Key Takeaways
- Toyota's motorhomes from the 70s and 80s were popular among outdoor enthusiasts due to their reliability, design, size, fuel efficiency, and off-road capabilities.
- Toyota's new Tacozilla Tacoma Camper, revealed at SEMA 2021, pays tribute to the classic models with its stylish and eye-catching design.
- The Tacozilla combines retro elements with modern aesthetics and offers a powerful engine, off-road capabilities, and a comfortable interior with amenities like a bathroom, kitchen, sleeping room, and dining area. Unfortunately, it is only a concept vehicle and not available for purchase.
Toyota is renowned for producing some of the coolest Japanese cars ever made. And that same coolness extends to their motorhomes as well. During the 70s and 80s, Toyota campers were generally well-regarded and gained popularity among outdoor enthusiasts due to their reliability, eye-catching design, compact size, fuel efficiency, and off-road capabilities. One of the most iconic campers from that era is the Toyota Chinook RV Camper. Its camping rig was built on the second-gen Hilux truck platform, making it a reliable and tough house on wheels that could handle years of rough adventures without difficulty.
As a tribute to the classic models, Toyota revealed the Tacozilla Tacoma Camper at the 2021 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Designed and built by Marty Schwerter and his team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage, the modern motorhome excels in style, comfort, and functionality. Toyota has especially fashioned the Tacozilla with style in mind, as they didn't want it to look like some boring old fridge strapped to a truck – they wanted it to stand out and turn heads. Indeed, the Tacozilla turned out to be one seriously cool and good-looking motorhome, thanks to its commanding presence, orange and yellow stripes, rounded edges, sleek aluminum surfaces, bronze 17-inch wheels, and an impressive rear door that required 100 hours of dedicated design work. Here's a detailed look back at the cool-looking Toyota Tacoma Truck Camper.
A Proper Blast From The Past
As mentioned, Toyota offered several iconic RVs in the '70s and '80s. Among these, the Toyota Chinook was a particularly well-liked choice. It was a result of a collaboration between Toyota and an RV company known as Chinook, and was the first Toyota motorhome. This popular RV was known for its compact size and nifty pop-top roof. Then, there was the Toyota Sunrader, which was a bit larger and perfect for those seeking more space and amenities. Yet another well-known Toyota RV was the Toyota Dolphin, a charming little camper with a cozy interior. Back in the day, these RVs were absolute showstoppers with their attention-grabbing design, roomy and comfy interiors, dependable performance, and solid build quality. Unfortunately, as the years passed, these models couldn't withstand the test of time. Some succumbed to the challenges they faced, likely due to a lack of proper maintenance. So, getting your hands on a well-preserved Toyota RV from that era can be quite a challenge.
In an effort to let today's generation experience the thrill and greatness of the original campers and pay homage to those beloved models, Toyota unveiled the Tacoma Tacozilla in 2021. Based on the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup, the Tacozilla truly embodies the spirit and greatness of the classic campers from the past. In particular, its retro-modern exterior design masterfully combines the nostalgic elements of the old-school campers with the sleek and stylish aesthetics of modern design, allowing it to evoke feelings of nostalgia while maintaining a trendy and contemporary appeal.
Most Popular Classic Toyota Motorhomes
- Toyota Chinook
- Toyota Sunrader
- Toyota Dolphin
- Winnebago Warrior
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Plenty Of Grunt To Get Moving
The Toyota camper truck is more than just a pretty face, however. It packs a punch, with its mighty 3.5-liter V6 engine pumping out an impressive 278 horsepower. That power finds its way to the wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
In addition to its strong performance, the Tacozilla has desirable features that enable it to navigate tough off-road conditions. It offers a substantial 5 centimeters of extra ground clearance over the standard Tacoma and 285/70/17 General Tire Grabber X3 all-terrain tires that should ensure a smooth ride and firm grip on challenging terrain.
Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla Performance Specs
Engine | 3.5-liter V6 |
Power | 278 hp |
Torque | 265 lb-ft |
Transmission | 6-speed manual |
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A Fine Balance Between Comfort And Utility
The Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla takes comfort and utility seriously, offering a fully insulated and comfortable cabin with teak sauna-style floors and modern amenities that provide great comfort. It features a bathroom complete with a shower, as well as a fully equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, and even a dishwasher to make the camping experience as comfortable and convenient as possible. In addition, the Tacozilla offers a sleeping room, a dining area with a 3D-printed dining table, and a couple of sofas for lounging and unwinding after a long day of adventures.
Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla Interior Highlights
- Teak sauna-style floors
- Sleeping room
- 3D-printed dining table
- Sofas
- Fully equipped kitchen with a stove, refrigerator, and a dishwasher
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How Much Is The Tacozilla And Can You Buy It?y
Unfortunately, the Toyota Tacoma Tacozilla is simply a concept vehicle and cannot be purchased by consumers. It was introduced as a creative concept to showcase the capabilities and imagination of the Toyota design team.
While it may be disheartening not to be able to purchase the Tacozilla, there is a positive side to it; the Tacozilla can serve as a wellspring of inspiration for designing and building your own camper that suits your unique taste and requirements perfectly. If you need further inspiration, you'll be glad to know that the overlanding community offers a plethora of exceptionally crafted custom camper options that can ignite your creativity. However, if you're inclined towards purchasing a small RV rather than building one, we have done the legwork to identify and present the best options available for your consideration.
