Reviewing options - Four Wheel Camper puts me way over payload capacity

[Muckle]

I currently tow a 1,200lb (dry) off-road teardrop trailer and over the past year have done almost 40 nights in it. I work off-grid with this setup and also run a YouTube channel, documenting my trips. However, I am looking to change my setup in about a year. The main improvements I want are:

• Requirements:
  • "Livable" interior space, so I can work remote and stay inside all day if weather demands it. My current setup is too small for anything other than sleeping or a couple hours during the day.
  • No trailer; I explore forest service roads and less-traveled areas. Having to turn around with a trailer has put me in a tight spot more than once.
  • Simplistic setup. My current setup requires me to unload gear from the trailer, set up the bed, etc. Would love a setup that I can arrive at camp, pop up the camper, and go to bed, if needed.
• Nice-to-haves:
  • Very basic sink/stovetop setup
  • Small dinette seating area
  • Mostly hard-walled. Two reasons: security (camping in grizzly country often) and I'm a light sleeper, so lots of fabric walls would likely keep me up at night

Below are options that I've outlined for myself:

1. Four Wheel Camper (CampOut model): the most obvious option. However, this model (dry) would put me right at payload capacity, before you factor in myself, my dog, gear, etc.
2. Tune Truck Camper: much lighter than FWC, but it is essentially a topper; no interior.
3. What else am I missing?

I would absolutely love a FWC, but the only way I see that working out is if I change rigs. The Tundra runs into the same payload capacity issues, so I'd be looking at *gasp* a Ford or some other full-size rig (would love an F250 Tremor but I'm not that rich). Also need to factor in cost....if I can keep the Tacoma, that severely cuts the cost for this switch, vs. needing to get a new rig and new camping setup...I'd easily be pushing six figures.

What else should I be considering?

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[myhikingboots]

Have you considered the Project M Four Wheel Camper? It should be considerably lighter because it sits on the rails. If you go with something similar to the M there are a myriad of choices. The Tune is a great model to consider but as you stated it isn’t built out. Super Pacific, Gofast and Lone Peak are similar options. I’m currently waiting on my Lone Peak that I plan to build out myself with a similar setup that you described. Alucab is another drop end option.

 

[Awger]

I've got a FWC Fleet (almost fully loaded) on my 4th gen and it handles the over-payload weight really well. I rip up the Coquihalla highway (in BC) with it fully loaded and it handles the weight no problem.

I would say just go for it! I love mine.

 

[Muckle]

I've got a FWC Fleet (almost fully loaded) on my 4th gen and it handles the over-payload weight really well. I rip up the Coquihalla highway (in BC) with it fully loaded and it handles the weight no problem.

I would say just go for it! I love mine.

Do you have any posts with pictures/additional impressions? Very interested in learning more about 5ft or 6ft bed?

 

[Awger]

It's a 6' bed Trailhunter. I have with some airbags installed. I don't have any other posts showing the setup. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

 

[Briscoelab]

Project M Four Wheel Camper or CFC Pro Camper (or Max). Weight is your enemy.

I've gone back to a GFC Topper setup and a ground tent to save weight (6ft bed TH).

If really thinking about upgrading to a larger vehicle, keep in mind a Tundra might look like it has similar payload. But that payload number comes with substantially more fuel included and more interior (cab) and bed room. So there are some potential upsides if you can deal with the larger vehicle on trails/around town.

 

[Muckle]

Project M Four Wheel Camper or CFC Pro Camper (or Max). Weight is your enemy.

I've gone back to a GFC Topper setup and a ground tent to save weight (6ft bed TH).

If really thinking about upgrading to a larger vehicle, keep in mind a Tundra might look like it has similar payload. But that payload number comes with substantially more fuel included and more interior (cab) and bed room. So there are some potential upsides if you can deal with the larger vehicle on trails/around town.

Yes, I was surprised to discover the Tundra doesn’t offer much more payload than the Tacoma.

Vehicle size is definitely a concern. I got PPF on my entire Tacoma. If I hadn’t, it would look brutal due to the tight trails I go on.

 

[Muckle]

It's a 6' bed Trailhunter. I have with some airbags installed. I don't have any other posts showing the setup. Happy to answer any questions you might have.

I have lots of questions But we'll start with - do you know what the weight of your FWC w/ options is dry? It looks like a base Fleet model with no options starts at 810lbs. Trailhunter payload capacity is 1,425lbs.

Did you replace the springs, or just do airbags with stock suspension?

 

[Awger]

Just the wet weight.. 1343 lbs

Stock springs. Was thinking of changing them but I take the camper off often and that would not be a great ride when I'm camper less.

