Pop Up Campers

[Sportin' Wood]

Our AEV Bison (Chevy Colorado ZR2) got totaled in August, so we need a new adventure rig. @angiebaby and I traveled all over the western states with that rig with a roof top tent (RTT) and even went cross country last spring to Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.

Before anyone says RV, no. We have a 43' American Revolution DP that can't do the kind of camping we ask of our adventure rig. Remote camping, off grid in the rocky mountains.

We've long known we were asking too much of the Bison when we started towing our Can Am fully packed out. It did it without complaining, but it was overloaded.

I had been looking for a 1998 12 valve manual RAM, but did not want to pay the Unicorn Tax, so the weekend after the Bison got smashed we traveled to Tuscon and picked up a 1996 12 valve with an Allison swap and a flat bed. We still have the RTT but we are both pretty much over it.They are fine for what they are, but I think we would rather have something that gives us some resemblance of security when we camp in Bear country, or when in the southwest, Bandit Country. The pop up camper won't be more secure, but there are things about the RTT that are challenging.

Anyone have experience with Pop up campers they would be willing to share? I've gone down the rabbit hole and believe a 4 wheel Grandby is my first choice. I also like the Northstar TC800 and the Palomino SS550

A North/South bed is a must have, we've had multiple other truck bed campers over the years and the East/West bed sucks.

I found a rare 4 wheel Keystone in Reno but it is a 9 foot model and while we can accommodate the length, I'm not sold on having it hang off the back about 4 inches. Tomorrow I'm going to trade some measurements with the owner and see if it will fit.

Used Four Wheel Pop-up Campers | Keystone 4 wheel drive pop-up camper | Facebook

Keystone 4 wheel drive pop-up camper 400 watts of solar panels 2, 6 volt Lifeline custom batteries charging systems and gauges Catalectic heater as well as forced air furnace Custom container rack,...

www.facebook.com

 

[Flatsix66]

My retired buddy recently got one, he loves it. His is a front dinette and king bed. ~$40k as I recall. He has it on an F250 now. He recently did a US round trip this summer, seemed to have a good time. No practical AC, so need to pick your destinations accordingly. I totally want to get one, my wife might think it's fun camping for at least one night, then I'll be on my own...perfect plan!

 

[Dog]

My retired buddy recently got one, he loves it. His is a front dinette and king bed. ~$40k as I recall. He has it on an F250 now. He recently did a US round trip this summer, seemed to have a good time. No practical AC, so need to pick your destinations accordingly. I totally want to get one, my wife might think it's fun camping for at least one night, then I'll be on my own...perfect plan! View attachment 1442835

No link or brand name or anything but I think this is what it is.

All Models

Four Wheel Campers, LLC offers customizable pop-up campers designed to fit in your truck's bed, providing versatility for any off-roading and camping adventure.

fourwheelcampers.com

 

[Sportin' Wood]

No link or brand name or anything but I think this is what it is.

All Models

Four Wheel Campers, LLC offers customizable pop-up campers designed to fit in your truck's bed, providing versatility for any off-roading and camping adventure.

fourwheelcampers.com

Yea, that's a 4 wheel Hawk. (short bed)

Front Dinette and sliding queen bed extension is what I want. Smooth sides would be a bonus.
I'm not excited about the other brands with wood framing. The 4wheel brand seems to be the gold standard. I can't bring myself to spend $40K on one, but I probably should just go buy a newer model, because finding these is not proving easy. You can put a roof AC on them, but I don't feel it is required.

My use would be more about heat. Desert in the winter, mountains in the summer.

My retired buddy recently got one, he loves it. His is a front dinette and king bed. ~$40k as I recall. He has it on an F250 now. He recently did a US round trip this summer, seemed to have a good time. No practical AC, so need to pick your destinations accordingly. I totally want to get one, my wife might think it's fun camping for at least one night, then I'll be on my own...perfect plan! View attachment 1442835

Looks like a PowerWagon, that is an awesome set up.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I talked to the guy with the Keystone in Reno this morning, it would not fit my truck. I may end up buying a beater and having to modify it, or build my own.

 

[Bowtiepower00]

Here’s one from the RDP classifieds:

1990's FWC Four Wheel Camper Hawk Model

Never been sure on exact year. SN plate is scratched a little so could be a '93 or '96 or another year. I still need to contact FWC and have it figured out. Owned it for about 2 years and wife and I absolutely love it. Decided to upgrade to a toy hauler due needing more room for our daughter. If...

www.riverdavesplace.com

 

[Sportin' Wood]

I've been shopping various models up here in Montana and I've learned my options are extremely limited based on my truck flatbed set up.

Sounds like the close option in regards to fit, is a Palomino SS500 with some aggressive camper jack offsets to fit the truck under this mid sized truck model.

I would really like a 4Wheel brand, but they all seem too wide to fit my configurations without significant modifications.

There is a dealer in Idaho that has a lot of overstock, we may stop there on the way down to AZ. They seem to be listing prices only slightly over the used market asking prices.

 

[Backlash]

Alaskan Campers.

I have a 10' non-cabover that I got for a song, and have it sitting in the cue for a restoration.

 

[Backlash]

Here is a cabover version they did for a flatbed.

 

[Sportin' Wood]

Alaskan Campers.

I have a 10' non-cabover that I got for a song, and have it sitting in the cue for a restoration.

We started the search with Alaskan. I was even thinking about starting a restoration side hustle because they are readily available up here.

Here are a few reasons we stopped looking for them.

• They are wood framed.
• People we know who owned them, all sold them
• When you set it up the bugs, dirt, snow or rain gets all over your bed between the time you lift the roof and secure the side walls. That was a common complaint.
• They don't have a North/South bed option.
• The dimensions for Cab rise would leave a massive gap with my flatbed set up, like a foot.
• They are heavier than the other models I started looking at.
• No smooth sides option

Otherwise I love the concept. The interiors are sweet, the idea of no flapping canvas is attractive. A little harder for a bear to break into.

I still have half a mind to build my own as a high bred between a 4Wheel and an Alaskan.