Four Wheel Camper - A Review

[kcowyo]

Recent pics from another trip to Utah... zero failures, 100% smiles & good times.


Probably not going to get the top open tonight...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/008/867162559_D7t3j-O.jpg


Muley Point -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/030/867163713_WXbap-O.jpg


Long time gone -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/011/867162707_bMQQM-O.jpg


Where does this road go?
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/015/867162906_D2seZ-O.jpg


To Cathedral Valley -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/017/867163047_WASkx-O.jpg


Utah always makes you feel small -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/019/867163151_6JiNt-O.jpg


How are you supposed to capture it all? -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/021/867163261_uPbDV-O.jpg


I'm not paranoid... he's really following me -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/006/866776090_z9Exu-O.jpg


How could you not love that smile?
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/005/866775985_SDKPq-O.jpg


A new favorite spot in an isolated canyon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-May-2010/003/866775857_oavNo-O.jpg

[Willman]

Nice KC....

Not feeling the love here by the way......(Father's Day)

;)

[slooowr6]

Very cool that you are going to babysit Spirit.

[kcowyo]

How did the ice box/pantry mod turn out?


Thanks to Marty & Jeff, it turned out great!


From this, icebox in place -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/icebox/915856896_cLUzX-O.jpg


Icebox removed, but a mess of wiring, propane lines & an unneeded outlet box remained -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/icebox3/915857042_uNie8-O.jpg


To this: new framing, a false bottom, lipped shelf, outlet removed and wires & propane line wrapped -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/pantry3/915858281_s4Kkh-O.jpg


New cabinet door & latch too -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/ndoor/915857356_pZCWR-O.jpg



In addition, after much debate, I decided to have Marty & Jeff pull my unused water tank... With the crazy cold temps we experience here in Wyoming, from September - June, I would have to drain & winterize the tank after almost every trip, lest it unknowingly freeze on me and we risked splitting the line & tank. So we never used it, as it was as much a liability as an asset. We just carry our water in portable containers, which we've found easier to refill or replace on the road.


The water tank was located behind this breaker panel -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/12voutlet/915856246_UPB9U-O.jpg


By removing the tank, they were able to push the breaker panel back to the exterior wall, leaving a nice new amount of storage space -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/ncupboard/915857279_SBYCQ-O.jpg


Due to the propane line & breaker box, we will use this place for soft items, like paper towel rolls, dish towels, paper plates, big bags of chips, etc., whatever won't harm the propane line & circuit panel while bouncing down the trail -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/newstorage/915857484_PCPao-O.jpg


Our typical water container -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/water2/915858461_Hm9TK-O.jpg


The 2.5 gallon square jug fits perfectly on its side in the sink while in transit or when not in use. And if it leaks, it drains out to the exterior drain, simple -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/water/915873445_n5YgV-O.jpg


The two new cabinets, along with the "new" bench & storage underneath, have increased our storage considerably. Where previously the floor was full with camp chairs, a chuck box, shower kit & tent, a fridge & firewood box, we now only have our fridge & firewood to work around upon set-up. I went back & forth on adding a new fridge instead of making the icebox spot into a pantry, but in the end I decided we already have the Engel, so we'll make it work with it being on the floor...


Engel 45qt fridge -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Our-FWC/allnew/915856355_wUQo8-O.jpg


While they reconfigured our galley storage, they also added new bed cushions. Time will tell if this was worth the effort & money, after all, two inch thick cushions just don't offer a lot of support, when used or new... We also upgraded my out-of-compliance propane tank, along with new lines. It's nice to have a bottle now with a gauge, which takes the guesswork out of trying to figure out how much propane remained in my old bottle.

In addition, they fixed a finicky door lock, replaced some broken trim pieces, capped the exterior water fill, put a cap on the sink drain exterior outlet and found & fixed a blocked section in my furnace. To their credit, Marty & Jeff did great work, found issues I didn't know my camper had and they got me out the door without breaking the bank.

I was also very grateful to them for sticking around late on a Saturday afternoon, so I could pick my camper up, which saved me from sitting in a hotel room for 2 nights until Monday morning when they re-opened. It's little touches like that which endear Jeff & Marty at All Terrain Campers to their customers and why I would be happy to give them my business again in the future, and why I will recommend them to anyone looking to have repair/restoration work done to an older model Four Wheel Camper.


With all of these new upgrades like the couch, Fantastic Fan, additional storage, bed cushions, aux battery charging solution, new flooring and propane tank, we are really excited for this summer and our upcoming trips to Colorado and the Pacific North West. I'm still very much a fan of the product and can't complain about putting a few bucks & some TLC back into our camper as it approaches 20 years old and considering all of the rough & tough miles we've put on it. As always, thanks for the encouragement and thanks for reading -


:campfire:

.
.

[Marc1]

Hi KC,
Looks great !! I'm glad you gave Marty & Jeff a chance. They do nice work and are real easy to work with. Just returned from one of your favorite areas, Mendocino. The coast is as beautiful as ever.

marc

[kcowyo]

I was happy to give them the business. I figured they built my '92 originally, and likely refurb'd it at the factory in '99.... made sense to have them freshen it up again.

You should thank them for letting me pick it up last Saturday, otherwise I was going to call you for a couch to sleep on. ;)

Glad to hear you made it to Mendocino... hope to be there in September!


:beer:
.

[Rambling OBHF]

I have truly enjoyed reading this thread although I did not discover it until we had already decided to buy a FWC Hawk and then purchased a Ford F-150 to slide under it. But, the thread and the wonderful photography has reinforced our FWC decision. Now we're just hanging around in the "waiting" room while the gang at FWC get to our "number" on the production list -- probably late October or early November. We did decide to add a furnace to our Escape Pod while reading your posts. Can't wait to get back on the road!

Again, thanks for for your interesting thread!

[kcowyo]

Again, thanks for for your interesting thread!

Thank you! And good call on the furnace, it will serve you well up there in the hills. Assuming you're taking delivery from Mike in High Point, you should expect a great buying experience from a real knowledgeable guy. Someday I hope to return home to the Old North State, to take our FWC out on the OBX and up to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Someday...


*******************

So what have we been up to lately? Watching the summer zoom by too quickly unfortunately... But we managed to sneak in a few outings here & there. We unfortunately canceled our September trip to the PNW, due to some family, who were a focal point of our trip, deciding to move from OR to Las Vegas in August. So we'll reschedule our PNW trip for a later time with a different itinerary...

Instead we spent our summer exploring Wyoming with family & friends, dog-sitting Spirit (http://theoasisofmysoul.com/) for a few weeks, running the famous Rubicon Trail with the Toyota Landcruiser Association and visiting Yellowstone National Park whenever time permitted...


