new guy looking for opinions.

[ExpoMike]

Yep, I have the same thing. Camper (2004 Grandby) was built for a Superduty and though it fits great on my Ram, there is that gap over the cab.

Actually in the end, I like the interior of the camper better as I have 3" more headroom both closed and open than one that would have been lower. We can very comfortably sit inside with the top down and eat lunch without our heads hitting the roof. It does make getting up into the bed a little harder but it's not a problem.

Congrats on your truck and camper. Post up some pics!

 

[nathan]

hey mike; i really appreciated that. thank you very much. and your unit looks just fine and like mine, same gap, not a big deal. i will post pics as soon as i can figure out how. any (simple) hints how thats done?

 

[haven]

What's the problem with having more clearance between the truck and camper? Aerodynamics? Clearance when entering a garage? Aesthetics? Like XJ_Mike says, you've gained some interior space.

 

[nathan]

good question, haven. frankly, it's just aesthetics. it's not quite the look i was wanting. i don't reallly get that theres more space inside since the campers the camper. it doesn't change size. anyway, i'm alright with the way it looks now. it's just taken a bit of accepting that it's not the classic fwc look.

 

[ExpoMike]

Actually it does change the size. To clear the cab on the Superduties, the main body is 3" taller. The pop up part is the same. FWC hides the difference very well, with what I believe is a slightly taller door and other little differences. Unless you have a non Superduty built version side by side, it's really hard to see the differences.

Also, here is a post on Wonderthewest.com that shows what a few people did for airdams/racks to take up the gap for better aerodynamics.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/5020/

 

[homemade]

Actually in the end, I like the interior of the camper better as I have 3" more headroom both closed and open than one that would have been lower. We can very comfortably sit inside with the top down and eat lunch without our heads hitting the roof. It does make getting up into the bed a little harder but it's not a problem.
QUOTE]


I think the newer FWC built for Superduty trucks just have a thicker frame base/riser at the bottom so you don't gain any inside height to the camper itself. Stan would know best, of course.

 

[ExpoMike]

Nope. Mine was built for a Superduty and base is the normal thickness floor. Stan has confirmed that mine was built with 3" higher wall height, when I was asking about this on wanderthewest.com. I honestly do have the 3" of extra height inside.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

on the new FWC's ...

We add 1" to the wall height for campers going on the Ford SuperDuty trucks.

We add a 2" camper base (false floor) for new FWC's going on the 2004 - 2011 Ford F-150's and the 2007 - 2011 Toyota Tundra's. This base has added insulation inside of it. Might help for the cold Canada weather coming up.





.

 

[homemade]

Nope. Mine was built for a Superduty and base is the normal thickness floor. Stan has confirmed that mine was built with 3" higher wall height, when I was asking about this on wanderthewest.com. I honestly do have the 3" of extra height inside.

Your '04 is before they made that change.

I hadn't read Stan's post, newer have1" extra interior height, see above.

 

[nathan]

ok mike, now that is all making sense. interestingly, i had even noted that the over the cab portion seemed vaguely thicker than i had thought it would. perhaps that was a semi conscious recognition of the subtly larger unit. ill take a look at the link you sent. i gotta say that the responses to my querrie have totally helped. thanks; n.

 

[nathan]

boy, i sure am learning alot about the fwc units. i dont even mind the gap anymore. in fact, since i put it on a regular cab, and changed the thick mat to a thin one inder it on the truck bed, it looks fine to me. and i will probably put a small racj
k or some lights on the top of the cab. thanks stan. i have certainly appreciated your information now and for the future.

 

[nathan]

having said all that, i should add that next time, and there will be a next time, i will buy the truck for the camper more carefully.

 

[nathan]

ps; and yes, its already getting cold, glad to have the arctic package up here...

 

[ExpoMike]

Your '04 is before they made that change.

I hadn't read Stan's post, newer have1" extra interior height, see above.

Yeah, it's interesting to hear of the different changes they have made over the years. I like the fact I get the extra 3" of headroom. :wings:

 

[eugene]

I would do as others said and put a small rack under the cab over. You could cover the sides of the rack with something solid so it appears that the cabover is just slightly thicker. Could store camp chairs or fishing gear or whatever up there.