Someone finally commented on that 😅 and here I thought firefighting was all glamour and structure fires... nah, it's about half the year sleeping in the dirt on a wildland fire (when they finally let us sleep)🤘 Thanks for stopping by 🍻
When I got mine in Jan of 23, the mattress option was a grand, I said hell no to that, for 200 bucks I had some 2" thick foam cut and a friend sewed covers for the pieces and I could not be happier!!
I left the original full mattress and I put a 4-in memory foam on top of it and it takes away the bottoming out and when you're a little off center with your vehicle the memory foam forms to your position and it cradles you reducing that feeling of rolling and a sleeping bag unfolded on top of the memory foam mattress when it's cold the flannel inside is up when it's hot I turned over and the shiny part of the sleeping bag is up works great
This is a great idea 🥳👍 biggest downside with sleeping was the comfort of the bed imo… I also put a vapor pad in to let the moisture evaporate from under the mattress ☺️
We are getting ready to sell out and go full time for at least 5 years and will be getting everything ordered this coming winter. How do you keep the water system from freezing while driving?
This is a question I was able to answer this winter when I spent a few months in Colorado. It ended up reaching temps as low as -10, which was more than substantial to freeze the pipes. However, the answer is longer than a text. I’ll see if I can make a short video showing you how I overcame that obstacle 👍 Congrats on choosing to start your full time adventure, good luck with it all 🙏
I'd have to measure the distance... It's approximately a 6" gap between the ceiling and bed. If you'd like to use the whole surface the bed pulls out into a king size, but the toilet and sink become inaccessible with the bed out that far.
Thanks for a video packed with useful information. Does your 4WC have the stock AC/12v fridge? I'm wondering if I could easily plug it into a 12V source like a Lithium/solar battery if the coach battery dies, without turning the inverter on--does the fridge have a cigarette-lighter style cord, and can it be made accessible without pulling out the fridge? Thanks again for a video with a great signal to noise ratio!
Hey Tyrion, Thanks for the questions. The fridge is (I believe) the 86L 120AC/12DC and its stock. As for easily plugging it in, no. It's wired directly to a fuse panel which is then relayed to the main batteries. Your best bet would be to have lithium as your house batteries and use something like a redarc manager 30 with solar inputs to keep things topped off when remote camping. Although there are many ways to skin this cat that's my .02. Possibly you could splice into the wires from the back of the fridge and install a pigtail with a 12v plug or somewhere between the fridge and the fuse block. But if you were to do that you'd want to make sure that you aren't backfeeding the entire system unintentionally. That would be done by turning the fridge fuse off when on backup power. Austin
Thanks for the tips. I've got a Fleet camper for my first gen Tacoma single cab coming in 2 weeks, so excited! Little disappointing to hear about how uncomfortable the cushions are, but not that surprised either I guess and was planning on just laying some 3" memory foam on top, using the campers cushions like a secondary/box spring. Hopefully that will do the trick. No toilet in mine. Didn't want to deal with it, so thanks for confirming this haha! I ordered the Solar panel with 2 12v batt. Will be curious to see how far that gets me without shore power for running a laptop and charging my phone. Not sure what else I might need power for at this point. Figured I could add an inexpensive fold out panel to assist if needed as well. Got the thermal package, thought that might be a good investment form everything I've heard.
YES to your camper being ready soon! I'm stoked for you 🙌 We initially brought the 3" foam topper and placed it on the factory mattress, but then we couldn't close the top with the pillows on top, plus it got too hot in the summer. The second attempt was a 2" memory foam with a pillow comforter, same issues of not closing with pillows on top of bed, but it slept much cooler (still on stock mattress). Then we finally got the setup we have now and we can easily close the top with all the bedding, pillows, etc. and still have room to spare. For your charging needs you'll need an inverter of some sort to power the laptop. The 5 amp rating from the USBs wont even charge my macbook even when powered off. So an inverter is the only option (unless you buy a solar generator for your charging needs) because you could technically plug the generator into the 12v socket outlet and charge that then plug into the solar generator... but that's an expensive fix compared to a pure sine wave inverter. I would ask FWC if they can hardwire an inverter in for you (easiest option) or at least do the prep wiring. I mean... you could say I'll be putting an inverter (here), can you please run (x gauge) wire to that spot with an inline 60-80 amp fuse. Then all you'll have to do is plug those wires into your inverter... I wish I would have know that bc now I'm running all my own wiring 😅 Either way you've got options to choose from 👍 Congratulations on your new camper! Where are you planning to take it for the first trip?
