James Chapman
Missoula, MT
Escape Rig: 2011 Toyota Tundra Crewmax + X1 Camper
James Chapman likes his coffee black and his truck stock. Owner of Black Rock Coffee Roasters in Missoula, MT he intentionally kept the build out of his 2011 Tundra simple, allowing him to roll up, pop the top, and have total comfort at the campsite in minutes. Just a simple, solid rig - built for the long haul- for a man who knows the value of strong coffee, and a comfortable bed.
Your rig's nickname?
Tumbleweed
What mods have you made to your truck?
Stock for now. Thinking about adding an ARB bumper and 2 inch lift. But currently love driving this stock.
What was your goal with your camper build out?
"We are oriented towards general car camping that also includes mountain bikes and fishing. But with regards to the camper, we've got it set up with the door gear storage for things that you want quick and easy... Coffee, lights, and bed inflation. That way when we roll in late there is no digging in to find the simple, quick things. We carry a stove and fuel and Grayl kettle in one storage bag. Coffee, grinder, and French Press in another, with a third dedicated to lights and mattress inflation."
Build Highlights:
We added a BamBed platform which for the crewmax Tundra allows for a U-shaped platform and a the piece that fills the U can be slid into place anytime allowing for a full platform when in. This allows sitting and easy moving around, as well as sliding in a large cooler while traveling, but for a full platform downstairs at night.
In addition to the BamBed, we use ToughBuilt boxes which are nearly identical to the BamBed in height allowing for a sort of extension of the Bambed over the tailgate for sleeping two people fully downstairs. These boxes are affordable, super rugged, waterproof, and lock when stacked making a nice work space in camp. We also have the Yakima 270 awning to make for full weather coverage over the side as well as the tailgate. A simple but fantastic addition has been the ASG tent awning for making the upstairs tent flap into an awning for rain and shade alike. Great addition!
What's Your Favorite piece of gear?
"...I don't know if it's my "favorite" piece of gear, but the Dometic sink is surprisingly nice to have."
What's the best unexpected benefit of owning your X1?
"The X1 itself is the ultimate starting piece of gear. It's so easy getting gear in and out of the side of the topper. Being able to roll into a camp spot late, in bad weather, doesn't matter."
What's your favorite thing about your setup?
"I love how easy, low-profile, and stoutly built the X1 is and it fits with my old truck so well. I'm hard on gear. We use it a ton. This is clearly built to last.
It functions so incredibly nice just as a topper for everyday use. The single handed latches and completely open side doors with rain gutters is just killer."
What’s your favorite adventure you've taken?
"We've done a ton of camping in it in under a year from Montana to Oregon, Colorado, Utah, Idaho... Some of my favorite times I've appreciated it though were not in the midst of remote camping, but on roadtrips when we can pull into just off the highway camp spots late and in bad weather and pop the top and get a great nights sleep without setting up a tent in the snow or mud."
Words of wisdom for other adventurers?
"My final thoughts on this come to the quality of the X1. It’s just so damn well built. From the hinges to the handles, to the tent. No truck bed on earth is ever going to be 100% dust-proof or leak proof, but this thing is damn close."