Four Wheel Camper - A Review

[kcowyo]

I wanted to put together a review of sorts on Four Wheel Campers as the information on the 'Net for these highly desirable campers is surprisingly scarce. This report will focus on my lengthy search for a used unit plus the reasons I chose and purchased my Eagle model camper. I've only owned the camper for a week, but already I have experienced a few different scenarios that I was curious to see how the camper would handle. I will add to this thread as the trips and nights camped, accumulate.

***Looks like this review will be in parts due to pic counts and heavy verbage***

What's the big idea? - I began my search for a camping solution when my second child was born and I needed more room and comforts than a tent or truck camping could allow for. My goal was to find a camper that would have enough room to take my two small children (5 & 2) up to Yellowstone NP or just the local mountains for a 2 or 3 day weekend, but also be stong and lightweight enough that I could live out of it for several days or weeks while going solo on off road trips. It would have to be able to endure the high winds of Wyoming, the heavy rains of chance, the heavy snows of the Rockies and my desire to constantly see what's off the beaten track.

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

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/UtahArizona034.jpg

Why a Slide-in Camper? - I came to the conclusion that a small slide in camper was the best option for me when I realistically looked at my needs and wants. I briefly considered a trailer for family camping trips and did a lot of research on lightweight one piece fiberglass trailer manufacturers like Casita, Scamp, Burro and Bigfoot. I quickly decided against a trailer because I wanted the option of camping and towing a trailer with my snowmobile or an ATV on it. If I were ever to get a small boat, I would also need the ability to tow. Other reasons include needing to have a trailer registered and licensed, insured, etc. Additionally with moving parts there is always something that could go wrong and needs replaced.

A hard sided slide-in camper was not seriously considered due to the weight and profile. Other considerations were roof top tents and/or a larger family size tent. A roof top tent with a 4 year old who has "to go" in the middle of the night didn't sound very appealing and I've packed up enough wet tents to know I wanted to avoid that in the future. I also closely looked at the Wildernest and Flip-Pac camper shells with built in tents. The Wildernest was out after figuring out that finding a model to fit my truck was going to be near impossible. They are now out of business so ordering parts or getting factory support would not be likely either. The Flip-Pac was a very viable and desireable option and had one come available for my truck before I had found the Eagle, I would now be writing a review of my new Flip-Pac.

So which slide-in camper would I chose? - With a clear idea of what I wanted from my camper, it was simply a matter of going through the manufacturers websites online, looking at the models and specs and determining who had the lightest, strongest and most durable camper. These were factors I would not be able to improve on, so they had to be right from the factory. Comfort and storage options were important but could be improved on by me if necessary. I also looked at customer testimonials and camper forums to try and get an idea of which manufacturer was giving excellent customer service. The same name kept coming up over and over, Four Wheel Campers. They were touted as having the best product for those seeking tough and light campers. Further research showed that Turtle Expedition, LTD has used Four Wheel Campers on 3 different vehicles they have built to travel around the world. Those were the credentials for rugged off road use I was looking for! A further review of the FWC web site revealed 2 models that would fit my odd ball T100, the Eagle and Hawk. The narrower Eagle would be my choice as the sides of the camper sit flush and neat with the bed rails on a T100, where the wider Hawk model extended a few inches over both sides.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/0b4e2272.jpg

The search for an Eagle Model FWC for me - With the exact model I was looking for in mind, I set out to find a used unit in very good condition. Not knowing for certain if it would work for me, and a base price tag of $8800, I was hoping to find a seldom used older model with as many of the features that I wanted. I began my search in the usual places, online at RVTraderonline.com, eBaymotors, Craigslist, RVHunter.com, etc. as well as in RV classified mags, plus local, Denver and Salt Lake City newspapers. There was the occaisional listing for an Eagle, but the price was near new or it was on the East Coast or in need of too much TLC. I was hoping to find something fairly close to me, for under $5K in ready to use condition. After 2 years I found a real candidate that was close by with an excellent previous owner history in very good condition. Preparation and luck played a huge part as I spotted the listing the very first day it came up and I beat out several other callers who were offering the seller more money than he had it listed for! However, the seller was a quality person and honored our agreement and we had a deal pending my inspection of the unit on Easter Sunday.

On the seller's Tacoma -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID4wheelcamper.jpg

The trip to bring it home - The camper was located in Sun Valley, ID which is about 400 miles due west of me. After removing my topper and tailgate, I left Lander on Good Friday evening for the 3 hour drive up to Jackson Hole, WY. I got a room for the night there and woke up the next morning to low hanging clouds and a steady but light rain. The drive over Teton Pass (8500 foot elv) is often hairy but more for the crazies that drive it than the road itself! I continued west in heavy headwinds through Twin Falls, ID to Craters of the Moon National Monument, where I took a few pics although the weather wasn't very cooperative. Finally I arrived in the nation's premier ski resort town of Sun Valley but the low overhanging clouds didn't allow for any decent views. Up to the seller's house I go, hoping for the very best but preparing myself to be dissapointed at the same time.

Targhee Natl Forest Idaho, back side of the Tetons -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/TargheeNatForest.jpg

Weather at Craters of the Moon Natl Monument -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Cratersweather.jpg


First impressions of the camper - I had gotten a very good feeling about the seller, Rudy, on the phone. When I pulled up to his house I was relieved to see the camper was in excellent condition. And really, if someone can afford to live in a million dollar home in Sun Valley, they're likely the kind of people who'll take care of their things. Rudy was the second owner and had a stack of paperwork from the original owner, who was some sort of FWC fanatic. The camper had been completely refurbished at the factory in '99, even down to a new serial # sticker! Following a quick check of the stove, lights, and heater we practiced setting it up and taking it down. That it takes 30 seconds to set up is no exaggeration.


****......To Be Continued -
.

[kcowyo]

Mounting the camper to the truck - (No pics of the process as it was raining/snowing and we had our hands full, but I will try to photograph the process in the future) After a thorough review of the camper we turned our attention to my T100. The camper is not designed for the truck to use the tailgate in the closed position, but it can be left open to use as a workbench or small deck. I put mine in storage for now. We started by measuring where to drill four holes at the corners of my bed. After drilling the holes we threaded a large eyebolt into each hole and secured them with factory provided locknuts. I got a quick course on how the 2 portable jack stands work as we raised the camper up so I could back in under it.

Once under the camper,we lowered the jacks and shimmied and wiggled the camper straight. Careful attention must be taken when pushing on the camper that one pushes on the aluminum braces and not the thin sides. It's sort of like finding the studs in a wall. With the camper centered, we got in the camper to finish fixing it to the truck. Inside the camper on the floor at the corners there are 4 small trap doors. Remove the doors and you can see the eyebolt in the bed. Take a turnbuckle and attach it to the eyebolt in the bed and to another eyebolt above it on the bottom of the camper. Tighten the turnbuckles down and you're done! See the round and rectangular trap doors on the camper in the following photo. I don't know why one is round and one is rectangular -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/fourwheelcamper___06.jpg

A turnbuckle mounted to the truck bed and camper -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper001.jpg

[Jonathan Hanson]

Keep it coming, KC!

[HongerVenture]

For real...

What happens next?!?

[sacto_patrol]

Kind of off topic.
But did you notice a significant improvement with the super charger? Also did the MPG decrease?
Thanks,
Jon

[kcowyo]

Mounting the camper to the truck pt.2 - Two more pics. One to show the full exterior of the camper prior to installation including the other two trap doors for turnbuckle access and you can also see the portable jack stand that's used to raise and lower the camper. The second shot (taken w/ a camera phone) shows the camper lowered on the truck and ready for the turnbuckles. Rudy strongly suggested storing the camper on sawhorses or something of similar height because getting the camper from ground level up to bed level with the 2 manual jacks is a big PITA.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/fourwheelcamper___07.jpg

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


The process was more involved than it would normally be due to needing to install the eyebolts in the bed. For removal of the camper I only have to access the turnbuckles, loosen them enough to take them off then jack up the camper enough to drive out from under it. Done. The camper power is supplied through an auxillary battery box so there aren't even any wires and plugs to disconnect. Just take off 4 turnbuckles, jack it up an inch or two and drive away. Can it get any easier?

A Key Selling Point - This is another HUGE benefit to going with a camper set up in that I can still have full use of the pickup bed if I need. I was keeping this in mind and it was another determining factor in going with this camper. When I first started looking at camping options, I was doing a big update project on my home at the same time and I would often use my truck for trips to Home Depot, the flooring store, etc. I didn't want to compromise the usefullness of a pick up bed with a permanent or semi-fixed camping solution on the back. The camper offers me a removable place to keep all of my camping gear together, without sacrificing the utility of my truck. This isn't quite as important now as when I started looking because I recently sold the house (and bought a sweet little camper!) but I know that after taking 10 minutes to remove the camper, I can go to the store and haul home a new big screen or a giant ficas tree or whatever. That's pretty cool and a great benefit to the Four Wheel Camper!

[kcowyo]

Not off-topic Jon. I was planning on jotting down some thoughts on the supercharger's performance with the camper anyway.

There is significant difference in the 3.4 with the supercharger. I've driven a T100, a Tacoma and our '99 4Runner with the stock 3.4 . With the SC, the initial throttle response and pulling power has increased dramatically. I haven't had it dynoed and I'm sure TRD's hp and torque gain claims were measured at the fly wheel, not the rear wheel. But it definitely made a difference in performance.

I know some folks feel that the engine should be left stock for reliablity and for ease of working on it. I feel confident that the Toyota Racing Development supercharger, that was built alongside Toyota engineers to work in conjunction with the 3.4 ltr V6, will offer the same reliability as all other Toyota products. It can also be removed with about 20 minutes of easy work if it fails. I am aware of a T100 owner in Colorado who has over 150K on his TRD supercharger with no mechanical issues.

Because the SC requires the use of premium fuel (91 octane) and I use synthetic fluids throughout, I've found that I have higher MPG averages than non-supercharged 3.4 owners in the lighter Tacomas and 4Runners. When I had the topper on I averaged 18.9 mpg in town and 22.1mpg on the highway. I've also learned to discipline myself when to get into the SC and when not to.

****.....more SC and FWC impressions to follow -:beer:

[Darren]

Why the delay between posts?! This is good stuff!

[kcowyo]

Picking a route for the way home - With the camper loaded and ready to go, the only thing left to do was to pay the man. I have to say that not only was the seller a good guy but he and his wife were genuinely sad to see their little camper go. She even asked if I were to sell it, to please call them first. Even though they felt like they'd outgrown it, they still really liked he camper. That was very good for me to hear as I was leaving. Better than hearing, "OK hon, he's gone!! Let's haul *** to the bank with this check!!"

After discussing the recent local weather with Rudy, I made the very tough decision to head south instead of north to Stanley, Idaho in the Sawtooth Range. As Rudy said, if it's socked in at Sun Valley, it'll be socked in for the 60 mile drive through the Sawtooths to Stanley. I've fawned over Stanley and the Sawtooths in other threads so to be within an hour's drive and not get to go was really dissapointing. I promised myself that I would return at a better time of year with more days to spend in the area and headed south.

First impressions on the road - After 30 miles I stopped in Hailey to re-tighten the turnbuckles then continued back east towards Craters of the Moon. They hadn't really loosened up by that point. The truck rode differently with the camper for sure. Kind of a bouncey ride from the rear, like when you're pulling a trailer that's a tad too heavy. I didn't notice the higher profile of the FWC as semi's blew by me or the occaisional sideways gust. Initially I felt like a huge RV going down the road but within an hour or two it began to sink in that I was no wider and only 8 inches taller than I was before. The exhaust seemed much louder under the strain of the 700lb camper. The Magnaflow has a real nice tone but this really amplified it. Because this was just a few hours after I'd passed through that morning, the headwind I'd fought all the way over was now a tailwind. I kept my foot out of the supercharger on the way to Sun Valley, as the wind was so strong that there was no sense winding up the supercharger and burning that extra fuel to fight the wind. But now the wind was behind us and it was a blast to hear the duet of the supercharger and the Magnaflow seranading me as we started putting some miles behind us. In what seemed like no time at all I was back at Craters of the Moon, but the weather was still overcast.

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

I took a brief break here to pick a route home. I didn't want to go back the same way I came over but I couldn't go too far out of my way as I had to be home Monday for work. I had to go back through Idaho Falls ( I said Twin Falls earlier, but it's Idaho Falls) and with a little local knowledge of SE Idaho, I opted to take US-89, the Swan Valley Scenic Byway south of Jackson. US-89 and then Rt.34 weaves in and out of Idaho and Wyoming to Bear Lake on the Idaho & Utah border. I was hoping my decision to head south would get me around the weather but as anyone who was travelling in the western US on Easter Sunday will tell you, the winds just never let up.

Time to find our very first campsite! - I was hoping to reach the Palisades Resevoir Dam campground by nightfall for my first night in the camper. I was definitely putting the miles behind me but the dark weather clouds trailed me all afternoon. It was getting dark and I was in the middle of nowhere and the persistent cold drizzle was back. Things started looking not so good when the campground at the Resevoir Dam wasn't open for the season yet. The next Caribou Nat'l Forest campground was closed as well. In the winters the counties do not plow the snow in campgrounds, they just pile up all winter. Whenever they melt in the Spring, that's when the campgrounds open back up. Heading down the same road and 2 more closed campgrounds. I have no problem in these circumstances making camp at a Wal Mart or Super 8 parking lot. However there was no way I was going to spend the very first night in my long awaited camper in some parking lot!

A sign indicating another campground but it too is closed. But this one has had part of the driveway plowed, enough to park a T100 about 100 yards off the wet curvy mountain road. It would have to do and hopefully I don't attract the attention of the local federales. At that point it's late, I'm tired and I just want to relax in my camper. I backed in, popped the top and began making my first cup of coffee when the Heaven's opened up. Great, I'm illegally parked in a downpour in my new camper in the middle of nowhere with no cell service. I can't wait to see what the morning will bring!

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

*****To Be Continued.....

[Jonathan Hanson]

More! Now!

(Nice new avatar, KC!)

[VikingVince]

I LOVE reading this:Wow1:

I saw the ad for your FourWheel on one of the RV sites!!!! I recognize the truck.

Did it leak? Did it leak? :-) You're turning this into a suspense tale!!!!!!!!!!

[Desertdude]

KC - Very well done review - stunning photos - Excellent:bowdown:

[Maddmatt]

So come on, inquiring minds want to know! Did it leak? How did it sleep? Did I miss the ending in another thread somewhere?

[kcowyo]

(Sorry for the dramatic pauses guys. I'm winging this since most of my notes are trapped in my PM's)

It was a dark and stormy night....and one man was in a camper.... :rolleyes: - It's 10pm and I've been in possession of the camper for a whole 7 hours. I'm parked just off the road and the rain is coming down so heavy I doubt I'll be able to sleep for all of the noise. I make a weird wish to myself, hoping that it keeps raining and doesn't turn to snow. At the rate it was coming down, a Spring snow would pile up quickly and deep overnight. I flashback to Easter weekend in '92, and being trapped in my apartment for 5 days when the Blizzard of the Century dropped six feet of snow in the NC mountains. Hopefully the flashback doesn't become deja vu.

Stepping around the jack stands on the floor, I get some coffee going and turn the 16,000 BTU furnace on. At first I only got cold air then remembered I had to run outside to open the propane bottle, stored in a door on the driver's side. After that the small camper warmed up quickly and began to fill with the smell of hot coffee. I checked carefully around the seams, windows and canvas sides looking for any drips or leaks. So far so good. The rain never let up but as I sat with a hot cup o' joe and the heater cranking in my camper, I grinned like a little kid who was getting away with something!

I reached through the sliding windows of the camper and the truck to grab my sleeping bag and B.O.B. from the backseat and began laying everything out while the stove top cooled. The bed sits double stacked in the cab over portion. A 5' person could sleep across the bed without pulling out the rest of the bed but if you pull out the bed like a drawer, it converts to a queen sized bed. When pulled out on the slides, the bed frame covers the stove but allows enough room to hop down and turn on the heater or grab something from the fridge. The single cushion you can see in the photo sits atop a second cushion that fills out the frame.

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


The following pics shows one of the slides the bed frame rests on. There is another of equal length on the other side and these are what the bed extension rests on -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Interiorpassside.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper_026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper_025.jpg


I was told the bed was very comfortable and after sliding the full bed out I jumped up in my sleeping bag and hoped the rain would quiet down enough to get some sleep. After a few minutes I began to feel the space between the cushions and what felt like a small piece of trim on the frame digging into my hip. Not cool. I had my Therma-Rest with me just in case but by now I was too tired to pull it out and blow it up, so I dealt with it and burrowed down for a hopefully decent night's sleep.

****. 2:30am and it's still pouring and the coffee has come back to haunt me. Is there a less pleasant feeling when camping than having to go in the middle of the night? I toss and turn but with all of the rain, my God, who can sleep now? I curse at the thought of pulling on my cold boots and going out in the rain to take a leak when a thought hits me. The top of that little back door on the camper hits me at belt buckle height.... hmmm... Yup, I sure did, right out the back door and I didn't have to get out in the deluge! Man, I hope this rain stops by the morning!

The morning after - Back up by 6am and the rain has lightened up a little. Before I even get out of my bag I check the canvas around the bed carefully for any leaks or small drips. I can find nothing so I look again thinking surely somewhere there must be a small puddle I'm not seeing. I could find nothing. I hopped out of bed and checked the rest but still couldn't find anywhere that water had entered the camper. I rolled up my bag and stuffed it back through to the back seat of the truck then I noticed the source of my hip's discomfort. The two cushions are of slightly different thickness to fit in the frame properly when closed. I had them backwards which allowed the trim to peak through, poking my hip all night. I turned them around, hopped back up and lay there completely comfortable, laughing at my earlier annoyance. I made the mental notes and pushed the frame back to the closed position.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper_0312.jpg

I made more coffee, fired up the heater and walked around outside checking the camper as the rain eased up to a steady drizzle. There is a thoughtful drip rail over the back door and a porch light which offers great light in the early morning. I checked the access doors for the propane and water fill and they were dry. Somehow this camper had endured a night of relentless rain and I couldn't find anywhere that it had leaked. That was very surprising and encouraging as leaks were a big concern. I could feel my confidence in the camper growing.

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


**********To be Continued..............

[VikingVince]

NO LEAKS in a hard downpour!!!:clapsmile :jumping: :jumping:

[BKCowGod]

oh man - this is getting better and better. Maybe I'll start saving my pennies!

(just 'cause I'm ABLE to sleep on plywood doesn't mean I want to :D)

[kcowyo]

Back on the road with miles to go before I sleep - I guess I got my Easter miracle as somehow the camper had survived the monsoon without a single leak. Please don't think I'm mocking the significance of Easter Sunday, I simply looked at my situation as an answer to my sleepless prayers. Although there were no leaks I was still left with the task of packing up a wet camper. When I was a kid my folks had a Starcraft pop top trailer that we took to the NC beaches and putting the wet canvas away was always a drag, same with a tent. This was the one thing with this camper that I was least looking forward to, putting it away wet. With no other choice I went about breaking camp. A unique feature to this camper is the cross camper bungees that you hook up between the windows when closing the camper. These cords pull the canvas in when the top comes down, eliminating the need for a person on the outside to tuck in the canvas, like with other pop top campers I've seen. Nice! No getting rainwater running down your sleeves and arms while tucking in wet canvas. With the camper packed up I jumped in the cab and headed south out of Idaho, towards the town of Alpine, WY.

As I made my way south around Palisades Resevoir in the early morning light I was able to make out the resevoir and it was still completely frozen. Barely enough light for a photo and it was still drizzling a rain/icey mix. I didn't want to get the camera out in the rain but I did brave the chilly morning for a couple of photos -

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

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

Following a quick gas & breakfast burrito stop in Alpine, I continued south towards Bear Lake on the ID & UT border. The drizzle faded but the clouds remained. The road soon took me through the small town of Freedom, Wyoming and I had to smile a little at the irony. Of course by then the decision had been made but I took it as sign from above since I wasn't driving through Security, Wyoming. ( For the very few people who will understand that, it's a true story. For those that don't get it, I hope you never have to...) I rolled down the windows and let the air of Freedom fill my lungs and wondered if I dared push my luck by wishing for the sun to come out so I could stop and dry out the canvas....

More handling and weather details - The road took me west back into Idaho, and the winds took over for the ceasing rain. I was again heading into the wind and continued to ride the up and down of the truck with the camper. I will install an airbag kit to help with leveling the truck but I didn't get it before I left. I wasn't sure if I'd be buying the camper until I saw it in person so I didn't want to get the airbags until I owned the camper. I was also curious as to how much difference the airbags would make and I figured a 500+ mile trip home with the camper would be a good test of the stock rear suspension and brakes. The truck handled differently but the new handling characteristics I noticed were all what the airbag manufacturers claimed to cure. I put the handling concerns out of my head for the rest of the trip as it wasn't unruly at all even in high winds or on some long neglected backcountry blacktop roads. Instead I focused on the scenery and weather and started planning my next trip in the camper. Along the way some random views caught my attention -

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

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

Still to come - Bear Lake and would I ever see the sun again? Finding gas in the middle of nowhere on Easter Sunday and a little run in with the Soda Springs, ID Sheriff's Deputy. Bastard.......