@@WolfPacOutdoors Hey thanks for taking the time to respond with your experience and tips here for me, much appreciated and good to know especially about the inverter. I think its too late to do any change orders though with four wheel, but Mule Expeditions outfitters who is retailing to me may be able to do something by my pick up date, or if not I may be doing some mods myself. First real trip I have planned in July is to go to Yellowstone national park for the first time and then do some dispersed camping out in Montana, and looping my way back through Idaho and home to Seattle area. Taking a week to do that. In September taking two weeks off to drive down to NM and hit some off grid sites along the way through Colorado and Moab Utah etc. Again really excited to get this camper and be able to have a real 4 season/upgrade from my current truck canopy and be able to really venture out.
Oh gosh... you should have mentioned Mule from the start 😅 they got your back, guaranteed (I love those guys). If your ever driving down I5 and need help or need a camp buddy hit me up 👍 my email is in my about me section.
I know RIGHT! I've owned several businesses over my life and I could see how something as simple as a TP holder could get overlooked, but... Maybe someone in R&D will see this and be like "oh💡!" Thanks for watching 🙌
I have a 2021 Fleet. got the bed and you are so right ! the 3 inch foam is not great. didnt even think about the inflatable bed. which one do you recommend?
Great questions 👍 I ended up going to my local Sportsmans and finding any ole' thing, then getting one of those 12v pumps (it's so fast and easy)... depending on if you're gonna be single in the camper I'd recommend a queen sized inflatable just because it'll fit into the bed space without having to slide the "bed slide"? out. Also consider spending the extra coin on hypervent, that goes below the mattress and allows airflow under the mattress to help resist mold growth. Austin
@@WolfPacOutdoors oh I went to MattressOutfitter right after I saw your vid and got one ordered. Probably won't be here by this saturday when I leave for Golden BC Canada (or my Thermal Wrap I ordered a month ago on Feb 2 from FWC)...gonna have to use shore power to stay warm somewhere. I learned my lesson up on a mesa in southern Utah in January on the maiden voyage when the furnace wouldn't kick over due to dead(ish) battery at 2am. Got a second battery parallel now, and installing my solar from Overlander tomorrow. Wish me luck! thanks for the vid man, really helped
@@coreysmaller great luck on your upcoming adventures!! Now days I’m always carrying a backup heating source that’s not gas powered that way when we are on shore power I’m not burning through my supplies. It’s a small space fan/heater that can be set to a temp, works perfectly and only about 25$.
That's a Coleman Elite, but let me warn you... after 6 months we've decided it's kinda slow and unreasonable to add more batteries to the trash. We ended up going with a split twin XL and a rechargeable inflator, then the foam 1 or 2" topper (dealers choice). That way I can dial in the exact comfort Summer likes on her side of the bed, plus the inflator pump is 4x as fast. The split twin below fits snug into the space, its ideal for our needs. Bed: amzn.to/3xATkwa Pump: amzn.to/3fKsE5N
Thanks Lori 👍 I’m so grateful you found my information valuable and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙏 what type of camper were you looking into?
@@WolfPacOutdoors A Four -Wheel Camper an AT Atlas. Currently I have a Tacoma Sport 4x4 and I already know the suspension will not handle a camper. I have a Tepui 2 person tent on a Yakima rack with a tonneau cover over the bed. It is a nice setup but I dream about more indoor comforts when I am an on an outdoor adventure...which sounds contradictory. Happy Trails!
I used hook and loop with a sticky side (aka sticky Velcro) in the corners of the outer layer of reflectex and the inner layer is held in place by the window sill 👍
Thanks for your recommendations. BTW: the matress looks really thick. How does it work during lowering the roof? Do you have to inflate and deflate each time? Another great solution, that I nstalled in my FWC Fleet is an Air Head Compost Toilet and I love it. No smell for more than 3 months without emptying (only hard stuff, not the fluids).
We do deflate/Inflate every time we put the top down... it takes about 2.5 minutes for the process but well worth the quality of sleep. Plus we opted for a rechargeable inflator pump (about 17$) which avoids having to carry D cell batteries around. Lastly with the mattress deflated it allows for 3" of extra storage on the bed if needed (with the top down).
🤣 honestly if you stay on top of it and empty it before it goes stale it’s no more stinky than a regular 💩, the enzyme tabs keep the smell down… I’ve never had a toilet clog either so Ill usually dump it like it’s a normal Tuesday. Vault toilet, gas station, black water dump station at campgrounds, my house, they all work 👍
@@iheartgrinman Amazon - Brand “Inofia” only draw back is you can’t close the top unless you leave the bed fully extended which is no big deal. During the day if you want to move the bed out of the way the folding nature makes it easy to do.
