Four Wheel Camper "Project M" Could it be Better??
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ก.ค. 2024
- I list the good, the bad, and the ugly regarding my FWC Project M.
Overall, this is an amazing camper but it does have room for improvement.
comments and questions welcomed. Shot on a cell phone
Like and Subscribe as I have a ton more Videos coming!!
#fourwheelcamper #6monthreview #projectm #camper #popupcamper
I would like to mention that outside of my nit picking on this camper, it has actually performed really well. I took my daughter (10) on a 5 week 6200 mile cross country trip and it was flawless (minus the water seepage at the front bedrail, which was pretty minimal) We spent several nights in it in pouring rain and the top pop up never leaked a drop. The quick and easy setup are a freakin dream, making it very easy to stop to sleep anywhere and everywhere.
i appreciate your honest methodical approach. This is the kind of useful review a consumer and actually use to make an informed decesion.
Thanks for that, I really feel like I am whining about most of this stuff, but these things are not cheap by any stretch of the imagination. in the end, most of the issues that I have are ones that I will make the way I want them anyway, so they're really not "issues" I guess. In all reality, I freaking love the camper, like seriously LOVE it!!
You aren't whining. Thank you. Hopefully you shared your ideas with 4WC. As you went through your video I thought, this guy must be involved in a trade that requires precision". Good for you. I think most of your constructive comments could be embraced by 4WC at little to zero cost and result in a superior product. Lord knows they have increased their prices enough and equally so, competitors are snapping at their heals. Why not make it better at little or no cost?? Example - the ceiling fan - couldn't they just install it with a 180 degree rotation so that the knob is on the other side. In terms of the mattress - good golly, that is one of the most important things - I can't believe they left a "ledge". Even as it is, I think most buyers complain about the mattress and purchase a thicker after market version so that says something. @@theangrycamper
@@jimrice4699 In hindsight, I wouldn't buy it again, in fact I am going to sell mine for a roof top tent. The kind of off roading I do, this thing is just too big, yeah it is luxury but also bulky.
Are you going to put the roof top tent on a truck bed platform? Which brand of roof top tent interests you?@@theangrycamper
@@Lotusutra1 I really like the Tuff stuff alpha 2
This is the most realistic close up look of the project M on TH-cam. Every other video seems like a sales ad. Im glad you’re happy with it but the things you pointed out would make me crazy for the money these cost. As far as the shelves go, can you cut them down to the same width as the wheel wellls? Seems like it wouldn’t be too hard to cut.
Once the warranty is up, I will be cutting the side rails back. It will void the warranty if I do it now lol
Thanks for the honest review. The things you point out, would also bug me. So spot on sir. Much respect. Enjoy.
Thanks for that, it means a lot!!
Those benches/rails were why I didn’t choose the M1. I liked the width of it versus most of the ones on the market, except the brand I chose, which comes with a ton of T track everywhere. This is a great video for anyone trying to decide which way to go. Thanks for your honesty
Ditto:
"I appreciate your honest methodical approach. This is the kind of useful review a consumer can actually use to make an informed decision."
Great review. Gives me second thoughts due to workmanship.
Now this is a real review, thanks!
Thank you for this review! Just wanted to hop in the comments to let you know we HEAR YOU and appreciate feedback like this pointing out as you put it, gripes. You made some really valid points and I will bring them back to our production team. Can I ask, where did you get your camper installed?
A few things have been modified since your PM, the beds now lay flush when pulled out all the way (great point you made here) and the internal wiring now can be tied in to a blue seas 12v fuse block for easy access and adding accessories. Also we changed the way the campers get installed on the bedrail which make for a cleaner and more sealed finish.
We are striving for perfection but will take the 8/10 for now and are glad to hear you enjoy the product and would recommend it/buy it again! Thank you, James!
Thanks for commenting, and hearing my gripes, I tried to stay positive but some of these things were just grrrr. I fixed the bed issue myself and many other things. Mine was installed in Woodland at the source.
So, Four Wheel Campers - where does this stand? I am considering a Project M vs. and AT Overland and frankly it will bug me forever if I go project M and have a "ledge" under my mattress or a roof vent installed in a way that makes it inaccessible. I hope you are taking "the angry campers" constructive comments to heart.
