pop up camper advise pls

[Desert Proven]

deminimis,

We are a family of four and have owned both a 4 wheel pop up and an outfitter. Pro and cons to each. Each made several trips to Baja, but neither worked really well for sleeping four. We did it, but it was a lot of setup/take down for bedding. I would consider myself tougher on equipment than most. Both campers made it home, but each had battle wounds. The 4 wheel camper was much lighter, but the Outfitter was much more comfortable.

Driving style will always be a factor in how any camper survives in Baja. I've been told that I abuse campers.

PM me if you want specifics.

 

[deminimis]

Thanks for the input regarding wood framing. That helps me alot. There's a TS1000 locally, but the wood concerned me and your tale further verified some of my concerns. Wish I had time to build my own. Have the space and equipment, just not the time. The perfect camper for me would be serious overkill: Electric pop up, alumn honeycomb infused with foam and sheathed with composite on both sides (ever break an old O'Brien waterski with honeycomb? I still have a 1990 epoxy sailboard with foam injected honeycomb that weighs nothing and is bombproof even in The Gorge). Cabinets would all be composite. The camper wouldn't have anything even close to wood in it. Eventually the outgassing would reduce to reasonable levels, I'd suppose.

I like the idea that FWC uses (buy a shell and mod yourself). If they had composite sides and an electric top, I think I'd be all over that.

 

[deminimis]

DP, I will take you up on your offer. Family is yelling at me right now to go for a walk and get some breakfast burittos. Yes, we're in Baja right now and I'm on a computer. Will PM you next week. Thanks again.

PS: Sounds like our driving styles may be similar :sombrero:

 

[craig333]

Curious why the electric top is so important. Planning on putting lots of stuff on the roof?

 

[kerry]

When I have two canoes on the roof of my TS 1000 hand cranking it up is not easy for the first foot or so. I usually have my wife push up on the roof while I crank. I bought a torque multiplier for lug nuts that I am considering adapting to an electric drill to lift it up.

 

[Kilroy]

The hydraulic assists that FWC now offer work really slick, and easy. Much less complication and weight than something electric or hydraulic. And there easy to remove if they are in your way after stopping for the night.

When I have two canoes on the roof of my TS 1000 hand cranking it up is not easy for the first foot or so. I usually have my wife push up on the roof while I crank. I bought a torque multiplier for lug nuts that I am considering adapting to an electric drill to lift it up.

 

[STREGA]

I had a Outfitter apex8 that was hard to get the roof raised with the hand crank (the first crank even broke), It had a roof air and solar panel and it was to much wieght. I had a couple of Northstars that had the same lift mechanism with nothing on top and they went up effortlessly. If I was to buy another pop up I would get a 4 wheel or All terrain, especially if you want to go offroad much, most of the other brands are either poorly built, to heavy or both. The worst customer service I have ever had on anything was with Outfitter Manufacturing, I do not recomend them or there camper.

 

[kerry]

The hydraulic assists that FWC now offer work really slick, and easy. Much less complication and weight than something electric or hydraulic. And there easy to remove if they are in your way after stopping for the night.

I see the description of the gas strut lift assist on the FWC website but no pictures of it. Any idea where a person might see a picture of that system?

 

[deminimis]

Thanks again to everyone and please keep posting those personal accounts. Those testimonials, pros and cons, are extremely helpful. As far as squeezing four into the camper, I don't think that will be a big problem. Since I'm going to get a crew cab Duramax this time, the rear seat folds down into a relatively flat surface. "The Boy" can sleep in there. In fact there's an added bonus to keeping the kids apart ("He's on my side!" "She hit me!" etc). The bunk bed options with both Outfitter and Hallmark looks pretty sweet too. Then again, I can save approx $10k with a FWC. Since none of the available campers are exactly what I'm looking for, perhaps FWC is a smart move and then I'll have $10k to tweak it as I see fit. Might be worth a road trip to N.CA to check them out. I've got a couple more weeks or so to figure this out. Think I'll make a trip out the East Cape road tomorrow (for you Baja folks) and see what some boondockers are using. Give a guy a cold Pacifico and he'll talk your ear off about his rig. That's how I got into a Sportsmobile. Thanks again.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

here are a few pictures for you ...

=======================================================

I see the description of the gas strut lift assist on the FWC website but no pictures of it. Any idea where a person might see a picture of that system?

.

 

[kerry]

Thanks. Great innovation.

 

[ScottBailey]

I think you might investigate Hallmark further... I was under the impression -- although possibly wrong -- that although wood framed, they are a composite camper.

 

[Kilroy]

here are a few pictures for you ...

.

This is a link to FWC video demonstration on raising the roof. It is easy without the lift, with the lift it would be a snap.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAvHUM1voUM

There is also a picture on EP showing the double lift system on there overland model. Go to EP home page, click on Four Wheel Campers visits Overland Journal.

 

[deminimis]

I think you might investigate Hallmark further... I was under the impression -- although possibly wrong -- that although wood framed, they are a composite camper.

No wood frame. No frame at all. Freestanding walls. Works for modular home construction. I'm not sold it works for off-road camper construction though.

 

[deminimis]

Well, the Sportsmobile is now gone so no turning back. In talking with Desert Proven, I'm starting to lean towards the Juno 8.5. Not completely sold just yet, but definitely leaning that way...perhaps (they aren't approving my forum membership since I'm not yet an owner (its an owner's forum), so perhaps not -Looking for first-hand accounts from actual owners and it makes me wonder why so protective. Without first hand accounts, well, its just not worth the gamble). The Juno is the one the wife wants, hands down. I rather like Hallmark's Chuchera XL, but the lack of a frame concerns me. What makes this really hard is all the mfrs (Stan, Ward 1 and Ward 2 (the Dr. Seuss characters of pop-up campers), etc.) are all very helpful and quick to respond to all my questions. Would be easier if some were jerks so I could more easily narrow it down through the process of elimination based on poor attitude....but noooo. They all are helpful. At least I've narrowed down the truck to a 2008 Duramax 3500HD crew 4x4 (non-dually) long bed with leather and the works (just need to find it by the end of the year).:smiley_drive: