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Welcome back to Rigs We Dig—our monthly series celebrating the ingenuity, grit, and creativity behind DIY adventure rigs. This month, we’re heading to Durango, Colorado, where Chelsi Hower transformed her 2014 Toyota Tacoma into the ultimate dog hauler and off-road escape pod. With an electric pop-top, a cab pass-through for her three pups, and a cozy HEST sleep setup in the short bed, Chelsi’s build proves that smart design and durability can keep up with a life full of hobbies, trails, and four-legged co-pilots.
Your Name: Chelsi H.
Location: Durango, CO
Rig Nickname: Dog hauler
Make & Model: Toyota Tacoma
Year: 2014
HEST products: Dually Queen, Down Comforter, Fleece Duvet & Camp Pillows
What made you choose the Toyota Tacoma as your base?
Can you give us a top highlight overview of your buildout and its key features?
The biggest highlight of my buildout is the electric pop top. It's so nice to be able to press the up button and start setting up other aspects while my camper sets itself up. I also have a pass through to the cab, and that is quite nice to have for my pack of dogs to be able to navigate the truck as they please. Lastly; the sleeping set up is extremely comfy and spacious for a 5 foot truck bed.
What were your main goals or priorities when designing and building your rig?
The main one is self sufficiency and durability. I have 3 dogs and lots of hobbies that require offroading. I needed a rig and a setup that could work with my life instead of against it. If I want to rally offroad, the setup better be able to work with it.
What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during the build process?
I would say time and cost were the main challenges.
How many dollar signs on a scale of 1 to 5 is your build (5 being the highest)?
$$$$
What products, brands, or upgrades are you most excited about in your rig?
Howerbuilt Truckbed Camper with electric pop top with HEST Dually mattress.
How much time and effort did the entire process take, and was it worth it?
What’s one feature in your rig that you’ve learned you cannot live without?
I would say one thing I cannot live without is the hands free setup for the camper/bed. Also; my setup has an open truck bed, which I really enjoy, so I can use the bed of my truck for all of my dogs, skis, gear etc as needed.
Are there any features or upgrades you wish you had added (or done differently)?
Although I love driving my 6 speed, I would drive an automatic for a daily driver moving forward.
Where is the coolest place you have taken your rig?
This is a hard question to answer. I think the coolest time of life that I have camped in this rig is when I lived in it when I moved to Colorado before my husband, with my 3 dogs, for 4 months. We camped so many places around southwest Colorado. We definitely got our use out of this truck camper setup. If I had to answer about my favorite place, it would be the top of Imogene pass.
Do you have any advice for someone just starting their overland rig build?
Patience, and you do not need to reinvent the wheel, and camp in your setup for a couple nights before you look to add new gear or aspects to your rig setup.
