We store our camper inside but use the camper over 150 nights a year and so we have a different wear pattern than others. Meanwhile, FWC changes the design and materials routinely. Also, our camper is simple without a refrig, solar system, water system. Also, our camper was never exposed to salt. Four years and 600 nights of wear:
- After one year, we repaired the seat (couch) cushion fabric by reinforcing the inside corners.
- After three years, we replace the seat (couch) cushions. I suspect FWC does not use our fabric anymore.
- One long run of external black trim came off while traveling and was reinstalled.
- The paper covered interior wood is shedding the paper on the roof because of condensation and staining everywhere else. My understanding is FWC switched to "painted" wood.
-The camper door window seal leaked because the oem sealant did not have a continuous bead. We added caulk.
- The camper started "walking" around the truck bed as the oem turnbuckle system did not work on our slick truck bed and so we shimmed the camper against the bed wheel wells with good results.
- The camper underside needs a coat of paint because the original paint was thin which we will do when we replace the truck in another four years (our camper stays on full time). FWC uses a different wood for the underside.
- The new composite roof lift panels have a slight bend at the top hinge because of the recess cut at the hinge. My guess is they will fail after the warranty ends.
The OEM batteries are still going strong (Exide?) but we do not have a heavy electric load since we deleted the refrig and water system. The furnace is trouble free but we do not run the furnace at night (too loud). The exterior vinyl has no leaks and initially wears rapidly (break in) and then does not change. We fold the vinyl the same way for all 600 nights. The "new" one piece roof has no leaks and no screws since we have a "slick" top.
The good news: we "payed off" the camper in usage. We estimate the economic value of each travel day at $100 less $50 in expenses (coast-to-coast travel, gasoline, campground fee, park entrance fee, no food). 600 nights "earns" $30,000 while our camper cost $17,000 including sales tax and shipping. Economics was my favorite topic in college (my degree is chemical engineering) and I spent most of my career working in economics. The economic value of a travel day at $100 is low since two people would spend $200-$500+ on foreign travel or cruise ships or... The "cost" of the truck is neutral since our heavy duty 4x4 regular cab work truck cost the same or less than a Subaru SUV which is the alternate no FWC vehicle for a day hiking traveler who lives in snow country.
Our camper is simple (no refrig, no water system, no solar, no salt exposure, slick roof, stored inside) but still requires steady attention but delivers good value. We have no regrets on our choice and still feel the alternatives (class B camping vans, hardside truck campers, trailers...) all come up short compared to our rig given our purpose of camping and hiking coast-to-coast.