Four Wheel Camper - A Review
- Thread starter kcowyo
- Start date
I know they removed the external actuators and reskinned at least one flatbed model.
Sparse Gray Hackle
Geezer
I wonder if they’ll ever do something about the units that have an oil canning roof.
stevenboise
Observer
This is true. We did a tour of their place a few weeks ago and asked about this topic. They were having issues with the system (he didn’t go into details) so they pulled that option off the market. They didn’t say if it would come back or not.
concretejungle
Adventurer
This is a great thread that I'm glad I stumbled into. I'm still in the process of reading through this entire thread.
I'm in a mental spot where after 25 years of adventures in my Land Cruiser with a RTT, I'm getting older and the hard core bug is fading away while the adventure with comfort bug is still strong. I want easy camp set-up and take down, comfort and the ability to escape the elements completely. So the research has begun on what truck I'll be looking for and what camper I'm looking for.
The one thing I will say, and I am open to feedback, is I'm really conscious about weight. I'm torn between a full slide-in camper that is sealed up vs. a project M type camper which is much lighter and I can put in only what I need. So that's kind of where my head space is right now. I want comfort but also want it as light as possible.
I'm in a mental spot where after 25 years of adventures in my Land Cruiser with a RTT, I'm getting older and the hard core bug is fading away while the adventure with comfort bug is still strong. I want easy camp set-up and take down, comfort and the ability to escape the elements completely. So the research has begun on what truck I'll be looking for and what camper I'm looking for.
The one thing I will say, and I am open to feedback, is I'm really conscious about weight. I'm torn between a full slide-in camper that is sealed up vs. a project M type camper which is much lighter and I can put in only what I need. So that's kind of where my head space is right now. I want comfort but also want it as light as possible.
Sparse Gray Hackle
Geezer
If you choose the topper route, I’d look at some options other than FWV. AT Overland, Super Pacific, Lone Peak…
Lone Peak is the most affordable, but I think AT Overland would be my choice. They’re insulated (so insulate your truck bed), offer the Truma heater. Edit: with a number of other build options if you so choose.
if you go with a slide in, also look at All Terrain Campers. Not as much bling as FWC, but more affordable, and they do custom work.
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rruff
Explorer
There are a good number of opposing tradeoffs with a rig. The definition of "comfort" will vary greatly. I'm very comfortable without a lot of the things that most find essential. You'll have to decide what is acceptable to you. If you have plenty of experience then you should be aware of what your priorities are. Budget, trip length and location, offroad capability, climate, etc are all important variables. Foam core composites are great for a light insulated structure.
Where weight is concerned, removing the truck bed and having a minimal subframe will save some weight and potentially maximize storage in and out. But when you load it for an extended trip, you'll find that staying under GVWR with a 1/2 ton is pretty tough to do. If you are worried about that, then I'd advise just getting a 1-ton or bigger, and making it easier on yourself. "Bigger" (like a F450) will give you a better turning radius but will be a few inches wider too, and cost more to set up.
tacollie
Glamper
Is it just you or multiple people traveling with you? Decide how much comfort you want. We spent a Thanksgiving freezing around a Mr. Buddy heater and sick of climbing over a tailgate with snowy feet. That's how we ended up with the FWC shell on a Tundra. Our only real option we added to the shell was a furnace and a cooktop. We built out the shell a little bit over a course of a couple years. Thanks to covid we were able to sell the camper for more than we paid for it and we upgraded it to the OEV. It's pretty great being able to sit around in a T-shirt playing cards when it's 0° outside. It's also great having a shower when you have been sweating all day.
As much as I hate crowds going to something like an overland expo allowed us to see multiple setups and make our decision clear.
Do not to be afraid of a bigger truck. We started with a Tacoma then went to Tundra and ended up with the F-250. If I had to do it again I would have just started with the F-250.
concretejungle
Adventurer
not trying to derail this thread.....
Been a Toyota guy for a very long time, but they have lost their edge. And, when thinking about load and being real about it, I just don't think the current Tundra is up to the challenge. Probably leaning towards at least an HD truck, probably diesel.
