Hey guys I currently have my FWC shell model up for sale but if doesn't sell for the price im looking for im going to keep it. If I keep it I want to build out the driver side with a counter top and some cabinets. I was hoping you guys could give me some Ideas with some builds. I know wonder the west has some builds and I've looked through them and they are all from a long time ago it seems. Show me what you guys have done. Thanks
FWC shell builds
- Thread starter Vst
- Start date
BlueSkyCamper
Member
I'll chime in, but I started with an ATC Cougar Shell w/furnace (very similar to FWC Grandby). Pretty standard as these things go, water tank w/12v pump, sink/stove combo, 12v fridge, 200w solar, LifePo4 100ah battery, Victron MPPT controller, sleeps 4 with upper bunk deployed, front dinette for 4, interior shower, stereo. I focused on maximum floor space. Did all the work myself. Please excuse outdated wood grain look, just my personal preference
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wwxdZHv/0/daa97052/X2/i-wwxdZHv-X2.jpg
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https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-MP6N9NV/0/01b6c333/X2/i-MP6N9NV-X2.jpg
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JaSAn
Grumpy Old Man
I'll add mine to the mix:
www.wanderthewest.com
Renovating Sköldpaddan – 1977 Grandby Interior Build
Renovating Sköldpaddan – 1977 Grandby Interior Build After spending the last 50 years camping out of a backpack, I finally decided that I had enough of sleeping on the ground. My research last winter zeroed in on pop-up pickup campers, and especially the FWC/ATC design. I had despaired of...
www.wanderthewest.com
I kinda like that got any more photos of it?
Nice buildI'll chime in, but I started with an ATC Cougar Shell w/furnace (very similar to FWC Grandby). Pretty standard as these things go, water tank w/12v pump, sink/stove combo, 12v fridge, 200w solar, LifePo4 100ah battery, Victron MPPT controller, sleeps 4 with upper bunk deployed, front dinette for 4, interior shower, stereo. I focused on maximum floor space. Did all the work myself. Please excuse outdated wood grain look, just my personal preference
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-wwxdZHv/0/daa97052/X2/i-wwxdZHv-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-vgFqM4k/0/9778c010/X2/i-vgFqM4k-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-3xxFnZT/0/8e78ae67/X2/i-3xxFnZT-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Xbckh4N/0/e0f3a1ea/X2/i-Xbckh4N-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-MP6N9NV/0/01b6c333/X2/i-MP6N9NV-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-WMFVGmx/0/a6aa0ff0/X2/i-WMFVGmx-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-cR5s6sH/0/c0cd7209/X2/i-cR5s6sH-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-GhDHRRc/0/459d593a/X2/i-GhDHRRc-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-zr7gnLD/0/cd2b877f/X2/i-zr7gnLD-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8pRd92S/0/964450af/X2/i-8pRd92S-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-MW3ZjQ6/0/92fcc0c4/X2/i-MW3ZjQ6-X2.jpg
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-MjtbBHD/0/5d4ea1b5/X2/i-MjtbBHD-X2.jpg
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https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-NjKrSsC/0/304c5153/X2/i-NjKrSsC-X2.jpg
Nice the sides that the counter top sits on do you have it screwed down to the back wall?
Thanks!
schmugboy
Observer
This may be a little off topic, but once you add the shelving and other items, how much weight does this add. Do you know the difference or what the total weight is? The reason I ask is I'm considering "Lightening" mine. It's listed at 1243ish, but the scales say it's closer to 1400lbs. Not sure whether I want to gut it and do something similar to what you guys have done, or be more methodical. I have an ARB fridge, stove, and Mr. Heater. But I'm hesitant to remove the installed items as they are 1. Convenient and 2. May hurt any resale value in the future.
I do like the simplicity of your build-outs.
Thoughts?
I do like the simplicity of your build-outs.
Thoughts?
BlueSkyCamper
Member
That's a nice build NikonRon. I especially like the approach of "I have these things and they need to be stored" rather than "I built a cabinet and I need to figure out how to store these things in it." I also like the black edge treatment on the plywood, that's a lot easier than edge banding.
I went more the cabinet route to keep the look clean and uncluttered, and it has taken a while to figure out placement, nets, straps and hooks inside to keep things secure on the road but also easily accessed at camp. Both approaches can work, and it is a good idea to lay out all your gear on the lawn and stare at it and the inside of the camper to make a plan.
I went more the cabinet route to keep the look clean and uncluttered, and it has taken a while to figure out placement, nets, straps and hooks inside to keep things secure on the road but also easily accessed at camp. Both approaches can work, and it is a good idea to lay out all your gear on the lawn and stare at it and the inside of the camper to make a plan.
BlueSkyCamper
Member
I Added about 150-200 lbs to a shell with Atwood furnace. One could use lighter/thinner plastic material rather than plywood, curtains instead of doors on cabinets, and so on to shave maybe 25-50 lbs. But, most of the weight for me is all the water, propane, food, gear, canoe, paddle boards, bikes, and people. My main reason for the custom build instead of ready-made was floor space and open-ness, not so much weight. As long as the work is clean and well done (not a hack job), resale is not an issue. However, ripping things out of a ready-made full camper vs starting with a shell is not apples to apples. I don't think I would mess with a ready-made full camper unless it was old and I got it cheap and I really, really did not like it.
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Alright guys finally got around to building out my counter top for the camper im really happy with how it came out. I still gotta figure out some storage ideas but this will come in handy when its extremely cold out or raining. I don't have good photos yet but I made a video on it