FOUR WHEEL CAMPER (FWC) THREAD!!

Got a question for those that have added an awning to your camper what kind of brackets are you using? I’m looking at getting a regular awning or maybe a 270. Thanks

 

FWC 50th Anniversary Rally in Anza Borrego 12/3-5/21

https://fourwheelcampers.com/events/fwc-owners-rally-campout-so-cal/

 

Awning vs Kitchen shelter?

I am about to purchase an ARB awning. But still not convinced that a kitchen shelter (Clam style) is a better choice. The Clam could be put anywhere but the awning will dictate where I park/camp my truck.

Any thoughts?

 

I have an awning on my current setup but when I had my FWC I used an REI Alcove for my cooking/lounging area.

 

Not sure if this will be taken down but I made a walk around video of my new to me four wheel camper I absolutely love it so far. It was an older Ranger model that was designed to fit on the Ford rangers but the previous owner completely rebuilt the camper from the frame up. If you watch at the end there’s a slide slow of what the camper used to look like.
https://youtu.be/3xHcBzCFK8E

 

Ya know...for a thread titled FOUR WHEEL CAMPER THREAD, there seems to be a lot of NON FWC content/camper talk...just had to get that off my chest (not necessarily talking about this page)

 

Some excitement for a brand new Fleet owner (me) last night.

Truck/camper is parked in my driveway, I had the top popped earlier in the day but dropped it down before heading out for the evening. Came home and realized I had forgotten to latch the roof so I went around and started closing them.
Starting from the front right, working my way back, on the third latch (right rear), I hear an alarm going off. It’s clearly coming from inside the camper.
I run inside, grab the keys, run out, get into the camper, turn the fan on max inwards and open the left rear turnbuckle hatch closest to the carbon monoxide sensor to try to vent whatever is causing the alarm to go off.
I also close the door to try to contain the noise so my dog who is terrified of alarms doesn’t freak out too much in the house.
The alarm turns off, my venting must be working, or so I think.
Now I’ve woken the sleeping wife who comes out and opens the door to see if she can help, which promptly sets off the alarm again. Neither of us have any idea why but closing the door turns off the alarm. This is tested repeatedly and consistently.

I am very confused.

I try to figure out which fuse might turn off the alarm. I try all that might but nothing changes.
I tell her to go find the manual for the carbon monoxide alarm. While she’s searching for it, I find the ceiling light switch and manage to look around and spot the ceiling mounted smoke detector.
Now I realize the alarm going off is not the carbon monoxide sensor but the smoke detector…..
I move over the bungee off the test button and the alarm turns off.

What are the odds. The bungee lands exactly on the test button, but with not enough pressure to depress it until you latch the roof latch, but if you have the fan blowing inwards with the door open it lifts the roof just enough to release the button, but if you open the door the roof drops ever so slightly that the button is depressed again.

So this smoke detector needs to get relocated, plus it seems strange to be where it is half smashed between the ceiling and cabinet top.
Has this ever happened to anyone else?

Where is a better location to move the detector? Just inboard of the cabinet?
Pic showing the bungee after I moved it off the button

 

I did a battery upgrade on mine
https://youtu.be/2YCz-zbYPeY

 

We replaced our original smoke detector cause after so many false alarms from everyday cooking, I threw and broke in frustration. Here's our new location.


This is further from the stove but it sometimes sets itself off. Been living in our Fleet for 14 months

 

Anyone know if I can get a project M for a 1st gen taco? Thanks!

 

Hello everyone, I have the itch to one day in the near future order a fwc, I have a 1st gen tacoma reg cab 4x4 auto. I want a fwc with a shower and basically everything else just basic, is this possible with a ‘Fleet’ model? My dream truck is a reincarnation of the sunrader shorty from the 80’s.

 

Have you found the cab-over bed blocks GPS reception? I don't know if the GPS antenna is incorporated in the shark-fin or is in the head unit.
Thanks

 

I have never checked the GPS signal but it does block, or deteriorate the FM and satellite reception

 

Anyone running a Swift on a 5ft bed have with a swing out bumper? I have a short bed and I know this sounds funny but I HATE the look of the camper sticking out past the bumper. Maybe a swingout would sort of conceal it?

sigh, I bought the wrong Taco. Looking for a Falcon but they’re super rare.

 

I know it's not easy but have you thought about getting a standard bed (6') Tacoma?

 

That might be the move, or a 1st gen tundra

 

Picking up a used FWC in a couple of weeks. Will it clear a Prinsu Cab Rack on a 4 door? From images I have seen it will, but I am not sure if that is the camper sitting on the rubber mat in the bed or if wood is needed to put underneath to elevate it over the rack. Thank you for any help or confirmation either way.

 

Picked up a 2015 swift Shell used. Has propane furnace and stove. Already modded. I removed the large propane tanks and added a diesel heater in that location and a smaller 1lb tank for the stove. added a 200w solar panel and 100ah agm battery. Gonna mount one smaller tank externally and setup a propane instant hot water setup for an outdoor shower and install a water tank where the propane furnace was. Also planning a different cooktop with a small sink and single burner stove.

I ran the new heater in 1 degree over night the other day and ran great.

 

@blitzkrieg3002 Nice truck! Can you provide pictures of your diesel heater install?

 

Here's a quick clip. I have it setup pulling outside fresh air into the camper. I had 0 condensation with this method. I have some concerns with exhaust where it's located not too far from fresh air inlet but tested with a cO2 ppm tester reading 0 ppm at the supply duct. I may change things up but this setup worked out very well. I utilized the hole that was already in this location and just built a quick raised platform. The heater is a 5kw I bought off eBay.

https://youtube.com/shorts/w56jgD06PxQ?feature=share

main reason I decided to try the diesel heater is to take advantage of the potential space savings it Will provide. Real estate in this camper is scarce and I don't want to add more cabinets if I don't have too. I'm hoping I can pull the furnace add a small 3-4 gallon fresh water tank in its place.

I had to order a pair of heavier duty 40lb struts for the front because of the solar panels added weight. I may grab a pair for the rear and put a cargo box up top too. I'm toying with this idea for some lightweight storage up there.

on a side note, what's your guys mpg with the fwc? In my third gen with 5.29's I was averaging around 15mpg before now I'm getting 12-13. I noticed if I follow a big rig I get much better mileage however.