TCM EXCLUSIVE: 2011 Four Wheel Camper Cajita

Four Wheel Campers debuts a garage ready cabover less camper for less height, less weight, lower center of gravity, and better fuel economy.  It’s the Cajita from FWC!













Before we begin, let’s get the name of this new Four Wheel Camper right.  It’s pronounced “ka-hee-tah” which means “little box” in Spanish.  When we Googled the name, we also found this groovy video called, “Cajita Jam”.  Love it.

As the electrons for this article were posting, the Cajita was on it's way to the 2011 Overland Expo in Amado, Arizona.  There the all-new cabover less camper will make it’s physical debut to an expected crowd of 4,000 expedition adventure enthusiasts from around the world.  Tom Hanagan, President of Four Wheel Campers, will be on location to greet the off-the-grid globe trotters and present the Cajita.

Before Tom set-out for the Expo, we got the inside scoop on the Cajita.  And for anyone who’s scratching their heads and wondering, “Why is Four Wheel Camper building a cabover less truck camper?”, that was our first question too.  It turns out there are many reasons.
























2011 Four Wheel Campers Fleet Cajita Prototype Specifications:

The 2011 Four Wheel Campers Fleet Cajita prototype is a pop-up cabover less truck camper.  The interior floor length of the 2010 Four Wheel Campers Fleet Cajita prototype is 50" and the interior height is 6'4".  The exterior length is 80" and Four Wheel Campers is reporting the dry weight of the camper at 720 pounds without options.  The fresh water tank in the 2010 Four Wheel Campers Fleet Cajita prototype is 17 gallons.  The camper accommodates two batteries and two ten-pound propane tanks.  See the below interview with Tom Hanagan for details on pricing and availability.

The following is an interview with Tom Hanagan (above left), President of Four Wheel Campers, about the 2011 Four Wheel Campers Cajita.

TCM: Why is Four Wheel Campers debuting a cabover less camper?

Tom: There are two primary reasons.  The first reason is to address customers who want to fit their truck and mounted camper into a standard height garage.  A typical garage is about 84” high at the door and that’s too low even for our extremely low profile cabover models.  Our new cabover less camper will fit even an 84” door with room to spare.  For most trucks, the camper is no higher than the top of the truck cab.

Some folks live in neighborhoods where they’re not permitted to have an RV parked at their house.  Parking their camper in a garage is often their only local solution other than a paid storage lot. 

The second reason why we’re debuting the Cajita cabover less option is for customers who are looking for an extremely light and simple camper, but with amenities.  These customers also want low wind drag for a minimal impact on their fuel mileage.  With lower height, lower weight, and lower center of gravity, the Cajita models present a very low impact on the fuel economy, wind resistance, and overall drivability of the customer’s truck.


























TCM: Is the cabover less Cajita a model, or is it an option available on current Four Wheel Campers?

Tom: It’s an option that will be available on a number of our models including the Fleet, Hawk, Grandby, and Keystone.  As Cajita models, these campers will be known as the Fleet Cajita, Hawk Cajita, Grandby Cajita, and Keystone Cajita.  This is similar to our hard top models that add the letters HT after the camper model name.

TCM: So now you can get a HT or Cajita from FWC.  And you can read about all of them in TCM.  Is the Cajita just a Four Wheel Camper without a cabover, or are there more differences to the design of this new camper?

Tom: The design of Cajita is purpose driven.  We need to answer customer needs.  Two people will be comfortable in this camper, but it will really shine as a camper for one person.  For one person, a Cajita is perfect.  The simplicity of this camper and it’s extremely low-profile design allows the owner to access even more remote locations or camp in urban locations.

TCM: Without the cabover, it sure is stealthy.  Do you think cost will be a consideration with the Cajita option?  Presumably, the camper will cost less without a cabover.

Tom: Again, this is a purpose driven camper.  The cost for a Cajita is lower than our cabover models, but that’s not why someone would buy the camper.

TCM: Tell us about the design and development of the Cajita.

Tom: For about the past six months, everything we design and build is first designed in SolidWorks, a three-dimensional CAD (computer aided design) program used by over 1.3 million engineers and designers worldwide.  SolidWorks has fundamentally changed how we do business here.  It’s really incredible and Jason Bahr, our resident engineer and SolidWorks guru, is a great guy to work with.

TCM: We’ll have to interview Jason when you make your next camper debut.  It’s amazing how computer aided design is changing the truck camper industry.  Not every company has adopted it yet, but it has had a deep and lasting impact for the companies that have.  Have there been any material changes with the Cajita?

Tom: It’s our first production smooth sided fiberglass camper.  We’ve done fiberglass sided campers in the past on special order, but this model is our first to have fiberglass sides standard.






















TCM: Can this camper be ordered with aluminum sides like the other Four Wheel Camper models?

