I spent about a year deciding on my FWC Finch shell, harassing Chris at Rocky Mountain FWC (RMFWC) at least once a month, as well as talking to several FWC owners, with one, now friend, being inundated by my emails and questions. Chris and this person in particular were patient and always great with my questions, and across the board the FWC community is a very gracious group of folks eager to share their insights, knowledge etc.
With that in mind, I struggled to set up my camper "just the way I wanted it" so I thought I would share my configuration with the community to help others along.
I have a 2013 4-door, short bed Tacoma. As a result, that limited me to the Finch, due to the Tacoma's composite bed. I tried to get FWC to build me the wide body Fleet model, but for a short bed. Didn't happen, although even now those 6" of width seems so appealling. But, I couldn't be happier with Chris, FWC and my camper.
I opted for a shell, as opposed to a fully build model for a few reasons. Primarily, I wanted a specific configuration to give me more room inside. The fully built model doesn't seem to have much sitting room and while we don't spend nor do we anticipate spending a lot of time inside the camper, I wanted the option to play Go Fish with my daughter, without seeing her cards! And, we are winter campers, so we'll be inside seasonally. My set-up comfortably seats 4, 2 on each side with a camp table inbetween. Additionally, I did not feel the need to have a refrig or sink at this time.
On the inside, I have a heater--which is quite amazing how warm it keeps you in snowy, 30 degrees (along with the Artic Pack), and the recessed stove. While FWC sends their campers with a CO2 detector, I added a second one, just because. I also ordered 4 extra cushions of the same dimension as those used when the bed comes out up top. These extra cushions allow me to build a "bunk bed" configuration "downstairs" by utilizing my camp box and a cooler, perfect for a child and quite a cozy fort. And, it allows me to have what I call "Stealth Mode." If I'm ever traveling solo and for whatever reason don't want to pop the top, three sets of cushions on top of the box and cooler provide a bed big enough for a 6' perrson to sleep diagonally.
I wanted some way to secure everything inside the camper, as tossed about gear is never a good thing. I purchased three feet of Mac's Tie Down rails. Unfortunately, they come in 2' and 1' sections, but it still fits together nicely. I put these rails in the floor, allowing me to use straps to very securely hold everything. Additionally, the dimensions are perfect to store the camp box, a cooler and two jerry cans for water, again very securely so when we arrive at a nice meadow far up in the beautiful Rocky Mtns. of CO, everything is where it should be.
When outside, I can take the same table that fits inside, set it up outside, the camp box and cooler then become bench seats, put the extra cushions on top and you've got a great dinner table with bench seats.
Finally, Chris and his ingenuity developed an internal system for attaching a camper to a Tacoma. If you have a short bed Tacoma, it's a tough reach to attach and secure the front holds. So, I cut new doors into the camper (it's not fun nor pretty cutting nicely through 1 1/4" of plywood) to allow a very easy and visual approach to those front securing things. Chris sold me the extra doors to match the pattern of everything inside.
I haven't spent enough nights in the camper yet to be a veteran, but two months into my new toy I couldn't be happier with the camper, Chris and RMFWC.
A few dimensions for you: The short side seat (where the stove and heater are--driver's side) is 44" inches, perfect for two people to comfortably sit on the smaller side; The width of those bench seats is ~17", exact width of the cushions, making for a nice, soft seat; in between the two bench seats, so to speak, is 36 1/2", and the height of the bench seats is 17". My camp box is a Rubber Maid Action Packer 35, my cooler a Yeti Tundra 65--both fit perfectly in terms of height, and width.
I've attached pictures but couldn't figure out how to add the pictures at the right place in my narrative. Also couldn't figure out how to space between paragraphs, it's hard on the eyes. You'll figure it all out, enjoy!
With that in mind, I struggled to set up my camper "just the way I wanted it" so I thought I would share my configuration with the community to help others along.
I have a 2013 4-door, short bed Tacoma. As a result, that limited me to the Finch, due to the Tacoma's composite bed. I tried to get FWC to build me the wide body Fleet model, but for a short bed. Didn't happen, although even now those 6" of width seems so appealling. But, I couldn't be happier with Chris, FWC and my camper.
I opted for a shell, as opposed to a fully build model for a few reasons. Primarily, I wanted a specific configuration to give me more room inside. The fully built model doesn't seem to have much sitting room and while we don't spend nor do we anticipate spending a lot of time inside the camper, I wanted the option to play Go Fish with my daughter, without seeing her cards! And, we are winter campers, so we'll be inside seasonally. My set-up comfortably seats 4, 2 on each side with a camp table inbetween. Additionally, I did not feel the need to have a refrig or sink at this time.
On the inside, I have a heater--which is quite amazing how warm it keeps you in snowy, 30 degrees (along with the Artic Pack), and the recessed stove. While FWC sends their campers with a CO2 detector, I added a second one, just because. I also ordered 4 extra cushions of the same dimension as those used when the bed comes out up top. These extra cushions allow me to build a "bunk bed" configuration "downstairs" by utilizing my camp box and a cooler, perfect for a child and quite a cozy fort. And, it allows me to have what I call "Stealth Mode." If I'm ever traveling solo and for whatever reason don't want to pop the top, three sets of cushions on top of the box and cooler provide a bed big enough for a 6' perrson to sleep diagonally.
I wanted some way to secure everything inside the camper, as tossed about gear is never a good thing. I purchased three feet of Mac's Tie Down rails. Unfortunately, they come in 2' and 1' sections, but it still fits together nicely. I put these rails in the floor, allowing me to use straps to very securely hold everything. Additionally, the dimensions are perfect to store the camp box, a cooler and two jerry cans for water, again very securely so when we arrive at a nice meadow far up in the beautiful Rocky Mtns. of CO, everything is where it should be.
When outside, I can take the same table that fits inside, set it up outside, the camp box and cooler then become bench seats, put the extra cushions on top and you've got a great dinner table with bench seats.
Finally, Chris and his ingenuity developed an internal system for attaching a camper to a Tacoma. If you have a short bed Tacoma, it's a tough reach to attach and secure the front holds. So, I cut new doors into the camper (it's not fun nor pretty cutting nicely through 1 1/4" of plywood) to allow a very easy and visual approach to those front securing things. Chris sold me the extra doors to match the pattern of everything inside.
I haven't spent enough nights in the camper yet to be a veteran, but two months into my new toy I couldn't be happier with the camper, Chris and RMFWC.
A few dimensions for you: The short side seat (where the stove and heater are--driver's side) is 44" inches, perfect for two people to comfortably sit on the smaller side; The width of those bench seats is ~17", exact width of the cushions, making for a nice, soft seat; in between the two bench seats, so to speak, is 36 1/2", and the height of the bench seats is 17". My camp box is a Rubber Maid Action Packer 35, my cooler a Yeti Tundra 65--both fit perfectly in terms of height, and width.
I've attached pictures but couldn't figure out how to add the pictures at the right place in my narrative. Also couldn't figure out how to space between paragraphs, it's hard on the eyes. You'll figure it all out, enjoy!