It can snow in Yellowstone at any time -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/023/886603745_kPTX5-O.jpg


But the sun shines bright in California...
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/908888795_amxjP-O.jpg


And the scenery is always top-notch...
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/908888981_p9Lps-O.jpg


But the water was deep, deep...
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/908889171_g6bqo-O.jpg


And the rocks were HUGE and everywhere...
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/909649808_X6vho-O.jpg


But at the end of the week, it was all worth it -
http://photos.smugmug.com/photos/908770860_Fph7w-O.jpg


Just in time for fireworks in July, Linda & Pepper came through on their big summer adventure...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/369/931777598_Jmrrf-O.jpg


So we went up in the hills to an old gold mining town...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/196/931775254_yJq4V-O.jpg


And we watched an old-time baseball game...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/164/931774590_c2U3q-O.jpg


Then we set up camp and lit a campfire...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/228/931775724_GEjJS-O.jpg


And we enjoyed a big Wyoming sunset...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/286/931776747_y26tF-O.jpg


But with miles & months to go, Linda & Pepper continued on their big adventure down the road -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/232/931775829_G5gUL-O.jpg


Then one day, Ara & Spirit showed up at the house...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/packing-up/1027385555_nWtVn-O.jpg


But Ara had to leave to go to Germany for a few weeks...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/going/1027385423_t76U3-O.jpg


So Spirit hung out with us for awhile. We went for walks...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/day-1a/1027382193_Fk8bX-O.jpg


And we took some naps...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/Day2/1027383871_uHAKP-O.jpg


But before long, Ara came back and they were reunited & back in the saddle, heading for the horizon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/back-in-the-saddle/1027385011_XZoXt-O.jpg


More visitors showed up in the backyard at the end of the summer, reminding us that Fall is coming soon...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Gold-Rush-Days-Wyoming-July-10/deer/1027382449_XFkja-L.jpg


So we took the hint and headed up to Cody, Wyoming...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/131/1023681013_amSgs-O.jpg


And then we took a drive through Sunlight Basin...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/135/1023682121_LZmjw-O.jpg


Up to Yellowstone National Park, where we fed the bears a tourist or two...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/152/1024538239_dX8N6-O.jpg


And we drove over the incredible and scenic Beartooth Pass -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/138/1023683164_cDEec-O.jpg


To picture perfect Rock Creek Valley, just over the Montana border, where the Aspens were turning gold...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/147/1024537353_XmVVZ-O.jpg


Before heading home, a Bald Eagle watched over us, the ultimate symbol & reminder of the freedom we have and so gratefully enjoy...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/128/1023680170_qoaWs-O.jpg


And that's how we spent our summer vacation -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/132/1023681222_KHRqM-O.jpg



**Next stop - Valley of Fire, Las Vegas, Death Valley and perhaps Arizona, among the saguaros for a little soiree under the stars. Stay tuned-
.

[greg mgm]

Beautiful Pics and excellent story!
Thanks for sharing. :victory:

[Overland Hadley]

To picture perfect Rock Creek Valley, just over the Montana border, where the Aspens were turning gold...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/147/1024537353_XmVVZ-O.jpg
[/COLOR]

Did you drive the FS road up Rock Creek Valley?

It is a beautiful valley with lots of nice places to camp.

[Marc1]

KC ...

As always your cinematic eye captures the essence of this beautifull country of ours like few others. Looks like U guys had a great summer and covered some neat areas. Unfortunately my summer travels were limited since I sold my ATC in June, but that is soon to change as my new project is nearing completion.

All the best to u and yours

marc

[Deltarat]

Wow KC,

Beautiful pictures and great narrative.
Thanks for sharing with us..

Bob

[articulate]

Love it! Summer reflections; there's a reason why we all had to do this when we went back to school in fall. There's even more reason do it now that we're aging adults.

This was the cherry on top:

Before heading home, a Bald Eagle watched over us, the ultimate symbol & reminder of the freedom we have and so gratefully enjoy...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-september-2010/128/1023680170_qoaWs-O.jpg

[FourByLand]

Great recap!

Glad it was a good summer. Looking forward to you guys possibly making your way down here.

[kcowyo]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/547/1061996207_2cTYW-O.jpg


Summer was good, but Fall has been even better... Two local trips this month have been highlights of our year so far. The first trip was to the scenic & remote Green River Lake, tucked up high in the Wind River Mountains of NW Wyoming.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/022/1042595042_8My4m-O.jpg


Several things made this one special, but the biggest factor and most memorable was finding an old high school friend from NC, who I hadn't seen in 20+ years, sitting on the little beach of the lake, playing with his dogs. He was visiting friends in nearby Jackson, and decided to come out here for a night of solitude & camping. To say we were both shocked to see each other would be an extreme understatement... It was an amazing evening, renewing a friendship and catching up over dinner, a campfire and an impressive sunset that lit up the range above us.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/019/1042594526_PWiRy-O.jpg


We ran out of firewood before we ran out of things to talk about. In the morning we shared another meal and sat on the lake, throwing sticks in the water for his dogs to retrieve until our arms and the dogs were all exhausted.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/027/1042595941_oJcoT-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/036/1042597457_gcuXc-O.jpg


We exchanged contact info and promised to stay in touch. I'll have no problem keeping the promise I made on that lake. It was unfortunate that we had to leave so soon, but we both had prior plans that we had to keep. So we packed up and said farewell to the lake. Perhaps we will come back here to meet up and do it again next year.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/049/1042599528_UKSR5-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/028/1042595925_qXP6y-O.jpg


With that special trip and memory savored, we chose to visit another lake in the area this past weekend. Boysen Reservoir sits at the base of the Owl Creek Mountains and the Copper Mountians. We come here often, taking the kids on picnics to our "secret beach", and just to enjoy the views and the water. As long as the wind isn't howling (a rarity...) it's always a good time. For some reason though, we never camp here... Maybe it's the general windy nature of the area, maybe it's because it's fairly close to home or maybe because I can't take the 'boat-envy' I get whenever we come here and see the fisherman and water-skiers playing on the lake. This time we chose to stay for the night. And what a night it was...


Guaranteed to see some cowboys, real working cowboys, nearby -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/506/1061991099_nLzBw-O.jpg


Miles of shoreline to explore, just watch out for the soft stuff close to the waters edge -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/508/1062026087_R4Miz-O.jpg


When you find a spot you like, stop -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/510/1061998298_PmBqf-O.jpg


Take a walk down the beach -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/516/1061994031_A6TSm-O.jpg


Get a fire going and enjoy the view -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/517/1061998738_uRDJg-O.jpg


Pop the top and make yourself at home -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/518/1061998897_i2abM-O.jpg


Maybe the moon will pop up too -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/527/1061999394_fWUMD-O.jpg


Speaking of 'popping', she found Jiffy-Pop at the store. Buy some & bring it with you. Makes a great late night treat -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/529/1061999621_PTWM6-O.jpg


The 6am call of nature never fails... As long as you're going outside, take your camera with you. No telling what you might see -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/536/1061995599_pPiTP-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/540/1062000759_KMu6n-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/505/1061990432_xWX3A-O.jpg


When your hands go numb from the cold, go make coffee and come back outside later. There is always more to see -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/538/1062000697_KECSg-O.jpg




http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/544/1062001136_6GH3s-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/549/1061996432_J3QxP-O.jpg


And when you've had all you can stand, and your eyes & mind can't absorb anymore, go home. At least that's what we did last weekend. Then we immediately began planning our next trip... Kudos to Fall, kudos to wonderful Wyoming, and kudos to our little Four Wheel Camper.

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/068/1042602603_LVWLo-O.jpg


:campfire:
.

[Moody]

Excellent, as per usual...

[jim65wagon]

Summer did indeed zoom by all to quickly, doesn't it always? You captured some amazing images on your last couple of rides! Here I sit, fall coming on strong, the rack and water tank off the truck, no time off work, and all I can think about is how much I'd like to take another trip, somewhere, anywhere....maybe even Wyoming! Darn you KC! You and you're wonderful pictures! Aaagh! I need a vacation.....

