four wheel camper lifting hinge plate drawing/schematic/dimensions

[Ghetto Johnny]

It's a long shot but her goes.

I've found a used Older Four Wheel Camper Hawk here locally in Ohio that has the camper and roof but no lifting hinges/push board. The price is so low ($1000) and it's probably why it hasn't sold yet.

The roof is secure with the latches and canvas material is just tucked into the camper. they have a prop up stick inside to lift it up when they want to get in it.

My question is, does anyone by change have any dimensions/drawings of the the hinge plates/setup?

I know I've heard call Four Wheel up, apparently the Owners did and didn't like the price of the replacement parts, hence the sale price.

I'm hoping someone can help me out with some dimensions/pics and i could have my local machine shop make a replacement setup.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[JaSAn]

Do you mean the lift panels (two plywood panels, hinged top, bottom, and in the middle) that hold the roof up and in position?
I have complete engineering drawings of the rear panels for my '77 Grandby.

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

Do you mean the lift panels (two plywood panels, hinged top, bottom, and in the middle) that hold the roof up and in position?
I have complete engineering drawings of the rear panels for my '77 Grandby.

Yes.
Everything is gone. Nothing holding the Top/Canvas to the base. if you hand lift it , it can slide up and off.
Apparently all of the new ones are some form of polymer plastic but the wood ones.
The rest of the camper is in Primo shape, just no lifting mechanism.
Are the front the same as the rears?
Any help would great.

 

[pvstoy]

Might give all terrain campers ATC, a call as they could give you a price for complete parts shipped that you can install. Give them the year and model.

 

[Kolockum]

It is fairly easy and cheap to make them out of EMT conduit. When I replaced my canvas I added several inches of height and had to make new lift gates with new geometry. It took some trial and error but was very easy. I probably spent $100 ($50 pipe bender,$20 pipe, $30 on fasteners) on parts and had 3 hours of time into it. I messed up several times but the conduit is very cheap and easy to work with.

Here is one of the threads talking about it. Scroll to post #10
https://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/topic/20520-another-80s-granby-rebuild/

 

[Vic Harder]

If the camper and canvas are in primo shape, then paying the $500 or so for the panels from ATC/FWC plus shipping gets you into a camper for dirt cheap!

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

If the camper and canvas are in primo shape, then paying the $500 or so for the panels from ATC/FWC plus shipping gets you into a camper for dirt cheap!

Apparently the Owners were told by Four Wheel that in Total it would be close to $1500 for the Parts needed. I don't know what all they were told the needed. I'm just going by what the Sellers was telling me.

 

[Kolockum]

When I redid my lift gates 5+ years ago I recall getting a quote for around $1200 for the lift panels and associated parts. I called FWC and ATC and IIRC they were in the same ball park with the price.

In the end I just made my lift panels out of EMT conduit ~$100 for everything. Call Four Wheel Campers or All Terrain Campers and talk to them. They are a great resource.

 

[Vic Harder]

Apparently the Owners were told by Four Wheel that in Total it would be close to $1500 for the Parts needed. I don't know what all they were told the needed. I'm just going by what the Sellers was telling me.

Still a good overall price for a used camper!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Apparently the Owners were told by Four Wheel that in Total it would be close to $1500 for the Parts needed. I don't know what all they were told the needed. I'm just going by what the Sellers was telling me.

My 2¢... Call ATC and ask them what they would charge. It might be a good idea to pop/prop the top and take photos to ensure they know what is needed.

 

[camper rich]

What year is your camper? My 1998 Ranger II was built by the original Four Wheel Campers which became All Terrain Campers after the original company was sold in the early 2000's. If yours is old enough it may have been built by the ATC guys. The lift panels on my Ranger were 1/4" Luan Plywood.

 

[JaSAn]

John,
re-sent 5 drawings

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

John,
re-sent 5 drawings

sorry for the delay, i just sent you an email.
thanks for everything.

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

Supposedly the new material of lifting panels are far more expensive now then even a couple of years ago. With shipping, i'm looking at $2K for parts then assemble/Install. Apparently there' also issues with an new parts going into a older camper.
The sellers lowered the price and I'll see what i'm getting myself into once i get it. Who know what other issues i run into.

When I redid my lift gates 5+ years ago I recall getting a quote for around $1200 for the lift panels and associated parts. I called FWC and ATC and IIRC they were in the same ball park with the price.

In the end I just made my lift panels out of EMT conduit ~$100 for everything. Call Four Wheel Campers or All Terrain Campers and talk to them. They are a great resource.

 

[Kolockum]

Supposedly the new material of lifting panels are far more expensive now then even a couple of years ago. With shipping, i'm looking at $2K for parts then assemble/Install. Apparently there' also issues with an new parts going into a older camper.
The sellers lowered the price and I'll see what i'm getting myself into once i get it. Who know what other issues i run into.

Ouch. These campers are pretty bomb proof and relatively easy to work on. As long as the vinyl is in good condition I doubt you could go wrong.

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

went back and looked at the camper after some Wander Searching. so far it definitely needs a lifting panel system and potentially Vinyl repairs/replacement. i'll know more when i pick it up this week, get it home and start cleaning it out.

Ouch. These campers are pretty bomb proof and relatively easy to work on. As long as the vinyl is in good condition I doubt you could go wrong.

I have to set up some camper tie downs in the truck before i pick it up. 40 mile trip home.
hopefully I can get something going with it before full blown winter.
Ski Season is close and Ski Patrol will take all of my spare time. ha ha

 

[Ghetto Johnny]

camper is purchased and home now.
started a clean out/tear down.
the base seems to be top notch , just the top canvas/lifting issues.
taking measurements on the roof for replacement lifting panels or EMT tubing.
decisions decisions,

 

[CAPTNDAVIE]

Do you mean the lift panels (two plywood panels, hinged top, bottom, and in the middle) that hold the roof up and in position?
I have complete engineering drawings of the rear panels for my '77 Grandby.

Could I get a copy of those drawings? I sent you a private message on here with my email address. It sure would help as my front panel is in bad shape and my rear panel is getting deformed and I'm afraid it is either gonna fall apart or not be reliably traceable to make a pattern off of.

Thanks!
David

 

[JaSAn]

Could I get a copy of those drawings? I sent you a private message on here with my email address . . .

Good thing you posted here; I seldom look at the top banner.
Sending 1st drawing to your e-mail to see if it comes through ok and you can read it clearly.

Drawings were made off of the lift panels from a 1977 Grandby; rear was original, front is a DIY replacement by previous owner. Panels are in my Grandby and work well. If I were to do it again I would do it differently. We can talk about that after you have looked at the drawings.

 

[CAPTNDAVIE]

Good thing you posted here; I seldom look at the top banner.
Sending 1st drawing to your e-mail to see if it comes through ok and you can read it clearly.

Drawings were made off of the lift panels from a 1977 Grandby; rear was original, front is a DIY replacement by previous owner. Panels are in my Grandby and work well. If I were to do it again I would do it differently. We can talk about that after you have looked at the drawings.

Thank you again! I replied to your email. By the way, the Power Wagon is a sweet truck! I have a 1967 Jeep M715, not the same but far from modern!