Mickey Bitsko
Adventurer
You'd have a lot more options with a larger truck.
FWC for full time living on road?
- Thread starter Vst
- Start date
FWC/ATC campers are really good and if you could score one cheap go for it. Having the extra interior space to cook in and a furnace is really nice especially during cold/wet winters.
Also in this environment with a lot of homeless living out of campers you will have increased scrutiny with a camper. Even before the current events I was staying at in friends house with my truck and camper parked on the street. About 2 am I woke up to security banging on my camper thinking there was somebody inside. I think it will be worse now.
WeLikeCamping
Explorer
FWIW, here are my thoughts. I started life tent/ground camping. I've had a slide-in camper with the wife and two kids. As the kids got older, the camper got really small and so we reverted to tent camping. Thing is, with tent camping, now it is often just the wife and I, yet we are still looking at two hours of setup/breakdown, then there is dealing with the weather. The slide-in was a beast, a Lance 9.5 and I hated it. What it brought in convenience and security was subtracted by windage, weight and sway. And again, it got too small.
So, the wife and I have debated this for years, trying to figure out the best balance of comfort, access and security when getting out. Our primary concern is being able to access back-country while still having a comfortable, well-appointed place to stay that requires minimal setup/takedown. I've looked at overland vehicles and the prices are out of my range - heck, I lose sleep, just worrying about upkeep costs for those vehicles. Class A/C, same issues, but not as able to access back country. We keep coming back to trailers. Everything is already setup. I can find a campsite in the forest, park, level it and I'm home. When I want to go exploring, I unhitch and drive the 4wd truck anywhere I want to visit. When I'm ready to move, I hitch up, raise the landing pads, put the chocks and blocks away, make sure the inside is organized and I'm on the road to the next spot.
The big manufacturers seem to be answering the call of the off-roader that wants to drag the camper along. You can get a shorter model without sacrificing much, that is off-road capable. Sure, it's gonna keep you off the tight spots, shelf roads and other extreme places, but you can get into most any campground if you are under 20 feet or so, and you can get far enough in the backcountry to be alone. I've got a 25' toyhauler, and I will take it most anyplace that lacks people. When I do extended/long-range road-trips, the ease of setup and takedown makes a huge difference between having to work harder or having a nice glass of Bulleit on the rocks - after a day of driving.
Oh yeah, and YMMV.
So, the wife and I have debated this for years, trying to figure out the best balance of comfort, access and security when getting out. Our primary concern is being able to access back-country while still having a comfortable, well-appointed place to stay that requires minimal setup/takedown. I've looked at overland vehicles and the prices are out of my range - heck, I lose sleep, just worrying about upkeep costs for those vehicles. Class A/C, same issues, but not as able to access back country. We keep coming back to trailers. Everything is already setup. I can find a campsite in the forest, park, level it and I'm home. When I want to go exploring, I unhitch and drive the 4wd truck anywhere I want to visit. When I'm ready to move, I hitch up, raise the landing pads, put the chocks and blocks away, make sure the inside is organized and I'm on the road to the next spot.
The big manufacturers seem to be answering the call of the off-roader that wants to drag the camper along. You can get a shorter model without sacrificing much, that is off-road capable. Sure, it's gonna keep you off the tight spots, shelf roads and other extreme places, but you can get into most any campground if you are under 20 feet or so, and you can get far enough in the backcountry to be alone. I've got a 25' toyhauler, and I will take it most anyplace that lacks people. When I do extended/long-range road-trips, the ease of setup and takedown makes a huge difference between having to work harder or having a nice glass of Bulleit on the rocks - after a day of driving.
Oh yeah, and YMMV.
If I were in your shoes, I would probably just get an old Econoline van. It will be much cheaper than a FWC, and it will have a lot more space. So much space that you won't really have to "build" out much for the interior.
- Throw down some carpet
- put a lofted bed frame in the back ()
- use one of those foot-pump operated plastic sinks that they use for handwashing at outdoor festivals ()
- slap a flexible Renogy panel on the roof
- get some good AT tires
- Chinese-made 12v fridge off of Amazon
- Add insulation (you'll end up adding more on the road as you realize what a difference it makes)
- roof rack and awning if you want
You can easily get something like this together for under 20k, and you'll get a solid chunk of that back when you sell it after a year. You'll have significant indoor space, and you'll be able to stealth camp. You won't have the same off-road capabilities, but ask yourself how far off the beaten path you're really going to go. A van with AT tires will handle almost any forest service road in the U.S. If you really want to scratch a backcountry itch, then take a backpack and hike for a few days (or bikepack with a mountain bike, if that's your speed).