Tom: Yes.  We have a lot of requests for fiberglass with our cabover models and we believe that both aluminum and fiberglass sides are good options.  We’re moving in the direction of fiberglass so we can supply our customers with both options.  People like aluminum for the durability and they like fiberglass for the appearance, ease of cleaning, and reduced wind drag.  We like both.

TCM: Are you looking to make fiberglass sides an option for all Four Wheel Campers?  It sounds like now someone has to ask for it, but it’s currently not a promoted option.

Tom: That’s true.  And yes, we’re moving toward offering fiberglass sides as an option for any Four Wheel Camper model.  Right now we’re in the fiberglass learning process with the Cajita. 

TCM: Do you think fiberglass sides will cost more than aluminum?

Tom: The material cost of the fiberglass siding is more expensive, and although it will take slightly less labor to install, the application process is very unforgiving, the fiberglass will be at a slightly higher cost.





























TCM: Tell us about the inside layout for the Cajita.  How have you approached making a cabover less interior?

Tom: The layout has been challenging and required some changes.  It has a front couch that will fold over into a bed.  Unlike our other models, we split the galley on both sides of the camper.  The refrigerator and furnace are on one side and the sink is on the other.





























TCM: Will the cabover less camper use the new one-piece aluminum roof?
 
Tom: Absolutely.

TCM: Can someone order the cabover less FWC as a hard side?  As a Classic?  As an Overland?

Tom: I don’t believe we will build the Cajita as a hard side.  That would be a contradiction because people want this cabover less camper for it’s size.  Hard side campers are tall and exhibit a lot of wind resistance. 

As far as the Classic is concerned, we thought there would be more of a market for an inexpensive Four Wheel Camper, but it hasn’t been a popular option for us.  Our customers want the features and options offered by our standard Four Wheel Camper models.  They come to us and say, “This is exactly what I’ve been looking for”.  We’re very fortunate that what we’re providing is what our customers want.

To finish your question, yes you can order a cabover less camper as an up fitted Overland model.  That would be an impressive ‘“go anywhere” camper.

TCM: With the reduced weight of the cabover less model, are you targeting different trucks for this camper?

Tom: Most trucks except for the older style mini trucks will have the Cajita available.  Because the bunk is arranged for side to side sleeping, the Eagle and Finch are too narrow for this design.  Otherwise, full size trucks, as well as modern Tacomas, Dakotas, Frontiers, etc. are all candidates. 

TCM: I would think this camper would be a good candidate for your overseas export markets.  For example, Europe and Asia.

Tom: Absolutely yes, this camper is good for our overseas markets.  We have interest in the marketplaces in both the East and the West. 























TCM: What does the prototype cabover less FWC Cajita weigh? 

Tom: The prototype Cajita came out to 720 pounds dry.  The prototype is equipped with Engel SR70 electric refrigerator, 60 liters, Atwood furnace, Atwood two burner stove, sink with electric water pump, couch with rollover to bed, LED lights, Floodlights, 48” tork window, 24” sliding window, two Deka 68 amp hour gel cell batteries, Iota 30 amp converter, 120 volt GFCI receptacles, 12 volt receptacles, Fantastic fan, and a screen door.  That brings the total weight to 920 pounds with full propane tanks.




























TCM: What does the prototype cabover less FWC Cajita cost?  And what does the Cajita option cost?

Tom: An example is the Fleet Cajita and Hawk Cajita will be $10,795 for the base price.  We’re offering the Cajita at a discount of $1000 from the regular Four Wheel Camper.

TCM: When we debuted your new aluminum roof in February, you announced that Four Wheel Campers was moving into a new factory.  How’s the move progressing?

Tom: It’s going well.  Departments like welding, carpentry, and roofing have quadrupled in size.  We have new installations for new tools and have designed in the capacity to dramatically increase our productivity.

We have already moved numerous trailer loads of material over to the new factory.  Racks have been installed for storage.  We’re installing air compressors so we can test air systems prior to us moving.  Our goal is to be in full production in the new building by April 18th.  We are full steam ahead.

TCM: Have there been any further developments or refinements to the new one-piece roof?

Tom: It’s a part of daily life now.  We have figured out how to handle the large rolls of aluminum.  We even bought a new high capacity forklift to handle them.

TCM: The rumors that Six-Pac is getting ready for a comeback are swirling here at TCM HQ.  Even our cat Harley is sure something’s going on there.  Any comment?

Tom: At the new plant we will get the Six-Pac line set up.  We are planning on having two production lines for the Six Pac products.  After the move we can focus on the Six-Pac design.  Once this move is behind us, we’re ready for it.

TCM: Thanks Tom.  We look forward to some pictures next month of your new factory.  That will be exciting.

Tom: Yes it will.  We’ll be sure to send you some pictures.


For more information about Four Wheel Campers, visit www.fourwheelcampers.com.

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