Four Wheel Campers

[Downeaster]

Been researching all I can over camper forums to decide if the Hawk to ride in a Tundra is my best option. Shopping for truck and camper now, and Im honestly a Toyota guy. Problem is the FWC seems to be the best option for the Tundra because of its limited payload and towing capacity. If i was to buy any of the american 3/4's i would have a whole new world of slide ins to entertain (waaay cheaper and more abundant in the used market).
In all honesty I cannot justify 30k plus on a slide in, so my only option is a used FWC if one just happens to come along.
Although long winded, my main question is...Is it worth waiting for a chance used Hawk or should I go 3/4 ton and have at it.

Any advice from FWC owners would be greatly appeciated.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Antarctica]

because of its limited payload and towing capacity.

Therein lies the problem. I was on the same bandwagon once. But the cost of a Fourwheel Camper, contrasted with what you actually get, is outrageous. I know you wanted replies from FWC owners, but I added mine because I was going that route and changed tack.

They seem to come up for sale fairly often - I remember the Wander the West website was the main used exchange point for them, but the used price was also extremely high. In the end, I just didn't think they were worth it, and They seemed to change hands for the same reason Roof Top Tents get re-sold. they seem like a great idea, but in the end, people get sick of squeezing into a tiny camper.

In the end, I bought a 7.3 F350 dually for $12k and put a decent used truck camper on the back for another $1k. Then added AC and a generator for about $1.2k. Got less in the whole thing that I would have had in a FWC and a whole lot more room and comfort. For the whole family.

They have their place, for sure.

 

[Downeaster]

Thanks for the input. I 100% agree with your decision. My only hanging point is the truck, just wish toyota would get their shit together on the Tundra. Dollar for dollar it just may be worth considering that if whatever 3/4 ton I would get ends up needing a bunch of work, It will still be cheaper than being forced into buying the FWC and also more useful with a full size camper and also real payload and towing capacity.
Who knew that fun would be such a pain in the a**.

 

[Braaap]

I had a FWC Granby on a 2005 Tundra double cab. The 8ft Granby does fit with the tailgate down. I sold the camper after about 9 months for what I paid for it (bought it used).
I might get another one someday but I will only put one on a 3/4 ton truck. I added airbags, E rated tires, and nice shocks to my tundra. Get a heavy duty truck in my opinion. And I'm I hardcore Toyota guy.

 

[Downeaster]

Ugh. Cant find a way to wrap my head around getting one of the big three but i guess im going to have to.

Thank you

 

[Shraggs]

I was just looking at some of the Mercedes sprinter platform in the camper class b, but modified for off road. Some really cool options, but holy cow that’s pricey

 

[Downeaster]

Yeah, those prices are double what i could possibly imagine for a van.

 

[deerlick]

Just by an 03-07 dodge with a cummins 5.9 and throw a camper on it and you're set.

 

[Downeaster]

I see the logic, but I dont know the first thing about diesels and Im already freaking out about having to buy an american truck again.
Analysis paralysis has taken over im afraid.

 

[camping1601]

Take this for what it's worth. I don't own a FWC, but I do have the similar ''All Terrain camper'' and I love the pop down feature. With some minor tree trimming I can get it anywhere I can get my truck. I had it on an old Chevy shortbed, now a new Ram 2500, and soon it will likely be a Chevy 2500 HD. I really don't think I'd want one on a light duty pickup.
Also a Toyota guy and own a 17 4Runner but they build a 3/4 ton PU.

 

[Jbake108]

Deerlick is describing what I have. I would recommend a used cheap crappy camper, who cares about trimming limbs and I can enjoy my time instead of stressing out about trashing my nice camper with bad roads, overgrown limbs and sand/0mud getting inside. Plus your into the camper for less than 3k.

 

[Antarctica]

Lots of good insight above. To add to my first, I'm also a Toyota fan, with a 96 4runner.

Just by an 03-07 dodge with a cummins 5.9 and throw a camper on it and you're set.

Agree with this - I went with an F350 7.3 4wd dually because the motor has a great rep (as does the cummins) but also because finding a crew cab in the price range I wanted was a lot easier.

I would recommend a used cheap crappy camper, who cares about trimming limbs and I can enjoy my time instead of stressing out about trashing my nice camper with bad roads, overgrown limbs and sand/0mud getting inside. Plus your into the camper for less than 3k.

Man - I can't second this enough. I started looking at FWC to put on a Taco, then realized I wanted something larger. Started looking at new Lances, others that were a fortune, and I probably never would have made the jump for. A cheap camper popped up locally in decent shape and I snapped it up.

We regularly take the thing out to the beach on Assateague, and when all the sand get tracked in by the kids, and the thing is a mess, I stare at the disaster and think "I'm so glad this is just a crappy camper." I can't imagine actually enjoying a nice new, expensive one. I'd just worry about what a mess I was making of it all the time.

Last, seriously consider a dually. I see so many posts with people spending all this stupid money trying to get a 3/4 ton up to snuff - sway bars, air bags, add a leafs, etc... A longbed Dually is the right truck for a truck camper. It's built for that kind of load from the get go.