Alternatively, if you're sticking with the truck, I would absolutely get a large tent as well (either an EZ-Up style with a tent enclosure or something like the Nemo Wagontop). It's a bit of a hassle to set those up, but if you're living on the road indefinitely, you'll find that you end up sticking around places you like for some longer stretches. Even if you sleep in the truck, you can have a really nice living room that packs super small and is ready with about 5-10 minutes of setup time. It's a game changer.
- Throw down some carpet
- put a lofted bed frame in the back ()
- use one of those foot-pump operated plastic sinks that they use for handwashing at outdoor festivals ()
- slap a flexible Renogy panel on the roof
- get some good AT tires
- Chinese-made 12v fridge off of Amazon
- Add insulation (you'll end up adding more on the road as you realize what a difference it makes)
- roof rack and awning if you want
You can easily get something like this together for under 20k, and you'll get a solid chunk of that back when you sell it after a year. You'll have significant indoor space, and you'll be able to stealth camp. You won't have the same off-road capabilities, but ask yourself how far off the beaten path you're really going to go. A van with AT tires will handle almost any forest service road in the U.S. If you really want to scratch a backcountry itch, then take a backpack and hike for a few days (or bikepack with a mountain bike, if that's your speed).
Alternatively, if you're sticking with the truck, I would absolutely get a large tent as well (either an EZ-Up style with a tent enclosure or something like the Nemo Wagontop). It's a bit of a hassle to set those up, but if you're living on the road indefinitely, you'll find that you end up sticking around places you like for some longer stretches. Even if you sleep in the truck, you can have a really nice living room that packs super small and is ready with about 5-10 minutes of setup time. It's a game changer.
Todd780
OverCamper
That's what I was going to suggest.
Climber Rob
Human
As much as I love vans, I have pulled out more 2WD vans that are stuck and can't make it up steep sections of forest service roads than any other type of vehicle.
Canadian Joe
Member
This guy also has some good ideas ,Post # 6005
Truck Camping Photo Thread
Took a bare bones commercial topper, added windows, marine hatch, insulation and carpet. Built a platform with a slide. Had a local fabricator build...
www.tacomaworld.com
Dang that’s awesome that’s exactly what I was thinkingThis guy also has some good ideas ,Post # 6005
Truck Camping Photo Thread
Took a bare bones commercial topper, added windows, marine hatch, insulation and carpet. Built a platform with a slide. Had a local fabricator build...
sixlxvi
Yut-Rah
I’m full-time living in my FWC/Tacoma with my wife and two dogs. We opted for a shell so we could DIY the interior to make the most of it. If you’re still considering a FWC, I can answer questions tomorrow if you need.
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Mickey Bitsko
Adventurer
Vst. From your first post you have not mentioned your budget.
For the highly inflated value of tacomas your options for a used
Truck camper combos are many on CL.
It's baffling the amounts of money people are willing to put into these small trucks
To make them ' off road worthy ' then have to count every pound so as not to be over gvw and damage the integrity of the vehicle.
I Speak from experience and observation.
If dollars are a concern , tacomas are not a value .
For the highly inflated value of tacomas your options for a used
Truck camper combos are many on CL.
It's baffling the amounts of money people are willing to put into these small trucks
To make them ' off road worthy ' then have to count every pound so as not to be over gvw and damage the integrity of the vehicle.
I Speak from experience and observation.
If dollars are a concern , tacomas are not a value .
Heys guys so I finally was able to pick up a used four wheel camper shell model. The last owner was a retired boat builder and completely rebuilt the entire camper it’s a 94 he said ranger model but it maybe an eagle from the size. The camper isn’t as wide as a fleet which I like my fenders are still the widest part of the truck. I need some ideas on a kitchen build out and recommendations on up right fridges but here’s some pics.
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Dances with Wolves
aka jk240sx
Nice find. Did you get hit with the COVID tax? pics of inside!
Thanks! I got it for $8000 so I think I got a pretty good deal on it considering how hard they are to find and prices of them right now. It is completely redone so inside and out looks great. I don’t have interior pics yet but I made a quick little video on Instagram of the inside you can check it out @vehiclesupportedtravel
ramblinChet
Well-known member
Sounds like you made a great choice - I went with a shell also and absolutely love it!