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My heart was set on a flatbed poptop 4x4 King Cab F350 Truck Camper all of 2019, but then I began to research slide in poptops & I really started liking the bang 4 the buck benefits. I even researched 4x4 solar campervans, but I always keep coming back to the ever faithful & reliable Ford Pickup Trux. In 40 yrs I've had 1 F250 & 3 F150s. All I need now is a 4 door F250 with an 8' bed & a poptop slide in. I like how Kait organized the back seat area for frugal storage & how you both keep everything so tidy. Being a content 59 yr old Bachelor I have no use 4A large bed, propane gadgets nor a micronuker. I want functional & simple. I've been a PA Woodsman for over 50 yrs, what a perfect way to retire & travel & sightsee & camp & fish all at the same time; or just R&R. Thanx Joe for the sincere effort you & your Bride always make to Educate/Encourage us... Vaya Con Dios mi hermano:)

@debbiebolek2117

3 жыл бұрын

I'm interested in the same. I want it simple and economical. Do you know anything about the new2022 tundra. Question being is? Are the Tundras going to have an 8 ft. Bed?

Thanks for this Joe. Im really into the truck campers but have only really ever seen the slide in. I really like the idea of the flat bed.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome! We found it’s hard to really grasp the differences until you can see them side by side.

What an excellent comparison video that was extremely informative and very professional quality video. Thanks for sharing

I like how you guys have been starting to post more them more than normal. Like every week stay safe joe and kait.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Lincoln - glad you're enjoying them!

Excellent video Joe! Factual, practical, comparative and no BS.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks John!

My goodness, another video by you that I somehow missed 3mos ago 😱 One thing that is always consistent with ALL your videos is, how excellent your presentations are - this one is no different! With my old decrepit bones, the shorter entry step-up of the slide-in model would probably be better for me personally, but both models look very nice for a solo RVer! Always my best to you two 🥂

Nice video y’all as always. Be safe out there !

Wow.... Really enjoying your channel so glad I found it... Thanks for sharing this comparison, I found it very helpful

Love the comparison video. Great job! Thanks for the info.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You’re very welcome Mike!

Great video dude. Your the only one with this video I could find. Answered the question I was looking for.

@Weretherussos

2 жыл бұрын

Glad we could help!

Good evening from Godley Texas, A great comparison of the two models. People have to remember the importance of looking at more than one brand and/or model. You're an excellent spokesperson for FWC. I foresee infomercials in your future 😉. Always a pleasure watching. Happy travels and stay safe.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Always shop around and look at everything. What might work for us does mean it will work for everyone.

Joe, great walkthrough! Thank you for sharing!

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure!

Thank you for the information. Trying to decide what type of TVs to invest in. Also love your channel.

A lot of great info. Thank you!

Glad to see you both back on the air. Also glad to see that you both are healthy. Stay safe and COVID-19 free. Glad to see Kate (sorry for mis-spelling your name, I went blank) anyway glad to see you growing your hair out.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Jeff!

Exactly the video I was searching for; thank you!

@Weretherussos

6 ай бұрын

You are welcome!

Best video there is on this subject 👏🏻👍🏻

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Wow, thanks!

Great review, thanks

Very educational! Thanks for producing. Allen from Albuquerque

Great video mate! Nice breakdown of the pros and cons of both. But I think you know which one we prefer 😎

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Hrmm...I wonder which 😜

Great comparison video/always informative

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you liked it!

Awesome review 👏

Great presentation. Thank you very much. Your time is very much appreciated.

@Weretherussos

2 ай бұрын

You are very welcome

Incredibly informative, thanks so much!👍

@Weretherussos

2 жыл бұрын

Very welcome!

Very clear! Very helpful! 👍👍👍

Subbed, love the videos.

@Weretherussos

2 жыл бұрын

Awesome, thank you!

Excellent video, thanks.

Great comparison! I think a double cab, 3/4 ton flat bed truck with a hawk camper could work well for a family of 4 due to the extra storage in the camper and the flatbed storage boxes. I do wish four wheel campers made a flip up bunk over the rear dinette, not sure why they haven’t done that yet.

Very informative video.

The elephant in the room is the bolt on ! If you want to leave the camper behind while you go out and explore you can do that with the slide on whereas the bolt you have to take it everywhere with you. This would drive me nuts, I'll take the slide on please :)

@Trekgalaxi

2 жыл бұрын

There is a company in British Columbia Canada that builds truck campers for a flat bed that is removable like a slide in They are called camp x.

Great comparison. I don't get why the smaller bed in the slide in model. that for us is the deal breaker. You have plenty of weight carrying in any full size truck, and you would think from a building point of veiw a more standard design would equate in cost savings. 47 inches is not overly wide, especially when the 4 door truck is so prominent. Again great review, thanks, Chris

Excellent video

@Weretherussos

2 ай бұрын

Thank you very much!

Great job guys , coffee time

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You got that right!

