Grandby vs Kenai?

MILTON_645

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Joined
Sep 10, 2024
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Hey everyone, new to the forum and doing my research on deciding on my first TC purchase. I'm having "analysis paralysis" between the Scout Kenai (with rooftop tent) and the FWC Grandby. I'm aware one is a hard-side and the other is a pop-up and I see positives and negatives of both. Price new would be about the same I believe. We have 2 little school-age boys and hope to use the camper year-round for camping, ski season, tailgating, in town, etc. It will be on my daily driver 1-ton Chevy long-bed truck with plenty of payload for either builld.

I know this is a FWC sub-forum but looking to hear some thoughts on either of these and why you chose FWC over other brands when making this decision.

Cheers!
Andy from Colorado
 
I think it comes down to whether or not you are comfortable with a hard side vs pop up.. I like the pop up because it is way more enjoyable to drive especially in windy conditions. With two young kids though, the roof top might be a nice way to have more space. These campers get small real quick..
 
i think either option u present would be great. with your first camper, i would go easy on the bells and whistles. once you have owned one, and used it for awhile - thats when you really understand what u want, or not :) . good luck. i went with ATC on a gmc, and it was great.
 
Andy, I have an ATC Cougar here in Boulder CO that is all set up for a family of 4 and I have been thinking of selling. Let me know via PM.
 
With the RTT you will have the same interior condensation issues as a popup camper (or any camper actually) in weather conditions suitable for condensation. A bit larger air dam with the Scout, particularly with the RTT so perhaps lower fuel mileage.

Solar panels might be a bit more of a challenge for the Scout with RTT (I suppose they could be put on the roof of the RTT or even hinged off of the side of the main camper body.

I suspect that the Scout configuration will be heavier - again fuel mileage.

Overhead clearance height is worth thinking about of you go off road. The Scout with RTT looks to me to be significantly taller than a Grandby.

My camping experience references: I have camped in a Camp-o-Tel (the original RTT), a 1950's tent trailer, a dodge pickup with bed cap and fold out sleeping benches over the truck bed wheel wells. a VW bus with DIY bed, a VW Vanagon with DIY bed, A Dodge Van with DIY bed, big walk in tents, small backpacking tents, (none of the previous had a cooktop, fridge, pressurized water, water heater or toilet), an Alaskan camper, a 26 ft Airstream trailer, a 16 ft Shasta trailer, , a mid-1980's FWC Keystone pop-up camper and a 2007 FWC Keystone pop-up camper with a solar system.

For our needs the FWC Keystone on the Dodge clubcab 4x4 diesel truck has been the best combination because we like to boondock and go off pavement. In my experience the trailers get beat up on rough roads and there are some places where backing up or navigating ditches is a PITA. Yes, it is nice to be able to drop them and then use the tow vehicle for exploring and getting around while leaving the trailer to "hold down" the campsite. We carry a cheap easy the set up bug awning to cover our folding dining table and when we want to use the truck to leave camp we just leave the awing set up to hold our spot.

For short tips vans with convertible beds are fine and you can still use them for utility. The camper vans are barely big enough for two people in my opinion and the built in kitchen and bed significantly limit the use for any other purpose..

I need my vehicle to serve multiple purposes. Commuting, hauling stuff and carrying the camper.

If I did not use my truck without the camper on it as much as I do (camper goes on and off once or twice a year). Then I would look hard at a flatbed camper. I have long lusted for an XP/Nimbl type camper but the cost has been a significant impediment and frankly we don't really need that step up.

Because of the cost of any of camper and vehicle choices (even mods if you already have a suitable vehicle) I recommend thinking about how you think you will use your camper (duration of trips, who will be using it, etc) and where (climate and weather as well as terrain. Then make a comprehensive list of needs and pros and cons of the various types of camper choices to maximize the chances you will get something that maximally suits your needs for the next 5 or so years (your needs will likely change at some point in the future).


Whichever way you go I strongly encourage you to seriously consider including an appropriately sized solar system and house battery.

I hope this is helpful
 
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My question is, how comfortable do you want to be at night? There are certainly trade offs between hard side and pop up... When you say skiing in your list of activities, the pop up would be a challenge in my mind. I borrowed my buddy's Scout Kenai last year for a long ski weekend with my teen daughter and it was warm and comfortable while camping in the parking lot at 4500 feet during a snowstorm (lots of wind and precip).
 
My question is, how comfortable do you want to be at night? There are certainly trade offs between hard side and pop up... When you say skiing in your list of activities, the pop up would be a challenge in my mind. I borrowed my buddy's Scout Kenai last year for a long ski weekend with my teen daughter and it was warm and comfortable while camping in the parking lot at 4500 feet during a snowstorm (lots of wind and precip).
Yes and no. My FWC Hawk is great on ski trips and temp below -15F ..BUT roof snow load must be cleared if snowing heavily...assume Scout Kenai has more insulation, except in pop up tent...downsides for me from a quick review of Kenai...4.2gal water and diesel heater [gas truck]...10gal propane and show stopper for me is the height...my Hawk with Zamp rigid solar panels [340w], not a fan of glued on flex panels, only has 1.5" clearance going through my shop door in my '05 Tundra...also climbing a ladder to tent is out for me for a variety of reasons, night and weather are a couple...got other nick picky things I would not want on my camper and items in Kenai but in the end it is what meets individual's needs and wants.
 
Have a lot of info but will keep it short. FWC vs ATC: both are great companies. FWC has a few more upgrades than the ATC in terms of upgrades over the years. ATC is tried and true to the original FWC. As others stated (it depends on what you need/want) keep the "upgrades" to a min. I don't see a need for things like a/c, shower, awing, etc. Things we've found nice after 15 years of FWC's are: 2 vents, polar pack (ie. thermal pack). We use a foldable solar when we need to charge battery. We have the 3 way refrig but I don't hink they put those in anymore so you may need solar. LifePO4 (lithium) battery is awesome. A few "issues" with FWC; tin canning (the roof makes noise) and FWC states "it's normal". With ATC, they screw the roof into the supports. This is one of those upgrades FWC has done; other upgrades are under bed storage, etc.

One last piece of input someone else stated. We had a slide-in for about 12 years. Went to a flatbed as we never take the camper off. Way better utilization of space and much more roomy.
 

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