I watch a lot of project M videos for ideas on things I can do wi5 my Ovrlnd. After watching your video, I’m so glad I went Ovrlnd instead of the FWC. The fit and finish and attention to detail is in a completely different league.
I hear ya. they could have done better IMO.
I'm about to pull the trigger on ovrlnd camper. Glad to hear you like it. Any tips for ordering or must have features to add to mine? Gonna be for camping with 2 or 4 people in my family
Nice review. I had a new 2012 4 wheel camper and had none of these issues you are showing here and I was 100% satisfied. Sadly, it seems like the materials and build quality have suffered somewhat. It is still perfectly usable and fun, it just takes some of the glow out of the purchase.
Thanks for the heads up. I think the success of the 4Wheeler brand and growing demand for overland campers is the cause of the quality control issues. ..
Thanks so much for this review. I’m considering this camper and this was very helpful.
Great and honest review!
Some wonderful points. I've always felt 4 Wheel Camper was a company that builds some amazing products. While I don't feel your feelings, by any means are gripe! As you know, being a tradesman, how important attention to detail is. I take great pride in my line of work, which is Dry Laid Stone Construction, or sometimes called Dry Stack in America.
The drip edge stood out before you even pointed it out. I was thinking about what's going on up there. That can't be original.
All and all you definitely have one heck of a work/fun truck with some amazing space! Enjoy 😊
Happy Camping!
Mark (& Teresa)
Hampstead Maryland
• Purpose Built Adventure Rig •
Ford Ranger FX4 - GFC Camper V2 #1919
• Kia Soulverlander •
I agree with your assessment on build quality. The Four Wheel Camper products almost look like they are home made.
I disagree with your "it's not a big deal..." These are mature products and all the issues you pointed out should have been refined out of existence.
I hear ya, and I do agree, hopefully they will get the message and step up the quality to a pro level.
I have been looking at the Project M for a while. Good to see this video on it.
I was debating on pulling this video because I feel like it really paints FWC in a negative light but some of these things are things that had I known about, I would have went a different route on my camper choice.
@@theangrycamper “Everything I LOVE about my Project M camper” pt 2 video
@@OXFOOT That is funny, I am shooting that this weekend and am going to try my hand at "actual" video editing ... wish me luck :)
Appreciate this honest review. I’ve been thinking about a Project M for a while. I think they are overpriced toppers and for the money, they should at least pay attention to the minor details you pointed out.
I have a 2014 Hawk and I had the same gripe about the bed extension and transition. I actually did what you were thinking and put a little rail along the edge so the extension can drop down onto the side rails and now the platform is just about perfectly level.
I would also say that the fit and finish on my 2014 seems quite a bit nicer than on this Project M. I don't know whether that's luckiness on my part, unluckiness on yours, a sign of the overall quality 4 wheel camper is putting out now or just the fact that the Hawk is a more expensive product. It's also sort of interesting and maybe a bit disappointing that all of the materials and design don't appear to have changed much over the past decade.
Very functional camper with a lot of room but I totally get what you are saying about fit and finish. I'm the same way about that kind of stuff!
I will probably redo this once I get better in front of a camera ha ha ha, I love the camper immensely but corners were cut and design decisions negatively affect the final product.
Planning to order one. Not anymore.
Same
Seems the biggest room on this camper as far as craftmanship goes is the room for improvement.
It does have some good qualities.
@@theangrycamper You're being too kind. The multiple examples documented from their lack of attention to detail shown here goes beyond nit-picking, I expected better levels of build quality from FWC quite honestly. Thank you for the objectivity in the video.
@@thekenthouse6428 I definitely expected more especially for the price I paid, I guess since I am stuck with it I am seriously trying to make light of some of these things....
James, super helpful and detailed review, thanks! I am in the process of designing (and soon to be building) my own custom pop up camper, and knowing some of the gripes and concerns with the Project M, which costs close to $9,000 more than my projected build price, is really helpful. I’ll be sure to avoid making these same design compromises! Appreciate the time you put into this video, liked and subscribed!
Glad this helped you!!
Thanks for the video. I would take it back and tell them to fix it
I actually sold it recently.
Very good honest review of your camper. Being a tradesman your observations & insight are very helpful . It looks like they used a dead blow hammer to form & fit the exterior trim & corners.
Thank you for sharing this informative video.
Thanks for watching and commenting!!
Well, definitely staying away! not to mention their lead time! Tune M1 camper for the win!