[The Swiss]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/027/1042595941_oJcoT-O.jpg

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-2010/036/1042597457_gcuXc-O.jpg

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/517/1061998738_uRDJg-O.jpg

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/518/1061998897_i2abM-O.jpg

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/538/1062000697_KECSg-O.jpg

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-October-10/549/1061996432_J3QxP-O.jpg
:campfire:
.
This thread is therapeutic ... and probably the best advertising for our hobby and fourwheel camper. :bowdown:

[Surfy]

Wow, kcowyo - what for a thread :Wow1:

I think about a longtime travel, maybe one time arround the world.

I have done some offroad-trips in Laos and Thailand, and know - thats the way i want to travel.

The only question was, if i find a Setup, who allows living and offroading - and with this thread i now know - what should work.

Bevore i had a long wishlist for Addons - but - i need a bigtruck to realize.. Now i think, your Setup should fit perfect for me.

Thirst i thought, that i want to start inside the us, and to ask you for someone, who could build my truck. But then i see, that i doent could buy an Diesel-Pickup (Hilux, Ranger) inside the US. Too its not so easy as a Tourist, to get a Worldwide Insuranceprotection.

My last camping is long long time ago, and i am happy for each one, who could help my with his experience.

What you think about travelling arround the world, which a setup like you have?

Surfy

[goranvolvo]

How cold can get in the pop up camper can it be used in the winter?

[DesertBoater]

So I'm interested in potentially acquiring an Eagle for my 05 Tacoma. My biggest concern however is that I often end up carrying kayaks (whitewater or sea) on my roof, and am wondering about lifting/lowering the top with 3 boats up there? It would probably end up being somewhere around 150 lbs of boats on top. Does anyone have any experience with roof loads with a FWC?

Cheers,
West

[LuckyDan]

So I'm interested in potentially acquiring an Eagle for my 05 Tacoma. My biggest concern however is that I often end up carrying kayaks (whitewater or sea) on my roof, and am wondering about lifting/lowering the top with 3 boats up there? It would probably end up being somewhere around 150 lbs of boats on top. Does anyone have any experience with roof loads with a FWC?

Cheers,
West

With a proper roof rack, people haul kayaks, canoes, surf boards, spare tires and such all the time though size wise three boats may be at the limit. Some people also comment of hassle trying to raise the roof with a load on it. If you're unfamiliar, the FWC lifting system is fully manual, meaning you more or less push in/up the front and rear lifting panels as opposed to a crank system or the hydraulic system Alaskan uses.

I wouldn't let that be a deal killer though. If you tend to show up, off load then camp then no problem. In addition FWC sells, or people retro fit lift assist systems. This link will give you an idea:

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/2974/

Hope this helps...

[Funrover]

This thread is great and gives me hope. All of the trips you have done are very inspiring. With the reality that I may end up moving to WY so the better half and I have jobs it also shows me the many great ventures WY has to offer.

[CMJ Rocky Mnt Toyota]

Summer was good, but Fall has been even better... Two local trips this month have been highlights of our year so far. The first trip was to the scenic & remote Green River Lake, tucked up high in the Wind River Mountains of NW Wyoming.


Just spent 4 hours carefully reading the entire thread. GOOD WORK!

It seems that the more one investigates pop up campers with an off road theme that you will undoubtedly find your way to the FWC models - and eventually your thread on EP. First off I want to say THANKS for posting everything you have in such detail. From camper upgrades to trip reports you're attention to detail is excellent and am sure my thanks cover a lot of other folks out there with similar questions and concerns.

Currently:

I own a 2005 Tacoma TRD Access Cab, 6 speed manual. The vehicle sits on a 6" procomp suspension with coilovers up front and custom leaf springs in the rear - i used the add a leaf for a while but the stock springs in that truck are pretty lame even with the add- a-leaf and the new leaf spring packs are a huge improvement.

Anyhow, the truck is also sitting on 35" BFG MT's and currently have a snugtop cap that I have used as a mini camper for the last 5+ years -- and am now finally ready to upgrade! I live in Golden, CO and spend a lot of time exploring destinations above 10K.

I'm thinking that the FWC Eagle or Finch model would be best - I'm leaning more towards the Eagle unless someone can convince me that the Finch is actually the better model for my size vehicle. Another consideration is an ATC Bobcat but I like increased quality in FWC compared to ATC and think I will ultimately want to purchase FWC brand.

Questions:

Basically this is all about power for me. I know the suspension will support the weight and take me across the terrain I like to travel - lets face it tho, I'm not that hardcore and high clearance 4x4 roads are plenty for me. The truck is pretty much stock mechanically aside from the previously mentioned lift and an KN cold air intake and TRD cat-back exhaust.

When I lifted the vehicle and added 35" mud terrain tires the power and MPG went downhill. Simple, add that much more rolling mass compared to stock and the engine has to work harder to get and keep the truck moving. I did not experience such a decrease that caused big-time concern and decided not to do anything about it over the last 3+ years the truck has been lifted and riding around on 35" tires.

After speaking with my offroad shop I am pretty sure I am going to have the front and rear end gearing (ring and pinion) upgraded to bring the power and MPG closer to the way it was stock when it had much smaller wheels and tires.

What I'm wondering is if you think that will be enough? I'm not crazy about the cost in parts and labor to add the supercharger so that option is not high on my list.

My biggest concern is increased transmission temps. Second concern is MPG. Third concern is overall power and ability to climb up steep passes. The 4.0L 6 cylinder in the Tacoma is decent but just wondering how it will take an extra 1K lbs of "stuff". I thinking this is not going to stop me from purchasing a FWC but wanted to explore this issues before I shell out a large grip of cash for one of these units.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.


Cheers :safari-rig:

[kcowyo]

What you think about travelling arround the world, which a setup like you have?


I would do it if it were required to take what I already have. But if I had the choice of what vehicle & camper to take, I would prefer to take something similar to a full-size Tiger Motorhome (http://www.tigermotorhomes.com/home.htm) - a hard-side camper with a pass-thru from truck cab to camper, and a diesel engine. More interior room, onboard toilet & shower, better protection from weather & thieves, easier to stealth-camp if necessary and better fuel availability from what I've read.



How cold can get in the pop up camper can it be used in the winter?


The coldest night we've spent was 5*F. We have the factory installed heater which really helps. The Arctic-Pack soft-side liner helps too in cold weather conditions. Several owners use their camper as a "warming hut" at ski slopes and/or live out of them in the winter. The Turtle Expedition folks drove an early 90's model FWC across Siberia and they survived -40*F temps and worse... So camping in the winter can be done.



Does anyone have any experience with roof loads with a FWC?


Not me, but LuckyDan is correct, they do now offer roof lift assist struts to help considerably with roof loads and he has pointed you in the right direction with that link.



This thread is great and gives me hope...


Thanks Aaron. Hope you received my PM with some book suggestions. Best of luck with the move.



I'm leaning more towards the Eagle unless someone can convince me that the Finch is actually the better model for my size vehicle. Another consideration is an ATC Bobcat but I like increased quality in FWC compared to ATC and think I will ultimately want to purchase FWC brand.


Thank you for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

Personally, I like the way the Finch fits the new Tacomas. They are a great match, and the potential to leave your tailgate on with a Finch could be considered a bonus by some. That said, every single square inch in these campers is precious. So I would lean towards the Eagle for that reason alone. And don't discount ATC - they do great work and build a fine camper. I was very pleased with the refurbishing work they did on mine last year.