Sorry for the delay I've been taking a short recess and refreshing my perspective while generating new ideas for content...While away I've started a few new video projects and one of them compares FWC to everyone else. One of the major similarities in all brands are their lack of a quality bed system. I don't get it 🤷♂️
@johndoe This sounds like a great idea for someone looking to have a king sized option other than stock or inflating an air bed every time they pop the top... personally I'm a fan of the air bed system and the versatility it provides while being comfy and compact when the top is down. With the bed fully extended while the top is down you can't access the toilet for use (in its installed location), which doesn't matter if you ordered the moveable porta potty... how are you guys getting by with that? For us using the toilet while the top is down is a MUST have option.
damn, you got me good on this one... just can't figure out when I said I was funny, not sure what you were expecting when you clicked on the video? Would you mind helping me out with some feedback? send it to info@wolfpac-outdoors.com thanks!
Professional dirt sleeper is an under appreciated career.
Someone finally commented on that 😅 and here I thought firefighting was all glamour and structure fires... nah, it's about half the year sleeping in the dirt on a wildland fire (when they finally let us sleep)🤘 Thanks for stopping by 🍻
When I got mine in Jan of 23, the mattress option was a grand, I said hell no to that, for 200 bucks I had some 2" thick foam cut and a friend sewed covers for the pieces and I could not be happier!!
I did something similar only because the OEM mattress wasn't working for everyone in my family, it was waaay too stiff.
I left the original full mattress and I put a 4-in memory foam on top of it and it takes away the bottoming out and when you're a little off center with your vehicle the memory foam forms to your position and it cradles you reducing that feeling of rolling and a sleeping bag unfolded on top of the memory foam mattress when it's cold the flannel inside is up when it's hot I turned over and the shiny part of the sleeping bag is up works great
This is a great idea 🥳👍 biggest downside with sleeping was the comfort of the bed imo… I also put a vapor pad in to let the moisture evaporate from under the mattress ☺️
Great video man! Looking into getting a flatbed granby soon. So much to research. Thanks for the help with all the advice.
Glad I could help! Reach out on the FB FWC group or my email austin@wolfpac-outdoors.com if you have any more questions 👍
We are getting ready to sell out and go full time for at least 5 years and will be getting everything ordered this coming winter. How do you keep the water system from freezing while driving?
This is a question I was able to answer this winter when I spent a few months in Colorado. It ended up reaching temps as low as -10, which was more than substantial to freeze the pipes. However, the answer is longer than a text. I’ll see if I can make a short video showing you how I overcame that obstacle 👍
Congrats on choosing to start your full time adventure, good luck with it all 🙏
Where is that fire tower located?
Bully Choop Mountain in Shasta County, CA.
What size sink strainer did you buy? 2”? 2.25”?
I have a link in the description to the exact one I bought... it came as a set of 3 🤘👍
Great video.thx
Glad you enjoyed it
Can you just install a standard queen size 80 x 60 inch mattress? Will the topper still retract down flat? Thank you.
I'd have to measure the distance... It's approximately a 6" gap between the ceiling and bed. If you'd like to use the whole surface the bed pulls out into a king size, but the toilet and sink become inaccessible with the bed out that far.
Thanks for all of this. I totally agree with the bed needing lots of help😀
You are so welcome! Now that we've got the new bed setup, it's nearly unbeatable... only wish I had more time to spend traveling in the camper.
Thanks for a video packed with useful information. Does your 4WC have the stock AC/12v fridge? I'm wondering if I could easily plug it into a 12V source like a Lithium/solar battery if the coach battery dies, without turning the inverter on--does the fridge have a cigarette-lighter style cord, and can it be made accessible without pulling out the fridge?
Thanks again for a video with a great signal to noise ratio!
Hey Tyrion,
Thanks for the questions. The fridge is (I believe) the 86L 120AC/12DC and its stock. As for easily plugging it in, no. It's wired directly to a fuse panel which is then relayed to the main batteries. Your best bet would be to have lithium as your house batteries and use something like a redarc manager 30 with solar inputs to keep things topped off when remote camping. Although there are many ways to skin this cat that's my .02. Possibly you could splice into the wires from the back of the fridge and install a pigtail with a 12v plug or somewhere between the fridge and the fuse block. But if you were to do that you'd want to make sure that you aren't backfeeding the entire system unintentionally. That would be done by turning the fridge fuse off when on backup power.
