The world of overlanding and outdoor adventure gets a jolt of retro charm and modern capability with the Toyota Tacozilla Tacoma camper. Unveiled at the 2021 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas, this concept vehicle is Toyota’s bold tribute to its iconic campers of the 1970s and 80s, reimagined for today’s adventurous spirit. Based on the robust Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup, the Tacozilla is not just a camper; it’s a fully-fledged “micro-house” designed to conquer the backwoods in style and comfort.
Paying Homage to Toyota’s Camper Heritage with a Modern Twist
In an era where downsizing meets the yearning for exploration, Toyota has masterfully blended these trends with the Tacozilla. This concept is a direct nod to the classic Toyota campers that became synonymous with freedom and adventure decades ago. Lisa Materazzo, Group Vice President of Toyota Division Marketing, emphasized Tacozilla’s role as “an outstanding symbol of Toyota’s go-anywhere brand promise,” resonating with owners passionate about overlanding and outdoor pursuits. The sheer presence of the Tacozilla, whether at SEMA or deep in the campsite, is designed to be unforgettable.
Design Philosophy: Cool Looks and Functional Engineering
The creation of Tacozilla was spearheaded by Marty Schwerter and his team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage. Their primary goal was to move beyond the conventional “refrigerator on a truck” aesthetic often associated with campers. Schwerter’s vision was clear: “Our goal was to build a vehicle that is engineered correctly but also made to look really cool. Being around race cars my whole life, race cars are cool looking. I want campers to be cool looking, too.” This design ethos is evident in every curve and contour of the Tacozilla.
Opting for rounded edges and smooth aluminum surfaces, the design team ensured that the camper body seamlessly integrates with the Tacoma’s lines, creating a cohesive and polished look. This approach, while more challenging than simply using sharp angles, results in a camper that is as visually appealing as it is functional.
Crafting the Tacozilla: Overcoming Design and Structural Challenges
The build process began with removing the Tacoma’s original bed to assess and modify the chassis. A key challenge was achieving sufficient interior height. As Schwerter explained, “The team needed to go below frame height in order for a person to be able to stand up inside.” This necessitated shrinking and relocating various components to maximize vertical space within the camper shell, ensuring comfortable headroom for occupants over 6 feet tall.
The Toyota Motorsports Garage team meticulously constructed a basic camper frame for initial fit and dimension testing, followed by refining and reinforcing the structure. The camper’s tapered shape, narrower at the top and bottom, was intentionally designed to enhance maneuverability on off-road trails, reducing the risk of snagging on trees and obstacles. However, this unique shape presented fabrication complexities, particularly with the rear door. Rejecting a simpler flat door as visually incongruous, the team dedicated over 100 hours to designing a curved rear door that maintained the integrated aesthetic.
Another critical engineering hurdle was creating a robust pass-through opening between the Tacoma cabin and the camper. This required significant structural reinforcement to ensure the combined structure could withstand the stresses of off-road driving. The solution allowed the cabin and camper to flex independently on uneven terrain without compromising structural integrity or driving safety.
Enhancements for Overlanding Prowess
To maintain the Tacoma’s rugged DNA, the original rear fender flares were ingeniously adapted to fit the camper’s wheel well openings. The suspension was lifted by two inches over the standard Tacoma TRD Sport setup, providing enhanced ground clearance for challenging terrains. Traction is further improved with the addition of 285/70/17 General Tire Grabber X3 all-terrain tires, ensuring confident grip in diverse conditions.
Mid-project refinements further elevated the Tacozilla’s functionality and appeal. A large pop-up Lexan skylight was integrated to flood the interior with natural light, improve air circulation, and add valuable headroom. The fuel tank filler was relocated and isolated from the camper to prevent fuel fumes from entering the living space, and a secondary battery was installed in the engine bay to augment power supply without encroaching on camper space.
Interior Comfort and Retro Style
Complete Customs in McKinney, Texas, played a crucial role in the Tacozilla project, providing customization expertise and handling the striking paintwork. The exterior features a white base coat accented with a vintage-inspired yellow, orange, and bronze color scheme, echoing the Toyota campers of yesteryear.
The fully insulated interior lives up to the “micro-house” concept, boasting teak sauna-style flooring, a complete bathroom with a hot-water shower, and a fully equipped kitchen featuring a stove and sink. A unique 3D-printed dining table ingeniously converts into illuminated wall art, and ample sleeping space ensures comfortable rest after a day of adventure.
Tacozilla: More Than a Concept, a Vision for Adventure
The Toyota Tacozilla Tacoma camper is more than just a show vehicle; it’s a testament to Toyota’s ongoing commitment to innovation and adventure. It embodies the spirit of overlanding while paying a stylish tribute to Toyota’s rich history of camper vehicles. While officially a prototype project with non-genuine parts, the Tacozilla ignites the imagination and sets a new benchmark for what a compact, go-anywhere camper can be. For those dreaming of hitting the trails in a rig that’s equal parts retro cool and modernly capable, the Toyota Tacozilla Tacoma camper is an outrageous and inspiring vision of the future of overlanding.