Per your other questions, I can't really offer much insight there. I've only test driven a new Tacoma with the 4.0, and that was with stock tires & no weight in the bed. It was right off the dealer's lot, so my experience with the 4.0 is next to none. If you plan to keep your 35" tires than regearing absolutely makes sense, but I can't speak to how it will perform or what mpg's to expect.

There are a few new Tacoma & FWC owners on this forum (Jeff Wanamog, for one..) and WanderTheWest.com who might be able to answer your questions with real numbers and their experiences. Sorry I can't be of more help.

.

[CMJ Rocky Mnt Toyota]

And don't discount ATC - they do great work and build a fine camper. I was very pleased with the refurbishing work they did on mine last year.

Thanks for the reply. I almost feel like I'm eating my own words from last week now that I have done even more research. Long story short, I've decided that I actually want the ATC Bobcat. I think the base price (Brand New) of an ATC camper includes more and there seem to be a couple better designed features on the ATC Bobcat compared to FWC Eagle. I do like the Finch model and the idea that I could install an extra tire carrier, jack, jerry cans, etc where the tail gate is but in the end decided that the Bobcat/Eagle were best models.

Most folks have seen the FWC webpage comparing their products against ATC products: http://www.fourwh.com/FWCvsATCcomparison.htm - not all the their info is accurate, especially regarding price of extras that are actually included for free.

What I had not seen before was an ATC dealer in Arizona who had an explanation back on most of these topics, and what I actually felt to be a better argument: http://jayaronowcampersales.com/The_Facts.html

Just to add in another tid-bit of info I found: http://www.coyoterv.biz/ABOUT-US.html who is another manufacturer of popups I had not seen before and the original owner of FWC. Their "About Us" page is interesting.


My truck is going in tomorrow to have the front and rear end geared to 4:88.

I think at this point in time I will order one of these campers over the winter to have it ready first thing next spring. That will also allow me more time for research and to watch the used market should one that is up to my standards come up for sale.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Overland Hadley]

(Brand New) ATC Bobcat

New Bobcat features?

[Jeff Wanamog]

First, all three builders make a fantastic product. You can't go wrong.
All three have very good customer service. Stan from FWC is here all the time.

Due to my work, I have set my camper up more as a 4-5 day camper. Nobody on here uses their camper like Kcowyo. Yes, I am jealous.
So I am not the one to ask about living out of the camper for an extended period of time.

If you are worried about fuel economy, first nix the 35" tires. As you get used to wheelin with your camper on, I think you will find you will prefer a lower center of gravity. I have 2 1/2" of lift and my tires are 265/75 16 BFG A/T.
I get 13 mpg with the camper on. I have 4:56 R&P's and I cruise between 65 and 70 at the most. A wind deflector at the front of the camper helps a lot too.

Coldest I have been in my camper is 14 degrees and I don't have a Arctic Pak.
You will never tent camp again. I love my camper. I love being warm in the morning. Making coffee in my under wear. And when Moma doesn't come on the trip, I even keep the porta-potti inside. (wink-wink).

If you are planning on a swing out tire carrier to carry that big 35" spare, go with a FWC Finch. If not, the Bobcat or the Eagle is a great choice. If you have time and love to tinker, watch for the used ones for sale. There is a guy on WTW that posts all the used campers for sale and he is awesome at finding them. http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/878/

Hope this helps.
Jeff

[CMJ Rocky Mnt Toyota]

New features?

I'm talking about brand new campers as it looks like FWC has "upgraded" some of their features. Basically, stuff like the inside vs. outside flaps, one piece roof, what is included in base price, the base price itself, etc, etc. A lot of what is explained on ATC dealer, Jay Aronow' website. I know a lot of it is personal preference.



First, all three builders make a fantastic product.

Thanks very much for the detailed reply. I completely agree that all three builders make a great product and the decision comes down to personal preference and cost. Personally, I believe that anything beyond 14-15k for a midsized truck camper just gets cost prohibitive for what you get in return. I was over 15k to build out a new FWC exactly the way I wanted and right at 13K with same features for a new ATC. - Not to mention more standard features were included with ATC, screen door is a great example.

As for the wheels and tires they will pretty much stay on the truck forever and the new 4:88 gear ratio will help me get around a heck of a lot better. I've been thinking of doing the gearing for a while its just taken the camper to give me the extra push to get it finished.

Adding a custom fairing will probably be something I do when carrying the camper around and plan to drive no faster than 68mph. I have a great yard with a platform to store this camper so will probably only have the camper physically sitting in the truck when I'm using it bc installing/removing camper is pretty darn simple.

Thanks again for all the points of view :victory:

[CMJ Rocky Mnt Toyota]

Below is a response from FWC regarding some of the features on the new campers. This is great info and helps to make an educated decision. I'm torn to say the least.


<<All Terrain Camper's 2 piece pitched roof vs. 1 piece flat roof >>

All of the FWC have an aluminum roof frame that is arched with a special machine before the welding process. So the FWC is not flat, and we do pride ourself on having a "one piece roof skin" with no seam and no roof screws. Having a seam and 40 + roof attachment screws holding the camper roof to the roof frame has always been a possible source for roof leaks. FWC did not want that any longer. Our roof is also rated for 1000 lbs. FWC has that "custom built" machine. When Jeff & Marty left to start their own thing, they don't have that machine, so they need to put their own "twist" on it.

<< All Terrain Camper's Square door vs. radius door >>

When the square door got old, sometimes the corners would crack. The radius rear door does cost us a little more, looks nice & modern, and is a stronger. The square door is OK, but we like moving our campers forward, better, and into modern times.

<< All Terrain Camper's Fiberglass insulation vs. polystyrene foam insulation>>

The last time I looked, a roll of fiberglass batting was less $$ that the sheet of polystyrene?? Who is burning polystyrene inside the camper ? We have had customers in the past that were worried about breathing the the fiberglass behind the breathable headliner in the camper. I don't think the fiberglass batting is a better insulator. If it was, wouldn't the high end campers be using it? I don't see many (if any) camper manufactures using spun fiber fiberglass insulation anymore.

<< All Terrain Camper's 16,000 BTU Furnace vs. 12,000 BTU Furnace >>

Probably a mute point. Our customers seem to like the small furnace because it is very quiet.

<< All Terrain Camper's large sliding front window vs. small window>

They are probably right on this one.

<< All Terain Camper's outside storm flaps vs. inside storm flaps. >>

Four Wheel Campers built this camper from 1972 all the way until 1995 with NO storm flaps on the outside of the camper. How could we have the good reputation we we built all of those thousands of campers with leaking windows during the storms? (it is a silly argument). When FWC moved the factory to Woodland in 1996 they hired an outside company to build the pop-up liners for them. The tarp company in Sac could not figure out how to sew the windows like the guys in Colorado, so instead of doing it right, they put a bandaid on it (external storm flaps). In 2004 we hired in 2 full time sewers, got a sewing room together, bought sewing machines, and took about 6 month perfecting the FWC window so we could build them again without the storm flaps (like the good ol days). Most customers did not want to have to go outside the camper if they wanted to open a window, and a lot of customer were not tall enough to open the outside windows. FWC has build over 2000 campers since 2004 with NO storm flaps on the outside. It make for a very clean look, a lot less stitching, less velcro, and no leaks in the storms. If the windows were leaking you would hear and see posting on the forums all the time. People are very quick to note problems when they exist.