****** To Be Continued.......

[Jonathan Hanson]

Very, very nice, KC. Beautiful photographs!

We found that the coated fabric sides of the pop top would shed 90 percent of any clinging water with a couple of flat-handed whacks to each side before we closed it.

[Ursidae69]

Man, who knew a mod review thread would be so entertaining. :Wow1: I'm really digging the dark picturers too! The low hanging clouds are cool. :lurk:

[Desertdude]

KC you review reads like an adventure novel :arabia:

don't keep us hangin too long :rappel:

[david despain]

this has to be one of my favorite threads on this whole board:clapsmile
waiting with baited breath for the next installment. and after the camper story is done just make something up!:luxhello:

[VikingVince]

This guy buys a FourWheel camper and turns into a combination of Ansel Adams and Ernest Hemingway. I knew those campers had lots of potential but this is new ground!!!...love those pics...thanks KC:victory:

[BKCowGod]

Yah, I'm getting a definite Steinbeck, Travels with Charley vibe here. You gonna name your Toy Rocinante?

and we demand updates!:mad:

[Maddmatt]

Well now I'm not going to get anything done today, waiting to find out what happened in Soda Springs!:gunt: Nice write up, to say the least.
-Matt

[kcowyo]

Wow, I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this! I didn't mean to get off on an artistic rant, I need to get back to more product info. I wish I had known the weather was going to be so miserably cool. I would have picked up a roll of black & white film. Hopefully the rest of this will keep everyone's attention, so where were we? Oh yeah.....:mad:


Sir, may I see your license and registration please? - Making my way south towards Bear Lake and I stop in Soda Springs, ID for a fresh cup of coffee and new batteries for the camera at a convenience store. The rain had stopped and I was walking around the camper, looking it over in the parking lot and stretching my legs, doing my Ewan and Charley impression. I was leaning against the truck and eating the second half of my breakfast burrito when I noticed a local patrol car cruise by. A couple of minutes later he came through the parking lot and drove right by me. "He's checking out my cool new camper," I tell myself and I throw him a wave between bites. Shortly thereafter I'm back in the truck continuing south out of town when I notice the white cruiser behind me. It's a small town on a major holiday so I'm sure this is the same guy that cruised me a minute ago. I check my speed and seatbelt, all OK but he's still behind. Just about then he hits his lights and I start to slow down and pull over, wondering what I could have been doing.

Before I go much further let me give a little personal info first. During the week I'm a mild mannered sales professional with two kids who probably wouldn't draw a second glance on the street from most people. However, when I'm on a trip I sort of slip into my travelling alter ego. I get decked out in camo, beanies, shades and don't focus on hygene. I travel alone a lot and I prefer not to draw attention to myself. Kind of the same reason I like to keep the truck looking stock. Basically I'm going for the Bohemian~Redneck~OG~Rebel without soap~anti-social look. I think I pull it off well -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/UtahArizona056.jpg

Let me also state that most of the guys in COD 4X4 that I roll with are cops or ex-cops. I have no problems with cops and I wouldn't want their job. A lot of them are good guys who are trying to make a difference in their communities and according to my friends some are on a power trip and just like to bust people's chops because they can. Whatever their deal is, I don't care, just leave me be, ya' know?

So I'm coming to a stop, realizing to an officer I may look like some dirtbag but knowing I haven't broken any laws. I pull out the license and insurance and he comes up to the passenger side of the truck. He explains that the reason he stopped me is that he ran my plates and they came up being registered to a red van. OK, so why was he running my plates? I wasn't speeding or weaving or running with faulty lights....? So I tell him to double check as these plates have been on this green truck for years. Clearly he's peeking around the cab and trying to get a look in the glovebox as I fish out my registration. Now I have nothing (much) to hide and I certainly don't want to be hard to get along with. I've had one speeding ticket in the last 12 years, so I'm not exactly public enemy #1. He states perhaps dispatch ran it as a car instead of a truck and he goes back to his car.

A few minutes later he comes back and realizing he's wasting our time, but before telling me that, he asks where I'm going, where I've been and a few other questions. Clearly he's fishing and hoping to spot something in the vehicle to justify his stopping me. As if I was stupid enough to have something I shouldn't or dumb enough not to hide it if I did! Finally his mic squawks to life that the plates are registered to a green Toyota and my name. He's all apologetic and encourages me to have a nice day and good trip. I return the sentiment and pull away trying to remind myself that this guy has a job to do and with out of state plates and looking a little scruffy, I probably look like the closest thing to a drug dealer that he's seen there in Mayberry. It's Easter and I'm going to forgive my fellow man. Even if the SOB did kill my buzz.........


****** Up next, actual product info with more interior pics. Really...... -

[kcowyo]

Oh yeah, and I got a camper too - So it wasn't all rain, wind and cops this weekend. I actually have a camper that I've searched long and hard for and so far I'm thrilled with it. I mentioned briefly how easy it is to set up, now I'll elaborate with some pics. The top is fastened down by six tension clamps. There are 2 on the front and 2 on both sides. To set up camp you must first release the clamps on the outside -

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

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

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

After releasing the outside clamps you then crawl in the camper to raise the top. Here a few pics of the interior with the top down. This is how much room is still available with the top down. Also visible in these photos is a black box that houses the auxillary battery and fastened at the base of the counter is the table leg. A fire extinguisher is mounted right beside the stove top.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper013.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper010.jpg

First the rear must be set up. Simply unsnap the strap that I have the white bungee threaded through in the above pic and push up. The bi-folding rear wall locks into place and reconnect the strap to hold the wall firmly up. Then the front, over the bed, can be set up. Same thing, release a snap strap and grab hold of the metal triangle extension. With a shoulder firmly under a ceiling brace, stand up. The wall locks into place and then attach triangle brace out of the way to the ceiling. The following pic shows the rear up and about to push up the front -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper_023.jpg

The front wall, locked in place with the brace fastened out of the way and the bungees holding the windows taut, still in place -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/camper_024.jpg

With the top up, simply release the 2 bungees and you're done. Pull open the velcro fastened windows, that have two covers, one to match the interior and another behind it that is opaque. Or pull both of those down and enjoy the large screens and fresh air.

I'm going to edit a few earlier posts to add more photos, including the full bed opened up and a turnbuckle photo if my description confused more than it helped! :D

We still haven't gotten to the lake yet nor made it back to Wyoming. And I haven't even mentioned the Spring storm that dumped 8 inches of snow on us our first night back home. Stay tuned for more ramblings from the road!

******To Be Continued..........

[flyingwil]

...Sir, may I see your license and registration please? - ... He explains that the reason he stopped me is that he ran my plates and they came up being registered to a red van. OK, so why was he running my plates? I wasn't speeding or weaving or running with faulty lights? ...

:luxhello: Great write up so far! :lurk: Please e-mail me since PM's are down (you can get my e-mail from my profile).

One of my buddies is a cop and it standard that they run plates in front of them to look for stolen vehicles, stolen license plates, ect. So don't feel like he was picking on you... he probably was checking out your sweet camper and decided to run your plates since it brought his brought attention to your vehicle. So many it wasn't as much of a buzz kill as you may think.

[jeffryscott]

dang it KC, I want more. Don't stop now, the kids are asleep, the wines kicked in and this is awfully good reading. Keep it coming ...

(I have fond memories of sailing on Bear Lake as a kid, even though the wind stopped and we had to paddle back to shore.)

Can't wait for the rest of the installment,

Take care,

Jeff

[Jonathan Hanson]

KC, darnit, you're reeeeeaaaaaallly making us miss our own Four Wheel Popup with your superb report and superb photos. Thanks for putting so much time and effort into this story.

[kcowyo]

Sorry for the break folks. Work and kids were wondering where I'd been. Again, I'm really glad everyone is enjoying this. I did take it out again this weekend and spent a superb Saturday night next to the Popo Agie River in Sinks Canyon.

I'll be back tomorrow with more! :beer:

[datrupr]

Hurry up man, this is one of the best reads I have had in a while.

Thanks for the great review/trip report KC.

[HongerVenture]

I'll be back tomorrow with more! :beer:

Um... its tomorrow now! :victory:

[kcowyo]

....waiting with baited breath for the next installment.....and after the camper story is done just make something up!

Actually I still have to do a report on my 12 day solo trip last Fall to Utah and Arizona, that included stops on the White Rim Trail, Natural Bridges National Monument, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, the ExPo Rally, Grand Canyon, Bryce, and Zion NP's, Escalante and Capitol Reef NP. I promised Scott I would put a report together on this site, but the winter got away from me. The positive response I've received from this diatribe has encouraged me to drag out the notes and pics from that trip to start working on a layout.

I'm taking a week long trip to Canyonlands & Arches NP's, next week and I plan to take the camper along. We'll be spending time off road in all 3 regions of the park so I expect this to be a real test of the camper's mounting system and the new Air Lift airbag kit that's being installed as I type this. I'm also very curious to see the effect of the camper on my gas mileage for the 8 hour trip to Moab. So I guess those who are enjoying this report will have more to look forward to following my UT trip!


This guy buys a FourWheel camper and turns into a combination of Ansel Adams and Ernest Hemingway. I knew those campers had lots of potential but this is new ground!!!

What can I say Vince? I'm inspired by this little outfit. In all fairness, had I not had the chance to crawl around your Flip-Pac, I'm not sure I would have been so motivated to find a similar solution for myself. As much as I wanted a low profile camping solution, it was almost the unattainable goal. I took finding this camper as a sign that it was meant to be, but I give credit to you Vince, for re-motivating me to find one and to Jonathan Hanson, for his encouragement that helped to settle my pre-buying nerves.

I love the versatility of the camper and the feeling that I have an outfit ready for a trip to Alaska or Old Meheeco. Alaska was the goal years ago when I left NC, but I only made it as far as Wyoming & Colorado. With no more excuses, can my, "Prudhoe Bay in a FWC report" be far behind? Maybe I need to start taking Spanish lessons too. Hmmm.....cerveza por favor, carne asade, fish tacos....hmm, I'm practically fluent now!! :D

[kcowyo]

Um... its tomorrow now! :victory:


Sorry man. I've been busy checking my email for pics.........:wavey:

https://www.oneposter.com/UserData/Poster/Poster_17602.jpg

[kcowyo]

Get me to the beach on time - With Officer Buzzkill fading away in my rearview mirror, I continue south towards Bear Lake. I'm hoping I can get far enough south to find a break in the clouds to dry out the camper. I've been incorrectly calling the tent fabric canvas, but it's clearly not in the traditional sense of tent canvas. Nor is it nylon like a tent. Jonathan has referred to it as "coated fabric" and that's closer to what it is than canvas or nylon. Really the material is similar to a tarp. Whatever it is, it was packed away wet and that's never good, regardless of the material.

Shortly thereafter I can see the clouds start to clear up and I can make out the lake on the horizon. Bear Lake lies high in the Rocky Mountains, and the lowest elevations on the valley floor are just below 6,000 feet. Mountains rim the valley on all sides. The Bear River Range lies along the western side, and form the boundary of the county on that side. Also considered part of the Wasatch Mountains, they reach to elevations above 9,000 feet, and are covered by green forests of evergreens and quaking aspens. Many pioneers passed through this area on the Oregon Trail in the mid 1800s, following the Bear River. Mormon pioneers arrived in the 1860's, founding small towns around the valley. The towns have changed little since their settlement. (*footnote - Several of the above facts were sourced from the Bear Lake CVB web site)

Looking for lunch, I stop at several of these villages, like Fish Haven, Paris, Dingle and Wardboro. Being Easter Sunday, I'm stuck with a questionable convenience store sandwich and a can of last summer's Pringles chips. Life is good....

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

After passing through Fish Haven and several private residences with private beach access, I found a small trail that lead out to the water's edge. The most unique feature of Bear Lake is it's turquoise hue from limestone sediments suspended in the water. It glows like the Caribbean and the lake is often referred to as the Caribbean of the Rockies. With its 18 miles of shoreline located in Idaho, Utah and a small portion of Wyoming, it is a great get away in a remote part of the country.

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

With blue skies above (finally!) and a gentle breeze it was the perfect opportunity for a lunch break and to dry out the camper. I'm so impressed with how easy it is to set this up that I keep thinking that I'm forgetting something and the whole thing will come crashing down around me. But it's just that easy, what can I say?

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

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


After the weather I'd been dealing with for 2 days, it was hard to pack up and leave the sun and water at Bear Lake, but I still had a long ways to go. Much of the afternoon's drive would be through the rolling prarie of western Wyoming, which likely meant more stiff winds, limited opportunities for gas and errant wildlife on the roads. But it's home and I'm glad to be getting back, but I can't resist another few minutes lakeside before I go -

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


********To Be Continued..................

[kcowyo]

A brief interruption from our regularly scheduled thread. I wanted to post up some pics and information on the new Air Lift Airbag System that I had installed on the truck yesterday.

The 700lb camper squated the rear of the truck about an inch and half and effected the handling by allowing more roll and sway. There are a few options to solve this problem including an add-a-leaf, new spring packs, blocks and airbags. I chose airbags so when the camper is not on the truck I won't suffer a stiff ride with blocks or add-a-leaves. New spring packs are not in the plans right now but I'll try them if the airbags don't prove to be a complete solution.

The Airlift airbags are adjustable from 10 PSI to 100 PSI and can be controlled individually. This is a good selling point for those who have ever had to camp on a slope. With up to 3 inches of adjustable lift, they should help on those unlevel spots. Airbags will also help eliminate roll, lean and sway. So far those have been the most noticeable differences in the handling since adding the camper. Hopefully the airbags in conjunction with the adjustable Rancho shocks should provide the ability to handle most situations on and off road.

How about some pics?

The passenger side -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/airbagpsside.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/?)

The drivers side -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/airbagdrside.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/?)

Each bag has its own air line plumbed to it and they are commonly run out to a point on the rear bumper for easy air-up access. Most lines are run to the small slot where the spare is accessed by the tire crank. I didn't like the possibilty of snagging an air line while trying to lower my spare, and I wanted to keep things looking stock. So I came up with a different solution that shouldn't draw any attention from mischevious eyes and should be clear of most trail dust and debris.

You like?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/airvalves.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/?)

Now where is all that Free Air?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/airvalvestems.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/?)

With the airbags in place they were filled to 70 PSI which brought the rear of the truck back to the exact height it was before the camper was installed. I'm currently running 32 PSI in my 285's but I may play with air pressures next week in Utah to determine which settings give the appropriate ride for the conditions. A quick 20 mile drive around town last showed these airbags indeed made a huge difference. They totally eliminated the rear bounce and lean in the corners. In fact, the truck handles better now with the weight of the camper and airbags than it did with just the stock suspension and camper shell. Far less bounce and recoil through dips and the understeer in the corners is much more manageable. I also had the front brakes done last week, so the suspension is where it's going to be for now. Any other upgrades to the rear suspension will be based on necessity.

Some before, during and after pics -

Looking naked with no topper or tailgate -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/lookingnaked.jpg


In Idaho with the rear slightly squatted -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/smallsag.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/?)

Last night in Lander, with airbags -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/lookinright.jpg

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


I like the looks of the clearence I now have but I still need to get out and measure from the diffs and t-case skid plate to see exactly how much there is. But the Toyota "rake" is back!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/goodclearence.jpg


*******To Be Continued............

[david despain]

looks great. i had a friend with shocks that could be adjusted via an air line like those bags and he put the filler fittings in the exact same place as you. i think its super clean and discreet. great idea and great writing, posibly the only thread that can compete with a victory in moroco!

[HongerVenture]

Sorry man. I've been busy checking my email for pics.........:wavey:


Indeed... DOH! :o I do owe you some pictures. I have them all set out, I just need to resize them a bit and give you a good narrative... perhaps tonight. Life has been busy lately, what with a camping/wheelin' trip to Tennessee last weekend. :D

On a thread-related note... nice airbags! Those truly look nice and the clean install is super. Did you install them or have them done? Did you give any thought to an in-cab controller? Why or why not? On board compressor? Why or why not?

[kcowyo]

Yeah, I knew you were on your trip. I was just giving you grief since I was not on a trip last weekend, you lucky dog. But now of course, you have to get me pics from your trip too! :jumping:

....and a fridge review? Did you finish the install in time for TN? I love east Tennessee, the mountains, the food, the Spring bloom.... Hope you and Amy had a great trip!

Regarding the air bags, I had intended on ordering Air Lift's Load Controller II kit. The kit includes a small air compressor, two guages w/ in cab controls for airing up or deflating the bags and a Smart Air System that kicks the compressor on if the bags get lower than 10 PSI. It's a great kit that allows you to monitor and control, from the cab, the levels in the airbags. That kit is $280 retail. The airbags, mounting brackets and air lines that I got are ordered in a seperate kit for $250 retail.

I decided to go with just the airbags for now for a couple of reasons. I already have an ARB compressor under the hood that I could put a T fitting on, to run an auxillary air line for tires and airbags. But the ARB compressor has some age on it so I want to keep it just for the air locker. I also have a portable air compressor, so I didn't think I needed to pay for a third compressor with the air lift kit. My portable should do the job just fine.

Another reason I passed on the kit for now is that I really don't have an ideal place to mount the guages. I knew that I'd be installing a new CB at this time too and I was more concerned with where I was going to put that. I'm thinking the CB and guages would look really smart in a custom overhead console display! That's the idea anyway.

I found out after ordering the airbag kit that the Load Controller II kit can be ordered without the air compressor. So since it can be added at any time to their existing air bag kit, I may eventually get the Load Controller II, without their compressor, if I have a place to mount the guages that looks factory.

I had the airbags installed at a shop since I got a deal on the kit from a friend who would sell them to me at his cost if he could do the labor. I managed to save a few bucks and time plus I have peace of mind knowing that it was professionally done. It's a pretty simple kit and if it fails on the trail, other than patching a line or bag with duct tape, there is not a lot that can be done to repair it. I'll be watching over the mounting brackets closely next week!

[OutbacKamper]

KC:
I have just discovered this thread, what a great right up!
I have a few suggestions for minor mods to your 4Wheel camper (sorry if these have already been discused elsewhere, but I am playing catch-up after being out of regular internet contact for the last 10 months). I will keep this brief so as not to hijack your excellent posts.
1) Safety wire those tie-downs (drill a 2mm hole through one of the threads of each tiedown and run a wire around the main alum tiedown leg)
2) Silicone around both sides of the window in the camper door, or the glass will eventually fall out - it is only held in by 2 small plastic pins
3) Run a strip of foam (I used a sleeping pad cut in 1/2 lengthways) down each side of the bed between the matress and fabric top to eliminate condensation wicking onto bedding.

Question: if there are no electrical hook-ups between your camper and truck, how is the battery recharged?

Keep up the great posts
Cheers
Mark

[flywgn]

An absolutely great narrative, kc. Seems to me a copy of it would be suitable for the "Completed Expeditions" as well, just in case someone might miss this thread.

Your descriptions of the routes you took are so familiar to us. The Grey's River is one of our favorites; fussing around Bear Lk where one of the largest and longest-lasting rendezvous took place; sleeping in the Rest Area below Palisades Res; Craters of the Moon; and on.

We haven't had the pleasure of meetin Officer Buzzkill, but he sounds like a character out of Hoot.

As I said in another post, I know you'll enjoy your camper. We've never owned one (dang, is that possible?) but have been tempted oh-too-many times.

Thanks for taking the time to put this review together.

You gotta' love it.

Allen R

[kcowyo]

Hey Mark! Welcome home!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your pictures and reports with your Four Wheel Camper in Australia. Screensaver after screensaver...:bowdown: That's great you got to meet up with Sven too. It's a small world for such a big place!

Has your truck made it back to CA yet? I thought you all weren't due home till June..? I'd love to hear more about Tasmania and Cape York. Shoot, I want to hear about every minute of the whole trip! Do you have a mileage or KM total on the truck for the whole trip?

Thanks so much for the tips on the FWC. I have been warned about the turnbuckles working themselves loose but I haven't solved the problem yet. If your solution held up to the corrugations in the Outback, that's good enough for me! I've been reading Australian Monthly 4WD for the last few years and the trip reports all seem to mention common problems/annoyances; corrugations, dust, loose screws and isolation. Your Hawk, surviving those ultimate tests for nearly a year, with minor difficulties is huge boon to my confidence in Four Wheel Campers. It should definitely survive any trips I take in the US.

Great tip too on the rear window. That would really bite if that were to shatter while out on a dusty road! I'll try that trick for the mattress too. My camper is completely powered through an auxillary battery located in the camper. The PO would put it on a trickle charge before each trip and stated that it held up for 4-5 days of use before needing a re-charge. I'm going to try and be real frugal with the power next week for the 7 days I'll be off road in Canyonlands, NP.

