Step-Side Campers

HIKEMT · Aug 22, 2010

First off, thanks to everyone here for posting so much helpful information for us newbies on the forum. I'm interested in whether any of you have a Hawk or Panther on a step-side / flare-side / style-side pickup. I have an extended-cab flare-side F-150 and I’d like to hear from anyone who can comment on their experience buying, outfitting and using one of these custom-built step-side shells.

I know they must be as rare as hen's teeth, but I’m also interested in buying a step-side unit if anyone has one for sale.

pods8 · Aug 22, 2010

More than likely you're going to have to order one if you want it, since they aren't common as mentioned.

Off the top of my head you'd likely need to bolt it through the floor since the turnbuckles are normally located in the part of the bed you don't have. In the back you'll loose a little space where the camper normally flares out but that shouldn't be that big of a deal on a shell model (keep in mind the furnace normally goes on one side so that would need to find a new location if you wanted one). Finally many folks hard mounted electrical connection is usually inside the bed in the turn buckle port so that would need to be taken into consideration as well.

Other than that there shouldn't be much difference.

HIKEMT · Aug 24, 2010

Thanks pods8, although I knew the bed was smaller I hadn't thought of the possible mounting or electrical difference, so that's good to consider. My truck bed does have a small area in front of and behind the wheel wells but they're about half the normal size. I'll have to see whether there's room enough for turnbuckles or electrical.

Because the distance between bed sides is also narrower than usual the step-side shells don't use the double-step floor design that you all have - another reason they have a little less room to mount stuff.

These step-side rigs from the FWC site don't seem to have furnaces

- maybe that's why. If anyone knows the owners of these campers maybe they could comment.

pods8 · Aug 24, 2010

Because the distance between bed sides is also narrower than usual the step-side shells don't use the double-step floor design that you all have - another reason they have a little less room to mount stuff.
Oh yeah, I overlooked that. Well that will cut out a moderate amount of space there as well.

These step-side rigs from the FWC site don't seem to have furnaces

- maybe that's why. If anyone knows the owners of these campers maybe they could comment.

Oh yeah I overlooked the step not fitting either, that will definately cut into your space. The old way FWC did the furnace wouldn't fit in that configuration but they are now putting them up at the bedrail height I believe so they could work something out in a custom rig.

However I personally would just get a different truck if you are really serious about a FWC. A custom rig is going to cost more and have worse resale all of which could easily be offset by swapping trucks (which are more plentiful that these campers) which would then open the market up for used campers as well. I personally found the camper first and then matched it to a truck as I was in the market for a new rig but was open to going with different sized trucks.

CJ8Rockcrawler · Aug 24, 2010

I love the look of the sport side trucks, but perhaps looking at finding a used fleetside bed might prove to be cheaper when paired with a used camper vs. the new camper and keeping the sportside bed. Just a thought...

Barko1 · Aug 24, 2010

A Wave 3 catalytic could do the heating, very small and efficient.

ski3pin · Aug 25, 2010

HIKEMT, please allow me to add our two cents here. A year ago spring we stopped by the FWC factory in Woodland with our Ford Ranger step side. We were told they did not make a unit to fit our step side truck. This also told us finding something on the used market would be next to impossible. We weighed all our options, considering resale value, future needs, etc. We sold our truck the same day we put it on the market and bought a little newer Ranger with standard bed (and a few more comfortable options). We found a standard sized used FWC, remodeled it, and are happy as can be. I am sure, if the need arises, both the truck and camper are easily marketable.

Stan@FourWheel · Aug 25, 2010

The "step-side" built campers are going to be just about impossible to find.

We only build 1 a year, at best.

Used trucks are a dime a dozen on Craigslist.

If you really want a camper I think it would be easier to sell the truck, get a truck with a regular truck bed, and then go find a camper to fit.

Or even better, find the camper you want ahead of time, and then go find a truck that works for the camper you like.

Safer to know what camper you like, then get the truck.

All too often people will go out and buy a weird truck and then come in shopping and realize that no camper will fit what they just bought.

Just let us know if you have any questions.

We are always glad to help when we can.

.

.

HIKEMT · Aug 28, 2010

If you really want a camper I think it would be easier to sell the truck, get a truck with a regular truck bed, and then go find a camper to fit.

Or even better, find the camper you want ahead of time, and then go find a truck that works for the camper you like.

