Camping/Daily use: Four wheel campers Project M vs. AT Overland Atlas

I will fully admit I'm in full tire kicking mode on this currently. My lotto dream purchase for years has been an Earthroamer, but realistically, it's never going to happen.

I currently have a 2009 TRD DCSB with 160K+ miles and counting. I'd trust to drive it anywhere.

I'm hesitant to put a $10k camping setup on it because I'm wondering if the short bed is just too small to effectively camp in. My family: myself, wife, 2 year old son, haul our boat to go fishing quite a bit.

Initially, I was thinking about a Weeroll trailer, but then I'd end up leaving the boat at home. Although, it would be nice to setup at a campsite and unhook. Both have their pluses/minuses.

Anyways, back to the convertible camper shells.

I like both of these designs, because of the ability to use it daily as a standard camper shell, and that they have a hard top, even when deployed. I do a lot of hunting and can't even begin to count how many dead critters/fish have ended up in the bed of my truck. I just couldn't make a standard slide in camper for that reason, and because I don't really want to store it after a trip.

What are everyone's thoughts on the following 2 camping/daily use caps?

Four Wheel Campers Project M:


AT Overland Atlas:

 

Just found your post - turns out these two units are on my short list as well! So I do not have any actual experience with either one. However one thing I noticed from just looking at pictures of both is that the Project M has clearly got places to attach jack stands whereas the Atlas does not. Seems like the Atlas would be more difficult to put on and take off. The Atlas has sloped sides whereas the Project M sides are vertical. Vertical sides are compatible with jack stands but the sloped sides are not - unless the Atlas uses some kind of "proprietary" jack stands. Also I think the Project M is quite a bit roomier inside which might help a lot when taking the family along.

Hope this thread picks up some traffic because I would like to know more about these units myself!

 

Just curious if you've checked out ovrlnd campers? I put a deposit on one after seeing in person. Well built and similar to project M but you can get dual side doors (which was a must for me). I'll try to remember to re-post when i get mine.

 

Debating between those 2 as well. I am leaning towards the AT and actually contacted their sales Janine in Prescott. The reason not likening they project M is that (1) I am not a big fan of the black diamond plate and (2) shape of the rear hatch door. Still need to see both in person after this COVID-19 shut down ends. Might just put a deposit down sight unseen. Who knows. Can’t find any reviews on the AT ATLAS other than the one they show of the RAM. Seems that they’ll start production in January but who knows with the shut downs. Wonder if they have started yet...

 

They started the atlas camper production the first of the year. I put an order in a while back and it's looking like mine will be completed the middle of July. Janine said the lead times were about 16-18 weeks. They have been building and installing several that I've seen on Instagram.

 

I would hate to drive around with that on my truck every day. Could you make a hoist in your garage to lift/lower it on your truck for when it’s actually going to be used?

 

I was looking at both as well. Ended up with the FWC due to the larger bed.
I just picked up my Project M at AT and got to check out both units. I would say the fit and finish of the AT Atlas is better than the FWC, specifically around the tail gate. On the project M that area seems to be an after thought.

 

I'm curious what the back of yours looks like and if they have improved the door fit. Mine (2nd gen) is not dust-free at all, to the point of covering everything inside in just a short time on dirt. I put weatherstripping on the tailgate but what I am using is just a patch, it's not going to last with typical truck use. In general, the door is not super snug. I spend a lot of miles off pavement so a fix is important. Hoping they come up with a solution. I also can't really blast it in the car wash. There are way too many leaks and things inside that should not get wet. Everything else about it is great.

 

mine does not have that lip on the bottom of the hatch door, it is just weatherstripping on both sides (top of tailgate and bottom of hatch). It does seal okay but is not very elegant. I will take a picture when I get a chance.

 

Here is the weather stripping on the hatch of mine:

 

What about something like this...?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ATp9Y9yTXE&feature=youtu.be

 

FWIW I have a Khaya and it’s AWESOME. I looked at virtually everything I could find and the Khaya was far and away the most rugged and durable design.

One other note I began my quest with one of the first GoFastCampers and shifted to the Khaya within a year.

My favorite part of the Khaya is it can be removed in 10-15 mins solo, the cap style campers not so much.

 

Are you the one with the Subaru I ran into at the Whoa Nellie Deli last October by 395 off 120?

 

Not sure if you're still looking into options but you could check out https://vagabondoutdoors.com/

 

What suspension are you running on there? How is it? I have the same truck and just ordered a Project M. Currently I have the dakar standard leaf back (I have a shell and a bedplatform with permanent gear/weight. I'm wondering if I need the HD leaf.

 

You need a set of Firestone Bags. Simple and easy and very inexpensive. Get Daystar cradles too if you plan to Offroad at all Install is super easy, my wife and I did it in my garage in a couple hours.

 

I see this thread has been dead for a while, but I'm curious if OP or anyone else has made a decision on either of these? I'm trying to decide between the OVRLND, Project M, or AT Atlas...I'm having a hard time determining if one is better/higher quality than the other. I'm planning a 6+ month road trip down to Panama and the idea is to live out of my 3rd gen DCSB. I like that these are light weight (compared to slide in campers) and I can relatively easily remove the topper & keep the functionality of the truck if I wanted.

 

Might have seen above but I went w/ovrlnd. Picked it up in september with nothing but good things to say. build quality is great, no real issues thus far except dust intrusion which was due to massive gaps in the f150 tailgate. added full barndoor extensions which have mostly solved the issue. I have heard a lot of mixed comments about the project M regarding build quality which is surprising since FWC has such a good reputation otherwise. i personally like that the ovrlnd is built perfectly to your truck bed size so you dont have any odd overlap w/the bed rails unlike the project m. also more options that i wanted on the ovrlnd. absolutely won't have another topper w/o dual side doors again which i don't think you can get on the project m. as i've said on other forums, jay at ovrlnd has also been awesome. great customer service, will text back within a few days usually and answer any questions.

i have a build thread found here...
https://expeditionportal.com/forum/...vrlnd-camper-build.223162/page-2#post-2918390

 

Thanks for getting back to me, your build looks pretty sweet. Yea I went to an expo and checked out a Project M in person this past weekend...seemed pretty solid. I don't know how I feel about the ~12in ledges that intrude into the bed on both sides though. Yea I've read that everyone seems to have dust issues, regardless of the pop-up topper you go with. I plan on fully sealing my truck bed before install...with current lead times I'll have plenty of time to do it.

I've been trying to get a quote from Jay over the past few days but he hasn't been responding. I imagine they are swamped with orders right now though. After a quick comparison, I think the OVRLND is slightly cheaper than a Project M with similar features...the only downside to the OVRLND for me is that I'd want to pick it up in person to avoid $2,500 delivery fee, but Seattle to Flagstaff is quite a trek. Hopefully Jay responds soon and I can pull the trigger on one of these things this week.