four wheel camper

[panzerkw]

does anyone have any operational experience with the four wheel camper grandby model. what are your pros and cons. would you buy one again?? what is your biggest gripe!!

mind you my camping would be only infrequent and a yearly vacation with the unit if i acquire it. I appreciate your comments.



thank you

2005 3500 48RE, 4. 10 quadcab lwb srw. no mods

 

[Regcabguy]

does anyone have any operational experience with the four wheel camper grandby model. what are your pros and cons. would you buy one again?? what is your biggest gripe!!

mind you my camping would be only infrequent and a yearly vacation with the unit if i acquire it. I appreciate your comments.



thank you

2005 3500 48RE, 4. 10 quadcab lwb srw. no mods

If you only go once a year,consider renting a full size cabover. Four Wheelers are supposedly good for intense off-roading but unless you're going that route,the tight interior dimensions and expense($14,000+) are not worth the money. Another option is renting a folding tent trailer.

 

[RDusch]

I had a fourwheel camper for 5 years on my first gen, i camped and traveled with it allot,



Pro's

the camper is light and compact ( smallest on the market )

quik to setup

They cary well

easy to load and unload

and, and, well thats about it for the pros



Cons,

They are put together very cheaply ( i pulled the mounting eyebolts out of mine three times with just normal offroad driving)



The canvas around the top leak, seam are single stitched, you can light through every stich in every seam.



It's cold in the winter



It's hot in the summer



they condensate inside and mold and mildew set in when you close it up.



matress and cushions stiff and uncomfortable.



I actually saw the turtle expedition camper in the fourwheel camper shop when i was there in 99, it is built nothing like the commercial model being sold to the public.



would i buy one again? NO!

 

[jrobinson2]

More info here

http://www.dodgeram.org/ki4cy/camper/Ram_camper.htm

 

[panzerkw]

thanks for the replies..... I guess I'll have to do some more homework



Thanks!!

 

[abdiver]

Panzerkw, I bought a Grandby New in 84 for my 84 4x4 Ford diesel My wife and I loved it I think I paid around 4K for it which included extra window and vent 3 way frig, heater it was an nice unit. I am bummed that it is now to wide to fit the newer trucks, YOU can find a near new on for your truck for around 8K I will look for the fellow at fourwheel who will let you know when he knows of some one selling a unit for your truck He is cool as you deal directly with the private seller

Con-Is it will mold inside if you don't air it out from time to time



Pro- Lightweight, no sway when cornering also I got 19 miles around town and 16 when on the hiway (wind resistance)

 

[Bob4x4]

does anyone have any operational experience with the four wheel camper grandby model. what are your pros and cons. would you buy one again?? what is your biggest gripe!!

mind you my camping would be only infrequent and a yearly vacation with the unit if i acquire it. I appreciate your comments.



thank you

2005 3500 48RE, 4. 10 quadcab lwb srw. no mods

I used my 9. 5 foot model for 15 years before I donated it to the homeless It had many off road miles on it in cold and warm climates. The insulation worked well for me. I was comfortable inside while looking at icecicles hanging down from the top . The only downside was tight space inside but that is also what allowed me to go where few others could



Bob

 

[RDusch]

For what i've seen ya'll are right, the older models 9. 5 keystones and older grambys were built alot better than the later models, mine was a 99, the ones i looked at before ordering, were nothing like mine was when i picked it up.

 

[Desert Proven]

I had a Grandby for several years. Overall it worked well, but the service from the factory was poor. They claim that they are the go anywhere camper, but when mine was damaged off road, they wouldn't honor the warranty because I used it off road.



Here's my take:



Pros: Light weight, low profile, durable



Cons: poor mounting system (turnbuckles come loose), Eyebolts pull away from frame, poor layout, no lift mechanism, cannot stand on the roof, limited storage



I sold mine and bought an Outfitter. It only weighs a little more and I find the interior layout to be much more user friendly. We still spend our time outside, but the interior allows us to be inside and have a little more space. We also like to travel with kayaks, bikes, etc, and the roof is strong enough to stand on which makes loading and unloading much easier. Outfitter also has some pretty cool options that make extended off road / backcountry camping much better.

 

[Bob4x4]

It was my understanding the owners went through a divorce and the wife kept the company?Maybe that is when the quality dropped.



Bob