<< ATC's Extended Cabover Bed is standard (no charge) on All models! >>

ALL of the FWC come standard (no charge) with the extended cabover bed and also the additional slide out at NO charge.

<< ATC's Screen door is standard (no charge) on All models! >>

We do charge for the screen door.

ATC's large sliding front window is standard (no charge) on All models!

We charge for the front opening window on normal camper models, but on the shell models the FWC come standard with the front opening window.

[BillTex]

We are “hard-siders”…but can appreciate why some Folks like the pop-ups. I will offer some feedback based on many years of TC camping that relates to either PU or HS TC’s, even though we have no dog in this fight;

<<All Terrain Camper's 2 piece pitched roof vs. 1 piece flat roof >>

All of the FWC have an aluminum roof frame that is arched with a special machine before the welding process. So the FWC is not flat, and we do pride ourself on having a "one piece roof skin" with no seam and no roof screws. Having a seam and 40 + roof attachment screws holding the camper roof to the roof frame has always been a possible source for roof leaks. FWC did not want that any longer. Our roof is also rated for 1000 lbs. FWC has that "custom built" machine. When Jeff & Marty left to start their own thing, they don't have that machine, so they need to put their own "twist" on it.

Less seams, holes, mounting point,etc= less opportunity for leaks. All campers are prone to leak over time and need maintenance. If you could eliminate a roof seam, I would consider this a major selling point. Leaks=ruined campers if not detected quickly. This alone might be a deal breaker for me.<< All Terrain Camper's Square door vs. radius door >>

When the square door got old, sometimes the corners would crack. The radius rear door does cost us a little more, looks nice & modern, and is a stronger. The square door is OK, but we like moving our campers forward, better, and into modern times.

I would agree with this, square corners=stress risers. We also have an AirStream, and some of the newer AS’s that used square cornered lockers (versus the older radius corners) are experiencing cracks in the corners of the Aluminum. Remember; this is a structure that will be rockin’ and rollin’ down the trail!<< All Terrain Camper's Fiberglass insulation vs. polystyrene foam insulation>>

The last time I looked, a roll of fiberglass batting was less $$ that the sheet of polystyrene?? Who is burning polystyrene inside the camper ? We have had customers in the past that were worried about breathing the the fiberglass behind the breathable headliner in the camper. I don't think the fiberglass batting is a better insulator. If it was, wouldn't the high end campers be using it? I don't see many (if any) camper manufactures using spun fiber fiberglass insulation anymore.

See comments on leaks above-fiberglass batting+wet=bad. It happens. I did not think anyone was using fg batting any longer in RV’s? This could also be a deal breaker for me.<< All Terrain Camper's 16,000 BTU Furnace vs. 12,000 BTU Furnace >>


Probably a mute point. Our customers seem to like the small furnace because it is very quiet.

Agree. Either will be plenty to heat a camper. Smaller motor=less power consumption.<< All Terain Camper's outside storm flaps vs. inside storm flaps. >>

Most customers did not want to have to go outside the camper if they wanted to open a window, and a lot of customer were not tall enough to open the outside windows.

Makes sense to me. Why would I want to venture outside in nasty weather to adjust windows?
<< ATC's Extended Cabover Bed is standard (no charge) on All models! >>

ALL of the FWC come standard (no charge) with the extended cabover bed and also the additional slide out at NO charge.

North/South bed= no climbing over your partner. This could be good or bad…depending on your partner!<< ATC's Screen door is standard (no charge) on All models! >>

We do charge for the screen door.

I would want a screen door. Even if it cost $I am sure you would be thrilled with any TC you purchase…they are awesome! But go slow, and think about how long you might own this and what your expectations are. Guys like KC really put them to the test…

Good luck, Bill

[kcowyo]

Due to receiving several PM's with questions about using/owning a Four Wheel Camper that I may not have addressed in this thread, I want to share the following PM and my response. I think the questions and my answers are valid and may provide insight & information to anyone else in a similar position while researching the best options for their camping experience -



I've been reading your adventure of when you first purchased you 4wc Eagle.
Now picture your Mom trying to put up the pop-up and can she do it?
I've been exploring for the last 8 years in my 2002 Subaru Forester from the Southwest, California Mountains to the Artic Circle in the Yukon and Alaska camping and sleeping in my Forester. The last trip this past Mar was the final one I can manage in the Forester. Turning 65, I can't be a pretzel anymore or an icecube. It went down to 30F overnight in Joshua Tree NP.
I'm looking at a 2009 Toyota Tacoma 2.7L 4 cyl 2x4 access cab truck and have found the Eagle by 4wc or the Bobcat by ATC will fit it. Now if I get one of these pop-up campers, will I be able to open the pop-up by myself because I'm the only one there. I travel solo and am 5ft 2n tall with shoulder and neck problems.
How much strength does it require and how difficult is it to open the outside clasps?

Thank you in advance. I really need someone to answer these questions before I go ahead with a big purchase for the truck and a new camper. I can't find any used especially in Canada. And my response - *special thanks to Jeff Wanamog and suntinez for use of their photos which I blatantly stole from their threads to illustrate my points.

******************************************

65 and 5'2.. I bet you're adorable!

These campers are wonderful for staying warm & comfortable at night. The factory does now offer a "lift-assist system" to make raising & lowering the roof easier because it is heavy and awkward. This consists of two small struts, like a shock absorber, that they install on both sides of the camper, on the outside. These operate just like the struts on the rear hatch of your Forester, so you're not lifting all that weight by yourself, plus letting the hatch drop slowly when you pull it down. Here's a photo for example -


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/photos/i-mtMPtsF/0/M/i-mtMPtsF-M.jpg


And another view of the same camper with the top opened and the struts extended -

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/photos/i-n2gLRXp/0/L/i-n2gLRXp-L.jpg


These really do help, especially with lowering the top which is actually the hardest part of opening & closing the top. You can literally push the top up with these with only one hand, just like the rear hatch on your Subaru. Closing it, especially when the camper, struts & soft-sides are new and a little stiff takes a little more effort until everything has been broken in.

Closing the outside clasps is super simple, you can do it with one hand, although at 5'2 you'll probably need a step-stool of some kind to reach them.. no offense! Here are a few photos -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper020.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper019.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper018.jpg


They are simple tension clasps, very easy to do - 2 on the front, and 2 per side. When the camper is new, the soft-sides are sort of stiff, so you may need to tuck the some of the sides in before you close the clasps. But as the materiel breaks in, the soft-sides fold in much easier with minimal to no tucking required.

Now all that said, I'm going to be very honest with you. I do get asked questions similar to yours by single women travelers fairly often. Particularly if these campers will work for someone with neck/back/shoulder problems, or what would I recommend for the solo woman on the road. I am hesitant to recommend these pop-up truck campers... The bed requires crawling up onto, there are no potty facilities unless you buy a cassette toilet, crawling in and out of the tiny door is hard on the head & knees, and installing & removing the camper from the truck is a pain in the rear end - although the factory will install it for you initially. In addition, some smaller trucks like the Tacoma (and mine), require additional modifications to the suspension, like airbags and stiffer tires to handle the weight of the camper. It is a slippery slope...