We’ve definitely been weighing a truck swap against the new stepside shell as a solution. The main reason we were thinking of keeping the stepside is that it’s been a very reliable truck that we could still get some use out of. Plus, it is nearly impossible to find a FWC in Montana. The good ones are so far away the odds of checking one out before it's gone are long. Ordering a shell would solve this problem.

A stepside shell could also be designed the way we want it, would be available in the reasonably near and certain future - no more waiting for the right used camper at the right price in the right location at the right time - and it would still be useable on the next truck when this one goes. This would also offset the camper purchase, truck purchase and truck sale by a season or two.

Finally - and this seemed important - I wanted to try out the shell on my F-150 to see if I wanted another ½ ton or a 3/4 ton next time around. A number of WTW trucks use upgraded springs or air bags which seems to make buying a used 3/4 ton a good option. Since I haven’t hauled one myself that’s hard to know.

Is there a general consensus with WTW members on 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or is that a new thread of its own?

ski3pin · Aug 28, 2010

Is there a general consensus with WTW members on 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or is that a new thread of its own?

It may be a broad sweep to say "general consensus" but definitely discussion.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3320/

HIKEMT · Aug 28, 2010

It may be a broad sweep to say "general consensus" but definitely discussion.
http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/index.php?/topic/3320/

It's a good discussion at that, and kind of confirms what I'd thought; ideally I'd try out a shell on my f-150 (step-side) before moving on to the next truck. But...if I skip the shell and buy a "regular" truck now I'm leaning toward the F250.

HIKEMT · Aug 28, 2010

A Wave 3 catalytic could do the heating, very small and efficient.

Barko1 - it sounds like you run a Wave 3 in your camper. If so, do you have it hooked up to "regular" propane or do you use small bottles, and are you able to compare your propane usage with the standard furnaces? Do you miss the thermostat?

Barko1 · Aug 28, 2010

I hooked it to a flexible line and park it right where the other furnace was. I actually pull it out a bit to run it then stick in back in its recess when traveling. I have only used it a few times, down to freezing but next week I'm heading out for a month and it should get a lot more use. I think a bottle would be a pain. I do miss the thermostat a bit, if it is warm at bedtime I don't turn it on but then at 3 am I do light it so in that sense it is not as convenient. I probably, in the few nights I have used it, kept it warmer in the camper because I can't just push the thermostat. As for efficiency it is only a guess. The Wave runs all the time but is much more efficient when running. The standard furnace sends tons of heat/btu's out the exhaust port and the Wave doesn't waste anything. Of course it weights next to nothing, very simple, and no noise at all. I imagine that the regular furnace has more capacity when the temps get really low but I don't think it'll be an issue. I've done some insulating and don't want it 70 degrees anyway. If you planned winter camping in environments that stay cold all day the Wave 6 might be better. I'll know more in a month.

pods8 · Aug 29, 2010

Is there a general consensus with WTW members on 1/2 ton vs 3/4 or is that a new thread of its own?

If you find the right 3/4T with the options you want at the price you want I'd grab it. I roll a 1/2T and with the airbags I think it performs just fine in all regards except I'd like a bit more braking power but even that isn't horrible. However I wouldn't shun a 3/4T, the cost differential & inventory wasn't justifiable to me at the time I was looking.

John D · Aug 29, 2010

I like the looks of the little red F-150 step side (pictured above). The step side box precludes FWCs or ATCs because these campers are designed to fit fleet side beds and extend into the wider fleet side interior. Plenty of campers, other than FWC and ATC are made without this and will fit a step side. Shop around. (FWC and ATCs are specialized campers.)

I don't know what it with you guys wanting 3/4 ton trucks. I guess you like buying gas. A guy I know bought a used 3/4 ton at the same time I bought my used 1/2 ton. He complains about 12 miles per gallon. Well Duuuh? I can justify a 3/4 ton if I'm not planning to actually drive the truck. They all get perfect gas mileage sitting in the drive way.

In conclusion, I like the little step side half ton. I bet it gets pretty good gas mileage. I would put a custom shell on it and add a nice soft bed liner. Soft bed liners make sleeping in the truck a lot nicer. You might find the shell and soft bed liner used for next to nothing. Once, I did. I painted the used shell to match my truck and it looked custom. _John D

Barko1 · Aug 29, 2010

I don't know what it with you guys wanting 3/4 ton trucks. I guess you like buying gas.