It may work OK for me, but I don't want to be counting how many jigowatts of power I'm using every time I turn on a light or the heater. I'm going to look into small solar panels, that I can mount on the rooftop, to recharge the batteries. I could tie in the battery to the truck's alternator, but I've never used with solar panels and I would like to learn more about them. This seems like a good excuse.

Next week should provide ample opportunity to thoroughly test the mounting system, battery power supply, tire and airbag air pressures, LP supply and overall off road handling. I'll either come back with a big ol' smile or a big ol' For Sale sign! :D

Oh and Mark, with your vast experience, you can hijack this thread anytime! Heck, I'll give you the keys myself!!

Again, Welcome Home Globetrotter!! :beer:

[kcowyo]

Hey thanks Allen!

I was thinking you had owned one of these before? Or did you get to spend some time with one on a trail ride somewhere....?

The Grey's River trail out of Alpine is on the to-do list this summer. There was still way too much snow on Easter, in fact most of the snowmobile trails around the Dam were still open. I just got turned on to SE Idaho in the last couple of years, but what a great area to explore! Gotta love all of the hot springs.

That's cool you know this area so well. Sometimes I feel so isolated up here, like no one has clue what I'm talking about when I mention certain roads and trails. But hey, if one person gets what I'm talking about, that's good enough for me!

I guess this could be moved over to Completed Expeditions, but calling this an expedition is being mighty generous. It was basically a 3 day roadtrip in crappy weather and one run in with Serpico. Some people like to make a long story, short. Me, I tend to make short stories long, but I promise never to let the facts get in the way of a good story! :D

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

For everyone waiting for another installment or those who are just waiting for me to wrap this up already, I have to abandon my post, literally and figuratively, for the next week. I'm rolling out tomorrow afternoon for Utah and I'll be back on the 15th.

I don't mean to leave anyone hanging on the rest of the Sun Valley story. The remaining trip home was mostly more wind, some ballsy Pronghorns in the road and coasting into town on fumes, with a wet Spring snow falling all around me. I may elaborate more when I get back.

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

Thanks so much to everyone who has taken the time to read this thread and for the encouragement to write more!! New pics and tales to follow!!

[flywgn]

Hey thanks Allen!

I was thinking you had owned one of these before? Or did you get to spend some time with one on a trail ride somewhere....?

kc, during one our many searches for the 'right' mix of vehicle/camper/tent, or whatever (Goldilocks had nothing on us.), we 'borrowed' one for a few trips. Liked it immensely, but ended up with the "Conquerer" safari trailer.

Allen R.

[OutbacKamper]

Hey Mark! Welcome home!! :jumping: :jumping: :jumping:

I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed your pictures and reports with your Four Wheel Camper in Australia. Screensaver after screensaver...:bowdown: That's great you got to meet up with Sven too. It's a small world for such a big place!
Thanks KC, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. Given your obvious gift for writing (and my lack of same) maybe we could colaborate on some articles about Australia?


Has your truck made it back to CA yet? I thought you all weren't due home till June..? I'd love to hear more about Tasmania and Cape York. Shoot, I want to hear about every minute of the whole trip! Do you have a mileage or KM total on the truck for the whole trip?
Um thats BC (British Columbia) not CA, but thats ok, lots of aussies would say to me "so..what part of the US are you from". We decided to return a little earlier than planned for a bunch of reasons, but mainly because we were tired after doing 45,000km in 9 months. Truck is in transit.




Oh and Mark, with your vast experience, you can hijack this thread anytime! Heck, I'll give you the keys myself!!
Thank you, but stop, I'm getting all misty eyed.
Have a great trip!
Cheers
Mark

[kcowyo]

Um thats BC (British Columbia) not CA, but thats ok, lots of aussies would say to me "so..what part of the US are you from". We decided to return a little earlier than planned for a bunch of reasons, but mainly because we were tired after doing 45,000km in 9 months. Truck is in transit.


45,000km in 9 months..........:Wow1::Wow1::Wow1:

I remembered it was (Oh) CAnada. I wouldn't accuse anyone of being from California that didn't have to be....:xxrotflma
I didn't recall BC though. What a beautiful province! I'd love to take a trip to BC & Alberta sometime.

So down under, you're a Yank no matter where in North America you're from?

********

.......4 hours till lift off.....

[18seeds]

Hello Everybody, Newbie here and this post has completely convinced me to sell my 4x4 van and buy a tacoma with a four wheel camper. Thanks for all the great info. I was thinking of doing helper springs instead of airbags but i think airbags may be a better alternative.

[flywgn]

Hello Everybody, Newbie here and this post has completely convinced me to sell my 4x4 van and buy a tacoma with a four wheel camper...

I think there's help for you. Seems to me there's a chapter of Toyota Owners Anonymous in your area. You might want to contact them before you take the plunge. :jump:

[kcowyo]

Time to revive this monster - :wavey:

I just returned from Moab and spent 7 days off road with the truck and camper. I'll be putting up a more detailed trip thread up in the Completed Expeditions section, since the Utah trip was definitely expedition-esque. Here, I'll highlight the impressions, both positive and negative of the camper after a week on the trail.

For a point of reference, the first day was spent in Arches NP. The second and third days were spent in the Maze District of Canyonlands NP. Day four was spent on Beef Basin and along the Dark Canyon Wilderness Area, then into the Needles section of Canyonlands NP, including a run over Elephant Hill. On the fifth day, we ran Lockhart Canyon and Hurrah Pass then made a fuel and ice stop in Moab. Day six and seven were spent on the White Rim Trail in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands.

I was not solo on this trip. On the first day I met up with cool Darren, of MyColorado.org (http://www.mycolorado.org)fame. Later in the week for the White Rim Trail run, we were joined by everyone's favorite snake charmer, Chuck (Urisade69) from New Mexico. Three guys, in three different colored Toyota 4x4's, from three different states meeting up in a fourth state. The only thing missing was maybe a white Toyota, maybe from Arizona or something.....

On the 4WD trail of Arches, I was very cautious and moved slowly through several easy off camber spots and deep ruts. With the tires aired down to 19 PSI, I floated in the sand like I was driving Ms. Daisy. The camper is not really noticeable due to the bulk of its weight being below the truck's bedrails and the center of gravity is dead centered over the rear axle. I would say by the end of the second day I had my speed up and a good idea how the truck was going to react ascending and decending the many steps on the trails. When in the sand, I let all of my Parnelli Jones daydreams come true and thrilled at how well the truck and camper worked together.

Throughout the week, I found myself only concerned with the camper when we came to low overhanging rock outcroppings and trees. After several uneventful passes through off camber spots of varying degrees, the height concern and thoughts of being top heavy proved to be pointless. Other than the occaisional lug while getting the vehicle rolling up an incline, the camper's bulk proved to be a non-issue.

I used the heater the first morning, but that was the only morning I needed it. I made coffee most mornings and cooked a little something for dinner most evenings. The propane held out and never gave me a problem. I'm nervous around propane, so I double and triple checked the valves everytime I cooked something. I also regularly checked the LP bottle and it's mounting system to insure that it wasn't being battered around its little compartment while we were rolling. The system worked great.

I used the auxillary battery sparingly. Instead of the overhead lights I often used my headlamp or moved around in the camper at night by the full moonlight. I had a small portable solar panel to charge the battery, but didn't wind up needing it. About the most I used the battery was the evening Darren and I checked out a bunch of my pics on my laptop. I plugged in to the camper and we spent about an hour looking at pics. The battery did great powering the laptop and my plug-in rechargable camera batteries.

A big, "Wow, I can't believe it!" started to settle in at the end of the week, when I noticed the cab of my truck had a fine layer of red dust everywhere. However, the camper had none, other than what I tracked in on my boots. But the counters, bedding, windows, all surfaces had no sign that it had just done hundreds of off road miles in Utah. This was not the case last fall on my trip to Utah, with a camper shell on the back of the truck. Everything from coolers, tow straps and bedrolls was covered then but not now. I still can't believe it and I'm dreading the hours of detail work getting the cab clean.

The bed slept fairly comfortable. I slept kitty-wampus (you may not get that if you're not from the right part of the US) and still could occaisionally feel some poking on my hip when I slept on my side. The cushions have plenty of give to them still, but I'm a poor sleeper. There were a few warm nights that I slept all night with the windows open and I loved the feeling of a screened breeze, while I slept on top of my sleeping bag. The big downer to this bed set up is that you cannot make coffee while still in bed. The bed must be slid back to its closed position to access the stovetop. This was only annoying the first days until I started getting a morning routine down. You know, it's all about routine till the coffee kicks in. I soon realized that I don't have to pack my bedroll just to close the bed. I soon had a routine where I was boiling water for coffee while putting away the bedroll and transfering gear back into the cab for the day. I would like to work on a different cushion solution in the future though, maybe a memory foam like Vince has.

The ice box fridge was the only real bummer. This is not a powered fridge, but like a cooler, throw in a block of ice and other items to be kept cool. It has a drain hose to allow water from the melting ice to drain outside of the truck. This drain hose reaches my drivers side rear brake light area and as Chuck so keenly observed, it often looked as if my truck were taking a leak while going down the trail. The ice box will be better used for dry storage with some other option for keeping drinks and food cold. It just didn't keep anything cold and a block of ice lasted barely a day. Also when it initially cooled, there was so much condensation built up inside, that it would drain out the front of the ice box onto the camper floor. A better solution than ice blocks that melt and need to drain would be frozen plastic water jugs. Also the door is divided into sections that should hold cans of pop or some condiments, but nothing fit and the restraining bars, across the inside of the door, fell out several times on the trail, even though it wasn't holding anything at the time. A stand up fridge is just not efficient, compared to a chest style cooler or fridge. A solution will have to be put into place before another multi-day off road trip.

How about we break for the evening with a few pics? -

[blaze one]

I am glad this thread is going again :wavey: , it is like a good book I can't put down .
So are you thinking about a Engle Fridge inplace of the ice box?

[Darren]

http://www.mycolorado.org/images/temp/kc_camper.jpg

I thought this one may have found its way up in the previous installment, but since not, here's another picture of the camper under the stars and moonlight. I apologize for my truck sneaking in the frame.

I thought the camper did very well for K.C. last week. I'm still trying to figure out how no dust got in! It handled some fairly decent trail action rather nicely. This particular model is a perfect fit for the T100 and seems to be as compact as you can get for this truck, which is a huge plus if it is to see trail time (it obviously will for K.C.). The ice box is a bit of a downer, but this seems fairly minor in the grand scheme of everything else it has going for it. Pretty cool little unit. I only wished it had rained on us for a half-day so I could've spent more time in it!

[Ursidae69]

It was great to see the Four Wheel Camper in action. I can't believe there wasn't any dust inside the camper. It must be sealed up really well. I'll post a few pics of your cool camper. Thanks for letting me tag along on WRT. :D

[awalter]

KC,

Some folks prefer catty-wampus.:jumping:

Al

[VikingVince]

So I've learned a new word reading this thread:exclaim: Click below for the etymology of cattywampus and scroll down till you find the word:

www.english.uga.edu/dawgspeak/etymolhelp.html

KC...sounds like you might need some new foam mattresses. Foam definitely "wears out" after a number of years. At least mine did...my 3" mattress felt fine when I first got my used Flippac but after a while I was feeling my hipbones also. If 4" foam will fit in your bed space, that's the way to go, IMO.

Also...You will love your camper mucho mucho mas if you replace the ice box with an offroad fridge...no doubt you realize that...but I just wanted to reiterate that after years of using ice and all the associated hassles, the fridge is like a blessing from the gods!!

Sure sounds like it came through the first trial with flying colors:exclaim: :exclaim:

[Ursidae69]

The ice box fridge was the only real bummer. This is not a powered fridge, but like a cooler, throw in a block of ice and other items to be kept cool. It has a drain hose to allow water from the melting ice to drain outside of the truck. This drain hose reaches my drivers side rear brake light area and as Chuck so keenly observed, it often looked as if my truck were taking a leak while going down the trail.

Here is a picture of KC shaking the lilly on his 4W Camper. :shakin: :)

[Jonathan Hanson]

Nice going again, KC!

I vote for an Engel. We had the three-way refrigerator in our Four Wheel and it was a poor performer in anything but mild weather. In fact block ice probably would have worked better (if shorter) in plus-90-degree temperatures.

We lived on a wildlife refuge for most of the time we had our camper, five miles down a dirt road, and I remember too that it stayed very clean inside. Good sealing.

One caveat about the air bags, which we loved: On ours the little claw that hooks over the spring's U-bolt walked off its perch once and let the bottom of the bag work out of alignment, which led to a failure and replacement. I recommend checking the mounts before and during trips. This only happened on the Tacoma, and just once, never on the '92 toyota pickup. But worth watching.

Great stories, KC.

[kcowyo]

Here is a picture of KC shaking the lilly on his 4W Camper. :shakin: :)

You were supposed to tell them that was the on board shower with a built in back bumper washer!

You're fired............:ar15:


Just for that, here's our resident wildlife biologist make friends with the local wildlife. And he paid good money to learn how to do this!! Wonder what will last longer, the student loans or the scars of learning your craft?


...oh, and I'm no wildlife biologist, but I swear that damn lizard is smiling as he's chomping on Chuck....

[kcowyo]

Yah, I'm getting a definite Steinbeck, Travels with Charley vibe here. You gonna name your Toy Rocinante?

and we demand updates!:mad:

I just wanted to reply to this real quick. I've read a few Steinbeck novels but not this one. The name Rocinante was driving me nuts so I went to the library and checked out the book and took it with me to Utah. Now I know where the name comes from and I've almost finished a great read.

I was always partial to Charles Kuralt books, being a fellow Tarheel native, but thanks for the tip on Travels with Charley! :beer:

[kcowyo]

Thanks for the tip on the Airbags Jonathan!

I watched them pretty closely and you were 100% right about the turnbuckles too. I checked them twice a day and almost everytime, 1 to 3 of them would be loosened up. However, you know what a great concern the mounting sytem was to me so I am really pleased with how it performed. I'll take a look at some suggestions for keeping them tightened down better.

After 7 days of not so easy travelling at varied speeds, on varied terrain the camper came through with flying colors. The fridge was the only issue so I'm thinking about using it for dry storage and I'm considering a different type of cooling unit to keep in the cab of the truck.

I'm hesitant to say portable fridge because I really want to focus on front and rear end protection with recovery points for now. An old school cooler in the cab, behind tinted windows and with the A/C on may have to suffice. Although Darren made a valid and tempting argument for the fridge/freezer set up when he mentioned the possibility of ice cream on the trail.

And thanks Darren for taking and posting that great nighttime photo!! :jumping:

[atavuss]

how did you guys manage to catch the collared lizard?! from what I have read/heard they are very wary and will not even allow you to get close at all to them. FWIW I used to have collared lizards as pets, they were captive bred by a Dr. in the San Diego area. the male in his breeding colors is a very impressive animal!

[kcowyo]

It may be a trade secret, so I'll let Chuck tell if he wants. If he doesn't, let me know. I'll tell ya'.

He was a very handsome lizard though. Buff too from all of those push ups. Here's a couple more, before and after he dined on Chuck -

....I should have more pics and details in a trip report that I'm working on.

[Scott Brady]

http://www.expeditionswest.com/photography/review/Review_MED/MED_collard_lizard.JPG

[marke]

Hey kcowyo, try putting 3/8" nuts onto the turn buckles to lock them down. I too have a Four Wheel camper and found that the only way to keep the turnbuckles tight is to lock them with nuts. It works well. I found out the hard way on a trip to Death valley. After driving aroud all day on some rough washboard roads, the camper actually came loose from the truck and slammed into the cab. Luckily all of the turn buckles were retrieved and reconnected. I love our FWC. After many trips to the desert, sierras and 5 weeks to Alaska it has worked out great. Mark E

[VikingVince]

I'm hesitant to say portable fridge because I really want to focus on front and rear end protection with recovery points for now. An old school cooler in the cab, behind tinted windows and with the A/C on may have to suffice. Although Darren made a valid and tempting argument for the fridge/freezer set up when he mentioned the possibility of ice cream on the trail.




Oh no...get the fridge first:jumping: :jumping: ...just my personal bias but life on the trail is sooo much nicer with a fridge (will come in handy with the kids too)...and I'd try to work it into the camper, not the back seat of the truck....it's so convenient getting up in the morn and having the fridg right there in the camper or whenever you cook it's nice to have it right there rather than having to go in the truck and carry stuff back to the camper...you have a great design with that camper...putting the fridge in the truck would work against that design (unlike other guys who have it that way because they cook outside) ....also, I know space is at a premium so why not pull that ice box out and find a fridge that would work in that space with some other alteration if necessary.

re prioritizing your mods, I guess it depends on what trails you plan on doing...but I think a few others here might put the fridge before the front and rear end protection...this brings back memories...one of the first things that attracted me to offroading were the offroad fridges!!!...that's not exactly a hardcore priority I know...but it got me hooked:exclaim:

[Jonathan Hanson]

I used blue Loctite on our turnbuckles, which also did the trick. You could also safety-wire them, as I think someone else suggested.

[Ursidae69]

how did you guys manage to catch the collared lizard?! from what I have read/heard they are very wary and will not even allow you to get close at all to them. FWIW I used to have collared lizards as pets, they were captive bred by a Dr. in the San Diego area. the male in his breeding colors is a very impressive animal!

I noosed him. Noosing is the easiest way to catch most lizards with very little chance of harming them. I have more pics of the trip I'll post after KC starts a trip report thread. :ylsmoke:

[kcowyo]

I started it tonight Chuck - (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=20595#post20595)

I'm going to do daily installments with pics from that particular day but by all means start putting up your pics anytime you want.

[kcowyo]

Oh no...get the fridge first...and I'd try to work it into the camper, not the back seat of the truck....it's so convenient getting up in the morn and having the fridg right there in the camper or whenever you cook it's nice to have it right there rather than having to go in the truck and carry stuff back to the camper...you have a great design with that camper...putting the fridge in the truck would work against that design

re prioritizing your mods, I guess it depends on what trails you plan on doing...but I think a few others here might put the fridge before the front and rear end protection...

Haven't you corrupted me enough Vince?! :xxrotflma

My first thought was to replace the ice box with an Engel, but fellow T100 owner and new Engel owner Joel Ericson brought up a great point in his thread that I hadn't considered. If I mount a fridge in the cab, then I can take it with me should I wind up with a different truck someday. Also I don't anticipate keeping the camper on the truck year round (but I might) so if I take the truck out for a weekend trip, without the camper, I'll still have the fridge with me.

I was able to utilize both sliding windows on the camper and truck to access the gear in my extended cab very well. At night I would pull my sleeping bag, pillow and a change of clothes for the next day, through the windows. In the AM, I would shove my bed stuff back through the windows to the cab, saving myself running laps around the truck. Although you get used to the little back door quickly, the less trips in and out, the better it is on the knees and forehead!

Now everyone has their own routine and system, but last fall I travelled with my big cooler in the back seat and had immediate access to it while on the trail. I drink about a six pack of Diet Coke a day, so having quick access to my canned sugary stomach acid is key. Last week I kept the cooler ( I brought it just in case. Lucky call.) in the camper and everytime I needed a fresh beverage, I would have to stop or wait for a stop, run back to the camper, crawl in, and fish out a cold one from the cooler. Then hop out and jump back in the cab and try to catch up with Darren. It was kind of a PITA. If I put the cooler or fridge in the back seat of the cab, I'll still be able to access it for cooking in the camper through the sliding windows without having to get out. Plus, I'll be able to grab the sweet intoxicating nectar that is Diet Coke, while on the trail without stopping.

Knowing very little about the operating temps, etc. of fridges right now, it would seem that it wouldn't work as hard and maybe be a little more efficient nestled in the tinted shade and A/C of the cab....? I don't know that for sure, but I know there is no air moving in the camper and it gets a little stuffy back there while riding in the hot sun. I'm a ways off from making a decision, but this is why I'm thinking the way I am. Any fridge owners have a different point for me to consider? I'm all ears....

Re the front end protection - Part of it is vanity, as I was never smitten with the looks of a T100. To me it was too similar to the new F150's of that time. The look has grown on me but I would like to give the truck a more aggressive look. Because there is only one option for a mass produced bumper/grill guard for the T, I'm looking at custom options which ups my uniqueness factor quite a bit, and I dig being unique! Plus I will "use" a new front bumper everyday. A fridge will be awesome for trips, but Monday through Friday it's just dead weight in the truck. Maybe if I spent a good portion of my day stuck in big city traffic a fridge might be nice to have with me, filled with Crown and root beer ( trust me and try it) but I work within 3 blocks of my home so the truck mostly sits during the weekdays.

The other part is that I have no recovery points on the truck. This was a big concern before the Utah trip, but I didn't need them after all. A winch isn't in the plans right now, but if I were to stumble on a deal for one, it would be nice to have a place to mount it. It just seems when you add 700 lbs to your truck, that it would be wise (and responsible) to have a place to receive a tug from, if necessary. I think it would be nice to have a stout bumper with a notch to use a hi-lift too. I could add some nice lights too, but what I really need before lights for night driving is an appointment with the eye doc. I can't see at night worth a poop and it's not because it's not bright enough out there.

Anyone see a flaw in my plan? I'd rather take the harsh truth here on the board than find out on the trail that I'm off the mark -

[VikingVince]

Haven't you corrupted me enough Vince?!


LOL...KC, I believe you've outthunk me on this fridge issue...at least for your priorities and situation...but...tis true...I am into corruption:D :D


If I mount a fridge in the cab, then I can take it with me should I wind up with a different truck someday. Also I don't anticipate keeping the camper on the truck year round (but I might) so if I take the truck out for a weekend trip, without the camper, I'll still have the fridge with me.


Now that hadn't even occurred to me...that you might take the camper off. Sounds like a royal PITA to me...LOL. But regardless...you could still take the fridge with you someday wherever you mount it...no?



Now everyone has their own routine and system, but last fall I travelled with my big cooler in the back seat and had immediate access to it while on the trail. I drink about a six pack of Diet Coke a day, so having quick access to my canned sugary stomach acid is key. Last week I kept the cooler ( I brought it just in case. Lucky call.) in the camper and everytime I needed a fresh beverage, I would have to stop or wait for a stop, run back to the camper, crawl in, and fish out a cold one from the cooler. Then hop out and jump back in the cab and try to catch up with Darren. It was kind of a PITA. If I put the cooler or fridge in the back seat of the cab, I'll still be able to access it for cooking in the camper through the sliding windows without having to get out.


That makes sense to me:bowdown: :) I guess it comes down to individual style and needs. Because I like to stay in one place for a number of days, I just wouldn't consider anything other than the fridge in the camper...and, for me, I know I would never take the camper off the truck.


Knowing very little about the operating temps, etc. of fridges right now, it would seem that it wouldn't work as hard and maybe be a little more efficient nestled in the tinted shade and A/C of the cab....? I don't know that for sure, but I know there is no air moving in the camper and it gets a little stuffy back there while riding in the hot sun. I'm a ways off from making a decision, but this is why I'm thinking the way I am. Any fridge owners have a different point for me to consider? I'm all ears....

Well, that has not been an issue for me. I have a really good auxilliary battery (Concorde Lifeline AGM with 110 amp hours...I believe none of the Optimas are more than 50-70 AH)...but you'd have to rig up your aux battery to your starter battery/generator, with an isolator so it charges while you're driving.etc It's the only way to go,IMO :) I've sat in 90 degree weather for 4 days with no fridge problems



Re the front end protection - Part of it is vanity, as I was never smitten with the looks of a T100. To me it was too similar to the new F150's of that time. The look has grown on me but I would like to give the truck a more aggressive look.

Believe me, I understand the "look" thing...lol...most of us do:) I love the look of my truck with the ARB bumper and winch...it's just one of those "things"...lol...but still, unless you're doing hardcore trails, I'd priortize the fridge over the bumpers.


The other part is that I have no recovery points on the truck.

You can add tow hooks in the front and back for minimal dollars...I've spent alot of dollars on my truck...and yes I like the way it "looks"...but if I were to do it over, I'd be a little more discretionary and just spend money on stuff I really NEED...


Anyone see a flaw in my plan? I'd rather take the harsh truth here on the board than find out on the trail that I'm off the mark -

I don't think anyone would tell you you're off the mark...not me anyway...especially considering the time/research you put into choosing the FW camper. Besides, I'm not that "serious.":) We all love the results of spending bucks on our trucks!! Being an investment/finance dude, I tend to think in terms of best return on dollars spent:D :D

[HongerVenture]

Hey Vince, I'll have a go at corrupting him as well...

KC, I definitely think the Fridge/Freeze needs to come next. Front end protection and the winch are nice, but I've already used the Engel more than either of those mods. I love the Engel 45 and it proved to be a wonderful mod to make before our trip to Big South Fork a few weekends ago.

Like yourself KC, Amy and I are addicted to that sweet nectar Diet Coke... though we don't polish off a 6-pack a day. :hehe: In any case, if you are a true believer in Diet Coke, you know that the colder it is the better, as long as it isn't slushy (though slushy has its merits) or solid. The best is to have it at that perfect temperature, right before slushy. So cold that you feel it going down. Yum! Well, imagine if you will, that every Diet Coke you grab on the go is that perfect temperature. Imagine no more! You can realize that wonderful circumstance with the Engel 45. Best of all, the back-o-the-cab solution allowed for that anytime we wanted on the road. Heck, on one trail we were riding Amy made sandwiches in the cab while I surveyed the trail ahead by foot.

The freedom of food packing/consumption was a HUGE benefit. Raw meat wasn't an issue. We simply froze the meat items that would be consumed later in the trip (so they would be thawed on the day we wanted them). Meat items for earlier in the trip were simply refridgerated. I can't tell you how nice it was not to worry about meat spoiling. The quality of our eating vastly increased.

As far as power consumption... don't give it a second thought. With the amount of driving you did on your trip an Engel would have been fine in the cab or in the camper. I only have one battery on the truck, and it easily powered the Engel throughout the nights and the days.

The mounting I have in the back of the cab is easily convertable back to normal Xtracab use. So you could mount in the camper sometimes and in the cab other times. In addition, when not in use in my truck I'm pretty sure it is going to be my garage fridge... so I can imbibe the sweet nectar while wrenching!

Just some thoughts...

Like Vince though, I'm not willing to say you're off the mark... that 4 Wheel Camper is amazing proof of how on the mark you are regarding modding a T100 for expedition travel.

[TACODOC]

Great thread! I learn so much here on this site from you guys :clapsmile

That camper absolutely ROCKS!

[kcowyo]

Hey Vince, I'll have a go at corrupting him as well...

Hey! No fair, teaming up!!

...luckily I'm pure enough to resist corruption... yeah right.....


In any case, if you are a true believer in Diet Coke, you know that the colder it is the better, as long as it isn't slushy (though slushy has its merits) or solid. The best is to have it at that perfect temperature, right before slushy.

Mmmmm....slushy Diet Coke....arrgghhghh..........



The mounting I have in the back of the cab is easily convertable back to normal Xtracab use. So you could mount in the camper sometimes and in the cab other times.

OK, that's what I'm talking about. I don't want to just replace the stand up ice box in the camper with a fridge. I have zero desire to tear into the camper's galley. If I were to get a fridge, I would want to keep it as portable as possible. When I'm out solo, I'd like to keep it in the cab. When I have both kids with me and their gear, it would probably work better to keep a fridge in the camper. Thus my quandry....

With the heavy snows we get around here, it is very likely I'll remove the camper in the dead of winter. The roof is rated to hold up to a thousand pounds, but I'm not sure how many inches of snow on the camper would equal 1,000 lbs....? With the majority of back roads and campgrounds around here snowed in and closed for the winter, I won't be able to do many quick weekend camping trips. If I can make a trip south, to more temperate winter climates, I can always take 15 minutes to put the camper back on.

Geez, I need a drink..................:D

[Jonathan Hanson]

KC, I think the roof is rated to hold a thousand pounds of snow (i.e. evenly distributed weight) open. It would probably hold a lot more than that closed.

[OutbacKamper]

Talking of snow on the roof:
When I picked up my 4W camper the salesman reminded me to ALWAYS carry a broom and ladder (or steps). You never know when you are going to get snow in the mountains, and you can't raise or lower the roof if it is covered in even 2" of wet snow.
Cheers
Mark

[kcowyo]

You never know when you are going to get snow in the mountains, and you can't raise or lower the roof if it is covered in even 2" of wet snow.
Cheers
Mark

Thanks Mark. That's why I'm considering taking it off in the winter. Unless I'm going on a trip, I'll probably store it during the heavy snow months. This was part of my original plan and how I justified living with the drop in gas mileage with the camper, because I knew it would not be on the truck year round.

That's a big perk with this unit, that it can be put on and taken off, rather quickly and easily. I don't anticipate a lot of nights winter camping around here. In the winter, my free time is generally reserved for snowmobiling. It will be a lot easier hooking up and towing the trailer without the camper on the truck too.

[kcowyo]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/IMG_0908.jpg


Darren was nice enough to send me some of his pics of my T100, from our trip. Of course you can't get your own action shots, so I'm very grateful Darren used up some his millions of gigabytes for me. Thanks man!! :bowdown:

My biggest concern about this camper, prior to purchase, was the mounting system and if it would hold up well off road. I'm happy with my truck's suspension and ground clearance but those would be of little use to me if the camper didn't stay fast to the truck bed. The Utah trip was to be a litmus test of the system and would let me know what to expect.

Now in hindsight, I would say that the camper's mounting system is up to handling more severe trails than my truck is! Other than the turnbuckles working a turn or two loose, there was no shifting with the camper or signs that it was under stress at all.

Hmmphh.. a product that delivers as advertised? In this day and age...? Wow!

[kcowyo]

...and a few more, because how it handles on the trail matters to me most of all. Plus this thread needs more pics!! :cool:

*** Special thanks to Darren for the photos in these two posts. See more of Darren's photography, 4Runner info and trip reports on his website - MyColorado.org (http://www.mycolorado.org) ***

[OutbacKamper]

Awsome photos!
You should consider sending some to 4W Campers, their customer photos are pretty tame (& boring) compared to these.

[kcowyo]

A quick update -

Over the Memorial Day long weekend I took a trip up to Cooke City, MT and Yellowstone NP. Spent 3 days camped out and saw some crazy weather and wildlife. I'll put a short report with pics up in the Completed Adventures section.

Yesterday I had surprise visitor. My cousin, the fly fishing and tying prodigy (he was selling his own flies to Orvis when he was 12), stopped in Lander on his way to Jackson for a summer job as a fly fishing guide. He wanted to camp out before reporting for work today, so I took the rest of the afternoon off and we went to a favorite secret campsite along Bull Lake, on the Wind River Indian Reservation. He's got a great 3rd gen 4Runner that I helped him find and buy last summer. But as you can see from the pics, the boy needs some storage work!

Nothing to report other than a nice campfire, a big pot of red beans and rice for dinner and maybe I got him started a little early for his 21st b'day this Saturday... We were up by 6am this morning and I made it home in time for a quick shower then to work by 9am.

A random Wednesday night camping trip. Ya gotta love it!

[kcowyo]

I put up a small trip report from Memorial Day weekend in Yellowstone & the Beartooth Mountains with pics - (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=21723#post21723)


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/YNP011.jpg

[Jonathan Hanson]

Thanks for the updates, KC! Terrific pictures.

[kcowyo]

An update to the thread, though more for me. I want to keep track of how many nights I use the camper this year, lately dubbed by others as the "Condo," which I kind of like.

I was inspired to do this by one of Graham's posts showing some of his favorite campsites with their GPS coordinates. I don't use my GPS often enough to be very proficient with it, so I wanted to keep a different log of nights camped. I haven't taken pics of every campsight, although I should start doing that, even if for my own amusement.

Night #1 April 16 - along the Palisades Resevoir in Idaho
night #2 April 29 - Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander, Wyoming
night #3 May 7- Glen Canyon Rec Area, Utah
night #4 May 8 - Canyonlands National Park, Utah
night #5 May 9 - near Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
night #6 May 10 - Indian Creek/Lockhart Canyon, Utah
night #7 May 11 - Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
night #8 May 12 - White Rim Trail, CNP, Utah
night #9 May 13 - Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
night #10 May 27 - Bill Cody Resevoir, Cody, Wyoming
night #11 May 28 - Sunlight Basin, Wyoming
night #12 May 29 - Slough Creek, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
night #13 May 31 - Bull Lake, Wind River Indian Reservation, Wyoming
night #14 June 10- Sinks Canyon State Park, Lander, Wyoming
night #15 June 15 - Dumont Lake, Rabbit Ears Pass, Colorado
night #16 June 16 - near Keystone, Colorado
night #17 June 17 - near Leadville, Colorado
night #18 June 18 - Cottonwood Pass, Colorado

So 18 nights in the bush over the last 10 weeks. Not bad, but I wish it was more! The first three nights were spent in 3 different states, kinda cool. I should have a few more nights camped in WY and/or Idaho after this 4th of July weekend. The Condo has turned out to be a real asset to my outdoor experience and I find myself wanting to be out on the trail even more now.

A recent pic from the ExPo trip to Leadville, courtesy of bigreen505. Thanks Bill!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/LeadvilleExPoT1002.jpg

[oly884]

I'm re-read this thread again last night and I'm getting so excited to get my camper, only a couple more weeks!

:jump:

[kcowyo]

I'm sure the anicipation is agonizing David! Soon, very soon....

So you re-read the whole thread? Must have taken all night! :xxrotflma


...might as well update

night #19 July 1 - Viva Naughton resevoir, Kemmerer, WY
night #20 July 2 - Grey's River, near Alpine, WY
night #21 July 3 - Grey's River, near Alpine, WY

...and a link to a trip thread from Grey's River, with pics (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1760)


The next 10-20 nights should include camping in Yellowstone NP, Montana, Glacier NP, Idaho and perhaps Oregon.
I may be headed out as soon as next week. :wavey:

[blupaddler]

I don't know if I have said this yet...


But, I must admit that I really like the way the camper fits on your T100. It doesn't stick out very far at all compared to how others do that I have seen.


:jump:


:truck:

[Scott Brady]

yes, very cool. It is nice to see that several on the forum own, or are buying a 4wheel pop-up.

The real world experiences are great.

I meant to ask you. How did the truck work in Colorado over the trails? Have you noticed any difference in performance off-road with the camper?

[DaveInDenver]

An update to the thread, though more for me. I want to keep track of how many nights I use the camper this year, lately dubbed by others as the "Condo," which I kind of like.

That's too funny. My truck's been given the adhoc name of 'Hilux Hilton' because of the WilderNest.

[kcowyo]

That's great Dave!

I've always been great at coming up with nicknames for others but since acquiring the blandly named "T100", I've hit a creative block for my own outfit. So when a guy whose handle is GoodTimes, dubs it the "Condo", you just have to trust his judgement!

And for pskhaat who asked, I will post up a "new curtain mod" thread soon. If it's not to yag!! :xxrotflma

blupaddler, that was the whole appeal to this particular model, getting a flush fit to the bedsides. You really should see it in person. ;)

[kcowyo]

I meant to ask you. How did the truck work in Colorado over the trails? Have you noticed any difference in performance off-road with the camper?

I thought it did great in Colorado.

You know I'm more into the "touring" than technical trips, especially with this outfit. As I recall the short trail up to the first campsite was probaly the closest thing to a scrabble and it moved over and through everything OK. On the long and steep descent after we crossed the snowbank, it was an effort to keep it from wanting to run away. But I had the same problem with the lighter CJ when I ran CO trails before. Sometimes lo & lo just ain't lo enough!

At this point, low overhanging trees and such are more of a concern than getting off camber. It took a day or two in Utah to get used to the feeling of going up and down steps, often off camber. But with the unique mounting system, and the low COG with adequete distribution of my gear, it seems to bounce along as effortlessly as durango_60's FZJ80. Kind of a taller and boxier feeling than just a pick up, but it handles like one solid unit, not a combo outfit. The 3.4 is up to the task of moving the weight around all day with no problems and the 4.30 gears do help get the load moving and slowed down.

The airbags and adjustable shocks are working very well together. The side to side jounce has been nearly eliminated. Combine those with the 285's aired down to 19 PSI, the long wheelbase and sport seats, and the truck is up to the task. A brake upgrade would be a good idea before adding too much more weight. I'm stuck trying to think of a trail I've been down in the Jeep or the '85 that I wouldn't take this truck on. Some armor would be nice though.

More images from Darren -

[kcowyo]

The next 10-20 nights should include camping in Yellowstone NP, Montana, Glacier NP, Idaho and perhaps Oregon.


Turned out to be 40 nights..... (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2110)

...and followed that up with a long weekend in Cali (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3264). (Can you say "Cali", if you're not from there?)


Total nights camped in the FWC last year - 60. Sweet......:rockon:


I've been getting a few emails lately, asking about the camper so a quick update as already one year has passed since that great trip to Idaho, to bring it home last Easter.

After 60 nights, I can definitely say this has been the biggest boon to my adventures in years. I love the security and comfort it provides while still allowing me to roam the backcountry trails I enjoy. The only negatives have been the loss of MPG's (worth it) and not having used a spacer between the camper body and the front wall of my pickup bed. The top front bed rail got tweaked pretty good and will require some BFH work.

Following the trip to Death Valley over Thanksgiving weekend, I pulled the camper off for the winter. I was anticipating spending most of my winter snowmobiling and towing my trailer. Mother Nature and El Nino saw that it didn't happen that way. So it sits in the backyard, a silent temptress as the warm weather arrives.



I've made a small list of improvements I hope to make to the camper. I've been in touch with former FWC owner and current owner of All Terrain Campers, Ben Burnett about some upgrades. I'm hoping to visit his facility in Sacramento, CA next Fall in anticipation of making my FWC experience even better. My short wish list of upgrades and improvements includes -

ditch the icebox for an Engel fridge
add the screen door
get the wider 36" (?) door
add a solar panel up top
add a Fiamma awning
update or upgrade the sleeping cushions to memory foam
reinstall the bench that was removed by the PO
ditch the dining table for something bigger than a lunch tray
From a comfort/convenience stand point, replacing the bench is at the top of my list. I like the easier access to the turnbuckles and the open floor space that not having the bench allows for. But I would prefer a little more secure storage and to have the bench to kick back on, at the end of the day or in a rainy camp.

The one other priority is a way to carry extra fuel. I've pulled into enough gas stations with the "E-light" on to know that a simple 5 gallon can would be enough in most situations. Just figuring where and how to carry it.

I'm hoping our next outing will be in May, for my annual pilgrimage to Yellowstone NP over Memorial Day Weekend. Following that in June, a return to Canyonlands NP, specifically the Maze District for a Father's Day Weekend trip (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3848). I'll be joined by my 6 year old son for his first trip to Moab. Should be a blast!!


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/Utah049.jpg?t=1248068166

[slooowr6]

60 nights!! :clapsmile: I have spend 6 nights in the camper now still getting used to it. Will post some impression later. It's been great to have a hard shell around when camp in Death Valley, it's so windy!
I'm also trying figure out how to carry extra fuel. With ATC on my Taco I get around 17-18mpg on long trips. I hope to carry extra 5 gallon so I don't need to find gas every 260milles, I'm paranoid. I've been thinking about what turtle expedition did, carry the Jerry can on the back.
Have you figure out how long will a 75AH battery will last with Engel running?:ylsmoke:

[GaryMc]

Bump for the thread that originally brought me to the EP.

Updates? Did you find a way to store more fuel? Do you think you spend more time in the field due to the ease and comfort of the camper? Where do you keep the inflatable sheep?

Help me with ideas to sell it to the SO...

[kcowyo]

Update? Sure -

Since April, I've logged about 20 more nights in the camper in Yellowstone NP, Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. Not as many as I'd hoped for the summer, but I did do several local overnighters with the kids in the Wind River Mountains. It would be a toss-up for favorite trip of the summer, between the Father's Day outing to Colorado and a very smokey Montana trip in August.

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Montan/Montana-139/701546197_NReLF-O.jpg



I have yet to resolve the spare fuel issue. Lots of ideas but none that I feel are winners. I still feel that occasionally carrying a jerry can will work best for me as opposed to a permanently mounted auxiliary tank. By doing shorter trips this year, a solution for this has gone from being a priority, to the back burner. But I'm still looking for ideas and taking suggestions.

I do and don't think this set up has made spending more time in the field possible. The camper has been on the truck all summer and it's my only vehicle at this time. I can easily get out of town for an overnighter or long weekend now, everything is already packed. What I have come to realize is that I've passed on some day runs on shorter or more technical trails, because I don't want to bring and bounce the camper along. I would like to have a dedicated trail rig for day trips when bringing the camper is overkill.

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Wyoming-July-2006/Wyoming-337/701805113_kYsut-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Wyoming-July-2006/Wyoming-330/701805676_FdAPu-O.jpg


How to sell your SO? Warmth, security, privacy, comfort, reliable, durable and convenient. I've been breaking in a new travel partner this year, converting her from Airstreams and KOA's, to dispersed camping in a rolling clubhouse. Her favorite features include the option of cooking inside to avoid the bugs, ease of setting up & breaking down camp, having room to stand up & get changed, playing cards or watching a DVD before bed, the heater in the mornings and a shower & shower tent I picked up earlier this year.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Montan/Polebridge-034/701547832_HWq49-O.jpg


It is definitely "easier" to head out for a few days now. The larder is always full of canned & dried goods, wet wipes and a bottle of Crown Royal. The kitchen box is stocked with utensils, pots, seasonings, paper towels and coffee. The chairs, shower, shower tent, cooler, sleeping bags, recovery gear and even a box of firewood are always on board, ready to go. To leave town I only need to throw some clothes & my camera in a bag, grab some beer, ice and gas and I'm gone.


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Montan/Montana-140/701546081_XNJfK-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Montan/Montana-141/701546002_Zjp3Y-O.jpg


So what's next? The biggest trip of the year and it begins on November 9th.

3,000+ mile loop around the western US, including -
WY to southern Utah -Escalante, Capitol Reef & Bryce NP's
Las Vegas - 4 days at the Venetian Hotel & Casino
Death Valley - Badwater, Dante's View, Zabriskie Pt, the Racetrack
Big Sur and the CA coast - a scenic drive up the PCH 101, Mendocino
the Oregon Coast - lighthouses, Bandon, sand dunes
east across Oregon - Sisters, Bend, sage brush
east across Idaho - I-84, Lava Hot Springs, Bear Lake, home

We're anticipating spending most nights in the camper except while in Vegas. I'm really hoping we'll get to camp on a beach at least one night, most likely at the Oregon Dunes and/or in Arcata, CA.

Thanks for the bump. And no, we're not getting married in Vegas. You never want to make your sheep jealous. ;)

[erod]

awesom kc! thanks for the update! i agree, the 4wc has its pros and cons like everything else...i had to pretty much live in mine for @ 14 days and it rained the whole time...while i was pretty comfortable it was tough at times with 2 peeps and 2 dogs. currently mine is in the driveway whil ei have been working on some mods and driving around without it has been a treat...i have a pickup again! thanks again for you detailed thread, a big reason i went with the fwc and we all look forward to your update on the trip and adventure to come...travel safe!

[Willman]

Thanks for the bump. And no, we're not getting married in Vegas. The sheep wouldn't allow it. ;)

:cow: (wish it was a sheep smiley)

Very nice KC!

Love to meet up with ya and the miss in your Utah part of your trip!

:)

[suntinez]

Man this thread has it all !!! What a blast I had reading it – all the way through. In fact you’ve distracted me for hours now from a great book I was reading, awesome!

Slushy coke, collared lizards, non-leaking suspense, nosy buzz killing cops, Hemingway, Steinbeck, depth of 1000 lbs of snow, corruption and refrigeration, pictures that could hang in a gallery, trip reports, other trips, world travel and oh YEAH – a camper!!

BTW no in “cali” says “cali” unless they’re transplanted. Usually from Texas but sometimes you hear Bohemian~Redneck~OG~Rebel without soap~anti-social looking dudes say that when disguised as mild mannered salesmen.

Keep these coming KC, you've got the knack ...:bowdown: Thanks for a great read everyone.

[GaryMc]

I had fantasies of a new FWC Hawk model and pickup as I drifted off to sleep, in the front seat of my Xterra while parked at the rest area north of Roswell, last night.

I woke up @ 6:30amwith very pissed off knees and a crick in my neck.

-Gary
posting from San Antonio this week

[kcowyo]

I understand Gary...:(

It was in Escalante, Utah and waking up to sub freezing temps like this, that prompted me to get mine -

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ExPoRally026.jpg

A night or two before this photo was taken, I spent the most uncomfortable night that I can recall, at the north rim of the Grand Canyon. I slept in the cab of the truck, shivering, waking up every 5 mins and hating every second of it. The sunrise over the canyon made it worth it, but I knew then that I had aged out of my invincible 20's and it was time to accept my comfort-loving 30's.

suntinez, thanks for the wonderful comments. I really appreciate it. This thread went all over the place as I am prone to random tangents. I'm glad you were able to follow it all. Thanks for the locals tip on the Cali thing.

:beer:

[Kermit]

That would be the biggest downfall of my Wildernest...cold weather! I have a Mr. Heater, since I like to travel in the high country, it usually shuts off because of the low oxygen senser. Better off being cold than dead, eh? Even with a -15 degree bag, I still have a hard time sleeping when colder than 20 degrees.

Nice write up KC.

[klahanie]

kcoyo

Just come across this thread...haven't read all yet but WOW!... great story and pics.

Regarding carrying a J can:

With my F250/FWC I missed the tailgate which needed to be removed to carry a FWC. I like the idea of having a platform or porch at the camper door (although this would make ingress/egress harder) Often thought about making a replacement one using the truck tailgate mounts or hinged to the underside of the camper or even hinged to a piece of plywood laying full length under the camper.

In the up position the new tailgate could be secured to the original posts or to the camper. A jerry can or other item could then be attached to the rear side of this tailgate which would drop down to use the camper door.

Just a thought.

[kcowyo]

Hey David. Thanks for the thought and welcome to ExPo.

I recently saw a pic of a FWC on a Tundra that I thought had a decent solution. The owner had left the tailgate on the truck and was using it as a platform to secure his jerry cans. My tailgate is off, but I could do something similar. Getting my tailgate peppered with gravel in the down position wouldn't be fun, but perhaps a spare tailgate sprayed with bedliner would be a decent idea...? I do miss having a tailgate for an outside work area.

Another solution I recently saw was from a guy who had welded two additional receivers to his receiver hitch. One in the middle for a trailer and two on the sides. He welded a jerry can carrier onto a slide-in hitch. So when he needs to carry additional fuel, he can slide it into a receiver hitch. It effects his departure angle, but not too bad. I like this idea the best so far.

I had hoped for a simple rear wall mounted carrier but I was told without frame reinforcements while it's being built, that the weight on a rough trail could force the carrier to tear away from the rear wall. I also like the rear bumper platform some guys have built and fastened a carrier to it. But my camper sits just over the bumper so I don't have that room. I've even looked at carrying a small rack over my truck cab and carrying a can up there, but there isn't enough room there either.

[klahanie]

That reciever plug-in is pretty slick. And I guess someone else has run out of propane too! :rolleyes:

I agree with not doing a rear wall mount. Besides you have a very clean looking rig, might not want to go drilling holes in the camper. Ditto leaving the original tailgate on.

I like the bumper build up/mini platform idea. Thinking this could be done with a sheet of plywood cut to fit the truck bed and extending out from the rear as far as required. Put this sheet under the camper when loading. I don't think it will shift with the weight of the camper clamped on it. Paint or dress up as desired, or use a different material. If keep to a minimum, the overhang won't effect angle of departure. Secure jerry can on top.


On a separate note...You live in a beautiful part of the world. Good for you for going out and enjoying it. It's posts like yours that inspire others to do the same.

Thank you

[kcowyo]

Thanks David.

I sent you a PM - :beer:

[ntsqd]

On the tailgate thot, it occurs to me that you wouldn't need (nor maybe want) a second tailgate exactly, just a platform that serves the same function.

How about a fabricated frame that picks up the tailgate hinge & support points, which is then covered in plywood or sheet metal or what ever suits your use?
The supports probably don't want to be flexible. Make them from something stiff so that the platform doesn't bounce when going over the rough stuff.
Could even build the frame to have QD mounts for the fuel cans & propane tank(s). Shouldn't be much more than a weekend job.

[mtn-high]

Wow. Thank you for this post. I realize I'm coming into this WAYYYY late but registered to say that your trip journals and experience with Four Wheel campers has sent me over the top. Whereas I first thought these models were a bit pricey and have searched for alternatives, I'm now convinced after reading your "adventures" that they are the way to go and are worth the $$$ they command. (I'm also in the Rockies)

Any further adventures/experience appreciated! Thanks again for taking the time!

mtn-high
Colorado

[kcowyo]

Welcome to ExPo - :beer:

The Four Wheel Camper continues to exceed all of my expectations. Not a single complaint after two years of ownership and almost 100 nights of camping out.

Here's a link to our most recent adventure just last month - Spring Fever in Utah (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14507)

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Moab-March-2008/Utah-W007/701698308_nHUJA-O.jpg

[VikingVince]

The Four Wheel Camper continues to exceed all of my expectations. Not a single complaint after two years of ownership and almost 100 nights of camping out.


Hey KC...how are ya, dude? As our resident FWC owner/expert, that's a really good endorsement. I'm pretty sure a FWC is somewhere in my future. Just wanted to confirm one thing though (sorry if it's in the thead)...you've never had any leaks? (assuming you've camped in the rain) I believe some other owners have, so maybe it's a hit-and-miss thing due to inconsistent factory techniques or age-related issues. But just wondering if you've been leak free.

[kcowyo]

Vince.... my man... :bowdown:


So far not a single leak. Probably the worst rain I have camped in was the very first night I owned it. That night was a deluge. There have been some light showers while camping that didn't last all night (thankfully...) but nary an issue so far.

An even bigger test was the big snows we had this winter. The camper was outside all winter. While I tried to brush off the snow before it got too heavy and melted off, I didn't get it all. That always concerned me, but upon inspection I couldn't find any signs that water had seeped in anywhere.

Seems those that do experience a leak, find them primarily around the cab-over bunk. Again, none for me luckily. I also know of some owners who have experienced a leak in the roof but they blame not enough caulk around their roof rack track screws. I haven't drilled into the roof for that very reason.

[Northern Explorer]

I read through this thread when you first posted it. Now it's only a few weeks before I get my own FWC. Thanks for all the great info.:victory:

[mtn-high]

Thanks for the welcome kcowyo!

Don't wanna hijack yer thread but I'm currently in the market for a HAWK or an Eagle for a 2004 Tundra DC and reading your trip takes pumped me up BIG TIME to get this done and get on the road! (I'm in Western Colorado, BTW)

General question: I hope you haven't had to find out...but if a guy found a used unit that needs work are parts readily available from FWC?

Again...what an inspiration this thread has been. Certainly NOT a buzzkill!

many thanks! :bowdown:

[Rockcrawler]

Parts are readily available from FWC, ATC and local RV stores. I've found the camper far more enjoyable to work on than making mods to the truck. It is much easier to work on... easy to disassemble/reassemble... etc.

Kyle

[kcowyo]

...if a guy found a used unit that needs work are parts readily available from FWC?

Absolutely.

As Kyle mentioned either factory can supply you with replacement parts.

Good luck in your search. FWIW, have 4 or 5 classified websites, etc. that you watch closely and be prepared to jump when you find the right one. Especially this time of year when everyone is wanting to get out for the summer. Nice ones don't tend to stay on the market very long.

Along the Rockies and the west coast are great places to find campers looking for a new home. Thanks for the nice comments on this thread. Best of luck - :beer:

[dags]

So what are the websites I should be looking at to find a used FWC? I'm on the eastcoast and I'm having no luck finding one

[deserteagle56]

One of these units is posted for sale on the Reno Craigslist site for the 15th of May.

[kcowyo]

So what are the websites I should be looking at to find a used FWC? I'm on the eastcoast and I'm having no luck finding one

Finding one on the east coast seems to be an issue. I hear from a lot of folks who struggle to find one east of Denver. The following links may be of some help -


Four Wheel Campers (http://www.fourwheelcampers.com/) - Their website. The will list any available units on their homepage.

Wander the West (http://www.wanderthewest.com) - A website & forum for FWC owners. They have a classified section for those selling their campers.

Used Four Wheel Campers (http://usedfourwheelcampers.com/) - A small website, the selection is hit or miss.

RVTraderonline (http://www.rvtraderonline.com/find/browse/truck-camper/four-wheel-campers/) - Primarily new units, but occasionally a used one will get listed

The Camping Source (http://www.thecampingsource.com/classified/list/category/Truck_Campers/4/classifieds.aspx) - Generally a good site with nice models available

RV Hunter (http://rvhunter.com/browse-719-0.html) - Don't know how great this site is, but it's where I found mine

Go Anywhere (http://www.go-anywhere.us/FourWheelCamper/htmFourWheelCampers.htm) - A FWC dealer in Wisconsin


Other suggestions include eBay, Craigslist (or crazedlist.org) and the numerous other RV classified websites. ExPo members, Dave and Northern Explorer, are closer to you and have done a bunch of research. Perhaps you could PM them for suggestions in searching back east.

:campfire:

[chnlisle]

You might also try giving Stan Kennedy at FWC a call. He sometimes knows where the used ones are lurking nationally.

[kcowyo]

....

Welcome to ExPo Jay - :bowdown:


Good to see you - :beer:

[dags]

Guys thanks for the recommendations.

Wish I could buy one of these on the east coast

http://www.traymatecampers.com.au/exterior.asp

[chnlisle]

Thanks KC,
Its good to see the gangs all here. I see you're a rock star here. I'll stop by from time to time. Theres lots of good stuff here.

[suntinez]

Wish I could buy one of these on the east coast

http://www.traymatecampers.com.au/exterior.asp

or the west coast! nice find ...

[Rockcrawler]

Hey Jay,

Glad to see you found your way over here. As you've already noticed, there is a ton of good information and knowledgeable people here.

Take care,

Kyle

[lqhikers]

Jay glad you showed up you old guys sure are slow!!:REExeSwimmingHL:
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les Lqhikers

[Rockcrawler]

Jay glad you showed up you old guys sure are slow!!:REExeSwimmingHL:
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les Lqhikers

It just took him awhile to get here because he was too busy enjoying the Journey! :rolleyes:

[chnlisle]

And I'm old!!!

[kcowyo]

Hey KC...Just wanted to confirm one thing though (sorry if it's in the thead)...you've never had any leaks? (assuming you've camped in the rain) I believe some other owners have, so maybe it's a hit-and-miss thing due to inconsistent factory techniques or age-related issues. But just wondering if you've been leak free.

A bump, as I just wrapped up what was the wettest trip in the FWC by far. Three nights of rain and four days of driving through rain, sleet and snow in NW Wyoming. Again fortunately, not a single leak in the camper.

The second night of the trip was equal in precipitation to the very first night I owned it. It was raining hard enough while in Yellowstone NP that night, that the noise of the rain hitting the roof actually woke me up. But a thorough check the next morning showed no leaks, just the condensation from my own breath.

The Four Wheel Camper continues to excel in all conditions and climates. :clapsmile

A link to the latest trip through rain and snow - No Country For Cold Men (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15297)

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/MemDay-08-074/701779814_wauJe-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/MemDay-08-077/701779560_GuSM8-O.jpg


*photo courtesy of Chuck Hathcock - (http://www.chucksweb.net/index.htm)
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/T100-Btooth/701781698_p6fW3-O.jpg


*photo courtesy of Chuck Hathcock - (http://www.chucksweb.net/index.htm)
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/T100-Tetons/701783105_tVswq-O.jpg

[kcowyo]

Updating a couple of more recent trips...

Following the chilly trip in May with Chuck, I attended in June, the ExPo Father's Day Trip to Utah, with my son and several other families. Trip thread here - Uinta Mountains Father's Day Trip (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=15937)

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


Over the long 4th of July weekend, I made a highly anticipated return to Idaho. I had a nice adventure laid out that didn't turn out exactly like I planned. It all worked out ok in the end, although it was frustrating at times.

We were bombarded with mosquitoes the first night on the Grassy Lake Road between Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. We found a great campsite but really couldn't appreciate it due to the skeeters. We got slathered in "Ben's 100" bug repellent, but they still dive-bombed us before bouncing off of our Deet inflicted force-field. There were tons of flowers out on the road though.

The Mesa Falls Scenic Byway was a nice drive but the falls overlooks were crowded with families and travelers. Lots of loud, undisciplined children and their grossly fat parents, all dressed in the same 4th of July t-shirts and crammed into their Dodge Caravans like a bunch of chubby, patriotic clowns. Ick.

Sawtelle Peak was a great recommendation (thanks PaulR) and the high point (literally) of the trip for me. The Kilgore Road was exceptional on the west side. We passed up a decent campsite when some weirdo on an ATV with a shotgun stopped to tell us he was camping nearby. Seemed like the beginning to a bad horror flick, so we bailed.

Later in the afternoon, some illiterates from Arizona passed me on the interstate despite signs that said 'No Passing', due to a recent chip & seal job on the highway. Judging by their AZ license plate, the paint scheme on their conversion van and their rims, I'm gonna go out on a limb and guess English wasn't their first language. Got a cracked windshield when their tire threw a rock as they went by me. Really appreciated that one.

From there the night got worse and instead of spending the 4th, camping in the middle of nowhere as intended, we wound up in downtown Idaho Falls, stuck in holiday traffic for hours. Brutal, absolutely brutal and my own fault.

Spent the rest of the weekend on Palisades Reservoir and not Red Rock Pass, as planned. Palisades Reservoir was where I spent the very first night in my camper. It was nice to be back for warmer and dryer temps as we marked off the 90th night spent in the FWC. There were a few other annoyances that I'm trying to forget as overall, it was a nice weekend in Idaho.

A few pics -

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-001/701709280_wkxPx-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-004/701709168_uErmw-M.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-024/701708391_9FKJD-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-034/701707697_H3uQw-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-044/701707322_6zGgi-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-056/701706974_xEy7h-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-069/701706492_o9RiE-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-074/701706215_icEJA-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-079/701706016_aPFYh-O.jpg

[lqhikers]

Sorry to hear about your windshield :violent-smiley-031: ,after having that happen to me a few years back i keep a close look in the rear when in the loose gravel spots ,if i see some yahoo who i know is going to pass and wont wait tell it is safe i throw on the left turn signal and slow down it most of the time confuses them enough so i can pull over (to the right!) I know this is not right,But i do not think inconsiderate drivers need to be treated to nicely.I do not consider this road rage as i do not get mad,just even!
This action is only taken when the road is posted due to road work,the rest of the time i always let anyone in a hurry pass me by!
By the way great pictures!
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les, Lqhikers

[Paul R]

I'm glad you had a good trip up to Sawtelle! Looks like it was a great day for it from your pictures. Sorry to hear about all the bummers of the trip... The Island Park area is amazing, it is just keeps getting over populated by tourists especially on holiday weekends hopefuly you will get back up to the Red Rock pass area sometime soon.

[Ursidae69]

Nice photos man!! :bowdown:

[VikingVince]

Nice photos man!! :bowdown:

X2!!

[Overdrive]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/T100-Tetons/701783105_tVswq-O.jpg

I hereby nominate this pic as a cover shot for the Overland Journal. To me, it speaks volumes!!!

KC, I've really enjoyed all your write-ups on your FWC. Keep it up!
Scott M.

[kcowyo]

We took a trip up to Devil's Tower over Labor Day to meet up with streakerfreak & oceangirl, on their move across country, along with Graham Jackson & Connie.

I had been rained out on my two previous attempts to see Devil's Tower, located in the far NE corner of Wyoming. It seemed it would happen again as we rolled up on a rainy and overcast afternoon. Graham and Connie already had their awning and changing room set up and they were all watching a slideshow and having a snack when we pulled up.

Turned out to be a rainy & chilly night, but it was quiet and we had a great fire to enjoy. A first for me was seeing another couple nearby in a small class C motorhome with a big ol' pot belly pig! I've never seen that before but what a creative way to get around the "no dogs in national parks" rule. Can't imagine what the inside of their RV was like though....

Fortunately the next morning the clouds began to burn off and the sun came out just a little. With no excuse other than the rain and hoping streakerfreak's would turn out, I didn't get any photos of the 3 vehicles together. Camping with the 110 and not getting a single pic? Shameful....

But Mia and I had a great time seeing everybody and we enjoyed finally seeing such a unique landmark. And a big thanks to Phil for letting me mooch a tire plug and to Graham for helping fix a flat I got on the way up. I owe you guys one - :beer:


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/Devils-Tower-004/701783428_2ieAE-O.jpg

[fisher205]

Did Graham have his Rover? I saw an Expedition type drive through Spearfish on I90 that weekend. - Brad

[kcowyo]

He drove his Defender 110 (http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/vehicles/2006/grahamsrover/grahamsrover.php) -

http://www.expeditionportal.com/equipment/vehicles/2006/grahamsrover/images/MainPhoto.jpg


His 'new' Range Rover and my 'new' Landcruiser were both unable to make the trip. :(

It didn't sound like he passed through Spearfish on his way up, and we crossed paths again in Gillette, on the way home so I don't think he was in SD at all that weekend...?

[gjackson]

Nope, we weren't in SD that weekend. Stayed just in WY. Must have been another 110.

cheers

[desertgirl66]

I suppose the BIG question--and the cliche one would be---did you hear the "tone?" Any "special lights?"

Looks like a really beautiful spot!

[fisher205]

Graham, Sorry, I forgot yours had the exo skeleton on it. Wish I'd known you were in the area would've liked to meet up. If your through this way again drop by. - Brad

[gjackson]

Brad,

We will certainly let you know next time we are up that way.

cheers

[kcowyo]

I suppose the BIG question--and the cliche one would be---did you hear the "tone?" Any "special lights?"

Quite often when camping I see 'special lights'.


Ahem.

.

[Tomas Tierra]

KC,
I wonder how many Four Wheel Campers this thread has sold??? Really a great description/user guide for the campers..And GREAT photos!

It was linked from the Wander the West site today..

TT

[kcowyo]

I wonder how many Four Wheel Campers this thread has sold???

Seven FWC's & two ATC's that have been mentioned to me by their new owners. Maybe a few others that I'm not aware of. It's always very flattering to hear someone is trying an FWC after reading some of my ramblings here.

I did lose two potential converts when they bought something else though.... :violent-smiley-031:

But you can bet I'm sending a link to this thread to Stan & Tom, when the time comes to submit my order for a new Hawk. ;)


Piedras Blancas, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-099/701763301_dyqg5-O.jpg

.

[ntsqd]

KC, the FWC Evangelist!

:)

Reminds me, in earlier posts there was talk of the turn-buckles loosening up. Are they still doing that? If so, is it enough of a pain that a solution is sought? I have a couple ideas, but if it's a non-starter then I won't waste the time researching them.

[Rockcrawler]

There is a whole thread about the turnbuckles loosening over on wander the west... some people don't seem to have issues with them once they are *seasoned.* Others have double nutted them, drilled the turnbuckles and put wires through them as keepers.... I think I have heard a few other solutions as well.

Kyle


And KC... am I in your count??? bastid talked me into a FWC too! :)

[mtndog]

Yep, he got me too and his new Finch post made me beg FWC to change my already placed order from the Eagle to Finch. No complaints though.

Starting my return leg from last weeks Elk City Wagon/Magruder/Lolo loop trip
http://i286.photobucket.com/albums/ll101/mtndog_photos/magruder_lolo/smallcammagruder_lolo092Large.jpg

[kcowyo]

The turnbuckles have turned out to be a non-issue. I just check them before we leave and then again when we get back home. Occasionally 1 or 2 need a half turn, that's about it.

Kyle, you are definitely part of the count since it took a late night phone call to settle some of your pre-buying jitters. Which I was glad to do since someone had to do the same for me. And you got a great unit to boot. You and Alice seem very happy with your decision.

Todd, I would love to see and hear more about your trip. That area is on my to-do someday list. I would especially like to hear how the Magruder corridor is with a FWC. I wasn't including you in the count but it sounds like you drank the Kool Aid twice. The Finch on your Tacoma looks great and I love the carriers you've swapped in for the tailgate. Very cool.


Arches National Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Moab-March-2008/Utah-W093/701689946_i8rac-O.jpg
.

[mtndog]

Todd, I would love to see and hear more about your trip. That area is on my to-do someday list. I would especially like to hear how the Magruder corridor is with a FWC. I wasn't including you in the count but it sounds like you drank the Kool Aid twice. The Finch on your Tacoma looks great and I love the carriers you've swapped in for the tailgate. Very cool.


I posted a quick trip report over at W-West.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1498

[CAPTAIN COORS]

KC, add us to your count, we pick up our new Finch next week (9/26)

[ScottBailey]

Seven FWC's & two ATC's that have been mentioned to me by their new owners. Maybe a few others that I'm not aware of.

Our Panther purchase was significantly simplified by this thread. If you haven't counted us yet, do so now...

SB

[durango_60]

Sounds like it's time to officially become a manufacturers rep.

[slooowr6]

Seven FWC's & two ATC's that have been mentioned to me by their new owners. Maybe a few others that I'm not aware of. It's always very flattering to hear someone is trying an FWC after reading some of my ramblings here.

.

:sombrero: I'm one of the ATC owners.

[kcowyo]

You guys are too much - :bowdown:


Capt. Coors, I'm looking forward to seeing some photos of your new Finch. I hope for Linda's sake you ordered the heater. Keep us in the loop.

Scott B., I'm glad to hear the AT is working out so well for you and your family. I know my kids love ours and I'm sure yours do too.

slooowr6, you were the easiest sell of the bunch. I wish all my clients laid down as easily as you. ;) And I got you twice btw, with the supercharger too. I hope it's all working out for you as well. And I hope your wife doesn't hate me.


Here's the latest pic. Kind of wishful thinking but really just moving my trailer and sled to our new house this week.

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/loaded-003/702282434_WnSLk-O.jpg

[Willman]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming/loaded-003/702282434_WnSLk-O.jpg

Looking great KC!!!

Did you get new rubber??

If you ever want to get away this month...I'll be in Southern Utah at the end of the month....

:sombrero:

[mtn-high]

I hadn't checked this thread in awhile and thought I'd add my name to the list of "KC converts"...

I think there was about 10 pages of dialog when I first read this thread in May/June. I'd been thinking about a camper of some sort but had no real idea what was out there/what would fit my truck without overloading it...but after reading this thread I knew a FWC was in my future. After that it was a quest in itself to locate a used one..and in the end we ponied up and bought a new Hawk.

so I guess we're #8? LOL I'll get a number for the front of the Hawk ASAP...hee hee...

mtn

[kcowyo]

Did you get new rubber??


Good eye Nic! :088:


Just recently mounted a set of 255/85 TrXus MT's that I got for a screamin' deal. I loved my BFG KO's and I loved the 285's, but after 45K miles and a puncture flat over Labor Day, it was time to replace them. I also pulled the camper off this week, so I'm eager to see if there is any mpg difference between the 285's vs. 255's. The TrXus MT's are burly.

mtn high, you are lucky #7. I saw the pics and read the tale of your picking-up your FWC. I hope you're enjoying it and getting it high in the Rockies. ;)


Rocky Mountain high, Colorado - photo courtesy Brian DeArmon
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Colorado-September-2006/Leadville-ExPo-T100-GT/702284485_t4dXU-O.jpg


.

[FourByLand]

Very nice KC!!!

I love the shot with the trailer and the new tires, it looks like a great time!


:D

[articulate]

Just recently mounted a set of 255/85 TrXus MT's that I got for a screamin' deal.

Methought those looked rather skinny . . . what's the "price" been since you handed over the cash? That's another review thread.

This thread, BTW, marks the finest example of a review with ongoing discussion I think I've ever seen. KC sets the bar. :snorkel:

For old times sake: Goosenecks State Park 2006
http://www.markdstephens.com/monument_valley_adventure/images/crew.jpg

[masterplumber]

I hope you have better luck with the TrXus MTs than I had - threw the tread on one coming back from Nebraska with only 10k on the tires. I talked to the 4x4 shop I bought them at & they quit recomending them for loaded trucks. seems the owner of the shop threw 3 treads on 1 trip from Colorado Springs to Moab & back on his pre "94 Dodge deisel with an FWC. Both his & mine were E rated so in theory there was plenty of capacity but they seem to build up too much heat or something on the highway. On the other hand they were absolutely the best tires I've ran on my truck on the trails. I thought about having a set of more street biased tires to run on the highway & then a set of TrXus MTs for the trail but carrying an extra 4 tires & then changing them on a 8 lug 1 ton at the trail head seemed like to much trouble so I went with a set of Wild Country TXRs. Great all around tire & I got 40k+ out of the last set with only a couple of rotations on a 10K lb truck.
Keep the great reports coming ---- Doug

[Rockcrawler]

As KC's FWC cult following continues to grow I think we need to plan a get together... a trip to the FWC holy land??? :)

For anyone that is interested... over at wander the west, there is an AZ get together at the end of the month.

Kyle

[beer belly boy]

Great thread KC.
I purchased a new Grandy shell in 2000. I live in PA and I picked it up in MA. I don't know if FWC still ships to MA where a local garge does the installation.
When I ordered my camper I had the velcro strips installed for the acrtic pack, but did not order acrtic pack insullation. I have since made my own insullation blankets using Reflectex, 2 child size sleeping blankets and some velcro. This set up works as well in the summer for blocking out heat as it does in winter for keeping in heat.
The added insullation helps keep condensation from forming on the fabric walls. It also greatly reduces outside noise comming through the fabric. (I sometimes stay in family campgrounds when working away from home.)
I also learned to temporarily put a small piece of duct tape over the four louvers along the out side edge of the roof when high winds and heavy rains are called for. Here is why.
I've only had one serious problem with rain water getting into the camper. It only happend once, I believe it was a fluke of air dynamics or something. I've camped in heavy rains mainy times since with no problems.
I was surffishing at Island Beach State park in NJ. It was October and unseasonably warm. I really should have listened to the weather forecast before I left and not been on the beach as bad as the weather was, but what the heck, the stripper fishing is sometimes great during heavy weather, and who wants to chicken out right!
My truck was the only one I saw along the beach. That should have been a clue. That time of year I always see at least a few other people surffishing.
After a few miserable hours of hiding behind my truck to stay out of the wind, not a single hit on either rod, I decided to spend the night in a secluded area of parking lot just on the inshore side of the dunes. The weather very nasty and the winds were still getting worse. I pointed the nose of the truck due east into the wind to give me a little shelter from the wind as I took off my chest waders.
Both roof vents have Maxxair covers and were open. Water started coming in at the end of the bed on the passenger side. It wasn't just a few drops or a little trickle, it was running in, my bedding was soaked through in no time.
After my bedding got soaked I decided to go to a hotel. I tried to lower the top and the wind kept raising it back up far enough that I could not hold it down and get a roof latch on.
I climbed back into my soaked bed and tried to sleep but it was impossible. The wind got so bad the fabric sidewalls would belly in and then snap taught like a sail, popping my ears. It was a misserable night. I remember laying in bed just waiting for the roof to blow of so I could leave and go somewhere quite and dry. Sleeping in the cab was out of the question, I tried it before and the seat belts recpticles dig into my sides. Sometime before dawn the wind died down and I finally got a couple hours sleep.
When I woke up I decdied to head to a laundrymat and dry things out. The paved road that runs down the center of the island was flooded and covered with sand in many places. When I got to the entrance the park was closed. A park ranger stopped me at the gate and asked where I had come from and politely informed me that the park was closed due to the storm the night before. He was very suprised that I had been there all night.
The ranger informed me that the USCG station on the island had recorded severe gale force winds (47-54mph) and that the sea had actually crossed the island in several places during the night. We talked for a few minuets about the condition of the park road and how long the park was expected to be closed. The ranger still found it hard to believe I had spent the night.
Now I make sure to get weather reports along with tide tables before heading to the beach! LOL!

Beer Belly Boy

[GSBfree]

I just took delivery of a new Hawk Four Wheel Camper this past week. It was this forum on Expedition Portal that introduced me to Four Wheel Camper. It was KC's review and write-up's of his experience and action pictures that really made me seriously start evaluating the merits of having a Four Wheel Camper.

I'm extremely pleased with the quality of workmanship of Four Wheel Camper's finished product! Thanks KC!

[kcowyo]

Congratulations GSBfree - :clapsmile

You're running the truck & FWC combo I'll likely move up to someday. I hope they continue to work out well for you. I'm looking forward to spending more time in your neck of the woods with mine.

I'm adding you to 'the list', thanks for letting me know - :beer:


Monida, Montana -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Montan/Montana-144/701544578_6dtDy-O.jpg

.

[CAPTAIN COORS]

Just got back from a 3 week trip with our new 4wc. Our trip took us from Tucson to Jackson Hole to John Day (or) to Reno (snow!) and back home. Drove through Lander on a quite sunday morning, stoped and yelled KC but no reply. I'll have some pics after downloading and some touch-ups.

[kcowyo]

Drove through Lander on a quite sunday morning, stoped and yelled KC but no reply.

:confused:


Guess I can finally toss out those Silver Bullets in my fridge...

.

[hayduke]

Love your thread. It really has solidified my feeling that I could live out of one of these for a while. Quiting my nursing job to ski and will try to pick up one of these. thanks for the motivation and solid writeups.

[kcowyo]

hayduke, I hope it works out for you. I think quitting any job to ski fulltime is a worthwhile venture.




So what's next? The biggest trip of the year and it begins on November 9th.

3,000+ mile loop around the western US, including -
WY to southern Utah -Escalante, Capitol Reef & Bryce NP's
Las Vegas - 4 days at the Venetian Hotel & Casino
Death Valley - Badwater, Dante's View, Zabriskie Pt, the Racetrack
Big Sur and the CA coast - a scenic drive up the PCH 101, Mendocino
the Oregon Coast - lighthouses, Bandon, sand dunes
east across Oregon - Sisters, Bend, sage brush
east across Idaho - I-84, Lava Hot Springs, Bear Lake, home


To follow up, that trip did happen last year, in that order and it was wonderful. Another grand adventure in the west and no issues with the truck or the FWC to report.

For various personal reasons, I never put up a trip report or posted many pics from the trip. Some things we just want to savor for ourselves.... However, I'm feeling a little less selfish lately and thought I would share some photos and thoughts from that adventure due to the generous responses and interest in FWC's this thread has generated. So let's get on with it -


Worlds Colliding: The Highs and Lows of Mixing Business With Pleasure

~ A 3 week, 3,700 mile trip through Utah to Vegas, over to Death Valley and up the California & Oregon coasts. Had Thanksgiving with the family near Portland and then back home through OR & Idaho.


Capitol Reef National Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-070/701761221_L85xM-O.jpg


Teardrop Arch, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-058/701760512_Yojgk-O.jpg


Capitol Reef NP, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-118/701765087_b3gHr-O.jpg


Burr Trail, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-124/701765618_ohb79-O.jpg


Burr Trail, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-079/701761834_7F3FA-O.jpg


Burr Trail spur, Capitol Reef NP, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-081/701761987_oMUxz-O.jpg


Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-074/701761546_RPgy6-O.jpg


Old School Camper, southeast Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-049/701759870_4erw3-O.jpg


Defender 90 in southeast Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-053/701760191_7exb5-O.jpg


Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-048/701759803_homg4-O.jpg


10 pic limit - more coming....
.

[kcowyo]

Following a couple of days poking around in Utah, we headed over to Nevada to check out the Valley of Fire State Park and took the remote dirt road around the north shore of Lake Mead to Hoover Dam. The park was beautiful, the lake was extremely low and the dam was packed with enough cars & people to remind me why I live in the middle of nowhere....

We spent 4 days in Las Vegas, to attend a business conference (ahem...) at the Venetian Hotel & Casino. Gotta love those gondola's.... Las Vegas is wonderful & over-the-top, in the way that only Vegas is. We did catch a James Taylor concert while we were there. Ladies dig JT.


Packed up & ready to roll -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-062/701760787_H8sAj-O.jpg


Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-084/701762259_rL2Ek-O.jpg


Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-014/701757100_5Ppbg-O.jpg


Hoover Dam -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-123/701765502_Gajdr-O.jpg


Las Vegas, Nevada -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-052/701760144_mXL2X-O.jpg


Best money spent in Vegas -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-015/701757151_hnbKf-O.jpg

[FourByLand]

It appears life is treating you well...

Thanks for all of the great inspiration here, KC.

You are my Rockstar.

:bowdown:

[kcowyo]

After Vegas, we headed over to Death Valley for a couple of days. This was my 3rd trip to DV in the month of November, and I like it better and better each time I go. Death Valley in November is ideal....

I wasn't alone on this trip. My lady-friend Mia and I attended the conference together and the following week I would introduce her to my Dad over Thanksgiving dinner. It would be cruel and understated to say what a daunting task it is to endure me, the road and my family while living out of the camper for 3 weeks. Her presence and attitude were the only things that would outshine the trip and the FWC. This trip solidified what I had already come to suspect. Of all the blessings in my life, an enthusiastic travel partner will enhance even the best of equipment and adventures....


The Old Spanish Trail, Death Valley National Park, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-060/701760642_a6Did-O.jpg


Death Valley NP, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-063/701760855_YUoX2-O.jpg


Remote camp, Death Valley NP, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-067/701761003_GZG2E-O.jpg


On a high at the lowest of the low -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-056/701760457_9CJPr-O.jpg


Teakettle Junction, Death Valley NP, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-130/701765687_tpfXx-O.jpg


Doing my thing -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-110/701764254_7F82V-O.jpg


Sunset at the Racetrack Playa, Death Valley NP, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-022/701757737_CQxDi-O.jpg

[slooowr6]

This trip solidified what I had already come to suspect. Of all the blessings in my life, an enthusiastic travel partner will enhance even the best of equipment and adventures....


Very true!
BTW, yes you got me 2 for 2. No regret on both though. :sombrero:

[kcowyo]

After Death Valley we headed due west for the coast and Cambria, CA.

Why Cambria? No idea, just seemed the shortest route to the coast and we only had 4 days to make the drive up to Portland for Thanksgiving. I didn't want to be late for the best free meal of the year.

I grew up in NC and spent all of my summers on the Outerbanks. But I've been living in CO & WY for the last 14 years. This would be my first time seeing any ocean in 8 years.

It was perfect. The Pacific Coast Highway 101 lives up to the hype. One of the best drives in America. We heard the elephant seals near San Simeon, drove through Big Sur and walked around the Hobbit houses in Carmel. We watched kite surfers dancing on the waves and crossed the Golden Gate Bridge at sunset.

It was good to be by the sea again.


Piedras Blancas, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-099/701763301_dyqg5-O.jpg


Big Sur, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-006/701756551_GqKAN-O.jpg


Leaving only footprints....
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-005/701756500_2WQvY-O.jpg


Pacific Coast Highway 101, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-075/701761639_zh4rZ-O.jpg


Kite Surfing -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-122/701765419_rePXn-O.jpg


California Coast -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-106/701763843_b6ytE-O-1.jpg


Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-003/701756333_G4oha-O.jpg


San Francisco at dusk -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-107/701763923_HpeGy-O.jpg

[kcowyo]

We spent that night in Bodega Bay, although that sounded better than it was. Maybe we just missed the good stuff there....

I was hoping to try the USAL road down to the Lost Coast, but had been warned that it was late in the season and the road was nearly impassable. We were pressed for time anyway, so we regretfully passed the turn-off. Perhaps next time.

We made our way to the Oregon coast, a sentimental favorite of mine. The drive up among the numerous lighthouses, sand dunes, rocky shoreline and state parks is almost more than the senses can take. View after view after view.... it's amazing.

I had secretly arranged a special surprise for her on the last evening of this stretch, before the family holiday and the drive back home. I figured any woman who would happily endure this type of trip for 3 weeks, deserved something special. It was a great finish to one of our best trips.


Bodega Bay, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-132/701765854_YZyQd-O.jpg


Pacific Coast Highway, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-017/701757316_BS69b-O.jpg


Heceta Head Lighthouse, Oregon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-104/701763701_wkLk2-O.jpg


Seal haul-out, Oregon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-141/701766237_mZtqs-O.jpg


Land Rover series IIA (I think...) in Coos Bay, Oregon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-027/701758093_mkp67-O.jpg


The special surprise -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2007/West-Coas/Trip-011/1051029976_kGUv2-O.jpg



It was a wonderful trip through some beautiful country. The truck and camper performed flawlessly. From scenic trails in Utah and Death Valley, to the terrifying traffic on the Las Vegas strip and up the million curves on the west coast, this outfit proves again and again to be my ideal set up for long distances and artistic overland travel.

Special thanks to desertgirl66, who gave me some wonderful recommendations to properly enjoy the Big Sur area. I'm glad we were able to see the coast before the devastating fires this year. All of you California folks have a real paradise on that coastline. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did.


Until the next adventure ~

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-039/701759072_zaRgx-O.jpg

[sinuhexavier]

Nice one...

That's a lot of ground to cover...

[Moody]

Ooooh....great pics. I am all warm and fuzzy inside...

[ntsqd]

Great shot of a hard to get landmark bridge.




Pacific Coast Highway 101, California -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2007/West-Coas/Trip-075/701761639_zh4rZ-O.jpg

[Rockcrawler]

Very nice pics KC... looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

Kyle

[Ursidae69]

Very cool, this was a nice way to start my morning, thanks KC.

[tdesanto]

KC,

Thanks for the write-up and exellent photographs. It sure looked like an outstanding trip...except for the time spent in Vegas :)

I know most of us shoot digital now, but I can't believe no one has commented on the perfect irony of this photo:


Kodachrome Basin State Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/West-Coas/Trip-074/701761546_RPgy6-O.jpg

.

[SunMan]

Been waiting a long time for that report KC ;) ...Thanks amigo, outstanding as usual. I'll be heading up that way next week, perfect timing!

[kcowyo]

SunMan, I know you've been waiting. I apologize for omitting your name as someone who helped out in the planning stages too, particularly for the Big Sur area. My bad, it's been so long since then, I just plain forgot, but thanks for the tips - :beer:

Thanks for the props gentlemen, I'm glad you enjoyed the photos. When you put yourself in beautiful spots, it's easy to get a few lucky shots. I'm looking forward to returning to Big Sur and then seeing the Lost Coast further north, someday.

tdesanto, it pains me to say it, because I live for irony, but you got me on the pic from Kodachrome. I didn't even put 2 and 2 together until your post, how embarassing... but I'm glad you liked the photo. I was happy with that one and the B&W from Death Valley.

I probably should have put up a trip report elsewhere, but the good stuff was the scenery and it all ties in with the FWC. I can think of a couple of chilly & damp nights that would have been tougher to endure without the comfort of the camper and it's charming little heater. So my "report" will stay in this thread and stand as a testament to the convenience and reliablity of FWCs on long range trips in various climates and environments.

:campfire:


So What's Up Next?
Beginning on Thanksgiving, a 2 week loop through the scenic southwestern US, including but not limited to:

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah
Sedona, AZ
Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in AZ
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in CA
San Diego, CA
Death Valley National Park
Area 51 in Nevada
Great Basin National Park in Nevada

It should be another great adventure travelling to new places and seeing some familiar faces along the way...
.

[klahanie]

kcowyo,

The poetic introduction of this thread was the bait, but for me your photography, some of it exquisite, has been the hook. Well done!

KC, I would like you to know much I enjoy and value your contributions to EXPO. Your posts contain much appreciated encouragement, enthusiasm, consistent good humour and yes, occasional wit.

This thread has a somewhat bittersweet resonance for me. Currently truck-less, our FWC waits in storage whilst I mark time. (yes … “the horror, .. the horror”). Your evocative submissions have in a way helped me keep the faith, until that day again I too am similarly blessed.

Until then, thanks for keeping that trademark campfire burning, that cold beer glass always full.

Most of all KC, thanks for the ride...

[kcowyo]

David, I've spent the last couple of days trying to come up with a suitable reply to such a generous and flattering statement. ....And I got nuthin'.

I'm one of those who doesn't know how to take a compliment very well, so let me just say thank you for your very kind words. My intent with my pics and quips is just to pay the inspiration forward. I've probably gotten more inspiration out of the Portal than I have given back, but it's fun to try.

I hope a new truck finds it's way under your FWC soon. At the moment, mine is sitting on sawhorses out beside the garage and I can't help but think how lonely and eager it looks, just sitting there waiting for the next long trail in the middle of nowhere. "Soon", I keep telling it. Maybe that will work with yours too - ;)


Canyonlands National Park, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Utah-May-2006/Utah-139/701815727_27Zgn-O.jpg

[FourByLand]

KC, I would like you to know much I enjoy and value your contributions to EXPO. Your posts contain much appreciated encouragement, enthusiasm, consistent good humour and yes, occasional wit.


Once in a while you can hear a bit of southern drawl.

:peepwall:

[GaryMc]

Well, hell..... I ordered my Eagle yesterday and will pick it up in early January in Reno. The Troopy project has burned me and left a terrible taste in my mouth and I'll sell it as soon (if ever) it gets titled.
KC, I told Stan w/ FWC that it's your fault that I'm buying one of these things!

I've got a Tacoma with an Expo quality build and after I add rear airbags to it it'll be good to go for the FWC.

[kcowyo]

Well, hell... it's about time. :clapsmile

Sorry to hear about the Troopy not working out. I'd have given up long ago, so kudos to you for sticking it out for so long.

The Eagle with your Tacoma is going to be a great match. You did get the heater, right?

Good news Gary, I'm stoked for you. Stan and the FWC crew are good people. I'm sure your transaction will be a painless one. Keep us updated.

:campfire:
.

[TerribleTom]

Hi KC - I've read over some of your adventures and experiences with the FWC unit. If you have difficulty accepting compliments - you better get used to it my friend LOL - For I also have been inspired by your travels. I am a wanderer at heart. Every summer I head out east to western New York state to go camping and offroading with friends of mine and it is always the highlight of every year for me. Unfortunately I don't have time to do much more than a weekend or two a year... but I hope to change that soon.

I started looking around at truck campers and eventually found myself reading this thread. The FWC seems to be the best all around truck camper out there, for my needs and camping style. I prefer to keep things as basic as possible. Reading your travels and seeing the photos has energized my wanderlust and has me itching for the day I am free from the every-day BS that has bogged down my life.

I have wanted to take a Steinbeck "Travels With Charlie" trip for years... (I hang my head in shame because I have started reading that book a few times but never have been able to finish it)

Pack up my truck and just get away from it all... I'm aiming for a year or so straight, out on the road. From Florida to Washington State and Texas to Alaska... I want to see it all... throw in some hiking and some geocaching and call it complete eh? :safari-rig:

Thank you very much for your contributions to this forum - I decided to join up tonight vs. continuing to be a lurker. I look forward to being an active member here. :D

[kcowyo]

T-Tom, Welcome to the Portal - :beer:

Thanks you for the kind words. To me, sharing the inspiration is what ExPo is all about. That's why I post so many pics, because I love to look at everyone else's photos too. The FWC makes getting out there so much easier and more fun. There is a FWC dealer in Eagle, WI if you ever want to check one out in person - Go Anywhere (http://www.go-anywhere.us/FourWheelCamper/htmFourWheelCampers.htm)

I hope you have a few good adventures of your own this year. I look forward to seeing you around here. Don't be a stranger.

:campfire:


On Sawtelle Peak, Idaho -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Idaho-July-2008/Idaho-4th-057/701706868_b29KG-O.jpg

[kcowyo]

Time for the first update of 2009....


I celebrated the third anniversary this month of owning my beloved FWC with a trip to Utah. While everyone was in Prescott, enjoying the big Overland Expo show, I took a 4 day trip through the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. We found a secluded beach on Lake Powell, managed to dodge the wind & rain, ran some new trails and some old favorites. It was, as the kids these days say, the shizzle.

Despite our recent flirtation with a Columbus roof top tent, as seen on our southwest US adventure here - Good Times, Great Memories Tour (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21415) - being back on the road with our Four Wheel Camper was like going home. Our home on the road....


A big thanks to the two forum members who loaned me books & maps and shared some favorite secret spots. :beer:

In the absence of a formal trip report, I'm submitting the following photos. If a picture is truly worth a thousand words, then these images should save me a lot of typing...


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-001/701878977_nPJqK-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-011/701879168_gVbcP-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-017/701879274_5YSAk-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-031/701879590_Ri8du-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-007/701879071_T3KiN-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-005/701879057_cp99w-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-020/701879347_eNQjJ-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-025/701879495_trpsc-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-012/701879185_pyWyY-O.jpg

[Ursidae69]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-020/701879347_eNQjJ-O.jpg


Damn that is a nice photo. :bowdown:

[chnlisle]

No one should be surprised at how good the photography is here. Another KC Coup. Too bad you couldnt meet up with Brett at the secret beach.

[suntinez]

I really should wait and be patient and know that the answer will appear ... but I gotta say :confused:

Study in dirt textures?
Sat radio meltdown?
Stealth T100 branding, in case you thought it was a Tundra?

Good to see the FWC out and about again!




http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-025/701879495_trpsc-O.jpg

[kcowyo]

Utah red dirt on a very hammered monogrammed floor mat, that once upon a time more clearly read "T100".


Several years ago after my first trip into the backcountry of Utah, I noticed a thin layer of red dust on my transfer case lever's boot. I started to wipe it off but changed my mind. I liked the idea of carrying around a bit of Utah with me. That it was on the boot of my transfer case lever somehow seemed all the more appropriate.

So when I saw that first bit of red dirt on the floor mat, I dunno, I just liked the image. I guess instead, I could have taken a picture of my truck with a front tire parked on a rock, but that lame crap is so 1997....


;)
.

[tdesanto]

Yes, yes, park it on a rock and post some pictures; we've never seen that before :sombrero:.

Or, better yet, go to a formal campground where you're surrounded by other campsites and tons of people. Be sure to park the camper right next to the picnic table and fire ring. Then, for the next several months post the same pictures of that campsite over and over again. That'll inspire us to get outdoors more. And, don't forget the all-too-important duraflame log.

Okay, maybe I've had too much of this :coffeedrink:.

[kcowyo]

Dried out from Ouichita and BBL, already are we?

I can pretty much guarantee you'll never see pics of my truck perched on a rock, posing like some four wheeled Captain Morgan. And no, no duraflame logs. Ever.

Although ironically, seeing those pics does inspire me to get out more. To get out so I'm not sitting here, forced to look at those pics again, and before I'm tempted to jam a pencil in my eye.


Here is something new.... :coffee:

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-067/701880432_jomA7-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-035/701879666_NzxNW-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2009/UT09-037/701879716_6d2ML-O.jpg

.

[tdesanto]

...posing like some four wheeled Captain Morgan.

...and before I'm tempted to jam a pencil in my eye.

.

I think these indicate the need for a couple more useful smilies. I know I could use the pencil-in-the-eye smiley.

Awesome photos; well done.

[kcowyo]

I returned to Idaho for 8 days around the 4th of July. In particular, Stanley, Idaho - population 100.

I first visited Stanley in the summer of '95 (...gawd, has it been that long?) and fell in love with the place. Tucked deep in the Sawtooth Mountains on the Salmon River, it is a river rats dream. Fly fisherman, kayakers and rafting companies dominate the area. Completely understandable...


The Sawtooth Valley -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09306.jpg


Stanley on the Salmon River -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09340.jpg


I have tried several times over the last few years to get back to Stanley, but huge wildfires kept me away. This year the rains have kept the fires so far, at bay. I was able to do a lot of poking around the various lakes in the Sawtooth Valley; Alturas Lake, Pettit Lake, Stanley Lake and Redfish Lake. They are all a treat for the eyes and the perfect spot to relax, wet a line, float a canoe, read a book and reflect on the good things in life.


Stanley Lake -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09302.jpg


Sunset on Redfish Lake -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09325.jpg


I didn't accomplish very much while I was there, which was pretty much the idea. I had hoped a sportsman's paradise such as this would have had an amazing collection of ExPo type vehicles, at least a Four Wheel Camper or two. Sadly, I saw very few. The local adventure vehicle du jour by a wide, wide margin was the third generation Toyota 4Runner, in stock trim with a Thule or Yakima cargo box on the roof. I could have photographed a hundred or more of those... The river raft and kayak was the other top choice for getting into the heart of the area.


Rafting on the Salmon River -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09342.jpg


I spent the majority of the week enjoying the peace and quiet. I visited with a few other campers, read a couple of books, drank a bunch of Shock Top - a nice Belgian White and watched the daily afternoon thunder showers from the safety of the inside of the camper. It was exactly the type of trip I wanted to do there, just being...


Campsite near Stanley Lake -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09322.jpg


Double rainbow -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09329.jpg


Campsite on the edge of Redfish Lake -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09336.jpg


Unlike my trip into Idaho, last year on the 4th of July, which was a clustermess of vampire-like mosquitoes, obnoxious tourists, sweltering temps and a nightmare evening trapped in Idaho Falls, this year was a serene and comfortable escape. I couldn't have enjoyed myself more or found a better place to celebrate our nation's birthday and the heart of Idaho.


The Sawtooth Range -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09300.jpg


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09330.jpg

[craig333]

Nice report. I need to get up that way someday.

[FourByLand]

Simply beautiful photos, KC!

I tried to get ahold of HMR through Gear but I never got a reply through email... looks like you made the best of it!

We plan to be on the Front Range permanently come Dec... looks like we will have some more campfires in our future!

[HMR]

KC- Those Stanley pictures are GORGEOUS. Well done!

Louise- PM sent.

[Kodachrome]

I know most of us shoot digital now, but I can't believe no one has commented on the perfect irony of this photo:

Hello,

My name is Dan, I am a professional photographer based out of the high country in Colorado. Even though I have shot digital for over 15 years, I shoot more and more film every year.

For starters, in 2004, I created the "Kodachrome Project":

http://www.Kodachromeproject.com

Point blank: Digital has nothing on this film, so I love the irony within the irony in terms of the quote above.

Looks like you have a good time out there "KCOWYO".

Now for the other business:

After a few days of spec-checking, talking to my bank, talking to Mr. Dykinga and reading forums, I have decided to put an order in for an Eagle for my 05 Tacoma. Last year, I put a TRD supercharger, URD pulley, fuel management system, exhaust and a built suspension including Icon reservoir shocks in the back, 2.5 coil overs in the front with Icon upper A arms. I am building an expedition level vehicle as it would seem...

The main reason for this is to save the tens of thousands of dollars in lodging I would otherwise spend as I will be on the road for 12 of the next 18 months shooting for the book / exhibit "Kodachrome at 75".

I did a trial run for 5 weeks last Fall and spent about 19 days camped in the truck and 18 in hotel / motels that were more expensive than I would have thought in the off season. That was about $1,500 in lodging alone, so times that by 12 and you get a number that is equal to, you guessed it, an FWC / Eagle!! Why throw all that money away on lodging when I can build the Space Shuttle on wheels? I would have spent more time in the truck but the wet weather was just getting in everywhere and the dust was too, even with the shell on.

So what I am looking at is an Eagle with the furnace, the newly upgraded 22 gallon water tank, the 3 cubic foot fridge / freezer, spare battery and backup system, two roof access steps, rack, 22" x 22" vent / hatch for shooting high angle / panel adjustment and I am working out a burly solar system which the camper is already pre-wired for. The panel is a Kyocera 205 watt that is 39" x 59" and weighs in at 40 lbs.

I also do mountaineering and skiing professionally so I am going to outfit accordingly.

So that is it for now. I just need a couple of clients to pay and I will get this thing started.

Here is a slideshow that has some pics from the past year, none digital, all Kodachrome, the real thing...:-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yp6HARg7Fs

Thanks for all the good info, I am sure I will be on here a good bit to get it all wired.

Dan

[kcowyo]

Dan, a hearty welcome to the forum - :beer:


I viewed your site and the linked video. Inspiring photos. So how will the news of Kodachrome being discontinued affect your work? Have you stockpiled the film or will you immerse yourself in a new format?

I think you'll enjoy the freedom a Four Wheel Camper gives you. Your truck sounds ready to go. The supercharger really helps the 3.4 get up 'n go, which as you know on passes like Eisenhower & Loveland, really matters. You may want to do some research on airbags for the rear suspension as well. They'll make a big difference in the handling.

Any thoughts on adding the Arctic Pak feature? I don't have it and can't say how much difference it makes, but it might be worth considering if you're planning on using the camper during powder season... The little heater does great though. You'll go from shivering to sweltering in minutes. I love mine. Just being able to knock the chill off the air before crawling out of the sleeping bag in the morning is a great thing!

I hope you'll spend some time here and share your experiences with us. If I can answer any questions or pass along any links or info, just let me know.

- KC

:campfire:

.

[Kodachrome]

Thanks, seems like a good bunch, priorities straight..:-)

About a month ago, I met with Kodak and a group of us crafted the announcement. So I have been well aware of the end coming with the film for some time now. The good thing is, Kodak and the lab support processing it until the end of next year, hence the 18 month assignment with the big emphasis on nearly all of next year. I have amassed some 900 rolls that reside at -20F, all quite fresh, so I am set on film. The project was actually kind of built around the idea that the film's days were numbered.

After that, it is the other two book projects I have started in the past year on black and white, so the FWC will see a lot of action and most likely pay for it self in less than two years.

Since I have 05 Tacoma, I am running the blower on a 4.0 which makes a big difference at altitude. I live at 8,000 feet and routinely hit 10-12K. When I get this truck down at 1000 feet or lower and it had been running for a few hours, it is a total rocketship even with 500 pounds of shell and gear in the back. But the low end power being as smooth as it is should be great with the camper, it still goes like hell when I am towing a raft and that 500 pounds. So keeping it at gas prudent rpms under loads is *much* easier with the boost in torque and HP.

Absolutely I plan on beefing up the rear end. I am just a bit concerned about losing downward travel with the bags, but we'll see.

I thought about the Arctic Pak, but I am a human furnace, so I might not need as much. If it turns out to be an issue that my girlfriend would benefit from it, then I can always order it later as it is removable.

I talked to the camper guys today and we did some refinements. The 3 cubic foot fridge is not available for the eagle, so I will have to figure out a cold bolstering plan for some of my more sensitive films such as infrared. I still need to talk to Stan about the feasibility of a 14 pound 22 x 22 escape hatch above the bed. And for weight considerations, I have knocked the solar panel down to a 135 watt at 26 lbs.

So this is just starting, it will take two months to build which is fine because I have a lot to do before I go and get it from Reno.

Questions? How is the roof constructed? It it stringers and panels?

Also what have people done for fairings with the Tacoma? That is a substantial gap between the cab over and the cab.

Best,

Dan

[SunMan]

Also what have people done for fairings with the Tacoma? That is a substantial gap between the cab over and the cab.


Sorry to interject but here is a post on Wander The West that addresses fairings, i think the jury is still out on how much benefit they provide MPG wise...http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2200&highlight=fairing

In general you will find this site to be a veritable goldmine for info on all things FWC related...

[kcowyo]

I've gotten a few PM's inquiring about some missing photos in this thread...

Last month I lost my main photo host when the owner sold his server. I have all of the photos saved and will be moving them to a new hosting site shortly. Once they are all uploaded, I will restore the missing photos here.

Sorry for all of the temporary red X's - :campfire:


Palisades Reservoir on the WY & ID state line -
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/ID09301.jpg

[trangitsch]

Like your trip report and all the photos. I also live in Lander and am in the market for a slide-in. I really like the looks of the FWC, but haven't been able to see one in person. Is there any way I could look at yours/talk to you about it? I sent you a personal message a few days ago, don't know if you got it or not.

Let me know if that would be okay.

Tom

[Stan@FourWheel]

Hey Tom

KC should be back in a week or so.

I believe he is on the road in Colorado for the WTW FWC Rally.

I sure he will reply back to you when he returns.

They are out exploring with a group of four wheel camper owners.

:)


------------------------------------------------------------------


... I sent you a personal message a few days ago, don't know if you got it or not. Tom






.

[kcowyo]

Is this thing on? Can you hear me now? Awright...


**The broken picture links have all been repaired, so we're back in business.**


Tom, I don't know if you're still checking in but it was nice meeting you and your family. I hope the tour helped give you a clear idea of the room and convenience these offer. Best of luck and let me know what you wind up with.

As Stan mentioned, I attended a FWC owners rally in Silverton, Colorado in September. We had a good little turn out of about 10 trucks & campers, with the majority coming from California interestingly enough. The weather was damp & chilly that weekend but we still had a good time. We managed to go over Cinnamon Pass and into Lake City for lunch one day. Everyone was great and happy to be in Colorado -


Picayune Gulch -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/FWC-Rally-September-2009/Silverton-015/702368762_zbLHT-O.jpg


Above timberline -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/FWC-Rally-September-2009/Silverton-012/702368661_uHdEM-O.jpg


*photo by Aaron Walton with Wander the West -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/FWC-Rally-September-2009/Silverton-020/702369474_V3aU5-O.jpg


Skiff of snow the last morning -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/FWC-Rally-September-2009/Silverton-001/702368086_VcjXS-O.jpg


A similar group of folks are planning another owners rally for next January in Death Valley. There is a planning thread on Wander the West if anyone is interested in attending.


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

We also squeezed in a special trip here in Wyoming, in September. ExPo member Wyoming Shooter, invited Mia and myself to go to the ghost town of Kirwin, deep in the remote Absaroka Range of northwest WY. We used Shooter's ATV's to get back to the townsite, once a bustling gold mining town that was devastated and abandoned after massive avalanches struck 100 years ago. Now there are just old mines, cabins and remnants of what used to be...


Downtown Kirwin, Wyoming -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/Kirwin-009/701858314_XzNZi-O.jpg


Old mine, we were able to walk through it -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/Kirwin-011/701858481_JSqNv-O.jpg


Access into Kirwin on foot only -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/kirwin-019/701858973_2dExV-O.jpg


Mia and Shooter, walking on the former main street of town -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/Kirwin-012/701858538_o6ZtS-O.jpg


The town was very well preserved, most likely due to it's remote location. Of course some nimrods had paintballed an old miners cabin (because....?) but several were accessible and we poked around a few. Amelia Earhart was having a cabin built for herself in Kirwin, when she took off on her solo flight around the world. The world never heard from her again and construction on the cabin stopped but it remains nearby. We hiked up to a few cabins & mines, but none had a sign proclaiming it the Earhart cabin so I'm not sure if we saw it or not.

The rest of the weekend we spent roaming around the Shoshone National Forest and Sunshine Reservoir. The ATV's were a great way to enjoy a Fall afternoon. And despite my fears, when we got on them, we didn't immediately turn into earth ravaging rednecks, blazing our own trails across the countryside. Instead we cruised through one scenic valley after another on a nice wide maintained gravel road. I will admit however to goosing it around the corners in a few switchbacks, but I'm sure the Earth will survive...


Ready for antelope or zombies -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/Kirwin-006/701858143_ZK7qQ-O.jpg


All is well that ends well -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Wyoming-September-2009/Kirwin-016/701858781_AfvbP-O.jpg
.

[Tomas Tierra]

KC,
The roads look ok for the t100 no? What a great spot to spend a few days..

:bike_rider:madman

See you in DV?

TT

[FourByLand]

Beautiful photos, KC!

See you tonight!

:ylsmoke:

[ntsqd]

No pictures because my phone is only that by choice, but yesterday on the drive home I spotted a KC groupie. He had the T-100 color correct, but he missed with a Hallmark.
So somewhere out there is a near twin vehicle.

[kcowyo]

See you in DV?



I wish... and I'm even more dissapointed to miss it if you'll be there. I've got to be in Montana during that time. But I am headed to DV next week, so I will get my fix.


I recently made a return trip to the Maze in Canyonlands NP, with Willman and Moody from here on the Portal. Lots of new photos from all 3 of us...

Another great time in Utah - A Family Affair (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=32936)

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2009/Utah-California-October-2009/017/701868122_uSBNZ-O.jpg

[Wonderland]

KC, that model camper and the T100 seem made for each other, I like that it doesn't overhang the bed rails.

Good lookin' setup.

[The Adam Blaster]

Marking so i can find this thread at home. :)

[The Adam Blaster]

Alright, so I'm finally finished the whole thread.
And now I want an FWC, or ATC. :D

I think i need a truck first though... lol

[ntsqd]

Or you could go this route with an FWC or ATC:

http://i168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/ntsqd/host/IMG_0758-1.jpg

That one is a bit funky, but done well it could be really cool. Sort of the next step past an AT/RTT combo.

[The Adam Blaster]

Or you could go this route with an FWC or ATC:

That one is a bit funky, but done well it could be really cool. Sort of the next step past an AT/RTT combo.

That could be a possibility...
And my current DD/not-really-an-exedition rig is a 2002 Dodge Durango with low mileage, and the 4.7 so I definitely have towing capabilities...
And if I went the slide-in/trailer route, I can always get a truck later to actually use the slide-in as it was designed.

Now I would just have to work on the wife to convince her it's a good idea... lol

Thanks for the idea ntsqd!

[NothingClever]

For KC or Stan...

Is this available on the Eagle?

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/images/stories/aug_09/alum-14.jpg

http://www.truckcampermagazine.com/images/stories/aug_09/alum8--newproduct.jpg

[kcowyo]

Looks like Stan answered that one in the FWC videos thread... I don't know much about that camper other than the owner has a lot of extra goodies.

I'm curious how having the lift assist struts on the outside works for him over time. Seems to me they would be subject to potential overnight elements like dust from wind, or ice from cold. Maybe that's not an issue, but that's my initial reaction.

********

NC - great meeting you & your family in Denver. Whichever way you go, I hope you'll keep us in the loop during your big trip!


:smiley_drive:
.

[NothingClever]

Hey KC,

Thanks for all your time and energy at the Exposition. You and Tom are first class :victory: .

So, do you think the Aluminess box would present any structural issues? Janet and I would only use it for seasonal clothes so it wouldn't have much weight in it.

[BajaXplorer]

KC,
OK, I pulled the trigger today on a new Hawk. I told Amy you were to blame (even though I've had a secret case of FWC envy for many years), so you have some "splaining" to do next time you see her.
BX
Say what you like, but I love Duraflame logs.

[kcowyo]

I'm out of Amy's jurisdiction... whew!


Congrats Michael. I think it will be a great addition to your PW. And FTR, I've slightly changed my stance on Duraflame logs as well...


:campfire:

.

[kcowyo]

Four years with a Four Wheel Camper...


Today is the 4th anniversary of owning my little camper, Easter Sunday. So many miles, so many nights, so many smiles... so few complaints. The sentimental attachment cannot be overstated. This little escape pod came to me at a personal lowpoint in my life and it allowed me to rediscover my love of the outdoors and long, lonely dirt roads. It breathed life back into me and has become one of my longest, and certainly most rewarding relationships.

Without fail or complaint, it has allowed me to see remote corners and scenic pockets in the western US from Colorado, to Utah, Montana, California, Idaho, Arizona, Wyoming, Nevada, Oregon, etc. I have endured insufferable heat, below freezing temps, unruly winds and driving rains that would have turned me back home without it. I have seen sunsets, sunrises (well, not too many of those...) pristine mountain lakes, natural hot springs, valleys filled with saguaros & Joshua trees, deep canyons, moving rocks, miles of coastlines, endless sand dunes and so much more...

And I would be completely remiss to not mention the friends and contacts I've made, simply for owning this camper and answering untold questions about it. Some of those relationships have become valued friendships. My camper gives & gives, and over the years I have gained far more than what I originally lost when I first sought it out. I have so much to be grateful for, this little aluminum framed & aluminum siding skinned blessing of mine...

In that time, I have experienced two failures that can only be attributed to myself. A non-charged battery and an unfilled propane tank... That's it. No leaks in the rain, no structural failures, no breakdowns. Oh, they could still happen at some point, but not yet and not for a lack of usage under intense conditions. With that in mind, I have made some recent upgrades to insure that our happy co-existence continues. Like any relationship, you have to give back and nurture your partner. So...


New linoleum & floor trim. The old flooring suffered the worst abuse on our adventures -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/floor1/827710246_i6MuP-O.jpg


Installed an outlet in the truck bed & wired the aux battery to charge off my truck's alternator. Previously, it was charged off a trickle charger at home prior to a trip. Yeah, this pic isn't helpful, but it's a mod, nonetheless -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/wiring/827710736_d5Y5R-O.jpg



Installed a 3 speed Fantastic ceiling Fan. Draws air in or out with the flip of a switch. Great for venting out cooking odors or for drawing in air on a stagnant night -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/fan3/827710210_kRAXg-O.jpg


Wired in an "extendable" 12volt outlet, for when charging cords are too short to reach a fixed panel outlet -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/12voutlet/827710045_zpusJ-O.jpg


Removed the stock icebox "fridge". A waste of space and inefficient way to cool anything. I stored pots & pans in there...
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/icebox2/827710586_aRpme-O.jpg


Icebox cabinet, soon to be a shelved pantry -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Trucks/Four-Wheel-Campers/icebox3/827710600_AvM6k-O.jpg



My plan is to reuse the icebox door as a pantry door, but that's as far as I got today. In a nod from irony, as I worked on my icebox project today, a police officer pulled up in front of my house.... If you recall my original story buried in this thread somewhere, I was stopped by a police officer on my first trip when I brought the camper home on Easter Sunday. Today, with the same feeling of dread in my gut, I checked my pockets and put my hands up, promising him as he approached me that the body was dead when I got there...

"Hey", he says, "they're usually dead when I get there too. Can I check out your camper?"

Well sure Officer, come on over! 45 minutes later he left with his questions answered and his curiosity satisfied, a new relationship made. I guess I'll wrap up my icebox/pantry project tomorrow...

.

[Regcabguy]

KC,
OK, I pulled the trigger today on a new Hawk. I told Amy you were to blame (even though I've had a secret case of FWC envy for many years), so you have some "splaining" to do next time you see her.
BX
Say what you like, but I love Duraflame logs. I always score the killer deal on Duraflames at Costco each year. They're compact and burn for hrs.

[slooowr6]

My plan is to reuse the icebox door as a pantry door, but that's as far as I got today. In a nod from irony, as I worked on my icebox project today, a police officer pulled up in front of my house.... If you recall my original story buried in this thread somewhere, I was stopped by a police officer on my first trip when I brought the camper home on Easter Sunday. Today, with the same feeling of dread in my gut, I checked my pockets and put my hands up, promising him as he approached me that the body was dead when I got there...

"Hey", he says, "they're usually dead when I get there too. Can I check out your camper?"

Well sure Officer, come on over! 45 minutes later he left with his questions answered and his curiosity satisfied, a new relationship made. I guess I'll wrap up my icebox/pantry project tomorrow...

.

:sombrero: This story is better than previous one. I see a FWC in his future, don't ask how I know........ :ylsmoke: Did you tell him you have a SC in your T100??

[Tumbleweed]

KC: I just don't think I can express just how much I have enjoyed reading the whole thread and seeing the wonderful pictures. BTW, I hate you. :)
Just jealous. I am fortunate to have been able to see many of the places you have been at one time or another. Your thread just makes me want to see more.
I have been a fairly hardcore 4x4 wheeler over the past 20 some years but age and health are catching up. Have been through all the phases of wheeling up to and including rock crawling. Moved on from there and mostly enjoying trails wheeling now.
Late last fall my wife had a minor heart attack, and has changed our lives alot. I am thinking that we will soon be getting rid of our trail Jeep and start looking for a 4x4 truck and poptop camper. Your pics have really lit a fire in me to see more country. Anyhow, thank you.

[kcowyo]

Wow, thank you!

I hope you wife's health has made a turn for the better and that you two are able to get out soon and enjoy the summer. A comfortable camper really seems to go over well with the spouse.

Best of luck to you -

:campfire:

.

[Tumbleweed]

Forgot-I did not see you mention Monument Valley, Az or Canyon de Chelly (sp). You would enjoy these. Get a local guide and go enjoy. Some of our best times out were there.

[kcowyo]

http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2006/Utah-September-2006/Utah-086/701724351_sQyrT-O.jpg
*photo by Mark D. Stephens


This Monument Valley? ;)

An excellent suggestion. I've been there twice now, one of my favorites, even if you can't find any ice cream in Mexican Hat... I enjoyed a trip to Canyon de Chely a few years ago. I should go back sometime and do the full tour down in the canyon bottom.

I'm actually planning a trip to SE Utah next week, weather permitting...

.

[Tumbleweed]

Gold's little store, motel, gift shop, and more store across from the turn off to Monument Valley loop sells ice cream. :wings:
If you go and need a great guide, Linda Jackson is wonderful. Her brother Ray? is a decent guide but is a walking lush. Linda took us to her house inside the monument, fed us steak and corn on the cob cooked on a car hood. Just wonderful.

[suntinez]

Fantastic fan, hmmm? Fantastic! You'll never go back. Great idea on the extension 12V cord too.

That Monument Valley photo is just awesome.

[kcowyo]

Just returned from a week in southeast Utah... Perfect weather, new-to-me trails, properly chilled beer and a whole lot of peace & quiet. Just what the Dr. ordered...

The recent upgrades to the camper really accentuated the week, particularly the Fantastic Fan during a hot afternoon nap in Valley of the Gods, and the improved battery charging system which allowed me to more generously use the lights, fridge, fan, etc. without concern for draining the aux battery. Next up will have to be some new bed cushions as the current ones have done their time, they're like sleeping on a saltine cracker now...

A few pics from Utahhhh....


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/UT10-001/842322082_iMjdA-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/UT10-015/842401676_9n4re-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/UT10-031/842452577_u58QF-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/UT10-017/842401891_K5a6L-O.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/capstit/842320868_fofQm-XL.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/Flamst/842321038_syBTc-XL.jpg


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/milresst/842322136_Kn6Xm-XL.jpg

[Willman]

Nice KC!

Looks like you upgraded your camera as well!

Nice shots!

We need to talk about Father's day.....

[Tucson T4R]

Great shots KC, I like all the panos and the sunset shot by the river. Does look like great down time. That's always my goal to just get out and recharge my personal batteries. :sombrero:

[Regcabguy]

My wife and I visited the Zion/Bryce area of Utah last April just after a big snow. We got the beautiful weather and wamth. It's hard to take a bad shot in Utah. It was really breathtaking. Diesel and Dodge's everywhere also!

[SunMan]

Epic pics as usual KC. I'm guessing you are holding out on a few though ;)

How did the ice box/pantry mod turn out?

[FourByLand]

Great photos, KC!

[kcowyo]

Epic pics as usual KC. I'm guessing you are holding out on a few though ;)

How did the ice box/pantry mod turn out?


Actually I was pretty lazy with the camera on this trip. I only took about 100 photos, which for me over 5 days, is pretty lame...

That big ol' outlet box in the icebox hole threw me for a loop. I was getting to cutting & measuring for shelves, notching around the propane lines, etc. but we had two big snow storms in the week prior to departure. Rather than work out in the snow, I put the project on hold and went on the trip with just an open cabinet.

Now I'm second guessing reusing the stock door for a homemade door, hinged at the top that could flip up, and if held by a locking hinge, could be used as additional counter space... I'm committed to using the space as a pantry/dry storage, but still trying to decide how & what cabinet door to use...


Hwy 24, Utah -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/Utah-April-2010/UT10-032/848602662_wVwjx-O.jpg


.

[day42]

Kcowyo, all I can say is thanks for such an awesome thread, and inspiration after inspiration. Your trips and your photos get my mind going like nothing has in such a long time. As my wife will attest, I'm quite the dreamer (and she's the grounded party-pooper :) ), and reading these has given me nothing but a MUCH, MUCH longer to-do list. I've shown my wife, and a couple friends, some of your pics and one or two of your stories, and they are also beyond blown away. Thanks again...and keep your adventures coming...it's helps a lot with me being stuck at home most of the time. Hopefully I'll be getting my own truck sooner than later so I can start making these dream-like scenes/stories a reality. Later.....

[kcowyo]

Very kind of you... I'm grateful for the praise and acknowledgement. And I'm humbled to hear that these tales & images have reached beyond these pages to be appreciated by others.

There are times when I feel like I haven't contributed much in the manner of a "technical review" of the product as originally intended... So it's good to learn that there are those who have found some inspiration from these entries, if not a comprehensive and detailed overview.


Much obliged - :campfire:




Valley of Fire, Nevada -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2009/Utah-California-October-2009/066/701869683_axpjt-O.jpg
.

[ins123]

KC, as others I have enjoyed you photos and trip reports past bed time.

During your first few post the subject of a 12v refrigerator placement/location was discussed and debated at length. Maybe I missed the outcome, but where was your final location.

[day42]

You're definitely welcome. Good news (for me)...I finally got what just may be my dream truck. A 2006 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab, with the TRD Off-Road package. I'm psyched beyond belief, and now the long road of enjoying it & modding it will start. Thanks again for the inspiration.

[kcowyo]

During your first few post the subject of a 12v refrigerator placement/location was discussed and debated at length. Maybe I missed the outcome, but where was your final location.


All of this time and miles later and we have yet to find a final location for the fridge... That one piece of equipment has provided as much usefulness as it has hassle, that only our Outback Porta Privy shower tent can compare to.

After purchasing the Engel 45qt, and seeing how large it was, it actually sat in my living room for a full year, unused & unplugged... I finally decided to throw it in the camper for a 4 day trip to Utah awhile back, thinking with the warm temps it would be good to have and for a short trip, and if it was obnoxiously in the way, it wouldn't be but for a few days to deal with. Given its size and intrusion into our 'foot space', I located it at the front of the camper, under the sliding window...


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2009/Utah-April-2009/UT09-069/701880464_NrVnq-O.jpg


As you can see, we don't have the couch/bench option in our camper, so this location, along with a bunch of other kit piled around it, worked for awhile. While I do have a 'slide-lock' base for the fridge, I was hesitant to install it, until I determined if that would be the final location of the fridge. But we quickly realized on that trip, what we had been missing by not having a fridge along on our travels... It was all it advertised and had been touted and more.

The majority of the items in the above photo are removed and/or relocated while in camp, leaving only the fridge on the floor. As far as taking up our 'foot space', it turned out to be a non-factor. I've used it for a seat, and on solo trips I've used it as a small desk to set my laptop on to watch a DVD during bad weather (with my camp chair set up inside - a poor substitute for my Lazy Boy at home...)


http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Travel/2009/Idaho-July-2009/ID09-320/701851125_vXGKT-O.jpg


But now, all that has gone out the window... In addition to some recent upgrades previously mentioned here, I was finally able to acquire a couch/bench for our camper last week from a local owner of an identical make & model year camper as mine, who was kind enough to give me his couch/bench after removing it to make a custom platform for his two canine companions.


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


The couch has been my most desired addition to this camper since the day I bought it. The original owner removed it & tossed the couch in the trash prior to my taking possession of it. We often use 2 camp chairs to sit inside during inclement weather, not ideal in my opinion... But now I finally have a couch, and as a small added bonus, due to this one coming from an identical model year FWC, the wood grain finish and cushion upholstery all matches what we already have. That symmetry really works for my OCD tendencies... In addition, almost all of that gear previously stored on the floor - 2 camp chairs, toilet chair, shower kit, air compressor, portable awning - now fits nice & neatly under the couch.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/bench2.jpg


Well now I have a couch, but at the expense of the floor space where I placed the fridge... If I were to turn it, so it runs parallel with the truck, it will be right under the stove-top, making it a bugger to prepare meals... Additionally, the couch can extend over to the drivers side to the galley making a nice bed - which comes in handy for stealth camping, or when the winds are so fierce that leaving the top down for the night is preferable, as happened to me on my trip home last week from picking up the couch - but that makes it impossible to store anything the size of the fridge on the floor.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/kcowyo/bench4.jpg


So as we are preparing to make another trip to Utah this weekend, and having developed a fondness for the fridge, I am back to the drawing board regarding where to put the thing... I am entertaining the idea of putting it in the back seat of the truck, as my friend Joel did with his 45qt and his T100 -


http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b247/honger01/ModsPictures/WebFinalFridge.jpg


That will work for our 4 day trip upcoming this weekend, but with two young children who will be riding & camping with us this summer, that's a band-aid fix at best. So as I finish up this long-winded reply to your short & simple question, I'm actually heading out the door to a local RV company to inquire about fridges that can be fitted into the icebox location (similar to what NorthernExplorer did here in his FWC... (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=361723&postcount=33)), which I had hoped to use as a pantry & dry storage, but now will likely be re-used as fridge space.


Plans, changes, reconfigurations, reshuffling, reworking, adjusting, adapting.... There are worse problems to have I suppose.


:coffee:

.

[Northern Explorer]

I think you are really going to like the couch. It's a good use of space. As for you're Engle, I'm sure you won't have any trouble selling it if you decide that putting it in the back seat doesn't work.

Question: What is the loop of rope for that I see on the wood section of the couch near the front door?

[fisher205]

KC, check out Nova Kool. I replaced my old 3 way with one, They're about 20% cheaper than a Norcold or Dometic.

[kcowyo]

Question: What is the loop of rope for that I see on the wood section of the couch near the front door?


Not a clue...? They're just short loops, no bigger than a bracelet. I know he pulled the couch out & put it back in a couple of times... maybe the rope is for a better hand-hold? I didn't think to ask...


**Nova Kool... I will check them out, thanks!


A few more details from my trip through Yellowstone country, to pick up the couch. Crazy weather for April 28th...

I wound up having to drive 750 miles around the entire park when snow forced the closure of the west gate in the town of West Yellowstone, MT near where we were to meet. I was forced to go up to the NW entrance in Gardiner, MT and attempted to go out through the NE entrance at tiny Cooke City, MT. The road was still closed out of Cooke City to the east, over the Beartooth Mountains...

But after consulting with a local motel owner, I risked the unplowed road for 14 miles to the Chief Joseph's Scenic Highway into Cody, WY. With depths of snow from 8 inches to 14 inches, I bogged slowly but steadily through it, my mind somewhere between the rush of rebelliousness and the fear of the worst, if I were to become stuck out there in a drift in the dark... Fortunately, I made it safely all the way to Chief Joe's Hwy where the WYDOT had plowed to. Smooth sailing back into Cody, where I spent the night and then home the next morning.


A bunch of driver's seat pics from a whirlwind 24 hour trip, all for a silly couch... which I love, and have already slept on. Twice.

Togwotee Pass above Dubois, WY -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/013/867079199_Lsbew-O.jpg


Jackson, WY -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/005/866773358_TJFT8-O.jpg


Togwotee Pass above Dubois, WY -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/003/866773202_QPAVx-O.jpg


West Yellowstone, MT -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/015/867079308_bSxY3-O.jpg

Gardiner, MT and Nissan Patrol -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/008/866773585_huKNj-O.jpg



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


Cooke City, MT -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/012/866773867_JcXWm-O.jpg


Chief Joseph's Scenic Highway, above Cody, WY -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/001/866773048_9Mx2f-O.jpg


Wind River Canyon, near Thermopolis, WY -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/020/867079607_8aQTY-O.jpg


Wind River Canyon -
http://kcowyo.smugmug.com/Other/Yellowstone-NP-April-2010/021/867079652_cqijB-O.jpg

.

[HongerVenture]

Just got through re-reading this. Man I love reading what you have to write. Wanted to give you some props so you knew I was soaking it up and not just nit-picking your broken picture links. =) You make me miss the US bro. I'll live it vicariously though ExPo until I return... in the meantime I need to post up some trip reports from my outings here in the Middle East.

[Regcabguy]

Further evidence of global warming.

[wyotoyo]

I would hate to see the pictures the fish have been taking lately in the Wind River Canyon.

[kcowyo]

Really! Trains don't float, ya know... :Wow1:


Train derailment in Wind River Canyon video #1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kuuAiMt0IM&NR=1&feature=fvwp) - (May 12, 2010)


Train derailment in Wind River Canyon video #2 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wiREoxHbzkQ&feature=related) (some spicey language, but hey, it's a train wreck, and people are freaking out a little...)


We just came through the canyon again 3 days ago and we couldn't even tell where the accident happened. They did a great job of cleaning that up, in an almost impossible spot to reach.

.

[Maximus Ram]

WOW, good to read that the engineers made it out alive. That was a big boulder that they hit.

[wyotoyo]

I think I just blew the head gasket in my t100. Feels like a train wreck.