FOUR WHEEL CAMPER (FWC) THREAD!!

Original year is unknown but I was told early to mid 90s. It's been gutted down to the frame and restored around 3 or 4 years ago. I'll post some more pictures once I make it home. It was a 600 mile trip each way to get it.

 

Contact FWC with the S/N and they'll know for sure.

 

Where would the s/n be located? I don't see a placard anywhere and I'm wondering if it wasn't put back after the camper was taken down to the frame.

 

They generally had them on the back (aft) side of the camper near the door. Reach out to them regardless and they'll be happy to help.

 

Just an update on porch light mod….
Left original switch, started working again after contact cleaner…. Can’t seem to find a small waterproof switch yet….

 

Spotted on a webcam...

 

still more camp spots from our trip


some narrow trails


some climbs up the "top of the world" trail


and some flexing




THE iconic photo at the top

 

Hi everyone,

This weekend I'm going to look at a FWC and wanted some advice on what to look for.

Its a 2002 Fleet shell. Seller has some benches built and a battery setup in there, but thats it.

So aside from making sure the tent fabric and window screens are good...what else can I look for structurally? Should I be looking for mold, rot, water damage, etc...


Thanks in advance.

 

Hey there!! Welcome!!
Did you get it? Sorry for late response, don’t always have cel signal. Being just a shell I think you’ve covered the list to look for. May add to chk bottom of door frame outside and look for stress cracks in the outer sheeting. With heavy flexing (owner was an off-road’r) usually a crack can occur, that was the reason for rounded door corners, they were cracking at the upper corners. It’s just the sheeting not a structural concern but I slip some butyl putty in there for waterproofing, and if warranted drill a tiny hole at the end of the crack to stop further progression.

 

Can someone do me a favor and post some close up pictures of how the lift gas springs are mounted? My user FWC doesn't have them but I'm going to be installing soon. Not sure if they're just riveted on or what. If possible a couple measurements would also be appreciated as well as any part # marking on the gas springs. Thanks

 

Anyone store their FWC outside? If so, what cover have your found that fits well?

 

Lower:
upper:

Pics are from rear struts, struts are also rated at different strengths depending on what you will be putting on top.

edit: hemostats are for the pups when they get a cacti spine, those are magnets holding it on (good place to store em, magnets are gd for all sorts of tasks)
Mounted:
Bottom: 15”
Top: 66” ( btw centers, I have a 2016 Swift model)
Strut length with top opened 40” btw centers

 

Thanks!

 

it's not a FWC, but it's a taco with a big camper? sorry stuffed burrito. built it in three months and it was rushed so i'm still making fixes and solving issues. it weighs about 920 with batteries in but nothing else so it's over 1200 when on the trail. the truck has no issue moving it that's for sure. i'm happy with it. the roof goes up with actuators at an angle
need a roof rack and suggestions on rear suspension - right now i just have shackle flip, bilstein 5125, adda leaf and air bags....in the future i want to spend something to get the rear suspension in the right spot - the front is set for now, JBA UCAs, CVJ reman red boot cv axles, old man emu nitro with 886 springs...the bumper is aluminess so the 886 were actually too stiff before the camper was on, now they're just right.

 

late reply but FWC also has a pretty useful video on their site for mounting gas struts. I just put some on my 2012 fleet last month. Pretty easy/straight forward job.

 

Nice build in three months!
Suspension will be a trial an error or better yet … cry once pay once and overkill it. Not sure how much top weight you got and what kind of tipsy feeling (feedback). You’ll be surprised on how quickly weight adds up, I was.
Yakama has a rail track system for mounting solutions up on top, low profile and weight.
Buddy of mine has a big camper too and added this:

to aid in slipping through some low overhangs. (see how quickly weight adds on, lol …. You haven’t mentioned water or beer or dog food too?)
Hey if it gets you out there and puts a smile on your face, priceless! job well done!!

 

A few pics of my setup. Getting ready to put it back on in a couple weeks, stoked.

 

Adventure awaits!!!!

humm that propane burning by the gas cap makes me uneasy…… I kno it’s a sealed system…but??? (can it hang somewhere else???)

 

Wow, is that a Fleet on a short bed?

 

It is an Eagle so yes and no lol. But truck does well. I need to add more white siding on the lower part of the camper so it looks cleaner sitting in the truck. Airbags do well and holds it well. Did 3k miles last summer on a road trip with it.