This Unique Toyota Hilux Motorhome Can Handle Serious Off-Roading [Video]
A number of adventure enthusiasts in the country are now converting their SUVs and pickup trucks into off-road, adventure-ready motorhomes. Recently, a video of India's most extreme and only flatbed pop-up camper, built based on a Toyota Hilux, has been shared online. This particular Hilux, despite being laden with a complete camper setup, is capable of performing extreme off-roading.
The video showing this unique Toyota Hilux camper has been shared on YouTube by Camper Dynamics on their page. It starts off with the host mentioning that this particular Toyota Hilux is India's first flatbed pop-up camper, which has been built for long overlanding trips. Following this, she then gives a detailed exterior as well as interior tour of this Hilux motorhome named Basecamp.
Starting off with the exterior and construction of this Hilux camper, the host mentions that the camper setup of this truck is based on the rear bed and maintains the original chassis. Also, this setup can be easily transferred to any other pickup truck. It is a custom aluminium setup that weighs 200 kg and replaces the stock bed.
The overall weight of this camper is around 550–600 kg; despite this, it still is one of the lightest in its category. Moving on to the design, the presenter highlights that it boasts a streamlined front design, which reduces drag and improves the aerodynamic efficiency of this heavy vehicle on highways. She then adds that it gets a pop-up roof system, which uses customized gas struts for easy roof lifting.
In terms of exterior lighting, it gets amber-colored marker lights. It also gets an AC power inlet, solar power inlet, retractable awning with built-in lights, foldable grab handle, double-layer mesh entrance door, hatch windows, and heavy-duty wheel arch storage. Apart from these, it also comes with a custom MOLLE panel for mounting fuel cans, traction boards, and a shovel.
After showing the exterior design, the presenter then moves to the interior of this pickup truck camper. She mentions that customers can either opt for a scissor ladder or a foldable ladder. She then uses the same ladder to open up six latches, which enable the pop-up camper setup to open up. On the inside, this camper gets light beige walls, wood-style flooring, and gray laminated furniture built out of marine-grade plywood.
For utility, the camper gets general storage space on top, battery housing and electrical system storage, a foldable toilet, and space for cleaning supplies. It also gets multiple power outlets and controls for roof lights, awning lights, and the ventilation vent. For sleeping, this camper is equipped with a queen-sized bed with a 3-inch foam mattress, storage under the bed, a storage pouch for a phone, ceiling fan, warm white lights, and an 18-litre tank for fresh water.
Additionally, to prepare food inside the camper, it is offered with a counter equipped with a hidden sink, space for a stove, foldable panels for extra working space, a dedicated 5-litre gas cylinder, a switchboard with sockets, and switches for the pump and bed lights. The same rear space can also be used for seating. In the same video, this particular Hilux camper is also shown performing some serious off-roading.