Four Wheel campers in 1st gens

Currently I am running my basic Snugtop. Trying to understand the cost and benefit of all Slide in. I am actually leaning towards flatbed version.

 

Like 1st Gen Tacoma’s used 4WC’s have appreciated over time. Comfortable camping wherever you at with minimal weight/ size.

 

Picked up a 2000 Eagle Shell yesterday from the original owner. Looking to see how everyone mounted theirs into the 1st gen bed. Just the Eyebolt Kit from FWC or are people using a different system? It also has this goofy mural on the side and I need to decide whether to keep it our scrub it off.

 

I drilled 4 holes in the bed w/ eyebolts, large & small washers, w/lock-washers on each.
Never had any problems.
Choose an easily accessible spot w/ the camper in place, remove, drill and install.
That mural I’d definitely address, I suspect you’ll be repainting the entire camper.

 

I don't want to violate any posting rules (let me know if it's a problem) but just giving anybody who's watching this thread a heads-up that I just created a for-sale post in TW under Buy/Sell/Trade-Other (non-automotive) for my Four Wheel Camper, Eagle model. These fit first gens really nice! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/four-wheel-camper-eagle-model-for-sale.825936/

 

I'm slow in responding to a prior post about mounting a camper in the bed. Perhaps you already figured it out but here's my mounting: I bought my own the eyebolts instead of the FWC kit. The issue is finding a place on the bottom side of the bed where you can install an aluminum plate along with the nut and washer of the eyebolt. The plate provides some extra insurance that the eyebolt won't pull out or deform the bed by spreading the stress load. I can't remember if that FWC kit includes an aluminum plate or if I just made one.

Also be sure to review the FWC website on how to mount the eyebolts so that the turnbuckles are at an angle when connected (not straight vertical). That can be a little tricky to find a good place for the hole. I used a slightly different mounting system for the front tie downs that allows me to change the angle. I'll be able to take a picture of it in a couple of weeks, but PM me if you need info sooner. I modeled it off a post on Wander-the-West website and perhaps I can dig that up if you want it.

And the above mounting only applies to 1st gen steel beds. Later gens with composite beds require a totally different mounting system.

 

I wish the timing was right for me! I'd love to have that exact camper right now, but realistically I have some repairs to save for before I can justify it. Looks like a really nice one and you sure won't have trouble selling it.

 

bumping this awesome thread

 

If you’re looking for something that can handle more for a family, get a bigger truck. Simple as that

 

Very informative post.

 

what more can be said? Spend money upgrading the braking and towing capabilities to have minimal options? Or just get a full size truck?

 

Maybe you missed the title of this thread.

 

A lot of people, myself included, want the small footprint of a 1st gen tacoma but the payload capacity of a 3/4 ton truck. Lol. We'll never get there but we can try!
I hear the same sentiment when it comes to putting a V8 into a 1st gen tacoma especially when it comes to someone wanting to swap in a chevy v8....just get a Silverado they say. The person doesn't want a Silverado. They want a LS powered 1st gen tacoma.

Also, sometimes the process is the fun part.

I've been building this thing for the past 6 years.
I've spent hundreds of hours on it.
I could have bought a slide in for about the same price and no effort but that's not all that appealing to me.
I've enjoyed every minute of it.
And yes, it has frame reinforcement plates, Tundra brakes, transmission cooler, 2nd gas tank to extend the range. All things that could be accomplished with a stock full size truck. But I want my compact car size Tacoma.
(and yes, someday it might have a 5.3 L Vortec)

 

sick! any interior pics?

 

Update on my eagle shell. The OME Dakar pack just wasn’t enough so I added airbags and cradles which work great except now it feels oversprung. I may pull the added HD leaf for a more compliant ride. The weight is a bit of a drag but the 3.4 pulls it ok. I did go from 265/75/16 to 255/85/16 and the 33” size really bogs down on the highway. Regearing feels like it’ll be my very next mod because I’m completely out of the powerband with the camper on, especially if I add accessories like bikes. I made a DIY wind fairing which gave me 1-2mpg back.

That being said, my favorite change so far is finding a dry garage to stash the FWC in the winter and just run an open bed or softtopper, especially since this is also my daily. It’s awesome to use the truck as a truck, then be able to put an entire camping setup on in 45 min or so. The softopper rails fit perfectly between the bed and the camper which makes the swap particularly easy.