I liked the AT overland Atlas. But that was a 12 month lead time when I was looking.
I love it
I want those boards that stick out gone! Inside the camper where it’s connected to bed walls. If they got rid of those that are used as seats. They take up a ton of room. It’s why I haven’t purchased the camper top.
Seriously!!! According to the designers, that is where the camper gets its rigidity, I call bullshit though, but who am I right? ha ha ha
Tacoma owner here with a GFC...the front rail and front corners are the absolute worst area to try and seal. It's taken me 3 attempts. I would unscrew that front piece and also lay around a layer of sika flex under it. I also sealed under the side rails as well. Sikaflex the crap outta the front corners and it has helped quite a bit!
I hear ya man, next time I pull it off, I'm going to build up the front bed rail flush to the sides and do the double bulb weather strip and wrap it around the corners all while adding a shit ton of sealant. when the cabinets are in it, my solar system components all sit up in that front corner so I am a bit scared of it getting soaked. Part of me fells like all of these shells need to overlap the outside of the bed rails like a C-channel would to seal them up.
@@theangrycampershit-ton not to be confused with shit-load. And every time either term is used, the proper response is no shit which is a bit counterintuitive. 😊
That’s the one thing that stopped me buying were those pieces sticking out! 4 wheel get rid of those already!
Yes, yes yes!!! They are so dumb lol
Great review, all in all it seems good. But all the little things add up.
They really do, and for the money they want for one, I would expect more quality from them.
Great review on the good and bad points. I have a project M as well and the rain that drips right into the truck when the driver or passenger door is open is very irritating. They could have designed a better gutter system for it. Mine had a bunch of aluminum shavings under the mattress which was ridiculous. And the aluminum angle that is on the inside panels front and rear for raising the roof was razor sharp. I had to file it down to avoid getting cut on it. Probably a ford thing but my bed rails go out past the camper about 1/2” so water ran down the bed rails on the inside of the camper until I sealed it up and diverted it better.
Yeah the water into the driver door is grrrrrrrr and yep, I will say that I would never buy another one though....... its not bad but it certainly ain't good!!
Good honest review. I've seen some other reviews but they don't mention the things you did. Personally, I would be annoyed with it. In particular, those horizontal bench platforms on the inside have to go. I would much rather build my own seating system. Those things are totally in the way. And the poorly fitted back hatch would drive me nuts.
I tried to be fair and thorough but yeah, they could definitely do better IMO
Yeah my palomino soft camper and hard camper did that same thing with the roof and everything pouring off of the doors and the window and gums it up and makes it look like garbage
Hi, thanks for sharing and I am wondering what do you mean when saying about "gland" on the roof top part. Sorry English is not my native language and I could not figure out what does that mean, do you mean using resin to seal the connectors?
A gland is something that allows the wires to pass through and be sealed with a gasket instead of rubber sealants.
A bed that lifts on gas struts, like the Lone Peak, would be a game-changer. Few pop-ups have this.
Many wedge style campers have beds that lift on struts, I personally am not a fan of wedge style campers for my needs and the comfort I desire inside. They have their place out there but I prefer the use of less fabric.
I don't know about "many." I count two or three. If there are some I'm not aware of, I'd be interested in finding out.
@@theangrycamper
@@philnewton2011 There are at minimum 5 manufacturers that use the wedge and a lift up bed platform :)
I'll have to take your word for it. I haven't seen that -- and I've been looking.
@@theangrycamper
These are not gripes, you are pointing out design flaws that hopefully four wheel campers will address. This is how you create a better product.
I hope they actually do get the message :)
Great video.
What’s a comparable alternative that’s similar or less in price?
AT OVRLND atlas is similar so is topo toppers
It would be so cool if you could find like a cabinet maker to make those mods to your specifications 😂😂😂
Wait until you see the buildout I am doing For one of the XJ's in our adventure crew, I am really beginning to love offroad cabinet building :)
Where was your camper built? Mine doesn’t have any of those cosmetic flaws (other than the scrunchy front corners). I wonder if it has to do with the location that it is being built and skilled labor. Your fan positioning is also different from mine (button locations) along with your solar SAE plug placement on the roof. I do agree about the gland though, that to me seems to be a basic thing but they passed up on it.
