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Four Wheel Campers Used Buyers Guide


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#1 DirtyDog

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Posted 07 July 2010 - 04:03 AM

I want to create a buyers guide for folks looking for a used FWC. Please post any tips, tricks, or things to look for in this thread. If you know about certain issues or features for campers of certain years, please post those as well.
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#2 backcountry

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Posted 19 July 2010 - 02:33 PM

I like this idea for a post.

Four things come to mind.

1 - On earlier models, look for rotten particle board. It is replaceable without too much skill, but will take some time and should be considered. Anyone know the year that FWC switched to plywood?

2 - Front and rear spring panels fail over time. I have found that they often fail in the front first. They cost $195 a piece plus shipping in 2010.

3 - Roof Damage. Any tears or cracks?

4 - Inspect the vinyl pop up panel for broken screens, cracks in the corners, and mold in the front.
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1976 International Scout Terra Diesel 4X4 Four Wheel Camper Scout Model - Built 1982 Contained Unit Turned Into a More Versatile Slide In Camper

#3 Stan@FourWheel

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Posted 21 July 2010 - 04:24 PM

Here is a quick list of basic this I would recommend looking at.

I will try and add more items & more details to the list as I have time.


USED CAMPER CHECK LIST -- BASIC THINGS TO LOOK FOR:

Check to make sure all of the roof screws are tight, if not hand tighten them and re-seal them with a dab of marine grade silicone once you get the camper home.

Check to make sure the roof does not have any holes or tears in the exterior aluminum roof skin (from trees or misc. items poking it over the years).

Check the soft sides (pop-up up portion) of the camper for unusual wear, tears, or large holes. If there are just small pin holes, those are pretty easy to seal up or patch if needed.

Check the inside of the camper roof (head liner) for rips or tears, stains from possible leaks, or for mold.

Check the front and back wooden folding panels (hinged panels that allow the roof to go up & down). Check to see that the rivets are intact and that the wood is not rotten or wet.

Take a look at the aluminum skin all the way around the outside of the camper. Check for scrapes or punctures.

Check the exterior wooded camper base (usually it is painted grey) for any abnormalities.

Check the eye nuts in the camper base (outside of camper) to see if they have been over-tightened or might be pulling away / pulling out / crooked or bent.

Check the propane box and see if everything looks as it should. Not many things to go wrong with this.

If possible, have the selling turn on items for you.

Example: see if the lights work, see if the furnace lights, see if the refrigerator lights, see if the water pump turns on, etc.

This might not always be possible, but it is always good to poke around and play with things in the camper for a few minutes if you have the opportunity.

Check to see if they have the keys for the rear camper door.

Check to see if the camper jacks look solid and not too bent.

Check to see if the awning cranks or pulls in & out properly.

Check to see if the roof vent opens and closes and does not have any cracks in the lid.

But the best thing to do is just spend a few minutes looking over the camper, sitting inside, smell check inside to make sure it does not have a "funk" to it.

Does it look like the owner of the camper has taken care or the camper ?

Or is it hammered and beaten on ?

Has the seller made any attempt to clean the camper out and make it look presentable for the new buyer ?

Does the camper fit my truck ?

Check the camper fit guide here, or call four wheel campers ...

http://www.fourwheel.../camper_fit.htm


If I were looking to buy a used camper for myself, I would look at the following items above, and then I would probably just sit inside the camper for a few minutes and ask myself ... "will I be comfortable camping in this camper? Does it look nice inside ? Does it smell funky? It is just dirty & gross?"

Or are you telling yourself ... "Hey, this camper is pretty nice. It is clean. It looks to be well taken care of. Doesn't smell. Yes, I would probably be comfortable camping in this camper".

Give it the "Feel Good Test", lol.


Hope this helps.

Happy Camping & used camper shopping !
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Stan Kennedy --- Four Wheel Pop-up Campers
1400 Churchill Downs Avenue, Suite A

Woodland, CA 95776
(800) 242-1442 or (530) 666-1442
www.fourwh.com  ---  e-mail = stan@fourwh.com


#4 InspectorLance

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Posted 31 August 2010 - 05:46 AM

Here are a few shopping tips that really helped me find campers for sale.

Google Alerts. http://www.google.com/alerts
You can type in key words and anytime they are added to the internet, you will get an instant email with link. I found Google alerts very helpfull in finding FWC campers before the general public.

CraigLook http://craiglook.com/rvs.html
This site will allow you to search all craiglist sites around the country at one time. Very helpfull in finding campers online. after you search using normal spelling of what you are looking for try using words like "POP UP" and then you can find the FWC campers that didnt use the proper brand name in the add. I found some where they spelled Grandby with out the D "Granby" . Some of these adds with mis spellings and no brand name in the add are a great find.

Good luck in your search.

Lance
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#5 jmodge

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Posted 28 November 2010 - 05:37 AM

Stan pretty much covered it, I would like to add something I found on mine. The front lift panel had deteriorated and the slivers of delaminated wood had scratched and perforated the fabric. Repairable though.

Jim
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#6 Eshelman

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Posted 10 February 2011 - 10:17 PM

Here are some of the resources I've been using in my search for a Hawk that have been helpful. Anyone have any other search tips? Or a lead on a good used newer Hawk? :)

WTW
Used Four Wheel Camper Alert Thread
http://www.wanderthe...8/page__st__500
Gear Exchange
http://www.wanderthe....php?/forum/15/

Expedition Portal
Pop-up Truck Campers
http://www.expeditio...isplay.php?f=75
Expedition Campers & Trailers
http://www.expeditio...isplay.php?f=99

Used Four Wheel Campers
http://usedfourwheelcampers.com/

Craigslist – Nationwide Search
http://www.allofcraigs.com/

KSL – Salt Lake City and surrounding areas classifieds
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=13

Ebay is probably a good place to look as well, but I haven't seen much pop up there. No pun intended...
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#7 twinomad

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Posted 11 February 2012 - 09:59 PM

I want to create a buyers guide for folks looking for a used FWC. Please post any tips, tricks, or things to look for in this thread. If you know about certain issues or features for campers of certain years, please post those as well.

I am looking for a pop up for a tacoma I see that four wheel has a smaller model that would fit nice. must be near Arizona
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#8 durangatan

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Posted 20 February 2012 - 06:32 PM

I just purchased a 1995 F250 Powerstroke 4X4 with 95K miles, and am looking to add a camper. I am wondering if anyone out there has put a short camper (Hawk) on a long bed and used the extra 2 feet for storage (gas,keg,etc)? It seems that grandby's are easier to find, but I figured that if a hawk comes up I might take a look.
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#9 BSS

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Posted 20 February 2012 - 09:31 PM

1. Know exactly what model you need as well as which others will work for your application. Know which options you are firm on, and which ones you can add later on.

2. Have cash ready at home (not in the bank) to purchase with.

3. Be prepared to drop everything and drive long distance for the right camper. The truly good deals only last a matter of hours, not days or weeks.
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#10 chnlisle

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Posted 20 February 2012 - 09:55 PM

Be sure you know cab height will work for the camper you're looking to buy. Some F250's have a much higher cab. I'm not sure if a '95 fits that category
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