Flip Pac VS Four Wheel pop up camper

[Outback]

Hello,
I am in the process of building an expedition rig (2005 Dodge Power Wagon) for local and some over seas expeditions. For 2008 we are planning a trip to Morocco. My question to you all is which do you prefer a Flip Pac or Four Wheel pop up camper. I have seen and been in both and really like them. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. But I have not spent alot of time in either. Nor have I slept in either. I really like the lighter weight of the Flip Pac which right off the bat is a huge advantage. But there are other considerations I am sure of that I am not aware of at the moment. Any help would be appreciated.

[Scott Brady]

Trips less than one week with a family- Flipac
Trips longer than one week with a family- 4Wheel

The longer the trip, the greater the importance of integration, storage, simplicity and all weather capability. Flipac is great for the solo traveler or hard core couple. For a family, I think you need the ease of set-up, hard roof, galley, etc.

[Scenic WonderRunner]

I know you only listed two types in your post............

(....and I'm not trying to take away from Scott's post above, as I agree with him.)

Between the Flip~Pac and the FWC.............I would choose the FWC.

I've never had a camper. But if I had a full size truck I would consider this unit.

I know it's bigger and heavier than both of those you listed. But I do like the availability of the on board bathroom with shower.....and it seems perfect for really long trips! So lets put it in the "Long Expedition" category. (or....poor man's Earth Roamer)

If I were doing LONG Trips..........and especially like in a foreign country.....I would consider these pop~tops.

I'm sure these units would work best with a full size with Diesel.

The downside is......they are not cheap.


http://www.off-road.com/ford/camp/outfitter/intro/

[Outback]

The main trip we are preparing for is to Morocco. It would be just me and the wife. I should have stated that before. I see all the Rovers with the roof mounted tents and feel this Flip Pac idea is just the next progression of that idea. Are the Flip Pacs Heavy Duty? I felt Vinces was well made but since I wasnt in the market for one back then (Mojave trip) I really didnt check it out to closley. I am still waiting to hear back from the guide service what the durations will be out in the Sahara. I feel it will be quite extended at one point or another. I do know that some nice Moroccan rugs will be used for the entry area regardless of the camper chosen. All of my fuel will be under the bed of the truck in custom made fuel tanks. Water will be stored in both sides of the truck bed also in custom made storage tanks. That is all I really have planned for now. I dont want to go over my GVRW so weight is a huge considerations and also the fact that this is a route finding expedition means I need to keep the weight low and my 4x4 capability high. I do like that camper though but I dont think that will work for this trip. I also need to be able to load everything into a storage container for the trip to Morocco.

[kcowyo]

Tough, tough call.

I was shopping for either, in good used condition and wound up with a FWC because that's what came available first. Had I found a similar deal on a FlipPac, I would have gone that route. Based on a morning crawling around Vince's FlipPac and my own experience with my FWC here's what I can offer -


I would rather have the headroom of the FlipPac. I can't do in the FWC, what he's doing here.

I would rather have the solid roof of the FWC in inclement weather

I like the galley but what I really wanted was to be able to sit up at a table inside at the end of the day

I like the ability to customize your own interior in a FlipPac for a fraction of what you can outfit a FWC for

I like having a heater in the FWC

I like that when I'm not using the FWC, I can take it off and leave it in the driveway with all of my camping equipment in one place, ready to go. With mounted jack stands you could leave the camper in camp and take the Power Wagon to town for an ice cream

I like that a new FlipPac is about 1/3 the cost of a new FWC

I like that the FlipPac, from a short distance looks like a regular truck topper. I look like a guy searching for a KOA with a camper on my truck

I like that you're getting a Hemi and that makes the unloaded weight difference between the two negligible. Depending how you load up, one could weigh more than the other

I like that the engineers at FWC did the work for me so now I don't have to figure out where I'll put my water tank, propane bottle, sink, heat source, fridge, etc.

I like that the FlipPac allows you to keep your tailgate. I have mine in storage and miss having that immediate workspace/placetoparkmyass

I like that the FWC has curtains and blinds available for privacy. I might even get some new, more butch looking curtains soon

I like that the FlipPac sleeping arraingement still allows for use of the entire floor. The pullout bed in a FWC covers half the available space when opened up.

I like the legacy of FWC from Turtle Expeditions taking them around the world

I like the lower profile of the FlipPac

I like the simplicity and strength of the FWC's mounting system

I like that the FlipPac allows for the entire back window and tailgate to open up over the Alice in Wonderland door of the FWC





....am I helping here?

[oly884]

...

Nicely done KC!

Mine choice was simple, FWC. It'll be here in a couple weeks. The reason being, I'm in Montana, and the weather can change in the tip of a hat. A tent would not be fun in snow, rain, high winds, etc.

Plus I'm going to be doing camping this winter (see: below zero temps) and with the furnace and the arctic pack on the FWC I'll be nice and cozy.

[OutbacKamper]

Outback;
I can't contribute too much since all I know about Flip-pac is what I have seen on this site. The biggest drawback to the Flip-pac from what I can see is the fabric roof. I would think that the Flip-pac would be a great alternative to a roof top tent, but not ideal in cold and/or wet weather (not a big problem in Morroco!)

I like that the FlipPac sleeping arraingement still allows for use of the entire floor. The pullout bed in a FWC covers half the available space when opened up.

KC;
For the Power Wagon, Outback would probably use a Hawk, or Granby, both are available with an extended bed to avoid the pullout bed issue.

Cheers
Mark

[Outback]

WOW! Are you helping? You bet! Thanks guys you have made some valid points. Outbackamper you are correct about the lack of rain in Morocco. I will also be using it here. I wonder if they make a rainfly for it. Time to call Flip Pac. I also like the idea of designing my own interior. Vince has done an nice job. My water tanks are pretty much finished in my head. I need them to be built now. The storage with a Flip Pac can be accomplished with some drawer type tool boxes commercially available and will act as a step to the upper bed area. I do like though to cook outside of my vehicle. This is especially true in Bear country. Great tips. Thanks. I think I will go with a Flip Pac unless I hear something else to change my mind.

[OutbacKamper]

I do like though to cook outside of my vehicle. This is especially true in Bear country.

Your other option is to get a shell model 4WC. This would give you the avantages of the 4WC and the unfinished interior space to install your custom water tanks and other equipment. This is the route I went, since I also prefer to cook outside. Once you return from Morroco you could add a propane furnace, and other equipment if you want.

If you are interested, I have some pics of my set up on the Expedition Equipment for sale section of the forum.
Cheers
Mark

[calamaridog]

(I know next to nothing about either product having only seen a few of each and never having owned one)

What about dust? Wind and dust?

What about shipping? Will they fit in a container or will you have to ship them separately?