Four Wheel Campers is one of the pioneers of truck campers. They have been in business for over 45 years, which has allowed them to create campers with just the right layout, features, and functionality that any off-road camping enthusiast will love.

I tested one of their campers “The Hawk” in various terrain and conditions. I picked up the camper at their headquarters in Sacramento, CA and traveled down the California Coast all the way to Santa Barbara. I then cut east all the way to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park in Utah. Temperatures in the desert dropped down to a freezing 16 degrees Fahrenheit at night. The built-in furnace was really put to the test in these conditions and it was a true life saver.

The Hawk model is feature rich without any fluff. It has all the essential amenities that you need for a camping trip without going overboard. Less unnecessary add-ons means a less expensive camper, lighter weight, more room inside the camper, and more durability.

What makes their campers perfect for extreme off-road camping is the durability of the materials used. The frame of the campers is made out of aluminum and the walls are made from a bendable aluminum, allowing it to take a beating from climbing rough terrain and withstand the impact if you bump up against a tree or building.

An incredible functionality that this camper has is the pop-top. They’ve engineered an incredible pop-top that is quite easy to lift. It uses spring loaded hinges so it takes just a little push and then the lift mechanism does all the work for you. Having the pop-top was essential for cooking, standing, and sleeping in the main bed.

Features and Technology

Here are the features and technology used in the camper that I drove.

• Electrical System – The camper has a separate battery from the car. The battery is charged via 160-watt solar panel, RV style electrical hookup, or through running the truck’s engine. This all comes with a charge controller to monitor power usage.
• 12V outlets with USB ports for charging your phone or other accessories
• Outdoor shower with 6-gallon hot water heater
• 2 large propane tanks
• Screen door
• Awning
• LED Exterior lights on the sides and back of the camper
• Roof rack for additional storage
• A bed that sleeps two, or three if you pull out the extendable section
• Swivel table that can be easily removed to allow for additional sleeping space
• Furnace with thermostat
• LED interior lights with dimming capability
• Stainless sink with electric water pump
• 2 burner propane stove
• 3-way refrigerator about the size of a typical mini fridge
• Two vent fans with two-way air circulation
• 20-gallon fresh water tank
• Fire extinguisher
• Smoke alarm
• Carbon monoxide detector

You can also have a compartment made for a portable toilet, and if you want to go all out you can have an indoor shower installed. Neither of these features were in the model that I drove, but you can get them as an add-on.

Models

Their campers are built by hand at their facility in Woodland, CA, just outside of Sacramento. They build a variety of models with varying add-ons allowing you to customize the camper to your needs.

Hawk, Raven and Grandby – designed for full size trucks

Base model price: $18,995

Fleet and Swift – designed for mid/mini sized trucks

Base model price: $18,995

Flat bed Model – Designed for flat bed trucks

Base model price: $28,395

Shell Model – just comes with the basics including the bed, furnace and propane stove, and a couple of storage compartments.

Base model price: $10,995

Who are Four Wheel Campers for?

If you already own a truck, a Four Wheel Camper is likely going to be your best bet. If you have an older, smaller/less powerful truck, I can’t speak for you, but if your truck is heavy duty, you will have absolutely no problem. When I was testing out The Hawk camper, I was using a Dodge Ram 3500, which was an absolute beast and it felt like the camper was hardly there.

If you have a truck, a truck camper is typically a better option than buying an RV or camper trailer unless you have a big family who really likes their personal space. RVs and Camper trailers are great but they’re not going to do too well in certain terrain and they are more difficult to drive and park.

And don’t worry, the campers aren’t permanently attached to your truck bed. They’re pretty easy to remove – you just attach four legs to the sides of the camper, use a crank to lift the camper up, then drive your truck out from underneath.