Austin
Thanks for the tips. I've got a Fleet camper for my first gen Tacoma single cab coming in 2 weeks, so excited! Little disappointing to hear about how uncomfortable the cushions are, but not that surprised either I guess and was planning on just laying some 3" memory foam on top, using the campers cushions like a secondary/box spring. Hopefully that will do the trick. No toilet in mine. Didn't want to deal with it, so thanks for confirming this haha! I ordered the Solar panel with 2 12v batt. Will be curious to see how far that gets me without shore power for running a laptop and charging my phone. Not sure what else I might need power for at this point. Figured I could add an inexpensive fold out panel to assist if needed as well. Got the thermal package, thought that might be a good investment form everything I've heard.
YES to your camper being ready soon! I'm stoked for you 🙌
We initially brought the 3" foam topper and placed it on the factory mattress, but then we couldn't close the top with the pillows on top, plus it got too hot in the summer. The second attempt was a 2" memory foam with a pillow comforter, same issues of not closing with pillows on top of bed, but it slept much cooler (still on stock mattress). Then we finally got the setup we have now and we can easily close the top with all the bedding, pillows, etc. and still have room to spare.
For your charging needs you'll need an inverter of some sort to power the laptop. The 5 amp rating from the USBs wont even charge my macbook even when powered off. So an inverter is the only option (unless you buy a solar generator for your charging needs) because you could technically plug the generator into the 12v socket outlet and charge that then plug into the solar generator... but that's an expensive fix compared to a pure sine wave inverter. I would ask FWC if they can hardwire an inverter in for you (easiest option) or at least do the prep wiring. I mean... you could say I'll be putting an inverter (here), can you please run (x gauge) wire to that spot with an inline 60-80 amp fuse. Then all you'll have to do is plug those wires into your inverter... I wish I would have know that bc now I'm running all my own wiring 😅
Either way you've got options to choose from 👍
Congratulations on your new camper! Where are you planning to take it for the first trip?
@@WolfPacOutdoors Hey thanks for taking the time to respond with your experience and tips here for me, much appreciated and good to know especially about the inverter. I think its too late to do any change orders though with four wheel, but Mule Expeditions outfitters who is retailing to me may be able to do something by my pick up date, or if not I may be doing some mods myself.
First real trip I have planned in July is to go to Yellowstone national park for the first time and then do some dispersed camping out in Montana, and looping my way back through Idaho and home to Seattle area. Taking a week to do that. In September taking two weeks off to drive down to NM and hit some off grid sites along the way through Colorado and Moab Utah etc.
Again really excited to get this camper and be able to have a real 4 season/upgrade from my current truck canopy and be able to really venture out.
Oh gosh... you should have mentioned Mule from the start 😅 they got your back, guaranteed (I love those guys). If your ever driving down I5 and need help or need a camp buddy hit me up 👍 my email is in my about me section.
@@WolfPacOutdoors sweet! Thanks again!
Great tips. Cassette toilet and FWC does not put in a toilet paper roll holder?!?!
I know RIGHT! I've owned several businesses over my life and I could see how something as simple as a TP holder could get overlooked, but... Maybe someone in R&D will see this and be like "oh💡!" Thanks for watching 🙌
Good tips!
THANKS! Glad you like them 👍
I have a 2021 Fleet. got the bed and you are so right ! the 3 inch foam is not great. didnt even think about the inflatable bed. which one do you recommend?
Great questions 👍 I ended up going to my local Sportsmans and finding any ole' thing, then getting one of those 12v pumps (it's so fast and easy)... depending on if you're gonna be single in the camper I'd recommend a queen sized inflatable just because it'll fit into the bed space without having to slide the "bed slide"? out. Also consider spending the extra coin on hypervent, that goes below the mattress and allows airflow under the mattress to help resist mold growth.
Austin
@@WolfPacOutdoors oh I went to MattressOutfitter right after I saw your vid and got one ordered. Probably won't be here by this saturday when I leave for Golden BC Canada (or my Thermal Wrap I ordered a month ago on Feb 2 from FWC)...gonna have to use shore power to stay warm somewhere. I learned my lesson up on a mesa in southern Utah in January on the maiden voyage when the furnace wouldn't kick over due to dead(ish) battery at 2am. Got a second battery parallel now, and installing my solar from Overlander tomorrow. Wish me luck! thanks for the vid man, really helped
@@coreysmaller great luck on your upcoming adventures!! Now days I’m always carrying a backup heating source that’s not gas powered that way when we are on shore power I’m not burning through my supplies. It’s a small space fan/heater that can be set to a temp, works perfectly and only about 25$.
