best deal I have seen in a long time

[Stan@FourWheel]

this has to be the best deal I have seen in a long time

if you live in Colorado, might be worth looking at

I can't even fill up my gas tank these days for that price !

saw it posted on Craigslist

http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/349857282.html


slide in pop up camper $80

Date: 2007-06-11, 2:05PM MDT

needs some tlc, no leaks, but you can't beat $80

 

[erod]

someone please buy this ! i will be in co. at the end of the month and it better not still be there!

 

[benburnett]

best deal

I am almost willing to bet money that is a mis print on the price. If not then somone needs to grab it. Even with a full restoration it would be worth the price.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

I contacted the gentleman, and it was no misprint.

Living in Houston as I do, picking up a deal in Denver is not to be approached casually. So, I need to collate some information before getting into a tough situation...

I am trying to outfit a 1998 F-150 'supercab' 4x4.

From the Four Wheel Camper website we read:
Four Wheel Campers built from 1990 or Newer should fit --
Most Chevy Trucks
Most Dodge Trucks (except 1994)
Most Ford F-150 Trucks
Most Ford F-250 / F-350 Trucks up until 1998
Four Wheel Campers built before 1990 will Only fit ..
Chevy Trucks built in 1988 or older
Dodge Trucks built in 1993 or older
Ford F-150 Trucks built in 1996 or older
Ford F-250 / F-350 Trucks built in 1998 or older

I have also learned that the company was relocated to CA from CO at some point. (This explains why there is a local concentration of older Four Wheel campers in the Denver Craigslist.) What date coincides with that move?

Why, exactly, will the campers built before 1990 not fit? In other words, what modifications were needed to fit newer vehicles, e.g., my F-150?

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

if it is the older style (and it sure looks like it) the camper base is too wide to fit in your truck

between the wheel wells is ok -- approx. 48"

it is the next step up in the camper base that is the killer

the older models were approx. 63 3/4" wide above the wheel well humps and in the tail gate opening area (+ or -)

your tail gate opening is only 60" wide -- that is what it won't fit

the older trucks had a 64" wide tail gate opening and a wider truck box (not tapered like the new trucks)

minimum of $ 2000 - $ 3000 to change that base out here at the factory (all the interior has to come out, camper base has to be removed, front and back walls of the camper need to be resized and rewelded, new camper base goes back on, interior needs to go back in).

Usually easier to find a camper that is newer and will fit.

I have seen customers tackle this on their own, but it is not the weekend project -- it will be a job for sure.

Hope this helps.

 

[rich]

Transportation

I know FWC delivers campers. I have a friend who is going to go look at this fleet for me. If it's good, how much does it cost, roughly, to ship from CO to CA. Trying to see if it would be less than the gas back and forth.

Thanks

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

:-\
:-|
:-/

I sorta figured as much.

The original plan was to get together the money, order a shell (because I like doing my own cabinet work) from the factory, and then driving

all. the. way. out.

to CA to have it installed. I guess I better stick to plan 'A'.

For those of you who have the interest, there are several older Four Wheel campers for sale on denver.craigslist.

Thanks, Stan; I'll just have to be patient-er!

Mark

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

sorry, the owner of the company here doesn't deliver used campers



we are only delivering new campers from the factory out through the US


It probably won't be cost efficient to pay someone

the delivery companies usually have no idea how to transport / tie down / and deliver our campers

the old camper are even harder, usually no eye bolts in the camper and no corner jacks -- makes it hard to get it safely on a flatbed trailer and tied down so it won't fly off

most delivery companies charge $ 2.00 a mile (just a rough number)
if you can find someone willing to deal with it ?

 

[John D]

Many people will sit around doing nothing in the face of a good opportunity. Concentrate on the negatives, do nothing.

First of all, jacks are visible in the picture. Apparently, there is a way to load the camper. Cable jacks must be lubricated and the cables not rusty in order to be safe. If need be, jacks can be repaired on the spot … a complication … not a show stopper.

Go after the camper in an older truck with a 64 inch tailgate. Install a set of tie downs and seal the deal by paying the guy his 80 bucks before leaving home. No matter what condition the camper is in, you might as well bring it home. It will cost more than the price of the camper in gasoline going after it. Assume the side opposite the camera is wrecked. What the hey. Take a chance.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

Yeah, John--

I just awoke from a sound sleep and said to myself, "Ingalls, you're an engineer and a boat carpenter! You can do this!"

I'm going up there next week with my tools, a camera and some cash and bring that critter home.

Stay tuned...

 

[benburnett]

old camper

For the price you can't go wrong. Even if you don't want it when you get back home, it's a guaranteed money maker if you resell it.

 

[John D]

Plus ... The guys at All Terrain Campers have done the conversion from a 63 inch wide to a 60 inch wide floor pacs. They know how to do it. Quite often the plywood floor has deteriorated in an old camper. Nearly all of them that are 20 years have delaminated and soft floors Because you will need to replace the floor anyway, just build it back with the modern 60 inch width and add about 3 grand to the value of your camper. You will probably need a new vinyl boot … another grand. Some of the aluminum frame members will probably need re-welding. There will probably be lots of mildew inside and crumbly particle board. Even with all that, remember a new shell model cost 6 grand.

There are advantages to the older design FWCs; 8 inch thickness when folded equals less wind resistance and better gas mileage, shorter overhang equals better gas mileage, they sometimes have a fold down couch back ... you will just have to see this ... which is very nice. Quality on the original Colorado FWCs is quite good. Because you are a boat carpenter, you can use the patterns from any bad panels to make new ones out of marine ply (boilable plywood). You can end with a better camper than new without having done any engineering. Electrical wiring may need to be redone. None of this stuff is all that difficult and you can save yourself a ton. And finally, if you rebuild this whole thing, you will take great satisfaction from it

 

[DLN]

Mark,
Great attitude. Grab some tools and hardware and go get it. Also welcome to the forum and good luck.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

There are least three more in the Denver Craigslist, if anybody wants to participate vicariously.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

WOW

nobody jumped on this one yet ?

Now it is down to $ 50.00 (1/2 a tank of gas for me) -- laughs

Looks like it was reposted yeasterday the 27th.

http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/361865320.html



.

 

[craig333]

If I didnt already have one I'd consider that an excuse to go visit Denver. I wish I had the funds to spend a few weeks in Colorado. Area looks worth spending some time in.

 

[Mark W. Ingalls]

I tried to organize a trip on short notice (Denver is 1000 miles from where I live) but yesterday when I called the fellow to arrange a meeting time, he was in the process of selling the unit.

It is good that it found a home. The windows were all out and the canvas was damaged, but the bones appeared straight.

I will continue to save and shop, hoping for an opportunity that coincides with a block of free time.