Which Cheap Camper(s) are Good Options for a 1st Gen Tacoma (6' Bed)

[sportsmanjake]

Hi guys, I am a new member and wanted to stop by with some questions.

In short, I was hoping to get some recommendations to start my search. I am looking for an older pop up truck bed camper that I can search for in the less than $4,000 range. The following are notes I have gathered:

Notes:

• FWC seems to be the "go-to" but I am very open to other brands.
• With a 6 foot bed, I do not want anything that sticks out more than half a foot (This unfortunately removes the FWC Ranger ii from my list).
• I don't want the width of the camper to be sticking so far out past the bed sides. (I think the FWC Fleet looks too big on the Tacoma).
• With my limited budget, I am well aware that I will be buying a project. That's half the fun!

Questions:

• The FWC Eagle seems to meet all of my criteria. What year were these first produced? I have not seen any vintage ones.
• Can you recommend me any other slide in pop up campers that I can be on the search for?

Thanks for your help!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

First, welcome to WTW!

An ATC Bobcat would be the top of my list.

 

[sunshdw]

First, welcome to WTW!

An ATC Bobcat would be the top of my list.

Definitely at the top of mine

 

[ski3pin]

Hi guys, I am a new member and wanted to stop by with some questions.

In short, I was hoping to get some recommendations to start my search. I am looking for an older pop up truck bed camper that I can search for in the less than $4,000 range. The following are notes I have gathered:

Notes:

• With a 6 foot bed, I do not want anything that sticks out more than half a foot (This unfortunately removes the FWC Ranger ii from my list).

From my memory, the FWC Eagle and the older FWC Ranger II models are 80" long in the truck bed as is the ATC Bobcat.

 

[Stalking Light]

I have an Eagle in my 6' bed 2nd gen Tacoma and think it's the perfect fit for the truck.

 

[ski3pin]

Here is a Ranger II for sale on craigslist -

https://chico.craigslist.org/rvs/d/four-wheel-camper-ranger-ii/6327465399.html

DO NOT BUY IT. For me in is way overpriced for the condition, but it does show it on a Toyota Tacoma. This is the same fit as the FWC eagle.

Ranger II's from this vintage sometimes had "wings" covering the bed rail ends - as this craigslist one has (easy to remove). FWC at this time would also paint the stripes to match the truck it was going on - so this one most likely was original purchased for a baby blue truck.

Good luck on your search.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Here's a shot of my Bobcat's overhang on the (dirty) Ford Ranger...

 

[sportsmanjake]

Here's a shot of my Bobcat's overhang on the (dirty) Ford Ranger...

That overhang is not bad at all! Is the Bobcat made out of wood?

 

[nikonron]

I don't understand the cheap part of your question, if you want quality for nothing you may need to be looking at tents in the $4000.00 range. Four Wheel campers are not in the $4000.00 range. For that price it will for certain be a project. Just saying. Ron

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

The floor pack on ATC & FWC campers are wood. The framing is aluminum. ATC uses aluminum siding, FWC uses aluminum or fiberglass. Most people choose aluminum, as it's easier to repair if you stick a limb through it, or scrape it across a rock. Keep the floor pack painted (every couple of years) and they last a long time. Reasonably easy for a skilled person to replace if they pick up a used camper that has not been cared for.

 

[sportsmanjake]

I don't understand the cheap part of your question, if you want quality for nothing you may need to be looking at tents in the $4000.00 range. Four Wheel campers are not in the $4000.00 range. Just saying. Ron

Maybe I can help explain it. I don't have a lot of money for a slide in camper. What I do have is a bunch of tools and a love of building.
Therefore, If I can buy a 20 year old camper and completely gut it and make it my own, then I will be having a great time.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Jake, there are several threads here on rebuilds, some of which are major. For example taking a full length (8') camper and shortening it down to fit a short bed truck. Older trucks had more space between the wheel wells, and folks have narrowed them down for late model trucks. A number of Alaskan rebuilds as well. I'll see if I can locate some and post links.

Edit:
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/12116-new-build-1981-grandby-to-become-a-hawk/
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/6198-eaglefleet-shell-amateur-build/
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/11111-84-8-caobover-complete-rebuild/

Search the forums, there are more. BTW, if you find an older FWC that needs a repair you can't do, ATC works on the older models, reasonable prices as well. They're a "can do" quality shop!

 

[nikonron]

Maybe I can help explain it. I don't have a lot of money for a slide in camper. What I do have is a bunch of tools and a love of building.
Therefore, If I can buy a 20 year old camper and completely gut it and make it my own, then I will be having a great time.

I would try to find an older shell model, may be less work and it will be cheaper. Ron

 

[cwdtmmrs]

Buying a good used camper at the right price can be done, but it will take a lot of time and commitment. I looked for over a year and missed out on several in that time because the good ones will sell in the first hour. You MUST search CL multiple times a day and you MUST be willing to commit to buy sight unseen. I found the best areas to look were Denver and Phoenix. I bought a loaded FWC Ranger II in excellent condition for $1,000 + $700 for shipping. If I got lucky, so can you!

cwd

PS. I love the wings and built in taillights. I think the camper has a much more finished look.

 

[pollux]

First, welcome to WTW!

An ATC Bobcat would be the top of my list.

Is ATC bobcat constructed with aluminum frame?

 

[Alley-Kat]

Yes, exactly like a FWC.
The floor pack is plywood in both ATC & FWC and above that is the aluminium frame.
Jeff and Marty, owners of ATC used to work at FWC a long time ago.

 

[GoinBoardin]

There are deals out there, but as stated, they sell very fast. A nice 80's Grandby popped up last spring for $700 in Denver, sold in minutes (seller updated the listing post sale, thanking everyone for the interest, and said it sold in something like 10 minutes).

I paid $580 for my 80's Fleet, and I think that was far too much considering how much of it resides in the scrap yard now. I thought it usable as is, but it wasn't, and I ended up fully rebuilding it. If you think you may do a full build, start with the cheapest base you can, but be aware rebuilds are time consuming.

 

[Wildcat]

I have a gen 1 Taco with an Eagle and am very happy with the combo. I specifically did not want to go with a fleet because of the width on my 20-year old Taco. Rear overhang is acceptable. I bot the 2001 Eagle about 18 months ago for $5k. I responded to a Craigslist ad 10 minutes after the owner posted it (set up the notification for a search on the CL site) and I was looking at the camper about 60 minutes after that. The owner had it for two years and he said he drove to Phoenix to buy it. People who want Eagles are continually searching for them since they are not being made any more. The owner said he had lots of replies and quit answering the phone and emails. It was probably a good deal at the time but I ended up putting some $$ into it because of leaks in the roof which a prior owner had not repaired properly. There's currently a 2006 Eagle near me that's listed on this website for $11k which is probably about current market value. Unless you are very lucky, I suspect you will have to look into the 1980's and possibly early 1990's FWC to find something that fits your budget.

 

[Wildcat]

Jake, given your budget constraints you might want to modify your criteria. Check out the recent post labeled 80's Fleet RENO. He's had it mounted on a '01 Taco.

 

[pollux]

Yes, exactly like a FWC.
The floor pack is plywood in both ATC & FWC and above that is the aluminium frame.
Jeff and Marty, owners of ATC used to work at FWC a long time ago.

Phoenix Popup Camper, who claims to be the former owner of FWC, also builds their campers using aluminum frame.