At the Las Vegas 2021 SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) Show, Booth No. 24800 was buzzing over the debut of the Tacozilla Tacoma Camper. There, the Tacozilla evoked a micro-house image while drumming up major 70s/80s nostalgia.

Paying homage to the iconic Toyota campers more common on the open highways decades ago, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport pickup caught plenty of well-merited attention at the Las Vegas Convention Center where adventure-minded fans gathered around to scope out the marvel.

The 100% custom ride was designed and constructed by Marty Schwerter and his team at the Toyota Motorsports Garage. Their goal, as Schwertered commented in the promotional video below, was to ensure the final product didn’t “look like a refrigerator on the back of a truck.”

This instinct led to the final design’s rounded edges. Whereas some may first find themselves drawn to sharper edges, the inspired round forms better complement the body of the Tacoma. That’s at least what Toyota’s team asserts.

The overhaul got underway by removing the Toyota Tacoma’s bed to open up space for an RV-style layout. One challenge the team discovered was ensuring the living area was high enough for a tall person to stand comfortably.

After a test frame, a permanent structure was built by the Toyota Motorsports Garage team. As an off-roading vehicle, the automobile has a form that is set out to avoid an unexpected collision with rubble, tree branches, or other obstacles.

Some elements of the Tacoma remain, however. For example, the rear fender flares and the camper’s wheel well openings appear familiar despite minor modifications for clearances. For optimal traction, 285/70/17 General Tire Grabber X3 all-terrain tires were added.

Toyota

Toyota

Toyota

Toyota

Toyota

Schwerter wanted to construct a car that was “engineered correctly but also made to look really cool.” It appears that the mission has now been accomplished.