20 replies to this topic

[lqhikers]

Reading Rons reply i must agree as anyone who drives a Toyota ,KLR,and a Honda trail bike knows how to make a good choice!:thumb:
Drive slow and enjoy "its the journey"
Les Lqhikers

[Sam]

Sage advice: take it if possible.


I disagree. Don't buy FWC or ATC: waste of money. Buy disposable, a cheap pop-up from a local dealer...

Good point:rolleyes:

[Another Rube]

ATC is building a proven design that works. Comparing ATC's quality product to Wal-Mart furniture or Harbor Freight tools is not accurate or helpful.

I have a 2002 FWC (and like it very much), and I have had minor repairs done by both FWC and ATC. The work that ATC has done for me has been very good and at reasonable price. I would not hesitate to buy an ATC camper if I was in the market for a new rig. :thumb:

[chnlisle]

Ditto Rube,
ATC did a great job on a mod for me at a great price. Ben, Marty & Jeff really know what they're doing. I also saw a Grandby rebuild in progress as well as 2 new ATC's being built and the afore mentioned comparison is quite unfair not to mention insulting about 50% of the shoppers in the world.

The ATC is a well built unit with the guts being essentially the same as an FWC. Either choice would be a good one.

[the fisherman]

I really don't know the answer, but I suggest you take a real good look at a five year old Pine Mountain popup made by Star Craft. Then take a look at a five year old FourWheel, I don't think you'll have anymore questions.

[Puffins]

My 13 y/o FWC built by Ben, so you could call it a ATC, is going strong with only normal maintenance and up grades. I am the fourth owner and it has only ever been out side on a truck.

You can't go wrong with either one new or used unless a previous owner totally thrashed it.

I agree that it is unfair to compare ATC to Harbor Freight or Wall-mart junk:mad:

Both are hand crafted American products you are proud to own:thumb:

[Jack]

ATC was probably just getting off the ground when we bought our FWC. We would have liked to have checked out ATC, but at this point in our lives, I'm pretty sure we would have gone with FWC. Rewind 20 years, when energy, access to tools, income and where we were living were different, we might well have gone with ATC (ok - it's time warp). There is sufficient product differentiation to significantly increase the overall market, even in down times. What's also clear is that a quality product (within the limitations of what is available from suppliers) and very strong customer service are common to both ATC and FWC. I really love the idea that, if I need repairs or parts, ATC is also a very viable option.

I'm sure our experience is common to virtually all FWC and ATC owners - it's hard to find a a camping spot without someone asking about the camper. Which was, of course, our first introduction to FWC. Someone showed us their FWC camper (actually, a couple of people). We now have a bunch of "wanderthewest.com" slips in the glove box to hand out.

[Sam]

Wow! I did not mean to say that ATC quality was on par with Wal-Mart stuff, only that if you are the type of person that thinks Chinese furniture looks fine then you will not have a problem with the minor differences in material & design detail between FWC & ATC. Both are indeed quality products and ATC seems to win in the customer service category which can be one of the most important factors in a purchase.

I do not however have a problem with insulting 50% of shoppers;)

Oh, and incidentally:
2000 GMC Sierra
2001 Grandby
2006 Yamaha YZ450F
2004 KTM 950 ADV.
So my judgment may be a little off!

[bsharp007]

I'v put together a comaprison of costs of a FWC Eagle and ATC Bobcat. Is the greater cost of the FWC ($2600) justified? thanks for your help.

FWC Eagle ATC Bobcat Comment
Power Roof Vent $ 590.00 $ 550.00
Furnace $ 495.00 $ 475.00
Front Window $ 175.00 $ 150.00 Slider on ATC, full open on FWC
Rear Window $ 0.00 $ 155.00 Not available on FWC
Elec Pump $ 95.00 $ 80.00
Aux Bat $ 395.00 $ 375.00
Screen Door $ 235.00 $ 215.00
Rear Wall Steps $ 195.00 $ 175.00
Roof Rack $ 235.00 $ 210.00
Rear Flood $ 165.00 $ 145.00
Extra Cabover $ 575.00 $ 0.00 Cabover standard with ATC.
Install $ 395.00 $ 295.00
Doc Fee $ 45.00 $ 35.00
ReferNoFrzr $ 700.00 $ 675.00
Camper Jacks $ 595.00 $ 550.00
Swing Out $ 260.00 $ 185.00
Awning $ 695.00 $ 550.00
Solar $ 995.00 $ 740.00
Artic Pac $ 475.00 $ 455.00
110v $ 0.00 $ 250.00
Dead bolt $ 0.00 $ 45.00 FWC comes with the deadbolt
Camper $ 10,350.00 $ 8,895.00
$ 17,665.00 $ 15,205.00
Sales tax $ 1,369.04 $ 1,178.39
$ 19,034.04 $ 16,383.39 FWC is $2651 more

To answer your question, no it's not worth the extra cost imo. I bought one of the 2 campers you are interested in within the last month. I also visited and toured both factories. It is definitely worth the effort to see both campers in person before buying. The ATC is at least the same quality as the FWC imho, seeing how both are built will convince you. The experience from buying from Ben at ATC will be more pleasant then buying from FWC. If you do decide to go with FWC deal only with Stan, the other salesman does not have as much knowledge. Ben used to be the owner of FWC, he is building the camper they made approx 6 years ago. The FWC seems to my eyes to be a little more updated as far as fabric colors and cabinetry. BTW my accessory list was almost identical to yours but the price difference was well over 3,000. The sliding front window and swing out brackets on the Bobcat were free in my quote. Also fyi ATC is 2" shorter when popped up, but Ben will build your camper 2" higher for no extra charge if you want.
In short both campers are high quality products and very similar, it comes down to a personal choice to decide if 3,000 bucks is worth a slightly more updated interior.

Will
2005 Tacoma access cab, Firestone air bags.
FWC Eagle.

[LosAngeles]

bump to an old thread... ten years later. 

 

Is Ben still working at ATC? Just curious. I see his name above. 

 

and.... I spoke with Marty today and I got the impression that he and ATC were continually working to improve materials and design. Marty seemed very passionate about ATC, and he said that his son is one of the people who is 'groomed' to continue ATC in the long term, and that he isn't going anywhere in the short term. Cool