Mine was built in their main location in Woodland, Ca. As per my channel name, I have shit luck with everything in life so apparently, I just got a shitty one lol
Way too many issues with this topper
Yes it could be my, but I know its not but I can wish because I need one but can't afford to get one. Because I'm a senior and low-income and can't afford it. JOHN E.MAY ❤❤❤
Addc1/8" aluminum from HD
Ok, the fit and finish is a problem for me. Until now I was really liking this topper. Those issues would drive me crazy. I wonder if they are all like that?
From what I have heard, it is hit or miss.
@@theangrycamper curious, what dealer did you pick up from?
@@Mo-gm5zm Directly from FWC at their Woodland Ca. location
I love these toppers, but the price seems outrageous to me!!!. Then you still have to do 'fixes' and upgrades?? At that price, there shouldn't be any "whiny little gripes" or bent things you have to fix. You can get an old slide-in pop up truck camper in reasonable shape for a couple thousand dollars...and they often come with a working refrigerator, heater, vent fan, etc. Then you gut it and reconfigure to your liking.
But the issue still remains the same, they are heavy and must be removed every time you want to use your truck, this way I just always have a "camper shell" on my truck. and did I mention this thing is only 425lbs ?
Yours is certainly one of the more well thought out topper builds - nice work. Did you do anything special with a "base plate" for the cabinetry - did you bolt it in or just lay it down? I recall in the other video you said you take the cabinets in and out, are they bolted to the topper shelves or just gravity keeping them in place? Also, I didn't see a heat solution - do you have any thoughts or plans for a heater?
Thanks for checking out the videos :) I did notch the bases of the cabinets around the wheel wells really tight and then have bolts that connect the cabinets to the bed itself with rivnuts as well as some bolts that attach to the rails of the camper, a total of four on each side. As far as heat, I was using a buddy heater but the condensation was unbearable. I am about to order a diesel heater that will sit outside and have the vent come in through the window on the drivers side. In the next week or so I am going to do an in depth video on the thought process and methodology I used to build the cabinets .
Compared to something from Alu-cab this seems very cheep and homemade-ish.
I was in the market for an Alu-Cab when I bought this. Alu-Cab was 14 months out at the time, so I went this route.
Appreciate the review, I won’t be buying from them.
There are a lot of “no big deals” in the review
Definitely a lot. and hopefully some of them will help you make your decision on what camper to buy.
Build like all the other junky campers. Looks like a box from the 70’s.
Pretty common in todays world of acceptance of poor quality and poor service. This was one of the u it’s of consideration but now maybe not. I have a leer shell that doesn’t leak nor get dust inside. Since I have a trailer too I think I’ll punt
I mean it's not all bad but, I think they should step it up a notch.
Brother… your a comedian and don’t even know it…😂
Right on, thanks, I have a long history of comedy proclivities, glad you noticed !!
WOW! What poor workmanship, Ms are off my menu.
Honestly it looks aweful
Which part?
@@theangrycamper the corners, totally unacceptable. This is a factory made production item and the assembly looks like diy.
@@djdj500dr I definitely agree with that. Especially for the cost of this thing. That said, overall it definitely has a lot of good about it.
You got second hand …
No, I bought it new.
It’s is a big deal! Poor workmanship.
I like the truck, but the camper looks like a horrible mess…
Mouth noises make me angry... Lol no they really do.
Can you elaborate on that?
@@theangrycamper before most sentences, you smack. I'm sure it doesn't matter to must people. I just have issues. Content looked great though!
@@breckfreeride I am really new to shooting video and still pretty nervous on camera, so I appreciate the heads up !! I didn't notice, but now that I am aware I can make improvements :)
OMG, you are so right!! Holy shit, gotta fix that STAT!!!
@@theangrycamper maybe a big glass of water would help? I watched on 1.75x and it was fine! I totally agree with the nit picky stuff for a camper that expensive. I bet they will fix it eventually in the next version. Wiring and the bed not flush are pretty annoying I bet.
Wine much?
Man, I hope you don’t ever do a review of your wife or kids....
@@larsrodbok1285 right, who would want an honest review of them...lol
@@theangrycamperGood review. And you’re always going to have an idiot bitching about something.
Just more "RV" crap!!
TLDR: camper is a shit, but it's "not a big deal"
what is TLDR?
Your complaints are not grips, they are serious design flaws and poor workmanship.
Shoddy work