NorthernFocus
New member
Custom Four Wheel Camper (FWC) build v.2.0
Turn Key FWC’s are nice, but they do not offer the combination of floor plan and components that we were looking for.
We set out to build our own dream camper with only the items that we needed. Our “hybrid style” design considerations drew inspiration from both the flatbed pop up camper and slide in models while focusing on minimalism and weight savings. The build was designed to be used primary in warmer climates but had to keep us comfortable during our southern migration from Canada’s Yukon Territory.
See more about our philosophy in Graeme Bell’s Expedition Portal article here; Dodge Ram "utilitarian build".
Phase 1: The use of an aluminium flatbed to replace the OEM truck box
This provided the foundation to start our new build incorporating the use of a light weight “side in camper” with the addition of large custom upper/lower & front/rear boxes. By going with exterior boxes, we gained a lot of additional storage, organization and overall utility. Lastly, it allowed the interior to be less cluttered with cabinets and drawers (not to mention the weight) found in traditional slide in campers.
Our hybrid design provides a more open concept feel inside similar to a flatbed model but with more storage.
On the driver’s side, the upper aluminum lock box hinges down offering a large table. This is the “tool side” where we store an ARB air compressor, tire repair kit, extra truck fluids, truck filters, diesel fuel bladders, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, electric chainsaw and garbage when needed. So, as you can see it stores a lot of stuff!
The lower front rear boxes hold recovery gear, snatch block, soft shackles, tow ropes, jack stand, shovel, 8 ton bottle jack, NOCO Boost Jump Starter among other small things…
Phase 2: A focus on outdoor cooking
We wanted to keep the cooking outside as much as possible. The upper aluminum lock box on the passenger side, also hinges down creating another large work surface. It accommodates 40L of water (in portable 10L blue jugs), a cook stove, BBQ and other food prep items. Above the “kitchen” we installed a Alu Cab shadow awning that provides 270 degrees of sun and rain protection.
The awning provides weather protection over the cooking area as well as the rear door. This helps keep the inside of the camper cooler in warm weather with protection for outdoor living.
Phase 3: The Inside of the FWC
This camper is situated with a front dinette, one of 3 configurations.
The first configuration is “Table Mode” where two people sit across from each other, (one on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger side) with a large wooden table between. This arrangement works for eating meals or two comfortable work stations.
The second configuration is “Bed Mode” which is created by removing a simple RV pole and lowering the table. No Lagoona fiddling necessary…This platform is cushioned by 4 pieces of 3” high density foam.
The third configuration is “Lounge Mode” where the table is tucked away behind one of the back rest cushions. This configuration really opens up the space for hanging out with multi people while not feeling too crowded. It is ideal for hanging out when a table is not needed…
More seating is found on the sliding fridge/ freeze beside the entry door. In addition, this location provides easy and convenient access while cooking outside to the fridge or when someone’s beer runs dry.
Double stacked Front Runner box’s (with a modified wooden top) acts as a stand-up work table for one person or can be used for food pre / coffee bar. This is located in front of one of the rear windows.
Storage inside the camper is optimised by using a combination extra-large soft bags and mentioned stackable boxes.
The soft bags are made by Red Oxx MFG inc. We use two for organizing clothes and personal items, and one which is designed as a kitchen kit. The three stackable boxes, the third located on the floor are Front Runner Wolf Boxes. This is where we store dry food & drinks. The boxes are “bomb proofed” for offroad travel by using a combination of aircraft grade L-track and Front Runner Stratchit tie down straps.
In fact, everything inside the camper that could move while off-roading is tied down using this combination. This includes the Boxio Sink & Toilet stackable system, Life Saver Jerry Can and Engel fridge/ freezer.
This system keeps all of our interior items very secure, even on the roughest Baja washboard roads. Tested, trust us!
On the ceiling is a Blue Ridge Overland Gear “Attic”. This maximizes unused space for light items and doubles as a drying area. We use this area for jackets, hats, towels, headlamps, maps etc…
Phase 4: The Power System
The camper uses the latest (LiFePO4) 12V technology by CanBat. This includes one 300Ah Cold Weather Lithium Battery with Bluetooth monitoring, Victron Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC battery charger, Victron MPPT SmartSolar 100/30 and 12V and 40A Lithium Battery Charger (LiFePO4).
There is a total of 400wats of Armada solar on the roof. This is provided by two 200watt rigid solar panels.
Other electrical modifications include a Blue Sea accessory panel with Dual USB ports and a 12volt plug for the Engel Fridge/ freezer wired into the FWC fuse panel.
Our heating system is the ultra-reliable Espar D-2 diesel heater. It is extremely fuel efficient and draws fuel from an exterior wall mounted Rotopax 2-gallon container that is lockable.
Our internet is provided by a roof mounted Starlink system designed by TRIO Flat mount in Canada. This system runs seamlessly while on the road or in camp. If camped under a canopy, the magnetic dish can be removed and positioned as needed for clear line of sight.
Conclusion:
By focusing on using high end/ light weight products that are multi use we met our “minimalistic” goals.
We were able create a livable space that was more open concept than your traditional slide in campers while maximizing on exterior storage and organization. This design is still able to offer the “basic” interior comforts for extended adventures.
We hope that this build inspires you. We have certainly learned a lot from other people’s projects over the years and this is our contribution to that sharing of knowledge.
Pictures on Instagram: Northern Focus Creative: https://www.instagram.com/northernfocuscreative/?hl=en
Turn Key FWC’s are nice, but they do not offer the combination of floor plan and components that we were looking for.