I would strongly recommend taking a visit to the Canadian FWC dealer in Vancouver, BC. Gary is a great guy, very knowledgeable and should have a couple of demo units on hand that you can check out in person. At one point he even had a rental program so you can try one out before deciding to purchase.. Here is a link to his website - Morrisey Industries (http://fourwheelcampers.ca/)

The one vehicle/camper I most recommend to a single female is the Tiger Provan GT. It is a small camper on a mini-van chassis, with all of the amenities, including a potty & shower. These have a pop-up roof like the FWC, but they use the interior space much more efficiently. For comparison, my FWC and forum member Linda's Tiger -


http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/summer%202010%20roadtrip/WY/tonifwc.jpg


And with the top down -

http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh310/suntinez/tiger/TigerinZionNP.jpg


It is easy to drive & park, has a much bigger door to the camper, a ladder to crawl into bed, good gas mileage, a reliable engine that any mechanic can work on if it has issues down the road and they are so comfy inside. And Linda has since added the same lift-assist struts to her Tiger's roof that FWC uses and she loves them with her bad shoulder. They stopped making these in '05 or '06 I believe, but it's fairly easy to find near new used models out there for a good price, certainly a lot less than a new truck & FWC would cost. You could keep your Subaru for driving around town even, although these Tigers are easy enough to drive around town if you choose.

Just a suggestion and food for thought... but since you asked what would I recommend to my own Mother if she were travelling around by herself, the Tiger Provan GT would be my top choice. If you would like to get her feedback, Linda's username on this forum is "suntinez" and I know she would be happy to chat with you about her experiences. Tell her KC recommended her as a great resource for these campers.

Hope I haven't overwhelmed you with info, but that I was able to answer your questions. Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions, I would be glad to help!

- KC

[Northern Explorer]

Good reply KC.

[klahanie]

Due to receiving several PM's with questions about using/owning a Four Wheel Camper...
...<snip>...
Feel free to let me know if you have any other questions, I would be glad to help!

- KC

KC,
That generous reply, and the sharing of it here, perfectly illustrate the injustice of the unmerited and uncivil response you recently received on another board.

Just saying :-)

[kcowyo]

No good deed goes unpunished, eh David? :)

No worries.. it was an inconsequential comment on a secondary forum.

But thanks for your comment. I enjoyed it and appreciate it very much. :beer:


Moving on -

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-May-2011/i-PZHtWKH/0/O/CW038.jpg
.

[chadlanc]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-May-2011/i-PZHtWKH/0/O/CW038.jpg
.

Wheres this at?

[Sgt.Kilroy]

Just spent 4 hours carefully reading the entire thread. GOOD WORK!

...my thoughts exactly. My wife has been commenting once per hour that "you must have to pee you've been sitting there so long..."

My first post on ExPo had to be here KC.

Thanks for all of your hard work.

[kcowyo]

Wheres this at?

The Absaroka Mtns, in NW Wyoming.



...my thoughts exactly. My wife has been commenting once per hour that "you must have to pee you've been sitting there so long..."

My first post on ExPo had to be here KC.

Thanks for all of your hard work.

Thank you very much and welcome to ExPo. I don't want to be responsible for you going into kidney failure so by all means, take a break and come back ;)


I'm a little behind here in updates and trip photos which I will try to catch up with soon. Over the Winter & Spring we have been fortunate to visit Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah and a couple of trips here in Wyoming.

I'm happy to report that the camper continues to do well in all scenarios; high winds, hard rain, bitter cold and snow. To date not a single leak in wet weather. The furnace is still operating well in single digit temperatures although the ignitor is getting a little ornery with me... On a couple of occasions the fan comes on but blows only cold air. Turning the furnace on & off 2 or 3 times seems to do the trick and the heat eventually comes on but it's something that will need to be addressed sooner than later. Considering it's age and the amount of use, I can't complain.

To follow up on the addition of new 2" sleeping pads last June, I'm sad to report that they were a complete waste of money. They offer no more support than the pads they replaced, so that was $40 down the drain. I have taken to bringing a roll-up egg-crate sleeping pad with us, which I lay on top of the pads and that helps some. All other upgrades from last year were worth the time & money and have proven to be smart options.

Until I have time to do more thorough trip reports, I will share a few photos from our travels over the last 6 months -


Arizona with friends -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Arizona-California-November/067/1116065393_AzCqZ-O.jpg


Approaching Saline Valley in Death Valley NP -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Arizona-California-November/102/1115955493_C2e4i-O.jpg


Winter in the Tetons -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Tetons/T030/1235283940_FqKzN-O.jpg


Lonely lake in Wyoming -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Tetons/S002/1230470988_Nu9YF-O.jpg


Valley of Fire in Nevada -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Arizona-California-November/156/1115961306_kFgxL-O.jpg


Utah in the Spring -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-April-2011/i-TmPNjmS/0/O/UTA047.jpg


Easter morning in Utah -(which marked our 5 year anniversary of ownership, btw)
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Utah-April-2011/i-rfbtCbh/0/O/UTA035.jpg

[upcruiser]

Winter in the Tetons -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Tetons/T030/1235283940_FqKzN-O.jpg




That my friend, is an amazing shot! :drool:

[meach4x4]

... The furnace is still operating well in single digit temperatures although the ignitor is getting a little ornery with me... On a couple of occasions the fan comes on but blows only cold air. Turning the furnace on & off 2 or 3 times seems to do the trick and the heat eventually comes on but it's something that will need to be addressed sooner than later. Considering it's age and the amount of use, I can't complain.



In a previous camper, I had a similar problem with intermittent furnace lighting. It turned out to be carbon build up on the sparking device. After it was cleaned up it worked as good as new.

Glad to hear how good your camper is doing. I'm going out on my second journey with mine tomorrow morning. We are headed out for a few days camping at Toroweap Lookout. Normally, it would be a little late to head out there. This year the temps have been quite cool, and it is finally getting warm at the local places. Next week will be Kanab and Hog Canyon trails.

Life is good, and I'm enjoying the Toyota/FWC combo very much.


62292

62293

62294

62295

Gil (need to go update my sig line) :eek:

[kcowyo]

In a previous camper, I had a similar problem with intermittent furnace lighting. It turned out to be carbon build up on the sparking device. After it was cleaned up it worked as good as new.

Good tip Gil. You were right, a little gunk that just needed cleaning. All better for now. Glad to hear & see you're out enjoying your new camper. I hope it serves you & your family well.


***********************************


Well folks, here we are... A little over 5 years of owning our camper and maintaining this thread. What I originally envisioned as a short review with some photos has turned into long-term review, with numerous trip reports from the western US and hundreds of photos, with over 153,000 views as of today. To say I'm shocked and humbled is putting it mildly... Certainly not what I had in mind when I began.


This review thread has outlasted -
2 laptops
3 cell phones
3 photo-hosting services
2 cameras
1 roof-top tent
3 sets of tires
3 forum upgrades


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Arizona-California-November/104/1116128344_RCQNF-O.jpg


Although not always documented, our travels have taken us to -
Utah - 12 trips
California - 10 trips
Colorado - 8 trips
Montana - 6 trips
Idaho - 5 trips
Nevada - 5 trips
Arizona - 4 trips
Oregon - 2 trips
New Mexico - 2 trips
Wyoming - I lost count...


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Arizona-California-November/114/1115989473_FmPsH-O.jpg


I used to keep track of how many nights we had spent in our camper. Not for bragging rights, more out of curiosity and to justify the initial price of the camper. I stopped counting after 200 nights, figuring by then I had easily justified the original $3,000 purchase price.

