Talk me out of a Four Wheel Camper!

I am about to pull the trigger on a Four Wheel Camper shell model. Adding furnace, king size bed, Jacks for easy on and off, two fans, and pre-wired backup camera. Want to get the essentials but keep it simple and do the interior build out myself.
Looking to stay close to stock on truck because I don’t plan to leave it on the truck all the time. Thinking ride-rite air bags.
Please feel free to be constructive, encouraging, or tell me I’m off base. Thanks for the input.

 

check out wanderthewest web site!! lots of information THERE

 

Given that a max trailering GMC Sierra 1500 with 400 lbs higher GVWR and ~500-1000 lbs more payload than a Tundra specifically says it's not rated to haul a camper, I don't see how that could be safe or legal.

 

Thanks for the weight rating input. FWC recommended e-rated tires and an air bag suspension to off-set, and they mention this model as meant for a 5.5’ bed Tundra. Also I am looking at a shell model so it is lighter than their fully featured campers. I am hoping these small modifications offset the increased weight.

 

Enjoying the Wandering the West threads already! Thanks

 

The Four Wheel Camper is a sweet set up and like anything you pay for quality. I think big draw backs are cost and functionality. It’s on the truck so when you want to go everything goes vs. a small trailer that you can disconnect and leave at camp. I wonder about resale, but I think they do ok. Cost though gets pretty extreme once you add all the bells and whistles. Are you going to flat bed and make it even more custom? Those rigs look awesome, but I’m guessing you’re $40k+ once you get it all dialed.

 

I’m planning a slide in shell model. Expecting a quote around $15k. Planning to add my own basic/lightweight upgrades. From what I see on the used market these are hard to come by and I am seeing “highly traveled” 90’s models go for $5k. Seems to be a hard to find, high resale item. Hold value like our trucks! I’m at peace with it being stuck to the truck, we looked at trailers and just didn’t find a solution we felt were as right as this one. Also have seen solutions to allow use for it off the truck.

 

@Bailey is the guy you want to talk to. He's been full-timing in his for a couple of years now.


Edit: Here's a link to his thread on here.

https://www.tundras.com/threads/baileys-2010-tundra-adventure-build-photos.19543/

 

They are terrible!!!

You will want to go camping all of the time!!!









Furnace is a must. Good choice on the two fans and backup camera.

Make sure you take the jacks off when you're traveling.

I am running the firestone ride-rite airbags with elka shocks (front and rear)

I love my FWC

 

Where are you located?

I would order through Denny Saunders at FWCJH
https://www.fwcjh.com
info@fwcjh.com

Denny is the man! You can also avoid sales tax by making the drive. Tell him that Bailey Johnston sent you his way

 

This is making my bank account hurt just thinking about how bad I want

 

Thanks for the response! Your documentation has had a lot to do with my journey towards this Didn’t post on any of your threads bc I didn’t want to derail you.

 

I am in Greenville SC. I am attempting to do business with O’Neil Overland & Mercantile, due to their proximity in GA, if they don’t come through I’ll be sure to shop around based on your recommendation.

 

Feel free to comment on my stuff or message me with any questions

 

Call Tom at Main Line Overland. They are located in Pennsylvania. Really good dude and very knowledgeable. They are a distributor. I am in North Carolina and have spent several hours discussing and getting quotes from him. Bought my rims from them and would not hesitate to order from them again. Regardless of what I end up doing they will most likely be involved.

 

buying mine in mt. not sales tax

 

Thanks for the input guys. Think I’m done trying to work with the GA dealer. Gonna talk to the others. I’ve read I need to spend the night in it where I pick it up for a shakedown. I’d rather do that in PA or MT anyway.

 

Also just found out NH has no sales tax

 

Road trip!

 

After a little trip down the rabbit hole of mods and features I “need” and wanting to keep warranty by not drilling into the walls I’ve added:
Side step package
Yakima roof rack for kayaks, skis, rocket box
Alucab 270 batwing
Dobinsons heavy duty shocks and coil over

All said and done I’ll be just north of $20k. Just wanted to post this for anyone budgeting their build. I’m keeping it simple and it’s still not very simple. still going to pickup in NH. Really like dealing with Mainline Overland so far. Going to bring them the awning to install at pickup. Don’t want to void warranty by installing something through wall of camper myself. Much better to have them instal it into the frame of camper. Planning to install suspension components myself. Before the haul up there. Show up with awning in hand. Hopefully OK 4wd puts the awning on sale for Black Friday.

 

I’m getting the second fan and install for “free” hope to get my order in before 12% price increase on shell model on December 1. 12 week build time and ahead of schedule is how the factory is running right now. Also my wife is going to wrap it with a complimentary color to my cavalry blue truck. I’m between black metallic or oil slick 3m wrap. I hate the white of the factory but don’t really want to pay for one of their upgrade colors. My wife works in the sign industry so I have that hookup.

 

Ironing out the details with the Mrs tonight! So excited, feels like Christmas. We are thinking nix the furnace and get the thermal
pack. I actually agree with this as we live in ultra humid and hot SC. Honestly cold weather camping will be mostly for me solo or with a bud, and occasional.
Also, parts are arriving so I’m stoked. Will be watching YouTube install videos tomorrow. All but decided on Dobinson’s suspension and AluCab awning after further review. Now just to watch sales on Black Friday.
If anyone knows, will an aftermarket shackle on the leaf spring still provide lift under load. If I want to slightly raise the rear, will a coach builder add a little height if supported by an airbag?

 

Congrats!!! Gotta love no sales tax in NH, also no state income tax and gas is .20 cents cheaper than Vermont. We are seriously considering moving there. Sorry to derail... Looking forward to more pics of your build.

 

Mines on

 

Nice! What did you do for suspension?
I have finally pulled the trigger on Dobinson’s front +55mm coil and shocks with a 1”block and timbren rear. Lots of research but hopefully this will be a solid setup to haul and low maintenance.

 

timbren rear

 

Perfect, glad to see our research led to the same place. It looks good, is it hauling well? How long has it been on so far?

 

3800 miles so far ! next up new nitto ridge grabbers!

 

Ridge grapplers look good, but I’m really enjoying my Wildpeak AT3w. What size are you going with? I will probably do 285/75/18 next time around.