Living With Khaya: Finale
In a stark contrast to exploring the high-elevation four-wheel drive routes of the Rocky Mountains, I found myself at a rural Pennsylvania campground, sandwiched between large camper trailers. The Toyota Tacoma equipped with an Alu-Cab Khaya Camper was out of its element, and so was I.
Primitive backwoods camping opportunities are few and far between in Lancaster County, and my goal was to be close to family - so I made a reservation at a local campground, sight unseen. While the facility was pleasant, and accommodating, it wasn’t quite the quiet, natural experience I was hoping for.
Cole in the Khaya
My fifteen year old son, Cole, joined me in the Khaya Camper for one night. Whether or not he has stopped growing yet remains to be seen, but in the past year, he overshot me, obviously a recipient of the taller genes on his mom’s side of the family.
We spent some time bonding; enjoyed a campfire, and hot dogs. Then we settled into the Khaya for the night.
The interior of the Khaya, for all intents and purposes, has two configurations. It has a living configuration, where the sleeping platform is pushed up to the ceiling, and one can stand up and walk around. Then it has the sleeping configuration, where the platform is lowered, and one or two people can sleep up in the tent portion utilizing the full length and width of the camper.
Due to the Khaya’s efficient use of space, making this transition from the living to the sleeping configuration is tricky with two people. However, after some careful maneuvering, we got ourselves situated.
The sleeping platform is a bit larger than that in my Jeep, which was greatly appreciated! We were able to sleep comfortably, individually, and neither of us woke up in the middle of the night to find our arms awkwardly draped over each other.
We both enjoyed a night of sound sleep!
Transitioning Out
Following a few more days of quality time with my son Cole, I made my way to my parents’ house, where I would transition out of the truck, and prepare it for its return to OK4WD.
A few weeks prior, the Tacoma was at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff, Arizona, and the vehicle was gleaming. Since then, it had been in the mountains, in the woods, in the mud, and even in some snow. It had dramatically changed from a showroom centerpiece into a well-used adventure-mobile.
Furthermore, the interior was dusty, a carbonated beverage had exploded while I was driving, and it now smelled like dirty socks. There was no way that I was going to return it to its owners in its current condition.
I gathered my gear, making sure that all of my personal belongings were accounted for, and then I spent the afternoon giving the Tacoma a thorough hand-wash!
The next day, I delivered the shiny, clean truck to OK4WD in New Jersey, ensuring them that the journey was made without incident - with the exception of the exploded beverage.
Closing Thoughts
The Toyota Tacoma is comfortable and extremely capable. Equipped with two ARB Air-Lockers, the truck went wherever it was pointed without complaint. Clearance was sufficient for most degraded primitive roads one might encounter, and the Old Man Emu BP-51 suspension system gracefully beared the addition load without squatting or bouncing.
The BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2s are my current tires of choice, and they provided the traction, ride-quality, and peace-of-mind that I have become accustomed to on my own vehicle.
While most domestic bed-campers are configured for cramped indoor living, the rugged Khaya Camper by Alu-Cab inspires outdoor living. Storage compartments open to the outside of the vehicle. Likewise, the shower and camp table are stowed on the outside of the vehicle, and the Alu-Cab Shadow-Awn opens up to provide a massive amount of shelter from the sun and the rain.
I loved the robust electrical system, with two underhood batteries by Off-Grid Engineering, and a house battery under a solar recharge system ensuring that power is never completely depleted.
I was also extremely fond of the on-board propane stove, 22 gallon water tank, sink, and pressurized water system. These items are luxuries that I quickly got used to!
Coming from a Jeep equipped with a camper-top, I was right at home in the Tacoma equipped with the Khaya Camper. The entire platform is more generously sized than my Jeep, but not so much that its mobility is inhibited on primitive roads. It’s right in that “goldilocks zone” of being spacious and comfortable, but still agile and manageable on technical trails.
This is a vehicle for adventurers who aren’t content at the local campground. It is an overlanding-platform for those who aspire to seek out unknown places along forgotten roads, and then stay there for a few days, weeks... or even months.
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