We set out to build our own dream camper with only the items that we needed. Our “hybrid style” design considerations drew inspiration from both the flatbed pop up camper and slide in models while focusing on minimalism and weight savings. The build was designed to be used primary in warmer climates but had to keep us comfortable during our southern migration from Canada’s Yukon Territory.
See more about our philosophy in Graeme Bell’s Expedition Portal article here; Dodge Ram "utilitarian build".
Phase 1: The use of an aluminium flatbed to replace the OEM truck box
This provided the foundation to start our new build incorporating the use of a light weight “side in camper” with the addition of large custom upper/lower & front/rear boxes. By going with exterior boxes, we gained a lot of additional storage, organization and overall utility. Lastly, it allowed the interior to be less cluttered with cabinets and drawers (not to mention the weight) found in traditional slide in campers.
Our hybrid design provides a more open concept feel inside similar to a flatbed model but with more storage.
On the driver’s side, the upper aluminum lock box hinges down offering a large table. This is the “tool side” where we store an ARB air compressor, tire repair kit, extra truck fluids, truck filters, diesel fuel bladders, fishing gear, snorkeling gear, electric chainsaw and garbage when needed. So, as you can see it stores a lot of stuff!
The lower front rear boxes hold recovery gear, snatch block, soft shackles, tow ropes, jack stand, shovel, 8 ton bottle jack, NOCO Boost Jump Starter among other small things…
Phase 2: A focus on outdoor cooking
We wanted to keep the cooking outside as much as possible. The upper aluminum lock box on the passenger side, also hinges down creating another large work surface. It accommodates 40L of water (in portable 10L blue jugs), a cook stove, BBQ and other food prep items. Above the “kitchen” we installed a Alu Cab shadow awning that provides 270 degrees of sun and rain protection.
The awning provides weather protection over the cooking area as well as the rear door. This helps keep the inside of the camper cooler in warm weather with protection for outdoor living.
Phase 3: The Inside of the FWC
This camper is situated with a front dinette, one of 3 configurations.
The first configuration is “Table Mode” where two people sit across from each other, (one on the driver’s side and the other on the passenger side) with a large wooden table between. This arrangement works for eating meals or two comfortable work stations.
The second configuration is “Bed Mode” which is created by removing a simple RV pole and lowering the table. No Lagoona fiddling necessary…This platform is cushioned by 4 pieces of 3” high density foam.
The third configuration is “Lounge Mode” where the table is tucked away behind one of the back rest cushions. This configuration really opens up the space for hanging out with multi people while not feeling too crowded. It is ideal for hanging out when a table is not needed…
More seating is found on the sliding fridge/ freeze beside the entry door. In addition, this location provides easy and convenient access while cooking outside to the fridge or when someone’s beer runs dry.
Double stacked Front Runner box’s (with a modified wooden top) acts as a stand-up work table for one person or can be used for food pre / coffee bar. This is located in front of one of the rear windows.
Storage inside the camper is optimised by using a combination extra-large soft bags and mentioned stackable boxes.
The soft bags are made by Red Oxx MFG inc. We use two for organizing clothes and personal items, and one which is designed as a kitchen kit. The three stackable boxes, the third located on the floor are Front Runner Wolf Boxes. This is where we store dry food & drinks. The boxes are “bomb proofed” for offroad travel by using a combination of aircraft grade L-track and Front Runner Stratchit tie down straps.
In fact, everything inside the camper that could move while off-roading is tied down using this combination. This includes the Boxio Sink & Toilet stackable system, Life Saver Jerry Can and Engel fridge/ freezer.
This system keeps all of our interior items very secure, even on the roughest Baja washboard roads. Tested, trust us!
On the ceiling is a Blue Ridge Overland Gear “Attic”. This maximizes unused space for light items and doubles as a drying area. We use this area for jackets, hats, towels, headlamps, maps etc…
Phase 4: The Power System
The camper uses the latest (LiFePO4) 12V technology by CanBat. This includes one 300Ah Cold Weather Lithium Battery with Bluetooth monitoring, Victron Orion XS 12/12-50A DC-DC battery charger, Victron MPPT SmartSolar 100/30 and 12V and 40A Lithium Battery Charger (LiFePO4).
There is a total of 400wats of Armada solar on the roof. This is provided by two 200watt rigid solar panels.
Other electrical modifications include a Blue Sea accessory panel with Dual USB ports and a 12volt plug for the Engel Fridge/ freezer wired into the FWC fuse panel.
Our heating system is the ultra-reliable Espar D-2 diesel heater. It is extremely fuel efficient and draws fuel from an exterior wall mounted Rotopax 2-gallon container that is lockable.
Our internet is provided by a roof mounted Starlink system designed by TRIO Flat mount in Canada. This system runs seamlessly while on the road or in camp. If camped under a canopy, the magnetic dish can be removed and positioned as needed for clear line of sight.
Conclusion:
By focusing on using high end/ light weight products that are multi use we met our “minimalistic” goals.
We were able create a livable space that was more open concept than your traditional slide in campers while maximizing on exterior storage and organization. This design is still able to offer the “basic” interior comforts for extended adventures.
We hope that this build inspires you. We have certainly learned a lot from other people’s projects over the years and this is our contribution to that sharing of knowledge.
Pictures on Instagram: Northern Focus Creative: https://www.instagram.com/northernfocuscreative/?hl=en
