloaded.

I started this response planning to explain how to remove a bedliner and got sidetracked above. To remove it, starting at the tailgate, put your hand under it in the center and lift up a few inches. That will pull the sides in and down. Unhook one side at the back and move forward, lifting at the center and unhooking one side. When that side is free, it's easy to unhook the other side.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by TruckCamperNewby

Thanks so much for your reply! The door sticker on the truck says 1500 lbs. We actually wanted a 6 cylinder but at the time we made the purchase, inventory at our local dealerships was very low and they said anything else might take a few months to get. My husband's 2017 Tacoma was totaled in an accident and he didn't want to have to wait a few months on finding something else. Also, at the time we purchased the 2022 Tacoma we did not know we would ever want a truck camper. My husband just decided he wanted one about a week ago.

Very rarely is a payload capacity end in 00.
Did you just round off the number or can you post a pic of the payload sticker?
The fictional dry weight of the camper is already at 1200lbs. That's with no battery, no water, no factory options, no dealer add-ons and no cargo.
Even if the payload capacity is 1500, that only leaves 300lbs for all that and the weights of anyone in the truck and any truck cargo.
Sadly yor truck is not enough tor even this small truck camper.
Here's the camper specs:
https://palominorv.com/backpack-truc...er/SS-500/6350
Generally it's recommended that newbies find the RV that they want first, THEN find the appropriate vehicle to be to use it.
Truck Campers are heavy and always eat up payload faster, than towing a trailer.
At this point only a popup or very small trailer are your options.

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[TruckCamperNewby]

Yes, it does say 1500. Would you or anyone else be able to suggest the name of a truck camper that might be more suitable?


Thanks so much for your help!

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by TruckCamperNewby

Yes, it does say 1500. Would you or anyone else be able to suggest the name of a truck camper that might be more suitable?


Thanks so much for your help!

Nope, not for a 4 cyl Tacoma.


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[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by TruckCamperNewby

Yes, it does say 1500. Would you or anyone else be able to suggest the name of a truck camper that might be more suitable?

Thanks so much for your help!

Well, maybe...

You could get a pickup topper (shell) and one of those tents that attaches. See these, for example.

Some of them attach without a topper.

Not being snarky. Just trying to suggest something that meets requirements.

[TruckCamperNewby]

Thanks for these recommendations!



I have decided to focus on looking at campers we can tow with this truck instead. The manual says towing capability is 3500 lbs. I was told that means we should actually purchase a camper that is closer to 2500 lbs. If anyone has ideas of what I should look for I would appreciate those as well!

[Larry-NC]

Originally Posted by TruckCamperNewby

Thanks for these recommendations!

I have decided to focus on looking at campers we can tow with this truck instead. The manual says towing capability is 3500 lbs. I was told that means we should actually purchase a camper that is closer to 2500 lbs. If anyone has ideas of what I should look for I would appreciate those as well!

Good thought! But now you need some more education. Payload still comes into play.

The smallest trailers have one axle (=two wheels). Those trailers put about 15% of their weight onto the hitch--that counts as payload. Bigger trailers have two axles and typically only put 10-12% of their weight on the hitch, but, of course, they weigh more.

It would be a GOOD IDEA to see what the maximum hitch weight for that Tacoma is.

Here's an example. This is just an example. It's the first one I picked.

This is an RPOD-171. The dry weight is 2937 lbs. You would add:
Battery: 65 lbs.
Full fresh water tank: 30 x 8.3 lbs = 249 lbs.
Supplies, clothes, furnishings = 250 lbs.
Total ~ 3400 lbs.

Real Hitch weight = 3400 * 15% = 510 lbs. Need to see if this is over the limit for the Tacoma.

I'm sure there are lighter trailers than this one.