What is under roll over couch (and other fine details)?

A

adamxcl

Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2017
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27
Location
Santa Fe/Albuquerque Area, NM
I am looking pretty seriously at Four Wheel Campers (about to take a long drive to look in person) but in all the hours looking at photos, videos and sites, I haven't been able to find super fine detail. Like...the big roll over couch is a lot of space. What is underneath it? Is it empty? Is is all storage? Do certain options go in there? Can I just modify that whole camper side if I want to? I am looking at Swift (or older Finch) models, probably just ordering a Swift soon, so it's the smallest.

Also, as a tinkerer who is bound to change something, I would love to have a more detailed plan as to where all the options might go in the unit. Where is the water heater, the propane, the extra battery and so on. I know they have the big general diagram with the basic obvious stuff that I can see in any photo but where do other options go?

Previously, I did my own solar setup and built my own solar hot water system as well (which would impact on whether I buy a water heater or not) but like to start thinking ahead to know what I am looking for too.

Thank you for any pointers,
Adam
 
adamxcl said:
... Like...the big roll over couch is a lot of space. What is underneath it? Is it empty? Is is all storage? ...

Thank you for any pointers,
Adam
Click to expand...
Yes, it's a big empty storage space under the roll-over couch.
It's my primary storage spot for stuff that I don't need to get at all the time.
 
Hi Adamxcl,

When considering the inside space of a FWC/ATC camper be sure to get you brain in gear.

There is a LOT of optical delusion in how much storage space you may find.

I am a relatively new owner of a Hawk and I found it particularly hard to get any real structural rendering from FWC before my purchase of a near new second hand unit.

When you are in the unit, or looking at photos, make sure to poke around a bit and see how small things really are.

You are sitting within a 4 foot wide (or smaller) sandbox from the window height down .

Much of this 4 foot width may be taken by mechanical/electrical systems and also by the aisle itself.

The typical drivers side build of stove, refer, sink etc can lead the minds eye to think the inside storage of all that base cabinet space is the same as the kitchen at home.

I don;t want to disparage you....we very much like our Hawk for many other reasons than abundant storage space.

Pare down and simplify your needs and these campers really shine.

Just my thoughts.

DavidGraves
North Oregon coast
 
Adam,
In lieu of that "long drive" you are considering to see first hand, I would ask on this website about members who may live in you local area and willing(probably all) to have you come by and "take a tour" in person... there seem to be 4wh folks all over the west... good luck in your search...definitely try the local option first ... name your town and ask who is "in the neighborhood"... go for it...
 
In the case of my Eagle that space under the couch has a step in it. That's where the camper base steps over the wheel wells. It does intrude on that space some. In a Finch I would think that space like my Eagle would be about 10-12" wide and the length and height of the seat base.
 
Thanks! Very good points. Good to hear there is open space in there. I thought maybe it was filled with system stuff but that does seem to be all one side, which makes me wonder about weight but that is another story. I know it is paring down. I currently have a Sprinter van based rig with modified suspension among other changes, have had for years but it still just doesn't get me places that I really want to go. My business is camping related research and I need to "work" more in certain places.

It would be great if there were more structural details somewhere from FWC or even other owners. I was able to find some more pics and one video that helped a little with location of things. Some guy actually opened all the spaces in a camper, something they should have on the FWC site. With my Sprinter RV, I was able to find details on just about every wire, option and detail which made tearing things apart much easier. If it doesn't exist, than I might just have to create my own to share. :)

I will try a post about the local area. I am in the Santa Fe/Albuquerque/New Mexico area and that thought occurred to me as well. I know they have customers somewhere around me here. One FWC dealer is coming to a show in a month but then it's usually only a couple of models, and the orders will just be that much more delayed. So getting a little anxious to order and be able to get by early summer.
 
I have 2 Batteries (for solar) under there...all the bed linens, our kitchen table top, 2 Kermit chairs, a Bag of truck leveling pieces, stuff sack of 2 sets rain gear and an extra grill top . I took off the back of the roll over couch (in the attic) as it blocked the window and it is added weight. If I ever do solo I can put it on so to have a lower bunk and not use the top.
 
Webber Q !, plus boxes of drinks, a soft toolbox full of goodies; sometimes tire chains.
Sometimes the Q stays home and fishing waders and boots will fill the space.
 
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