FOUR WHEEL CAMPER (FWC) THREAD!!

Nice call. A great place to store your soft shackles. Dual purpose!

I'm sure you've heard of this, but some guys will drill straight through the camper and into the bed, and attach the camper with thru-bolts and a backing plate.

 

It’s happened to some

Humm
You got the wheels and gears in my mind turning....!!!

 

I think it has holes to through bolt? You just need to add the holes to the truck and a backing plate

 

I've seen backing plates installed inside the camper and the bed bit still using turn buckles where it attaches. Interesting on the straight attachment though.

 

Darn! You definitely have me thinking about how my flatbed fleet was installed. I thought the dealer mounted directly through the bed. I’ll have to check

 

I'm pretty sure thru the bed is the normal/proper way for the flatbeds. I've seen a few and never noticed it to be any different. Worth checking though!!

 

This is a good failsafe. But to stop the turnbuckles from loosening (which happens to me often), I think you can put zip ties through the turnbuckle and then through the same hole the hook goes through. Do the top and bottom and it should prevent the turnbuckle from being able to turn and loosen.

I haven’t tried it yet but it sounds like it would help.

 

Fred, I thought you had a flatbed as well as me? But you’re using turnbuckles?

 

That might work for some but I’ve found in my turnbuckle battles is more on failure not has much loosening. Now granted I’m prob the heaviest here and my beefed up suspension maybe bucking that weight around, witch is leading me down the path of a better turnbuckle...?
Here some examples of my battles:



Maybe you could just add a jam nut to your turnbuckles and win your battles???

I have a slide in Andy on the short bed.

 

It’s just not good old American steel anymore

 

I had a 2012 Eagle on DCLB and can't tell you how many turnbuckles I sent to the great beyond. I even had one of the front elevator bolts snap. I upgraded from the elevator bolts to the newer reinforced mounting plates but still snapped turnbuckles. I was also using a nylock wingnut as a jamnut to avoid loosening.

 

WOW!!!

Almost like you guys need something made like this, but on vehicle adjustable. The open loop hook end is obviously the biggest issue

Maybe using a proper rated d-ring to attached to the ends would work too.

 

Humm nice! Are those draglink bars?

Turnbuckles I’ve been looking at are from reputable company:


https://www.thecrosbygroup.com/products/turnbuckles/

but also one must consider is this the engineered weak point for a reason...??

 

Those are rear upper trailing arms for a 4runner, LOL

Good point, a weak point that gets replaced often. That's probably what FWC would say I think. A sort of fuseable link.

I'd feel much better with a closed loop end, and it looks like that website has some good options. It's like how you're never supposed to use one of those cheap snatch/tow straps with a hook on the end because it can tear or break and become a projectile. A closed d-ring is preferred.

 

Did those come with your FWC? I bought mine used and when I contacted FWC they said to not use the ones you have. Only the forged hooks. I upgrade mine to galvanized steel turnbuckles and forged hooks.

Bolt through the bed sucks when reinstalling. You have 1/2 holes that you are trying to line up over a 5’ span. Using a alignment bar in one of the holes to try and move the camper just wallows out the holes. When I did it on a different camper it was a 2 person job. I schemed on putting my jacks on casters to make it alot easier but thoughts of watching it roll down my driveway stopped me.

 

Yes they came with the camper, and seems what is recommended now by FWC. But I believe forged is the way to go! Well done

 

Thanks. I made my own mounts as well, it seemed to stop the little bit of flex that the elevator bolts were having, allowing the turnbuckles to loosen.

should mention that this is on a hawk.

 

Not a FWC but figured I’d post it here. Overland Expedition Vehicles Camp M prototype. Will go into production early 2021 but will look more like their current. Camp X (the last photo). I managed to purchase the prototype and will be receiving it early January. (Photoshopped on my army green 2021 DCLB)

•100% wood free construction

•prototype comes in at around 1,100 lbs but production model will be around 900lbs

from their site:

Details
The Overland Explorer composite CAMP Series is a lightweight, composite slide in pop up camper designed specifically for the full size 1/2 or 3/4 ton truck market. Overland Explorer truck campers are designed with a proprietary panel and extrusion system to keep weight extremely light, extremely tough, and extremely warm (or cool!). With new extrusions designed specifically for this application, thermal transfer has been almost eliminated keeping the interior more comfortable in inclement weather. Along with the very high insulating value of our hybrid wall, we incorporated a fully insulated soft side, it is a standard feature that will keep you warm….or cool and it’s substantially quieter than a single panel side. Our heavy duty locking roof supports are easy to use, and lock solidly in place, a foot of heavy wet snow….no problem! We have managed to conceal the struts while the camper is in travel mode, where it is most often exposed to dirt and mud.

The design has been based on our own experience and the experiences of a lot of owners/travelers using similar products, we feel the results are a near perfect marriage of real world function and manufacturing technology.

The all new CAMP-M is being designed for the mid-sized truck platform, it is being completely redesigned and it will have a bed over the cab. Our goal is to keep this unit as close to 900 lbs (or less) as we can, to accomplish this the floor will not exceed 5'8" in length. As far as the spec goes for this unit it has yet to be determined but will be announced once we have a handle on our weights (expected late Fall of 2020)



Camp M target weight is 900 lbs

 

They are Aluminum!

 

This is one I considered but ended up going the other route, these campers are fully loaded with features. Only four of this model where ever made and are available for purchase.

Call Donovan at Big Sky RV Bozeman MT.



https://www.bigskyrv.com/inv/2019-Lite-Industries-Overland-Explorer-CAMP-M-Bozeman-MT-X008/