Over the last 12 months I have spent another $400 on upgrades & repairs documented a few pages back. Not bad for a nearly 20 year old camper... We can add another $400 for the Engel fridge I purchased years ago, although we move that back & forth between our 3 vehicles, so it's not exclusive to the FWC. But those numbers are a fair tally of the cost invested in our camper. In my mind, the best $3,800 I ever spent.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-May-2011/i-znbNdZj/0/O/pano2.jpg



I have watched this forum explode in popularity over the years, from less than 1,000 members when I started this thread, to over 28,000 members today. Just incredible... In the time I have maintained this thread I have seen the start up of Overland Journal, the Overland Expo events, Overland Training and several other 'Overland' business entities. I've watched a resurgence in popularity for Four Wheel Campers, the start-up of All Terrain Campers, the roof-top tent boom and Adventure Trailers coming into the mainstream.

I've seen some con-men start up their own businesses here and fail, while seeing other companies thrive in a dismal economy. I've rolled my eyes at those here who have had their hands out a little too much for my taste and I have tried to support those who I believe truly deserve it and do their best with it. I've made some good friends here and shared some great adventures with them. In the unpopular role as a forum moderator, I have also pissed some people off. For that I will accept the blame (since they surely will not) and chalk it up to the Gemini in me.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Grasslands-May-2011/i-2prcfgK/0/O/W022.jpg


I've watched another small forum, originally dedicated to FWC owners - with about 10 members, start-up and I directed countless people who've asked me questions here about FWC's to that site to help them get rolling. Today they are over 1,600 members and while they have diversified their content somewhat, they are a good group of folks over there who are still just as passionate about their campers and their outdoor experiences as I am. If you want to know more about FWC's, from an owner's perspective, I encourage you to take a look at WanderTheWest.com and engage in the discussions with some smart, smart folks who go on fantastic adventures. And if you want to antagonize the forum's owner, hang out in their "Advocacy" section and tell him what you really think... ;-)


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2009/FWC-Rally-September-2009/Silverton-016/702368788_D5zNg-O.jpg


And in fairness to me, I have attempted to provide, through the information here and in answering hundreds of questions from potential owners via PM's, emails and at trade shows, a fair and balanced look at the products made by Four Wheel Campers. In the time I have owned mine, I also purchased a 2008 Hawk and was fortunate enough to take the company's 'Overland' model on a two week trip through Arizona & California for 'testing' to provide the owner of the company feedback on what worked and what didn't. I feel I have given, and been given, a fair shake by the company to learn & enjoy all the positive attributes of a lightweight slide-in truck camper without becoming a shill. Nor did I bad mouth the company when the owner decided he could sell just as many campers, with or without me giving them tons of free press and glowing reviews. I understand, it's just business and so I wish the company the very best in their future endeavors. And if I take a little smidge of credit, that the company owner won't give me, for increasing their sales over the last 5 years, well, that's my perogative. Keep the kickbacks Tom... You and I know the truth.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Nevada-California-December/Kofa09-058/731613433_BBhxC-O.jpg


And if you do order a Four Wheel Camper through the factory, you should know that Stan and Steve are two of the nicest, most generous and professional salesmen you can hope to work with. I've worked with them in their office and I have seen the deluge of phone calls and emails they deal with on a daily basis. Their workload would kill a lesser man and they should be commended for the job they do. Whenever I see someone gripe on a forum about the time it takes to get a return call occasionally from the factory, I just think to myself that there is no way that the person complaining could do a better job than Stan & Steve. Imagine 2 men trying to fill 300+ camper orders a year, while answering lengthy phone calls and emails from customers, replying to inquiries on forums, attending week long trade shows, scheduling service appointments, maintaining the (albeit, dated) company website and answering who knows how many phone calls from people who bought used campers and have endless questions... It's a grueling job trying to appease so many and Stan and Steve do it day in, day out. So if they missed your call or email, or you're tired of the ol' website, give them a break. They do the work of 10 salesmen and they are genuinely nice guys doing their job the very best they can.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Denver-January-2009/003/759960460_8saeA-O.jpg


So where am I going with all of this..? Well, my children were 5 & 2 years old when I started this thread. Today they are 10 & 7 years old... Hell, I've even crossed into my 40's in the duration... my, how time flies. And so as they get older and I get older my attentions and desires have changed. I will continue to use and enjoy my camper and I will continue to go on fun trips to great places, writing & photographing what I see. But over the last several months it has become an effort to answer questions and maintain this thread with as much enthusiasm as when I began. Clearly my children need more of my time and deserve more of my time and energy than a camper company that is doing just fine without me. There are plenty of owners online now who can answer and detail the specifics & nuances of these little units, unlike when I first started this thread. So my intention is to fade into the background and pursue this & other interests without feeling the self-inflicted pressure of having to update this thread and continuing to answer questions about the product.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-May-2011/i-LvtJCLC/0/O/CW072.jpg


I didn't want to abandon this thread.. I hate when good threads just die off. So consider this a farewell and a hearty & sincere thank you to all who have read and contributed to it over the years. Thank you to those who popped in just to offer kind words & compliments. Thank you to those who kept me up to date with your purchases and experiences. Thank you to Scott Brady for the space to ramble about my ramblings. Thank you to Stan Kennedy, who always made me feel like a part of the FWC team and for selflessly sharing your extensive knowledge about the campers. And to those I may have offended... you'll be alright.

I hope you all have enjoyed the musings here as much as I have enjoyed contributing them. The bottom-line on my review..? "Great product, buy one & you'll love it, and tell Tom the owner that KC sent ya'."

Now it's time to go camping with my family.... Be well, safe travels and see you down the road -


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Wyoming-May-2011/i-qMXPwpx/0/O/CW040.jpg
.

[Overland Hadley]

And that's a wrap -
.

Thanks KC for the time and effort you have put into sharing with us your FWC journey.

See you on the road!

[gjackson]

Now it's time to go camping with my family.... Be well, safe travels and see you down the road -

KC, you, throughout your time on the portal, have been one of the most generous with your time and opinions in helping others as well as one of the most balanced moderators on this forum. I'm always in awe . . .

Safe travels, and I certainly hope to see you on the trail. There is no better place . . .

cheers

[Oni]

Thank you for this thread KC. I have enjoyed it for a long time, and it was one of the reasons I started putting together a notebook of FWC's (I always do that when I'm researching a big purchase).

I plan to be camping with my family in the future...hope to see you and yours on the trail someday!

[Jeff Wanamog]

You were one of the people that enlightened me to the wonderful world of the pop up camper. I am truly honored that you even mentioned my name or stole, I mean borrowed one of my meager pictures of my rig. I can only hope that one day our paths cross and we can share some relaxation time.
Please keep us informed here and at WTW as to your travels and fantastic photos.

See ya dude!
Jeff:bowdown:

[SLO_F-250]

KC,

Thanks for all the time you put in continuing this thread. I read and looked through your thread numerous times before I bought my camper. Although it was not an FWC, but a fixer upper plywood box, you inspired me to just go for it and enjoy the adventure. So thank you. One day (after saving $$) I plan on and will to join the FWC club. Ive owned my camper for just over a year and have about 20 trips on it and many more to come.