Can you say Diesel? I though you could

F150 max payload? Maybe 1800 if lucky (my 97 F150 is 1600+, weight of fuel, people, gear, camper, water, propane, etc = ?? easy to overload and frankly I don't want to regularly use a vehicle at or near its' max

HIKEMT · Aug 29, 2010

If you find the right 3/4T with the options you want at the price you want I'd grab it.

pods8 I found the truck I wanted about 3 hrs away but while I was convincing myself it sold. Used trucks might be a dime a dozen as some have said but finding the right combination isn't so simple, I've looked for hours in every direction. Going through the process helped solidify it for me though; buying the right used truck and used camper is clearly better economically. There's just a lot of uncertainty trying to locate everything used - and don't even get me started on the time-suck factor. There's a lot to be said for just placing the order and being done with it despite the cost differential.

HIKEMT · Aug 29, 2010

I like the looks of the little red F-150 step side (pictured above). The step side box precludes FWCs or ATCs because these campers are designed to fit fleet side beds and extend into the wider fleet side interior.

In conclusion, I like the little step side half ton. I bet it gets pretty good gas mileage. I would put a custom shell on it and add a nice soft bed liner. Soft bed liners make sleeping in the truck a lot nicer. You might find the shell and soft bed liner used for next to nothing. Once, I did. I painted the used shell to match my truck and it looked custom. _John D

That red F-150 pictured above is from FWC's website. According to Stan they make 'em for stepsides, but not many. That truck's similarity to ours was a factor in the interest in a stepside shell camper. We've been camping in a truck topper/shell (no custom paint job on ours) which is why we're ready for a little more elbow room.

HIKEMT · Aug 29, 2010

Can you say Diesel? I though you could

F150 max payload? Maybe 1800 if lucky (my 97 F150 is 1600+, weight of fuel, people, gear, camper, water, propane, etc = ?? easy to overload and frankly I don't want to regularly use a vehicle at or near its' max

I've just never been a fan of the smell and noise of the diesel. I know they have gobs of torque but I don't haul a heavy trailer. I don't like the idea of operating near max capacity either so, despite the reduction in gas mileage, I've been looking at the V10 F-250 to replace my F-150 stepside.

By the way, from what I can tell, my 2000 1/2 ton truck's payload is rated 1,610 lbs standard to about 1,710 max. For what it's worth, according to Ford's RV and camper guide, a 2002 F-250 supercab short bed diesel is only rated at 1,699 lbs. If you like that, the supercab long bed is rated at 1,032 lbs; the diesel supercrew short bed is rated at 962 lbs max and the diesel supercrew long bed at 816 lbs max. The V-10 versions of the F-250 all rate about 700lbs more than the diesels.

Maybe us 1/2 ton guys don't have it so bad.

Barko1 · Aug 29, 2010

I've just never been a fan of the smell and noise of the diesel. I know they have gobs of torque but I don't haul a heavy trailer. I don't like the idea of operating near max capacity either so, despite the reduction in gas mileage, I've been looking at the V10 F-250 to replace my F-150 stepside.

By the way, from what I can tell, my 2000 1/2 ton truck's payload is rated 1,610 lbs standard to about 1,710 max. For what it's worth, according to Ford's RV and camper guide, a 2002 F-250 supercab short bed diesel is only rated at 1,699 lbs. If you like that, the supercab long bed is rated at 1,032 lbs; the diesel supercrew short bed is rated at 962 lbs max and the diesel supercrew long bed at 816 lbs max. The V-10 versions of the F-250 all rate about 700lbs more than the diesels.

Maybe us 1/2 ton guys don't have it so bad.

Here are the GVWR and payload figures, at around 3000# that is twice the F150
The diesel short bed is 3000#, I don't know where your numbers come from but they are off base.
F-250 SRW (17" Tire & Wheel)
4x2
5.4LGas 8,800 3,000 9,000 3,100 9,200 3,100 9,200 3,000 9,400 3,100
6.8LGas 9,000 3,100 9,200 3,100 9,400 3,200 9,400 3,100 9,600 3,200
6.0LDsl 9,400 3,000 9,600 3,000 9,800 3,100 9,800 3,000 10,000 3,000
4x4
5.4LGas 9,000 2,800 9,200 2,800 9,400 2,800 9,400 2,700 9,600 2,800
6.8LGas 9,200 2,800 9,400 2,900 9,600 2,900 9,600 2,800 9,800 2,900
6.0LDsl 9,600 2,700 9,800 2,800 10,000 2,800 10,000 2,700 10,000 2,600

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