 

[Jbake108]

I have a 3/4, it works but, I would probably get a dually and designate it as camper/hauling rig now that I have a commuter ranger. Now that my 3/4 is all setup like Antarctica described it’s hard to part ways.

 

[NW307]

I've owned a couple older FWCs and think they are great. If you enjoy being outside most of the time and want a comfortable place to cook and sleep they're pretty hard to beat. I might suggest looking for older pre 2000's and fixing it up if you're handy with tools. Unless they've been dropped or grossly neglected, the aluminum bones are usually just fine and the pop up lifters and soft side material are what need to replaced. The other pop up company ATC will still do these repairs for a reasonable price. The rest is just plywood and aluminum skin. Some of the older campers are too wide for newer trucks but they can be narrowed with trimming the frame and new plywood underneath.

I assume you are looking for a camper to take off the beaten path and possibly hunting and thats where the pop ups shine. I can certainly understand just getting an old traditional camper that you're not worried about but the headache of creeping down a rough road with that towering mass teetering all over the place doesn't sound all that great to me. I barely know my camper's on the truck with my 1 ton. I completely agree on the price of new FWCs being obscene but plenty of folks seem willing to pay for one. I'd take a hard look at the almost exactly the same ATC campers if I were to buy new.

My folks have a '12 tundra and a hawk and really like the set up. They added airbags and E rated tires and that's it. I'm a big toyota fan too (2 4runners and a pickup), but my only hangup is that their MPG is considerably less with the hawk than what I get with a larger grandby on my old and completely stock diesel f350. I've noticed the same thing with the even smaller tacoma/fwc rigs. Any sort of camper seems to asking a little much of the toyotas IMO. I don't know if I'm helping with your decision making but thats my experience and opinion on them from owning one for the last decade. If you decide to look for a used one watch craigslist like a hawk and have cash in hand, they go fast!

 

[Jbake108]

Definitely no creeping or headache for me. Overgrown road doesn’t matter, I can’t tell new scratches from old. Plus what’s point of diesel pickup with heavy payload if you don’t put anything in the back and beat on it a little bit.

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I used to have a 2002 hawk that I sold while I was involved in a different project, now I've got a 86' FWC grandby on my truck right now, plus an 82' in the garage I am going to highly modify, love having one. I'd have a damn hard time with the new ones cost though. They're convenient for my uses and the simple aluminum frame is durable in terms of bouncing around on rough roads for decades (how many campers of that age to do see out there and not rotted away?). When I'm run/gun hunting solo the thing is awesome, I keep basic gear and food in it at all times and just need to throw in the consumables and specific gear, I can hop in the back and comfortably sleep at a rest stop/piece of BLM/etc. w/o even popping it up. The size suits 2 hunters fairly well. We've camped in it with my family of 5 but that's pretty much all outdoors except strategically loading in for bedtime. Taking it out with 1-2kids and just me it fits size wise great. The rapid set up/take down and ability to generally go wherever my truck can has always appealed to me.

That said if you expect spacious travel trailer sizes/frills (shower/toilet/etc.) this isn't the type of camper for you. My expectations are dry place with power for lights and force air heater, in the summer also to run a compressor fridge (hunting season I have coolers with ice).

 

[camping1601]

Deerlick is describing what I have. I would recommend a used cheap crappy camper, who cares about trimming limbs and I can enjoy my time instead of stressing out about trashing my nice camper with bad roads, overgrown limbs and sand/0mud getting inside. Plus your into the camper for less than 3k.

A crappy camper doesn't exempt you from trimming, but you do need to trim a couple feet higher than a popup type.

Once you have a place for everything, and a solid routine, you can setup and take down rather fast.

 

[Downeaster]

Thanks for all of the insight, this is exactly what i was hoping for.
Since i am now solidly in the 3/4-1 ton hunt, any recommendations on gassers (years, makes, models). Ive made the mistake of reviewing recalls and issues of all the seemingly appealing trucks on craigslist. Holy hell that was a mistake. Since i have no love for any of these manufacturers, Im completely and utterly mired in analysis paralysis. Any insights greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

Is this purely for hunting, or is it for long term travel? Unless you plan to spend a month or more on the road, I’d have a really hard time dropping that kind of coin over a cargo trailer, especially if you’re thinking about getting a new truck you don’t really want.

A 6x12 can be had new for $2,000, spend another $2,000 adding insulation, propane heat, cabinets, electrical, you can pick up a Yamaha Rhino for $5,000 that will fit inside and take you places the truck and trailer won’t fit, and still be at 1/3 of the price.

Being able to unhook the trailer and scout without beating up the camper, and storing it in your driveway or yard without it falling apart from the elements or looking super tacky are also pluses.

 

[Antarctica]

Any gasser is going to be a pig. That said, I just got a V10 ford Excursion (Rokslides fault, but that's another post). The V10 has a good rep, other than being a gas pig. I like the 7.3 diesel in my 02 F350 a lot more so far.

If you're willing to go diesel, and don't need a crew cab, the Cummins is hard to beat. Personally I think the trucks suck, but the cummins motor is hands down the best motor ever put in a truck.

If you're trying to find something older, and solid, it will take time, but 7.3's can still be found for a fair price.

Also, this is the time of year to be camper shopping - lots of people make changes in the winter in preparation for having a new RV in the summer.