Experimental vehicle for the next Tacoma

Let’s Chill Out! is a new style event that combines car shows and auto camping around outdoor and custom cars. In 2023, the event was held in Saitama Prefecture on October 7-8, where a wide variety of cars, including classic cars, American cars, and campers, gathered to enjoy camping. Let us introduce some of the cars and owners that caught our attention at the event.

He chose a pickup model that does not carry gear inside

Mr. Shinya Fujimaki’s family enjoyed events and camping in their 2017 Toyota Hilux, an overland-style pickup truck. They enjoy camping and had previously enjoyed it in a domestic SUV, but for one reason or another, they decided to purchase a pickup model.

“I decided to buy a truck type because I didn’t want to make the interior dirty and I wanted to carry a lot of luggage, I had been thinking about it for a year, but I decided on the Hilux because I could buy it at a dealer. I also had my eye on a reimported Tacoma, but that came next.”

Car selection with Leitner design

In addition to being available at dealers, he said that one of the reasons he chose the Hilux was because he wanted to add a Leitner-designed rack. The rack was built into the bed area and set up with a gearbox and other equipment. In addition, a Sai awning and a Goat roof tent were set over the bed to complete the overland style.

“I was looking at custom Tacomas and other cars and thought they were nice, but then I found out that Tacomas could be diverted, and I wanted to add a Leitner rack, so I bought one. I decided on this style because I thought the tonneau cover gave it a more interior feel and was a bit different in terms of usability. I liked the idea of having a box with a little enclosure while still being able to pile it up.”

“I happened to see Gault’s roof tent at a custom store, and I wanted one. At first, I didn’t think much about a roof tent, but I thought it would be nice to have a roof over my head, and it turned out to be very easy to set up. It’s a pop-up tent, so you just take off the metal fittings, unfold it, take it out, stretch it out, and you’re done in 10 seconds. It’s spacious enough.”

We need more overland styles

The easier it is to set up, the more time he can use to enjoy camping, including fishing. He found a new way to enjoy his car by looking at Leitner Design, meeting Overland Style.

“Recently, the paint is peeling on the plastic parts, so I’m talking about having the car wrapped. This car is kind of like a test car for when I get a Tacoma or something in the future, so I’d like to do a lot of things to it. I also hope there will be more overland-style cars, it’s easier.”