New rig - Toyota Townace Camper Van - Exterior Needs

[Toyolo_VanLife]

Just recently acquired this 1991 Toyota Camper Van. Super excited to get it dialed in further, I just installed a D2 airtronic heater into the other week, so far so good.

I have hopes to use this during the ski season and need to figure out a viable solution for storage, so far I have two ideas:

1. Installing a Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform on top of the pop-up top and add load assist hinges for the new extra weight... however the only way to access the roof with be adding a ladder, probably requires customer work.
2. Installing a rear hitch and bumper, however it would require complete custom fabrication, because of the rareness of the vehicle and water tanks in the back.

I guess I'm wondering if I should avoid adding anything to the roof/fiberglass body? It's the quickest and potentially the cheaper way to added storage, but i know it'll impact the MPG. Are there other reasons not to?


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[Clutch]

So much awesome...need some interior shots!

I would go with a rear bumper or even just a hitch...and use a receiver hitch rack for the skis. Though, imagine the skis would get trashed from road grime back there. Somehow attach a roof box to the back of it, so the skis are protected.

 

[Traveling 2gether Journal]

First of all: Awesome vehicle!!

I wouldn't worry about adding weight to the fiberglass. It's easy to strengthen by adding more glass at mounting points or if you mount the rack and find it is too much for the roof, it is easy to repair and improve at that time. But it would result in more wind resistance and a raised center of gravity.

I like clutch's idea of a box on back. It would increase your overall length, but it would probably be less of a negative effect on fuel efficiency and easier to access your gear.

 

[AaronK]

That thing is awesome!

Sent from my OnePlus One using Tapatalk.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

That is awesome, true transfer case with 4-lo in a compact camper with a reliable engine, doesn't get much better than that. Those came in both manual and automatic, were you lucky enough to get the manual?

 

[Toyolo_VanLife]

Will post more pics soon!

Ski box on the back would be too long with the license plate and rear window. So its a custom hitch with ski rack or the Pioneer Rack and ladder for top access.

Its a 5 speed manual Toyota 2C Diesel engine - 66k miles on it.