Then I'm thinking either get a bare bones hawk to slide in, or a project M or something similar (if I did this I would want one of the bed liners to help insulate the inside from dust and debris).
Comfort for me means being able to sleep on a nice dry bed and not having to climb up and down a ladder and across my wife when she is with me. Have heat, maybe even AC (probably get a EcoFlow unit). Be able to escape the wind and rain to cook dinner when needed (I camp at the beach a lot and the wind and wind can be a real challenge). I already have two fridges, lithium batteries with all the electronics, and most other camping gear. So just the basic setup. Also probably going away from my propane stoves and going to battery powered induction cook top.
Been a Toyota guy for a very long time, but they have lost their edge. And, when thinking about load and being real about it, I just don't think the current Tundra is up to the challenge. Probably leaning towards at least an HD truck, probably diesel.
Then I'm thinking either get a bare bones hawk to slide in, or a project M or something similar (if I did this I would want one of the bed liners to help insulate the inside from dust and debris).
Comfort for me means being able to sleep on a nice dry bed and not having to climb up and down a ladder and across my wife when she is with me. Have heat, maybe even AC (probably get a EcoFlow unit). Be able to escape the wind and rain to cook dinner when needed (I camp at the beach a lot and the wind and wind can be a real challenge). I already have two fridges, lithium batteries with all the electronics, and most other camping gear. So just the basic setup. Also probably going away from my propane stoves and going to battery powered induction cook top.
tacollie
Glamper
Check out this build thread.
2021 RAM 3500 Tradesman | AEV Prospector | FWC Grandby
They say pictures are worth a thousand words so let's begin with one... Here is a list of the options I selected along with a brief explanation for each: BASE VEHICLE & TRIM: 2021 - My initial goal was to find a swell deal on a 2020 close to the end of the year. If I had been able to find...
forum.expeditionportal.com
Personally I would get a gas truck. While the diesel range is nice and the power is addicting the cost isn't worth it in my opinion.
rruff
Explorer
I'm curious why you stated that low weight was a priority? An HD truck allows you to not worry about that too much.
concretejungle
Adventurer
because I've experienced my 80 series and how it handles, wheels and overall drivability decrease as I've continued to add more and more weight to it. Yes, you can add heavier springs, adjustable shocks, ect. but that is not the best route in my opinion. So I'm not trying to max out the vehicles GVWR. I want to make sure I have a buffer. If it get's heavy I want it to be because of extra water, fuel or I'm heading out for a 3 week trip instead of a weekend.
tacollie
Glamper
Good call! That exactly why I wish I had started with a F250. I spent a ton of money making my Toyotas able to carry weight. It F250 has 3500lbs of payload with a 10,000lbs GVWR. Fully loaded we are at 9,600lbs and it handles it like a champ.
@concretejungle we've been through numerous rigs including 2 VW vans, a fifth wheel, a Class C motorhome, a Ford Focus with tent, two travel trailers, almost landed on a Defender TD5 with an alucab pop top (so very cool) and are now in an F150 with a travel trailer and use our Subaru forester for light/fast trips. We're in the same boat as you and being comfortable goes a long way to enjoying the experiences. That being said, if I was spending your money I'd just buy an F350 and a FWC Hawk slide in (if it's in your budget). We saw this kind of setup at a gas station on one of our road trips and it was just about perfect. Camper can come off if necessary, has "just enough" space for 2 people and a dog, gets you out of the elements when needed and sleeps super warm and comfortable. We will likely end up doing this. The F150 will get upgraded to an F350 and we can keep the Hawk camper on AND still tow our travel trailer. Good luck with your search
rruff
Explorer
Consider a F450 C&C. Now that I know how to make a cheap and easy articulating platform, the C-channel frames don't scare me. Those have a tight turning radius, and many wheelbase and other configurable options. You can get super single wheels for LT tires so long as you keep the rear axle weight <8,000 lbs which should be >5,000 lbs payload.
I know this is a FWC thread, but I'd recommend a custom hardside camper made of foam core fiberglass panels.