I did some pretty rugged off-roading and rockcrawling with the camper on recently, and the truck handled it surprisingly well. I learned the hard way, last year, to make sure everything is really secured in place.

Summer plans include:
Replace headliner and insulation
Replace interior walls and insulation
Solar relocation
Modern roof rack install

 

as someone who is in the market for a new camper this is great info. I'm now leaning towards an older fwc eagle or ranger II over the OVRLND for reasons you mentioned, can quickly swap it out when you want your truck again; whereas with an OVRLND with an interior buildout, it would be pretty permanent.

I've had a few campers before and the weight worries me a bit with just the 3.4, so i might also consider re-gearing, although i am only running 31's.

Curious how you are currently attatching the camper the the bed? is it with the 4 eye bolts drilled into the floor of the bed? Or do you have the fwc turnbuckles attatched to the hooks on the 4 corners just below the bed rails?

I've heard All Terrain Campers can and will do upgrades for you, might be worth looking into. I beleive the owner used to work at FWC back in the day and branched off to start his own company, which is why they look very similar.

Also, good call with the cradles, that would be the route i go as well; currently have all pro expedition leafs

 

I have a few friends with OVRLND, GFC, and other shell style campers. I was initially jealous of them and the weight saving of the shells. Now that they have heavy buildouts, fridges, storage, etc, a few of them have purchased second vehicles because the weight and bed full of stuff has completely negated the weight savings and bed utility afforded by the shell toppers.

Furthermore, another benefit of the FWC is greater protection from dust ingress. The 1st gen Tacoma bed isn’t sealed very well, especially underneath the bed rails. It was something I fought vehemently with a fiberglass topper, now I don’t care and it’s a non-issue.

As for the mounting, I used the four forged eyebolts in the kit purchased from FWC directly. Drilling into the bed was pretty quick and easy. The rearmost two eyebolts have slightly tilted to the front overtime, perhaps from the camper moving a bit. It’s only a few mm of deflection so I don’t worry about it, I just think of it as allowing for a more secure mount for the camper as the stress is inline instead of at an angle. I’ve had the camper shift a few times while offroading, so I’d advocate for checking the turnbuckles from time to time.

I’m only ~two hours away from ATC, but I’m a cheapskate and big DIYer and am looking forward to ripping apart and rebuilding the camper myself. I will be contacting them about a small alignment issue I have with my roof and see if they can help straighten things out-so to speak.

 

Interesting to hear your friends are having those weight issues. Makes sense on a Tacoma. I currently have a Gfc, but I made the switch from a 1st Gen Tacoma to a 1st Gen tundra so weight issue much of an issue. That being said, a 4wheelcamper would probably be the next step in being more comfy if I were to choose that.
How is your camper offroad? Curious how it travels some decent speed. Love the GFC for being able to fly through whoops and not worry about it

 

Thanks!

I'm mostly happy with it. My goal was fast camp set up and break down. It takes me about 1 minute to set up camp and maybe 5 minutes to pack up.
It kind functions like a roof top tent though. Interior space is limited.
If I were to do it again I would make changes for sure.

I just finished this insulating layer last week. Just in time for summer!
It's 3 panels so I can put one up facing the sun and it really keeps it cooler.
This was taken from on the bed looking toward the back of the camper.


The interior is pretty cramped because the spare tire is in the middle. There's a 2nd gas tank where the spare used to be so the spare is always in the way.
Also the sides of the camper slope inward 3 degrees until just above cab height and then slope inward more.
I made it tapered like that for tight, off camber trails with trees that I frequent. With straight sides if the truck is on an angle it's footprint gets huge. But the sacrifice is usable interior space.



I need to take more pictures of the interior. This cabinet is in the back of the camper taken from outside the entry door. The bed is up top to the right.

 

It’s not bad, granted it’s not built to be a whoop-eater either. On big whoops I can hear my pots and pans bouncing around in the cabinet. The previous owner built a nice kitchen cabinet with a butcher block top, sink, stove, drawers, and cabinet however it doesn’t seem he really intended it for an Offroad rig. I’ve slowly been figuring out how to secure the drawers shut, and keep the pots and pans in place. The Offroad capability has increased a ton since I’ve been securing more things. She’s no featherweight, and my rough offroading is a bit slower. I can feel the high center of gravity weight on very off camber zones. As always, airing down to 15 PSI, and big tires go a long way in its capability and comfort.