Four Wheel Campers M Project

A brief search revealed not much about this. Long introduction question-
Next April I will be having installed Four Wheel Campers M Project on the back of my 21 Tacoma Off-road 4x4 5ft bed. Any experienced posts appreciated. Thinking air bags at rear(?). Dust intrusion solutions as well done by me(?). Going with factory installed rack systems so as to not void warranty. Biggest concerns are future solar panels (unit will be prewired for electricity). 4WC Solar Roof Connection seems poor? I could go on, but will see what those with experience have to say. Thank You.

Also- this will eventually be a full time nomadic setup

 

What will your max weight be? If over GVW, no warranty exists.

 

This weight question is one I understand. That’s why I opted for M Project. ‘Lightest’ camper shell I can stand in. Trying to work within the boundaries. What will max weight be? I don’t know. My best estimate led me to Tacoma with MProject on the bed. Simply trying to stay within the “rules”. I feel I can do this based on estimates but searching for more experience here.

 

You basically have a half ton. That is all. Anything over voids any warranty.

 

You should check out OVLRND campers.
Mine weighs about 270 pounds.

 

Thank You but will remain committed to 4 wheel pop up. Money down, and signed. Needing to start somewhere and my choice is determined. Feel 400lbs base okay. With your own choice, if you’ve got advice about airbags, weight and it’s distribution, equipment selection, etc I would love to hear about it. So many options exist in the overland world, I appreciate any and all input.

 

Ron, A few questions that may need to be answered first: Will the camper be on all the time? How do you plan on kitting out? How much gear do you plan on adding/loading it with. A minimum if planning on leaving it attached for me would be: New leaf packs and possibly air bags as well (things add up fast), new shocks both front and rear that have the ability to adjust compression and firmer front springs, upgrade to a at least a "C" load rated tire. Remember Tacoma's are tuned to provide a reasonably comfortable ride empty to the average user.

 

Hi-
Camper on all the time. My hope is to fit it out with lightweight gear and maximum amount of water ‘allowed’. IE payload maxed. Winch, recovery gear, camp equipment (shell serves as ‘Bedroom’). I have, say 3 years to use stock tires as is. Thinking of KO2 tires at slightly larger size as replacement. Hoping not to need leaf springs or shock upgrade. No heavy off road ‘rock crawler’ use, ‘simply’ forest roads with little other user travel. 4x4 for slick mud, light snow. As I said, this is with max truck payload. Pipe dream? Hope not as I am somewhat committed

 

I would probably be looking at air bags at minimum. It may be the most cost effective way of adding stability, load capacity and the ability to level truck.

 

Other options include AAL and new leaf packs.

 

The Tacoma seems unlikely to carry enough food, water, gear to live in as a full time nomadic. Pulling a trailer might be a better option or going with a 3/4 or 1 ton full size 4x4 and larger camper.

The good news is that once the reality of overloading a Tacoma takes hold, selling it won't be difficult.

A lot of FWC and ATC owners are on Wander The West forum, I don't think there are any full time nomads.

I sub to some FWC nomads on YouTube. One couple has a 1 ton crew cab with flat deck and a flat deck specific FWC camper. The other full time nomad also has a 3/4 or 1 ton crew cab.

 

I have a deposit down on one. Can't wait to head out to Flagstaff to pick it up.

 

You will 100% need to upgrade the rear suspension. The stock leafs are not setup to deal with the camper and all the weight associated with full-time living. Ideally you'd get a new leaf pack. This would be the safest and derive the best performance. Next would be AAL. Last would be airbags.

You want K02s and are only doing forest roads? Get LT245/75r16s. Don't go up a size and get LTs. More plys = less worrying about getting a flat. Stock size = less complaining about gearing and less stress on transmission.

I'd suggest also upgrading front suspension because of all the weight to keep things safe.

I'm not trying to be mean, but it doesn't sound like you've thought this through. It's great what you want to do, but you have to be safe about it. You are putting your own safety at risk, but also everyone else on the road.

 

It's 100% doable, but you have to make sacrifices in what you have and you have to modify the vehicle.

You're looking at 100lbs water. 150lbs in batteries (AGM). At a minimum ~250lbs in your "house"(shell, camper, etc). Add in another 100-300lbs depending on equipment and interior buildout.

Of course you can add or take away weight depending on region and resources.

 

Thanks for all the input. Plan is to go the “ultra light” backpacker route if that makes sense. Lightest weight gear. Minimalist. Lithium batteries not AGM for example. Perhaps this sounds naive, perhaps not. Safety is my concern, hence this post. Suspension upgrade info spot on. Where there is a will, there is a way .

 

The Deaver Leaf pack, stage 3, is worth looking at

 

bump ..... Looking for an update ? - THE OP said they were taking delievery in April, so now it is May. allowing for some slipping on delivery, I was hoping to see a progress report?

I am also looking at the Project M for my 2018 Tacoma SR5 Access cab with 6 ft bed. Week end hunting and fishing would be my primary uses of the unit. I was thinking I could stay below the 1150 lb payload rating as long as I don't gain anymore weight.

 

Not much of substance to update. The install went as FWC describes. Completely satisfied. I no longer need to travel full time, so my Tacoma/Project M has become a “weekend warrior”, with a slower build schedule. Bought unmounted jacks with thought of getting both truck and camper in garage. To date I have installed bed stiffeners, bed lights, and some Meso Customs led products. Waiting on a Bluetti unit for powering the lights, fans (2), and Dometic cooler, etc.

Took stock ride height measurements but haven’t had a chance to check with camper mounted. Rides bit lower in back (with camper but empty) of course but don’t know by how much. Thinking of air bags in back still. Truck rides a bit less harsh, and the camper causes a bit of “wallowing” but nothing unsettling or unexpected.

If you have any questions I’ll be glad to attempt an answer, but as I said, my progress will proceed more slowly now.

Ron

 

Thanks for the update! Glad to hear your are satisfied with the project M. Currently I have both a leer fiberglass topper and a decked system on my taco. It was "wallowing" a bit as well and I had lost some ride height as well. I installed a set of Summo springs and it helped the ride and regained a bit of my lost height. At least it seems like it to me. But my ride quality is certainly improved. I did not take any before and after measurements. That was a mistake on my part.

Sorry, I have a millon questions. Project M build quality is good? What about those full length side benches/shelves, 13" wide on each side of the bed, did you plan to icorporate those into your build? Does it look like a person could just cut those 13" benches/shelves off flush with the bed rails and just do a bolt through the bedrails and camper flange? I am not sure if they have another purpose or not.

I had not thought about bed stiffeners? I have been thinking about adjustable bilsteins 5100 shocks front and back. plus thinking I might need a rear spring kit or maybe just an add a leaf spring. I am super interested to hear about your gas milage with the Project M installed. Trying to get an idea on how affordable this is going to be.

Still in the research phase, but project seems to the only camper topper that checks all the boxes for me. The ALU cab Atlas is pretty close, but 3K $more. I would by used if I found something reasonable. But, I am going to make a decision soon, Sure like to have something for next years hunting season.