Popup and Showroom

[lizz]

Hi, I don't have a Four Wheel Camper yet, but my recent research let me to this product and site. I haven't found any pictures or video showing how the top lifts up. I would appreciate some input. Is it difficult?

Also, I saw on the website that the company has a showroom--is that worth visiting?

Thanks.

Liz

 

[chnlisle]

Hi and Welcome Liz,
Both the FWC and ATC are pretty easy to lift. I either use my head (its not good for much else) or free hand and push up on the cross beam while setting the braces. And as far as the web sites go its always good to get as much info as you can to make the best choice.
Jay

 

[erod]

i can speak for the fwc, and as far as i know the atc pop up mechanism is the same...super easy to pop. you can do it yourself in less than a minute...i check one out in person before i bought mine but only because there was one in bozeman, where i live. the websites are great as jat stated otherwise put up a post and maybe someone on the forum is in your area and you could check one out. either way you decide to go fwc or atc they are both excellent and this forum is a great place to start. cheers

 

[lizz]

Thanks for the input

I am drawn to this type of camper because of the simplicity.

 

[EdoHart]

Raising and Lower the top.

You lift the rear and front seperately (and in that order) so the weight isn't much. It goes up in about a minute. It takes more time to walk around the truck and release the latches than to get inside and push it up. At least with mine, when I lower it I have to ensure the soft side walls get pulled inside the camper and don't hang outside.

I've gotten pretty good at it by lowering the front, then using my shoulders to lift the top a few inches and gently tug both sides of the camper at the same time. Repeat the proceedure with the rear. Then I inspect all four sides from the outside before I secure the latches (just in case part is hanging out a little and I have to lift the top a few inches to get the material inside). Lowering it may take 2 minutes total if I get the sides in the first time.

These are great campers. Very sturdy and light weight. I don't think another camper could stand up to the rigors of some of the 4x4 roads I take.

 

[DLN]

Welcome lizz.
The previous post covered the pop up procedure very well. We picked up our camper in August '06 and have really enjoyed it after 30 years of tent camping. The more you read the forum the more you will see how much other owners love these campers for strength, light weight, and simplicity.
Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[craig333]

I never bother to make sure its tucked in when I lower it. I just make sure the little bungies are hooked up and lower away.

It doesn't take much strength to lift the top. If its hard its probably because you let the door close. It creates a pretty good vacuum otherwise.

 

[simimike]

Welcome to the forum Lizz,
Definitely check out the showroom. Like many on this forum the wife and I checked out a lot of RV options. We looked at motor homes, trailers(love those Airstreams) and truck campers. We decided that a FWC was for us. The next decision was which one. After looking at the various models we picked the Granby as the one that most suited our needs. Next we went truck shopping. If possible chose your camper than buy a truck to haul it. No matter which forum you read nobody ever says they bought to much truck. I have a Dodge 2500HD, though a 1500 would haul one of these campers with minor suspension up grades.
Also as long as you are in Woodland, Sacramento is a short drive away and you can check out the ATC. Both are very good campers.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[lizz]

Woodland is far from San Diego

For some reason I was thinking that the showroom was around LA. Wow, it's way up there.

Thanks for all the great tips.

Liz

 

[benburnett]

showroom

There is a showroom in LA. Look on the FWC website and you should be able to get the address.

 

[lizz]

Showroom in LA

Is that for FWC or ATC? So is there much difference between the two? Does ATC make a shell?

 

[erod]

of course lizz, check out the website! , just kidding, they do make a shell though and while i have a FWC camper that i got used, i have had nothing but great experiences with ben and his crew at ATC so definately worth checking out. theu will actually be doing some work on my camper in november...can't wait! keep us posted!