Is An Overland Build Right For You? - Pros, Cons, & Alternatives | Toyota Tacoma Build

While overland builds are a huge trend right now there are things you should look into before making a decision on whether to go this route. This video covers my personal issues and other options you might want to pursue!

All items used in this build can be found here:

Photography can be found on Instagram or TikTok @BootNCrank

Camera Equipment:
Gopro Hero 9 - Main Camera
Gopro Hero 6 - Dash Cam
Nikon Z6 with Nikkor 28-200mm Lens
DJI Air2S

Rode VideoMicro Mic (Main Mic)
Rode Lapel Mic (MTB Mic)

Music from Epidemic Sound

Segments:
Intro 0:00
My Build 0:51
Experiences 1:41
Pros 2:57
Con - Weather 3:40
Con - Storage 4:45
Remaining Cons 5:32
Alternatives 7:34

Oh hey there, if you're reading this you've found where I try to improve my search engine optimization using keywords, enjoy! Toyota Tacoma Overland 2nd gen roof rack rtt smittybuilt ikamper tepui falken lift suspension auxbeam prinsu mod rig build mods offroad review pros cons alternatives

[PNW_Bison]

Great pros/cons video. Feels very honest, nicely done!

[brentmoreland]

Great and honest video! Some very good points and things to consider. I’ll be starting my build here in a few weeks when my truck arrives. You’ve given me lots to think about. Thanks!

[devinbraun]

I have an F150 4x4 short bed with a cap on it. For a decade now, I spend most of my summer overlanding around the western US backpacking, biking, climbing, kayaking or just chilling in backcountry campsites. Occasionally solo, but usually with a few of my teenage kids or the whole family of 6 ( why I have crew cab and bench front seat: 3x3). I watch vids and read magazines pondering fancy overland builds or off road trailers. However, after doing the decision matrix, I always come back to what we are already doing - pitching tents on the ground with a well organized load plan in the caped shortbed - cooking case, pantry case, duffle with 3-4 tents in it, duffle with sleep bags, duffle w/sleep mats, case w/ climbing gear, up to 6 backpacks, recovery case, 20 gal of water, 2 metal Jerry cans of fuel, 2x maxtrax, cooler, case w/dehydrated and freeze dried meals for backpacking, 1 inflatable kayak, 1 folding kayak, 4 bike rack on hitch. Each person has a small gym style bag in the cab w/few changes of clothes, their toiletries and personal electronics; rain and cold weather gear is normally kept in the backpacks. The cases form a layer across the bottom of the bed, duffles, backpacks, etc are on top of the cases. Least used stuff goes to the front ( kayaks, recovery, etc.., most used in back by the tailgate (cooler, food and cook stuff), w/ tents and sleep bags on top. We can pull into a spot, have the tents up w/ pads and sleep bags in them in <10 min - my family has it down to a well choreographed drill. If the bugs aren’t bad and rain isn’t likely, we just cowboy camp under the stars sans tents. If we have to tear down wet, we shake as much loose water off the tents as possible loosely ball them up and put in the back of the truck. If it’s not raining anymore, we open the cap windows and the tents air dried as we cruise along. It’s the cheapest set up, offers the most versatility, requires least vehicle mods

[SigmaWolfOutdoors]

6' bed with camper shell ..Windoors...sleeping platform with slide out kitchen ...has worked well for me

[richardpalmer]

I love my camper shell build, highly recommend it.

[Atlas.XX]

Nice video, good info. Bad ass truck. Thanks for sharing.

[DronesOverHaines]

I'm surprised you didn't go with a taller rack system to allow for more storage under the iKamper; would also allow for a dry spot when unfavorable weather. But love the build. Toyotas are perfect for this type of off-roading. Excellent Build!

[tacodrewww]

I’m honestly over my bed rack, still love the RTT, I got the same set up I made custom brackets to fit my truxedo cover, but I’m thinking of going with canopy to get more space in bed, good video laying down the TRUTH hahaha 🤙

[markdeseno]

Thanks! Seems you would really have to camp a LOT to have your DD set up like that. Researching hard covers like the Diamondback HD for security, load/weight on top benefits, and other non-permanent/modular load ups just for when camping... and then easy disassembly to empty for everyday use. I'll figure out to "Marine Corps" it into being adequate, but convenient at the same time.... somehow, LOL. Thanks for the tips!

[boydbrown]

Thanks for the honest breakdown of your build. I was considering the ikamper but wondered about the downsides. The comment about moisture settled it for me...I need to go another route.

[carminered]

ground tents for life. too much rain on our adventures.

[aceyorba]

Ran into you today at the blackstar trailhead. Hope you had a great trek..
Subd...

[felrjwi]

Man I spent 2k on a 04 Jeep WJ and sleep in the back with the seats down flat and a roll up pad. I put a cheap roof top cargo box and called it a day. Overland rig done. My whole rig cost marginally more than your rooftop tent alone. I do have a box of recovery gear and a traction board too if you want to include the in the price then maybe 3k total.

[Sergiopx]

It's a cat and mouse game. Always a pro and con. I have a similar set up with out the cover. I agree with camper shell the way to go.

[dadventuretv]

Great vid. Love the honesty. Hanging stuff off the outside or putting it on a rack on top may look cool, but man it kils mpg. Combine that with the added weight, an aftermarket bumpere and winch, and the grippier, wider rubber we put on our rigs and it combines to just slay fuel economy. Seriously consider a metal cap- I went Alu-cab on my Gladiator but RSI Smartcap is another popular option. You can access gear from flip up sides which eliminates need for slide outs which weigh a ton. They dont weigh that much compared to alternatives and for what you get (mine is 125 lbs). You can store stuff on ceiling to maximize use of space. I have my max tracks and shovel up there, plus a net attic for my kotb clothes. With front wheel off, seat down and rear wheel forward I can even fit my mtb in there, which is good cause I carry it on me 24/7. Roof has like a 700 lb ststic and 350 lb dynamic load capacity, so when you go on a trip you can put a RTT or gear up there. I carry 24/7 my mtb and related gear and helmets etc, all my recovery gear including hi-lift, max tracks, shovels, straps etc, hammock, sleeping pad, chairs, small table, flashlights, popup changing/shoering/toilet privacy shelter. And it all fits in bed, safe and secure, with no water or dust intrusion. When I go on a trip I just toss in cooling and eating stuff and grill/stove, big table and ground tent and Im off. Check out Quechua 2 second fresh and black two or three person pop up tent by decathalon

[vinnyvidivici]

Do you have a build video or a closer look of how you built your slide out? I have a 3rd Gen and I’m looking at building a simple bed slide with heavy duty drawer slides where I can attach the slide rails to the factory bed mounts. And from what I can tell, your rails are attached to your bed without the need of an outer frame. Thanks in advance!

[colnando]

Long Bed topper build is the direction I choose. Then I through a rack on top and prepped it for a RRT if needed. Sleeps 4 that way.

[D_Cali_Life]

$1, 800 for the ikamper ? Where ? 🤔
My ikamper mini for the Tacoma
Was $4, 000 New last month
😲

[jefft]

Great thanks for the walk through. Overlanding is off grid vehicle dependent travel.

[SmokeB]

Upgrade your leaf springs with some heavy duty ones. You’ll get better gas. I have old man emu on my 2010 taco pulling a Apex Nano camper trailer. Made a huge difference.