The only thing I'm thinking of doing now is a tune on the truck.

 

[Muckle]

Just the wet weight.. 1343 lbs

Stock springs. Was thinking of changing them but I take the camper off often and that would not be a great ride when I'm camper less.

The only thing I'm thinking of doing now is a tune on the truck.

Wow, so you're basically at/just over payload once you hop in. And the truck doesn't feel sluggish driving?

 

[h2o-bar]

I had my Kimbo camper on my trailhunter last year . I installed Loadlifter 5000's Air Springs and went with e-rated tires. No problem with the chassis handling the weight. It's down a little power with the camper on but overall I'm stoked with the truck and camper.
(There's other threads with others using the airbags as well.)

 

[Awger]

Wow, so you're basically at/just over payload once you hop in. And the truck doesn't feel sluggish driving?

I can notice the weight, but it's not significant.

 

[Muckle]

I am now leaning toward a Tune M1 with a Vecel Outdoors interior buildout. The weight of the Tune M1 is 400-500lb, depending on options, and the largest Vecel Outdoors setup I would go with is 260lb. So 760lb dry. The cost for this setup is also quite a bit less than a proper FWC buildout that I would get, and I could keep the tailgate on.

 

[Mitch33]

You may have come across this already, but the Radica Moonlander is all hard sides with no pop-ups. Same with the Kimbo. May not meet your needs for livable space though. You should also check out the Lone Peak if you haven't already. They were the best value I found after searching for a long time and you'd be able to build it out based on your living/weight requirements. The Tune/Vecel combo is awesome too if you've got the scratch. Stoked to see what you end up with!

 

[trailhunger]

I am now leaning toward a Tune M1 with a Vecel Outdoors interior buildout. The weight of the Tune M1 is 400-500lb, depending on options, and the largest Vecel Outdoors setup I would go with is 260lb. So 760lb dry. The cost for this setup is also quite a bit less than a proper FWC buildout that I would get, and I could keep the tailgate on.

Nice looking stuff they use WISA Hex Ultralight, I did my build-out (albeit minimal) with this type of marine grade ply, has a phenolic resin coating, good stuff. ..Now whether or not a Vecel kit is worth 5K is another story, add a Tune on that...man, a 4x4 Sprinter Van is looking like where you're eventually heading, at least that's where I'm heading after I move on from my 6' TH. Gen 4 Taco is my last truck, going luxury Van dwelling after that.

I'm all about keeping it minimalist in the truck bed with how I travel & camp, it's seasonal for me; winter slightly different setup, I take down the awning & shower system, summer a bit more gear but an assload of water & firewood. In 2-3 nights I use 100-150lbs of water out in the desert between cooking cleaning & showering. I made a choice to shave truck bed cabinet weight In trade for a shower every day after mtn biking. Fridge setup is dialed in too: I rock an 18L most of the time vs my Dometic, this smaller unit is lighter, has a li-ion battery that lasts all night, solar hookup to the roof during the day, these stupid chinese coolers are eating Dometic's lunch and I don't need 30L because I always run out of water before I run out of chilled drinks & food so I head into town always for water and re-stock the fridge then.

I built out my truck bed interior with 2020 euro extrusions - did a sleeper berth/bench @ 14lbs w/WISA Hex Ultralight for ~$150 (honestly one of the easiest things to DIY), also installed a 2kW diesel heater (10.5 lbs mounted/fuel topped-off) that's plumbed both upstairs and downstairs in the GFC, kitchen was a slide out that I built but later sold. Decided I just need a tailgate cantilever ledge system for those non-campfire cooking nights. -working on that setup as we speak, real quick & easy to deploy also made of Hex ply, simple induction hob, basic Dometic water jug & a deployable catch sink.

I don't work remote full time, but I've done my share of computer work under an awning, which is nice. But if I was out there for extended periods, working remote & my place rented out.. an actual work desk & a swivel seat in a van is the dream. Zero setup, pull in and you're done.

My build is super light for what it is & offers, stock suspension no air bags, 5 gal RinseKit shower on the roof rack, weight evenly distributed. Lightest GFC V2 Pro configuration; no glass, you add glass to your build you start adding adding poundage. Keep these gen 4 tacos light & fast, load up on water when your ~30min from camp.

standing up in a pop up truck bed camper is clutch, but when the bed is loaded to the gills with a fking kitchen sink, dinette, fridge, pilates table...it gets cramped, pricey (and heavy as f) real quick. My thinking is might as well save for that van life & its 4000 lb payload..

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