Best wishes to you, your family, and future.
Cheers,

Paul

[Stan@FourWheel]

Hey KC


I just wanted to give you a BIG shout out to say "THANK YOU !" for all of your efforts, pictures, and stories over the years.

Your pictures and stories have been very inspiring to read.

There is no doubt your thread guided many people to choose the Four Wheel Pop-up Camper route for some of their travels.

I wish you the best in whatever you decide to work on next.

Please let me know if there is anything I can help with down the road.


Safe Travels !


Stanley


.


.

[blupaddler]

KC... Outstanding epilogue. Not that I would expect anything less.


Cheers to the guy who has probably the longest (time in years) thread here on the portal, the editor of "Wit" magazine, and most of all a good friend and stand-up guy!




I will leave with one line, of many, in your thread that made me laugh while re-reading...


"I can pretty much guarantee you'll never see pics of my truck perched on a rock, posing like some four wheeled Captain Morgan."

[Overland Hadley]

I will leave with one line, of many, in your thread that made me laugh while re-reading...

"I can pretty much guarantee you'll never see pics of my truck perched on a rock, posing like some four wheeled Captain Morgan."

One of my favorites as well.

[chnlisle]

Well my friend I'm depending on the epilogue being a prologue. I don't want to believe I won't be seeing the familiar green T100 in every back country photo on the web.

For those of you here that don't know K.C. you should know that he is one of the kindest, fairest and most humble guys with whom I've ever had the luck to share a few words. To be sure he knows, at the very least, half the back roading community by name. He really does know where all the bodies are buried and he's generous enough to keep that to himself. He won't say it but I know of those who have unnecessarily treated him unfairly and he deserves better.

K.C. I am fortunate to call you friend. Stop in from time to time and see'ya down the road.

[HMR]

Thanks for this great thread KC!

I'm still buying the beverages when we finally meet up in Stanley one of these days.

[klahanie]

Congrats KC, on an odyssey well lived.

and,

Happy Retirement, eh!

[NothingClever]

Sheesh, he's not, like, going into hospice or anything guys.

But if you are, KC, can you will me the Hula girl from your dash or something? Thanks, dude.

[meach4x4]

I am a little behind in my response to the winding down of one of the best threads I ever fell into. I have a personal debt of gratitude to KC for being the most influential person in my purchase of my 2009 Eagle. I was able to convince my wife of the value of our purchase after she read a lot of the 30 pages of travalogue KC assembled here. Most of all his assurance that we we making the right purchase when we finally decided to make our purchase.

So actually, I guess I can also blame KC for the fact that I am a little tardy in my reply here. I've been out camping or building up my Taco and adding solar to my Eagle almost every day since the purchase. We've spent 9 nights in the FWC in the month since I drove it home. For each of those nights, and the many more to follow, I thank you, KC, for the inspiration to follow the path you've laid out.

Hopefully, our paths will cross soon and we can share a campfire together under a star filled sky. It would be my pleasure.

Gil

[DiploStrat]

when do we get the next chapter? You can't quit now!

Like many, this was one of the first threads I followed when I joined in 2008. And I have enjoyed it ever since; a wonderful combination of fun and common sense camping and truck modification.

I feel a special affinity for the Four Wheel Camper as I looked at one in 1977, when my efforts to buy a 4x4 Chevrolet van fell through and I wanted to mate one to a Blazer. It is worth noting that the founder of Provan was associated with Four Wheel Campers back in the day and the earliest Tigers were basically a pop up camper mated to a van or pickup. Indeed today's Tiger is basically the same camper with a molded hard roof.

All of this testimony to the enduring quality of the Four Wheel Camper.

So, keep us posted on your next trip!

All the best,

[Rot Box]

I don't know if its the photography, the stories or that we both enjoy the same areas of WY and MT (surprised we haven't bumped into each other by now :Wow1:) but I love coming back to this thread! Thanks again for sharing.

Andrew

[The Swiss]

Thanks KC for this great thread. Your pictures and stories - as I mentioned i an earlier post - are therapeutic, at least for me they were.

The focus does shift in life and it is great you are taking a time-out to enjoy your kids growing up. :bowdown: As they will get even older - and believe me, it will go even faster now; it seams it was just yesterday that I watched my "babies" playing Junior Peewee games, they are a senior and junior at high school now,the older fixen to leave for college :eek: your focus in life will continuously be evolving and shifting. I would not be surprised to see you back here on the forum very actively in only a decade or so, telling the cyber world about your real world adventures you meanwhile enjoyed with your kids. As the tag line of the Camel Trophy read: One life, live it! So long, see you later! :wavey:

[Gerdo]

Wow. I just read all 31 pages of posts. I have been traveling in my 4runner. Sleeping in the back and cooking outside. When bad weather hits, it's less than ideal. A few years ago I built a teardrop trailer. We have put about 20,000 miles on it. It does have limitations. Space and dragging it down trails (I prefer to boondock). I have been looking at rehab'ing a sportsman 8 that I could get cheap (to go on my pickup). Or after reading this, search for a FWC. I found a couple local but I'm out of town so they will have to wait. I want to gut one and build to suit my needs. You truly have me jazzed.

By the way, we bought an engel a few years ago (traveling with prescription drugs that had to stay ~37 degrees at all times). Some of the best money spent. We love it. So much better than a cooler with ice sloshing around.

[ETAV8R]

I'm a bit late to this party but just as the last person who posted noted...I too just read this entire thread and your photographs are fantastic, words well put, and now I want a FWC even more. Thank you!

[Pacific Northwest yetti]

I too, just read the entire thread! I don't know if it was the pictures of old stomping grounds and home, or the great writing. Either way Thanks KC, all concerns i had regarding a Hawk FWC have been abolished. I found this thread to be one of the most helpful, and a great read. I vote for it to be published as a coffee table book. I will be sure and let Tom know you convinced me without a doubt. I wish you and the family the best luck on the next chapter of you're life. Thanks for everything!


See yes on the trail

[L57]

Thank you for sharing the adventures of a lifetime, for living & telling the great tale to us all, for capturing the images that mesmerize late at night when life seems to stall. All the best in your future endeavors with your family. I am truly inspired and have made that leap...Next road sign, "Alaska that'a way." Hope to find you & the family on the trail.

Linda & Two Golden Retrievers
Pennsylvania
Purchasing a FWC this week/Tacoma DC

[MrBeast]

KC, Great review. If I was not so dead set on a hard side id be buying a FWC.

I really enjoyed reading about your travels, stayed up most of the night last night reading.

As well I am pretty sure this is emigrant peak?

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/016/867079369_DPCM9-O.jpg

I am not sure because I am not used to seeing it from that angle, but if it is I used to live not that far from there when I was in high school, and I was born and raised in Livingston.

I got my first taste of aviation over at The Flying Y ranch MT48 there ole Duane took me up in his 172 when I was about 8 years old, and I have been hooked on flying ever since.

[Sean VHA #60013]

KC, excellent thread! I just spend a better part of the night reading the entire thread, as I stumbled upon it while doing research on how to customize camper shells, researching modifying my 1989 Dodge W250 Cummins into a vehicle I can sleep in and live in for 3-4 days at a time if I go into Travel Nursing [I am an Emergency Room RN & Charge Nurse] , and also something I can take my Wife and children camping in if I do not go into Travel Nursing.

This thread has been an exceptional read! You have me thinking of simply pursuing a FWC instead :coffeedrink: