Expedition Portal
The Voice
We would like to thank Four Wheel Campers for helping to make Expedition Portal what it is today. A long time supporter of the site to help keep the servers online, FWC continues to make quality campers that can often be seen in the trip reports of our members here on the Forum!
Four Wheel Campers has been building light weight, low profile, durable trucks campers for over 40+ years now. Our company was founded in 1972 and was originally based in the Denver, Colorado area. Even after all of these years, the basic concept hasn’t really changed. The camper must observe three basic principles: light weight, durability, simplicity. Aluminum framing and skin keeps the camper light and durable. Understated cabinetry, made of mahogany plywood, provides lightweight simplicity and a greater feeling of spaciousness in a very compact living space. Decorative design elements are kept to an absolute minimum to reduce weight and increase durability. These three simple, yet complex goals, provide a very small niche in the camper marketplace unlike other brands of truck campers. Whereas larger, more complex truck campers provide amenities and large living spaces, Four Wheel Campers embrace the ability to literally go camping in comfort anywhere your truck can go safely and with relative ease.
In 2001, Tom and Celeste Hanagan became the new owners, and the Four Wheel Campers started evolving into a more modern and comfortable product. Staying true to the basic concept, system by system the camper improved. All of the remaining particle board was designed out, the electrical system was completely redesigned, and components ranging from foam to fabrics to plumbing fittings were improved. The frame is stronger than ever. Lessons learned from world travelers, and especially Baja California experience taught us where the frame needed improvement. The camper is truly a work in progress. New materials are constantly researched and studied to lighten, strengthen, and improve performance.
The basic idea is a fairly simple, but very strong, cage like aluminum frame fabricated from aluminum tube and extruded channel. Much like an airplane frame, it has the ability to flex, providing greater strength and durability, therefore longer life and the ability to handle the torque experienced on mountain and desert roads, far away from pavement. Optimum off road capability demands the lowest center of gravity. The minimal height over the cab of the truck is essential, and as much weight as possible is on the floor of the camper. That’s why the water tank and propane tanks have migrated to the floor in recent years. Our roof lifting system is like no other in the market. Instead of a complex lift arm apparatus with difficult linkage and geometry, our campers use a simple articulated lift panel at the front and back, spring loaded the piano hinges, and provide a shear wall effect for exceptional stability in high winds. This also provides support for a snow load on the roof.
Today the work force is the best ever. The future brings more improvement, much of it suggested by owners who use the product on a regular basis, and many who camp away from the mainstream in harsh and punishing conditions. We continue to improve the product and introduce more features, floor plans, and models each year.
Four Wheel Campers has been building light weight, low profile, durable trucks campers for over 40+ years now. Our company was founded in 1972 and was originally based in the Denver, Colorado area. Even after all of these years, the basic concept hasn’t really changed. The camper must observe three basic principles: light weight, durability, simplicity. Aluminum framing and skin keeps the camper light and durable. Understated cabinetry, made of mahogany plywood, provides lightweight simplicity and a greater feeling of spaciousness in a very compact living space. Decorative design elements are kept to an absolute minimum to reduce weight and increase durability. These three simple, yet complex goals, provide a very small niche in the camper marketplace unlike other brands of truck campers. Whereas larger, more complex truck campers provide amenities and large living spaces, Four Wheel Campers embrace the ability to literally go camping in comfort anywhere your truck can go safely and with relative ease.
In 2001, Tom and Celeste Hanagan became the new owners, and the Four Wheel Campers started evolving into a more modern and comfortable product. Staying true to the basic concept, system by system the camper improved. All of the remaining particle board was designed out, the electrical system was completely redesigned, and components ranging from foam to fabrics to plumbing fittings were improved. The frame is stronger than ever. Lessons learned from world travelers, and especially Baja California experience taught us where the frame needed improvement. The camper is truly a work in progress. New materials are constantly researched and studied to lighten, strengthen, and improve performance.
The basic idea is a fairly simple, but very strong, cage like aluminum frame fabricated from aluminum tube and extruded channel. Much like an airplane frame, it has the ability to flex, providing greater strength and durability, therefore longer life and the ability to handle the torque experienced on mountain and desert roads, far away from pavement. Optimum off road capability demands the lowest center of gravity. The minimal height over the cab of the truck is essential, and as much weight as possible is on the floor of the camper. That’s why the water tank and propane tanks have migrated to the floor in recent years. Our roof lifting system is like no other in the market. Instead of a complex lift arm apparatus with difficult linkage and geometry, our campers use a simple articulated lift panel at the front and back, spring loaded the piano hinges, and provide a shear wall effect for exceptional stability in high winds. This also provides support for a snow load on the roof.
Today the work force is the best ever. The future brings more improvement, much of it suggested by owners who use the product on a regular basis, and many who camp away from the mainstream in harsh and punishing conditions. We continue to improve the product and introduce more features, floor plans, and models each year.
