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Welcome back to Rigs We Dig, our monthly series highlighting the people behind thoughtfully built adventure vehicles. This month, we’re featuring Channing and her 2023 Toyota Tacoma, a compact yet capable rig built for getting off the beaten path. Topped with an aluminum hard-sided truck camper, her setup prioritizes accessibility, independence, and comfort in the outdoors. From a custom pass-through that allows seamless movement between cab and camper to a cozy, design-forward interior, this build reflects a deeply personal approach to overlanding—one that’s less about pushing limits and more about creating freedom in how and where you explore.
Your Name: Channing
Location: Southern California
Rig Nickname: SheRa
Make & Model: Toyota Tacoma with Aluminum Hard-Sided Truck Camper
Year: 2023
What made you choose the Toyota Tacoma as your base?
I chose the Tacoma because it’s compact, but incredibly capable. I needed something strong enough to handle rugged terrain, yet small enough to navigate narrow trails, canyons, and more remote locations. After events and shows, I love disappearing into the mountains and truly disconnecting, so having a reliable truck that can take me deep into places most vehicles can’t reach was really important to me. The balance of size and capability is exactly what makes the Tacoma the perfect fit for my lifestyle.
Can you give us a top highlight overview of your buildout and its key features?
I’ve always been drawn to the Airstream look, and my aluminum hard-sided truck camper gives me that same futuristic, almost “spaceship” feel in a compact setup. It’s clean, modern, and feels like a unique take on a classic design. My favorite feature is the sleeping area. It’s incredibly cozy and comfortably fits two adults, with a large window that lets you sleep under the stars and wake up to incredible views. It really creates a separate, dedicated bedroom space, which is rare in a compact build. Another highlight is having a real fireplace with a real flame inside the camper. It’s not just about heat—it’s the ambience. That soft, flickering glow creates a calm, cozy atmosphere that makes the space feel more like a home than just a setup. One of the most important features for me is the pass-through between the cab and the camper. That’s been a complete game changer. It allows me to move from the driver’s seat into the camper without having to get out, which is huge for accessibility and safety, especially in remote or uneven terrain. Overall, my setup is compact but fully functional—it works just as well in the city as it does deep in the mountains, giving me the flexibility to live, work, and explore without limitations.
What were your main goals or priorities when designing and building your rig?
As a wheelchair user, I’m limited in terms of where I can physically go, especially when it comes to hiking. That’s what shaped my entire approach to building my rig. I wanted to create something that would allow me to experience places I otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach. Being out in nature, fully present and in the moment, is incredibly important to me. This build has been a complete game changer—not just for mobility, but for my mental health and overall well-being. It gives me the freedom to access the wilderness on my own terms, without relying on others. In a way, I built my rig to be my version of hiking boots—something that carries me into places I couldn’t go before and allows me to truly experience them independently.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the build process?
One of the biggest challenges was figuring out how to create a pass-through between the cab and the camper. It wasn’t originally designed for that purpose—it was actually meant for an AC unit. Instead of installing the AC, I saw an opportunity to get creative. We removed the rear window and repurposed that space to build a custom pass-through, essentially creating a tunnel that allows me to move from the driver’s seat directly into the camper. It wasn’t something that was planned—it just happened to work out with the space, and I’m incredibly proud of that. That modification has been a complete game changer for accessibility. When the weather is bad or the terrain isn’t safe for wheelchair access, I can still get into my camper without having to go outside. For me, it’s one of the most meaningful parts of the build because it turned a limitation into a solution that truly supports my independence.
How many dollar signs on a scale of 1 to 5 is your build (5 being the highest)?
Let’s just say… I’m still making payments on it.
