Generic Installation Instructions

Generic Installation Instructions

Eye bolts must be mounted into the truck bed prior to loading your new Four Wheel Camper. Over the years there have been many different campers made, so many different camper tie down measurements used, and several different methods of tying the camper down on to the truck. These instructions below are probably not specific to your particular camper. They are somewhat generic instructions to be used at your own risk.

Disclaimer* -- This is a general overview of how we install our custom camper tie downs for Four Wheel Pop-up Truck Campers. Every truck camper installation is different depending on the truck and camper, year, make, model, and floor plan. This document is informational in nature and is intended for example purposes only. Accordingly, this document should NOT to be used as a guide for actually installing your truck camper (whether or not your truck camper was originally sold or manufactured by Four Wheel Campers, LLC (“FWC”)), and is not recommended for such use. Rather, you are responsible for using your own skill, judgment and experience in installing your truck camper. We do NOT recommend this camper tie down method for any other truck camper. Any use of this document in installing your truck camper does not guarantee that the installation of your truck camper will be safe, prevent losses or damage, or otherwise be error free. You agree not to rely on or to instruct or advise others to rely on this document when installing your truck camper. All risks associated with the use of this document is solely with you. To insure proper installation of a new or used Four Wheel Camper, we recommend having an Authorized Four Wheel Camper Dealer complete the camper installation and wiring for you. But if you want to attempt it yourself, then here are the basics . . .

Generic Install Instruction Measurements (For The Newer FWC’s)

Grandby Model:

1. Original Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 76” back from the front of the truck bed).
2. Side Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 76” back from the front of the truck bed).
3. New Front Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 11” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 74” back from the front of the truck bed).

Hawk Model:

1. Original Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).
2. Side Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).
3. The newer Front Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 11” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 58” back from the front of the truck bed).

Raven Model:

1. Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 51” back from the front of the truck bed). 

Fleet Model:

1. Original Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).

2. Side Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).

3. The newer Front Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 10” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 57” back from the front of the truck bed).

Eagle Model:

1. Original Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).

2. Side Dinette Seating Floor Plan = (front eye bolts 12” back from the front of the truck bed / rear eye bolts 61” back from the front of the truck bed).

Swift / Finch Models:

Original Roll Over Couch Floor Plan = Most ALL Finch Model camper installations require the camper to either be “bolted down” to the truck bed, or you can sometimes use the “External Camper Tie” downs if Tork-Lift makes a kit for their truck?

The only exception to this usually … If the customer has a 2005 – 2020 Toyota Tacoma Standard Cab, Access cab, or the Crew-cab with the LONG 6.0’ truck bed. If the customer is putting the Finch Model on the 2005 – 2020 Toyota Tacoma truck that has the LONGER 6.0’ bed, they can usually use the custom made FWC black steel Tacoma Bed Bars we sell for tying the camper down on the truck. Please call your factory rep. or the FWC service department for more information & details on this. These installations are not that hard, but they are different.

1. Place eye bolts as far out towards the side wall of the truck bed as possible, with the washer still lying as at as they can (See pictures)

2.  

   When choosing the location to drill the pilot holes for the eye bolts, you must look at the location from both the top and the underside of the truck bed. It is better to drill the pilot hole for the eye bolts from under the truck bed. This will insure that you do not drill into frame components, fuel lines, and electrical wiring, etc. (2005-2021 Tacoma Trucks: See separate installation instructions)

3.  

   Once you have located and marked the spot the eye bolts need to go in your truck bed, place one of the washers under the truck and drill a 3/8” hole up through the bed.

4. Once the forward eye bolt holes have been drilled, you can insert the forged eye bolts and tighten them so that the eyelet is pointed in the direction the turnbuckle will be attached. Place one of the large washers on the top of the truck bed and insert eye bolt through the washer and hole in the truck bed. Then get under the truck and place the other large washer under the truck bed on the eye bolt shaft. Install lock nut over these and tighten accordingly. Remember the front turnbuckle pulls the camper towards the front and to the outside. 
   

Rear Eye bolt Placement As Follows: 

The rear eye bolts are also mounted towards the outer sides of the truck bed and in a location so that the rear turnbuckles pull the camper backwards and to the outside

Rear Eye bolt Placement As Follows: 

1. Caution must also be used when drilling the rear eye bolts. The same conditions and precautions must be observed as outlined for the forward eye bolts.

2. In determining the position of the rear eye bolts you must consider the locations of the eye bolts located on the camper.

3. A measurement from where the camper bumpers set against the front of the bed, to a given point at the rear of the bed, is the best way to determine where to drill the eye bolt pilot holes. Now that the camper is resting on the truck bed you must insure the camper is centered. You do this by measuring the distance between the camper and the truck side rails. There should be an equal distance on both sides of the camper.

4. Once centered, you can manually push the camper forward until the front rubber bumpers 
   are touching the front wall of the truck bed. Be sure to push on the rear door frame and or the 
   trim on the sides of the camper. Do not simply push anywhere on the rear wall as it will dent the camper skin. (See pictures)

5. Through the 4 access panels inside the camper (near the floor) you can attach the turnbuckles to the eye bolts in the truck bed and on the camper. Tighten the “Front” turnbuckles first, hand tight. Then tighten the “Back” turnbuckles until they are also hand tight. Now return to the “Front” turnbuckles and give them a one full turn past hand tight, and then do the same to the “Back” turnbuckles. Use common since when tightening the turn buckles. You want them snug, but not too tight. Check all turn buckles for the first time at about 20 to 30 miles and then every 75 to 100 miles for the first 500 miles and then check periodically. It is very important to check these as they can come loose. 
   Check more frequently if you are traveling on rough or wash board type roads.