Randonneur
Advanced Member
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2017
- Messages
- 33
Hello- I'm a relatively new owner (June of 2017) of a FWC Fleet shell that I put on a Toyota Tacoma 4x4 and have used it for two 1 month trips so far. Overall, I am pleased with the design and workmanship of the camper but I have a concern that I would like some feedback on from other users.
After only 3 nights of use, I noticed that the interior panel of the camper seemed to be bowing away from the aluminum frame. At first, I only noticed it on the left side panel that doesn't have a window or any other attachments on it. I would push on it and it would flex and bow under my hand. As I kept using the camper, it seemed to relax some and no longer was bowing to the touch. I think in retrospect, this was because the first night I noticed the problem it had been raining for a few nights and the humidity may have been higher during that time. When it stopped bowing, it had been dry for at least two weeks since that trip was in the Southwest during a dry spell.
When I got home to Seattle, I aired out the camper, moved the mattress to the floor area like I had been told to do, then parked it in my carport. After about two weeks (during a fairly rainy period), I checked on the camper and again noticed that the interior panel(s) were bowing again. This time though, the rear panel was bowing in addition to the side panel and the rear panel seemed even worse. The bowing is so pronounced that the paneling in between the screws attaching the door casing/trim seem to be undergoing some stress. I would estimate that the panel has at least 1/2 inch flex over just about 1-2 feet of panel height distance.
So, a couple of things. My dealer in Tigard, Oregon, just went bankrupt and is out of business. I am satisfied with the level of service and care I received from this dealer, but he is not presently available for me to go to for advice. (He may come back in another dealership, but that hasn't happened yet.) Next, I have been in contact with the Service department of Four Wheel Camper in Woodland and they indicated to me that a certain amount of bowing of the interior panels is normal for a shell model since there aren't many attachments on the walls to prevent this from happening. I agree that some bowing would be normal but I am worried that what I have noticed on the rear panel is excessive.
My questions to you all then are:
A) Have any of you noticed this problem on your Fleet Shell models? I have the Silver Spur trim package with just a heater and stove cabinet on the one side, the thermal insulation package, and an awning. The seats are just the wheel well benches.
I am considering putting in a shelf along the side wall and attaching some cleats through the panel into the framing to support this. Since FWC Service in Woodland thinks it is lack of attachments that causes this problem, this may help. Anyone else have experience in this?
C) I am also thinking of getting the ladder steps for the rear in hopes that this will help to keep this panel in place better. Again, anyone have experience in this?
D) My last question concerns moisture management in general. If this problem is related to moisture, then how do you keep moisture to a minimum when camping in cold conditions. At temps colder than 25 or so it is hard to keep the vents open wide enough in order to make sure moisture isn't condensing inside. I have the thermal package, which helps some, but water vapor condenses behind this. I always wipe it down in the morning as best I can. I also picked up a large bucket of Damp-rid that I placed in the camper during storage but I haven't noticed any benefit from this regarding the bowing of the panels.
Sorry for the long post... I'll make it up next time with happy, smiling, photos of us in our camper!
After only 3 nights of use, I noticed that the interior panel of the camper seemed to be bowing away from the aluminum frame. At first, I only noticed it on the left side panel that doesn't have a window or any other attachments on it. I would push on it and it would flex and bow under my hand. As I kept using the camper, it seemed to relax some and no longer was bowing to the touch. I think in retrospect, this was because the first night I noticed the problem it had been raining for a few nights and the humidity may have been higher during that time. When it stopped bowing, it had been dry for at least two weeks since that trip was in the Southwest during a dry spell.
When I got home to Seattle, I aired out the camper, moved the mattress to the floor area like I had been told to do, then parked it in my carport. After about two weeks (during a fairly rainy period), I checked on the camper and again noticed that the interior panel(s) were bowing again. This time though, the rear panel was bowing in addition to the side panel and the rear panel seemed even worse. The bowing is so pronounced that the paneling in between the screws attaching the door casing/trim seem to be undergoing some stress. I would estimate that the panel has at least 1/2 inch flex over just about 1-2 feet of panel height distance.
So, a couple of things. My dealer in Tigard, Oregon, just went bankrupt and is out of business. I am satisfied with the level of service and care I received from this dealer, but he is not presently available for me to go to for advice. (He may come back in another dealership, but that hasn't happened yet.) Next, I have been in contact with the Service department of Four Wheel Camper in Woodland and they indicated to me that a certain amount of bowing of the interior panels is normal for a shell model since there aren't many attachments on the walls to prevent this from happening. I agree that some bowing would be normal but I am worried that what I have noticed on the rear panel is excessive.
My questions to you all then are:
A) Have any of you noticed this problem on your Fleet Shell models? I have the Silver Spur trim package with just a heater and stove cabinet on the one side, the thermal insulation package, and an awning. The seats are just the wheel well benches.
I am considering putting in a shelf along the side wall and attaching some cleats through the panel into the framing to support this. Since FWC Service in Woodland thinks it is lack of attachments that causes this problem, this may help. Anyone else have experience in this?
C) I am also thinking of getting the ladder steps for the rear in hopes that this will help to keep this panel in place better. Again, anyone have experience in this?
D) My last question concerns moisture management in general. If this problem is related to moisture, then how do you keep moisture to a minimum when camping in cold conditions. At temps colder than 25 or so it is hard to keep the vents open wide enough in order to make sure moisture isn't condensing inside. I have the thermal package, which helps some, but water vapor condenses behind this. I always wipe it down in the morning as best I can. I also picked up a large bucket of Damp-rid that I placed in the camper during storage but I haven't noticed any benefit from this regarding the bowing of the panels.
Sorry for the long post... I'll make it up next time with happy, smiling, photos of us in our camper!