ATC/FWC questions

[robert]

I've tried searching but didn't find what I wanted. For those who have one of these campers, is it possible to sleep in it with the top down? I have a Tacoma, not a full sized truck.

Reason I ask is I do a decent amount bit of stealth camping and obviously popping the top isn't very stealthy. I've also been known to crash out at rest stops, truck stops, etc where I don't want or need to set up camp, just a place to curl up in my sleeping bag and catch some sleep before moving on.

Is the bottom part that fits into the bed sprayed with bedliner or some other sort of waterproofing or could it be? I know the new Tacoma beds tend to leak water even when you try to seal them up and I really wouldn't water getting under it and causing any rot.

Is the rear wall strong enough to mount at least one gas can rack to? Call me lazy, but I really don't like the idea of hauling a gas can up to a roof rack and then the added weight when lifting it. I don't think want a swing out carrier because I plan to carry a motorcycle on a hitch hauler. I've seen a couple of pictures of people doing this even though it severely restricts your door opening. I'd rather deal with that than a trailer.

 

[kcowyo]

You can sleep with the top down. Flip over the back of the couch or dinnette and you have a decent sized bed for one. I did it recently when it was late and I needed some sleep. It's a little cramped obviously, but it beats sleeping sitting up in the driver's seat of the cab.

The bottom of FWC campers are not sprayed with any kind of bed liner that I'm aware of. I'm sure it could be if required/requested.

With additional bracing in the rear wall during the build phase, the rear wall can be made strong enough to support a full 5gal gas can. It's been advised not to add one without the additional bracing, as weight bearing is not how the wall is designed originally.

:campfire:
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[ScottBailey]

ATC will reinforce the rear wall for a gas can. Since they'll do it, I'm suspect FWC will, too... But I'm thinking you might be better served with a bumper mount?

You can sleep in the camper with the top down.

The bottom part could indeed be coated. I'm sure ATC would work with you as well as FWC on this.

 

[slooowr6]

I've ATC Bobcat, yes you can sleep on the bench with the top down. The bench can be convert into a single bed, it's a little over 6ft.
The stock back wall is not strong enough to hold a gas can but you can ask ATC to reinforce it with addition brackets so you can hang stuff on the back.
The bottom part of the camper is painted with marine grade stuff, (I don't know what it is) suppose to be waterproof. I had my camper for 2+ years it on the truck full time and the truck is park on the side of street. The bottom portion still looks fine.

 

[robert]

Cool, thanks for the replies. I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger on one of these.

 

[kcowyo]

You know there is a dealer nearby, right...?


HIGH POINT, NORTH CAROLINA:
Xtreme Campers
1019 Finch Avenue
High Point, North Carolina, 27263
Local # (336) 887-0048
Local # (704) 557-0048
Fax # (888) 230-0064
General E-mail & Inquiries = happycamper@xtremecampers.com
Xtreme Campers independent company web site = http://xtremecampers.com

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[Stan@FourWheel]

Hello Robert

Yes, if you get what we call the "roll over couch", you can sleep inside the camper with the top down.

Rot on the base of our campers is pretty much a non-issue. The camper has runners on the bottom of it to allow for ventalation, and the truck beds are corrigated to also allow for ventalation. We use a very good quality marine style plywood wood for the camper base and runners, so there is no worry for rot. If you do have rot 20 or 30 years down the road, you can easily replace just the wood runners on the bottom, instead of having to replace the entire camper floor. But if you feel the need, for a small extra charge we could coat the bottom of the camper base with a "spray on" style bed liner sealant.

You could mount the extra gas can on the rear wall, but it is much better and easier to mount the can with a gas can rack & steel plate under the outter wing of the camper. We have done this in the past and it works well, looks great, and no extra holes needed in the rear wall of the camper, stronger, no risk of frame cracks over the years, lower center of gravity.

This is what we mounted for our customer ...

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/fuel.html


Just let me know if you have any other questions.

I would be glad to help.

Happy Camping !


Stan the Man


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I've tried searching but didn't find what I wanted. For those who have one of these campers, is it possible to sleep in it with the top down? I have a Tacoma, not a full sized truck.

Reason I ask is I do a decent amount bit of stealth camping and obviously popping the top isn't very stealthy. I've also been known to crash out at rest stops, truck stops, etc where I don't want or need to set up camp, just a place to curl up in my sleeping bag and catch some sleep before moving on.

Is the bottom part that fits into the bed sprayed with bedliner or some other sort of waterproofing or could it be? I know the new Tacoma beds tend to leak water even when you try to seal them up and I really wouldn't water getting under it and causing any rot.

Is the rear wall strong enough to mount at least one gas can rack to? Call me lazy, but I really don't like the idea of hauling a gas can up to a roof rack and then the added weight when lifting it. I don't think want a swing out carrier because I plan to carry a motorcycle on a hitch hauler. I've seen a couple of pictures of people doing this even though it severely restricts your door opening. I'd rather deal with that than a trailer.

.

 

[robert]

That's actually what I meant by back wall so yep, that answered that question perfectly. thanks.

 

[CJCA]

That looks familiar. :>)

Mounting like Stan mentions works well. No problems and a really solid mount.