@@WolfPacOutdoors awesome thanks for the advice. I was going to get a second diesel heater or propane and split the propane line
where is and whats the building atop the mountain,thanks in advance
That’s a fire lookout and it’s atop Bully Choop in Shasta County 🤜🤛👍
what self inflating mattress are you using? Queen size?
That's a Coleman Elite, but let me warn you... after 6 months we've decided it's kinda slow and unreasonable to add more batteries to the trash. We ended up going with a split twin XL and a rechargeable inflator, then the foam 1 or 2" topper (dealers choice). That way I can dial in the exact comfort Summer likes on her side of the bed, plus the inflator pump is 4x as fast. The split twin below fits snug into the space, its ideal for our needs.
Bed: amzn.to/3xATkwa
Pump: amzn.to/3fKsE5N
These are great tip! Thanks! I am a few years out before my purchase but always researching. Aaaaaooooowww!
Thanks Lori 👍 I’m so grateful you found my information valuable and thanks for taking the time to leave a comment 🙏 what type of camper were you looking into?
@@WolfPacOutdoors A Four -Wheel Camper an AT Atlas. Currently I have a Tacoma Sport 4x4 and I already know the suspension will not handle a camper. I have a Tepui 2 person tent on a Yakima rack with a tonneau cover over the bed. It is a nice setup but I dream about more indoor comforts when I am an on an outdoor adventure...which sounds contradictory. Happy Trails!
Sounds like a great plan 👍 see you guys in the trail 🤜🤛
Great. Thank you
You are welcome! Glad you liked it 🤙
Good info. Thanks
No problem, thanks for stopping by 🤙
What holds both layers of Reflectex on?
I used hook and loop with a sticky side (aka sticky Velcro) in the corners of the outer layer of reflectex and the inner layer is held in place by the window sill 👍
Fantastic! Thanks for all the help!
You are very welcome, thank you for watching and for reaching out to me 👍 I'm so grateful this video was helpful 😊
Thank you very much
You got it buddy 👍
Thanks for your recommendations. BTW: the matress looks really thick. How does it work during lowering the roof? Do you have to inflate and deflate each time?
Another great solution, that I nstalled in my FWC Fleet is an Air Head Compost Toilet and I love it. No smell for more than 3 months without emptying (only hard stuff, not the fluids).
We do deflate/Inflate every time we put the top down... it takes about 2.5 minutes for the process but well worth the quality of sleep. Plus we opted for a rechargeable inflator pump (about 17$) which avoids having to carry D cell batteries around. Lastly with the mattress deflated it allows for 3" of extra storage on the bed if needed (with the top down).
How do you go about dumping your toilet at the gas station? Do you just walk in there all nonchalant with your poop bucket? Do you ask for permission?
🤣 honestly if you stay on top of it and empty it before it goes stale it’s no more stinky than a regular 💩, the enzyme tabs keep the smell down… I’ve never had a toilet clog either so Ill usually dump it like it’s a normal Tuesday. Vault toilet, gas station, black water dump station at campgrounds, my house, they all work 👍
I deleted the bed too! I got a foldable bamboo 7 inch mattress.
Sounds great! Where'd you find that?
@@iheartgrinman Amazon - Brand “Inofia” only draw back is you can’t close the top unless you leave the bed fully extended which is no big deal. During the day if you want to move the bed out of the way the folding nature makes it easy to do.
Sorry for the delay I've been taking a short recess and refreshing my perspective while generating new ideas for content...While away I've started a few new video projects and one of them compares FWC to everyone else. One of the major similarities in all brands are their lack of a quality bed system. I don't get it 🤷♂️
@johndoe This sounds like a great idea for someone looking to have a king sized option other than stock or inflating an air bed every time they pop the top... personally I'm a fan of the air bed system and the versatility it provides while being comfy and compact when the top is down. With the bed fully extended while the top is down you can't access the toilet for use (in its installed location), which doesn't matter if you ordered the moveable porta potty... how are you guys getting by with that? For us using the toilet while the top is down is a MUST have option.
@@WolfPacOutdoors I have a portable potty! And lots of buddies I travel with!😉
R-value of 3.6 per inch of air
Good catch, thanks for sharing 🤘🤜🤛
Thanks Austin. I’m making a list and try to decide what items are key. Hoping to get my Hawk order by early Fall 2021.
Your Welcome Doug! Glad my information is helping you along your journey... When you have questions don't hesitate to reach out 👍
Wow - BORING! Not as humorous as you think you are. GET TO THE POINT!
damn, you got me good on this one... just can't figure out when I said I was funny, not sure what you were expecting when you clicked on the video? Would you mind helping me out with some feedback? send it to info@wolfpac-outdoors.com thanks!