Hi mate I have a flatbed setup you can definitely fit more in & also set them out in different ways with having a flat floor plan to start with great video CHEERS MATE.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You’re absolutely correct. Cheers Tony!

i already have my opinion, but excellent topic, thanks so much!

@peterko2138

3 жыл бұрын

also i've been watching you guys for years i love you guys!

Thanks for sharing this information and video

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

My pleasure

Thanks for this comparison. I am currently in the beginning stages of looking at pop up campers and four wheel campers is one that I'm strongly considering. I also like the Bundutec pop up campers which is manufactured in Northeast Iowa. Both companies appear to offer an excellent product with a variety of options. I like the extra room that the flatbed offers but I don't like the extra cost and higher center of gravity. Thanks for your help.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Glad we could help Britt. I will say the higher center of gravity doesn't affect us in anyway.

@justincase7661

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Britt, I also appreciate the ingenuity of the Bundatec camper with an excellent wet bath and wrap around canopy. But they're a little Salty, about 30k. Whereas you can Google the Palomino poptop with a full wet bath for around 14k. Sweet dreams Sister!

@MrDeymann

2 жыл бұрын

You can get the flatbed without the slide out drawer and lower the camper 4-5”.

Good comparison video. It would be interesting to see the removal and installation of the slide in just to see how easy or difficult it is.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

We've not done it ourselves but as far as I know you just have to undo the four turnbuckles, put the jacks down, disconnect the power lead and drive off.

@flyfish6473

3 жыл бұрын

Go to FWCs KZread channel, they have a vid there on installation for a slide-in. Scroll to the 2 year old vids to find it.

Good video on the subject, however, I'd like to say this was an un biased comparison, but since you have a picture of the flatbed camper on your shirt.....

Very thorough

Nicely done.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Mary!

Great video. I know its old. But i'm struggling with which one to get.

Thanks for the video, great camera work Kait. For everyone bitching, take a chill pill ladies.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Doug - Kait’s one of the best!

Great vid! Can I ask what those cool kitchen utensil organisers are which are sitting behind the sink/stove, and how did you mount them?

More windows in these beautiful units please :)

Ty.

Are you going to do any traveling, camping, or overlanding ever? Asking for a friend.

Are there options for a Pass Through with the Flatbed?

I went with the hawk flatbed because more inside underbed storage.. but the idea with slide in and under boxes is spacious. . Love the soft storage behind your stove and sink!!! Where did you find that? Brand? I thought of something similar with horse soft tack gear bags.

@burnszilla

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, were did you get the kitchen storage pouches?

@burnszilla

3 жыл бұрын

Found it: overlandgearguy.com/collections/new-products/products/four-wheel-campers-kitchen-organizers

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Here you go - the size is specific for a flatbed but they’ll modify them for the slide in overlandgearguy.com/collections/new-products/products/four-wheel-campers-kitchen-organizers

@carolynslette6073

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos thankyou!!!

Excellent! Thank you. :-)))). :-))))

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You’re welcome!

Just seen you in Quartzsite Az, welcome

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks Roxy!

Great video as this has been something I've been looking into.. I'm curious have you thought or done a video on a shell build out vs a completely ready togo.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Not yet, but something to consider if we can find one we can film.

@ryanmoore686

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos awesome, guess I'll have to keep an eye out then.

Joe, does the slide in accommodate a toilet and shower like your flatbed does?

Howdy from Arizona 🌵

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Howdy! We’ll be in AZ soon!

@BBQRando

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos Awesome, let me know at bbqrando@gmail.com Would like to say hello! I am a huge fan!

Thanks for the info. Outlines things some never think of. Why can't you get the slide in version with the longer cab over? Lot of us driving a 4 door so we have the room for more overhang.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

I don't know why the company doesn't make a longer cab over for the slide in. Might be to keep weight down.

Got a question? My wife and I are considering an ATC 5th wheel RV toy hauler. Have you seen these and what do you think? TMH

Joe ..Excellent comparisons and video. I am single and want to travel and live in my truck camper full time. And I have a boat I would like to tow, I wont consider a Van or a towing a travel trailer. I have a 2008 Chev Dura Max 6.6 Diesel Allison Tran 69K miles like new condition truck which has lots of miles and life left. I have the original box and with a Leer Topper and that wont work to live in full time. I am considering removing that and setting aside and install a frame mount Hawk. I want to be able to do either or. Maybe I would find out that I may not want to swap out the units and may sell the box and Leer topper? I do not know the work involved to do this. The reason I want to do this is the 2008 Chev Truck is immaculate and have put many $ into it and do not think if I tried to sell it, Book Value would not come close etc. So thinking Why not keep the truck and mount a frame mount Hawk to it. It would save spending approx $75K for a new 3500 HD Truck and doing a slide in. Are you aware of any Hard Cover Campers for a frame vs the pop up camper model I thank you in advance is you or others have any thoughts on my idea Be well Dave

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Hi Dave - to be clear, the Hawk camper is not frame mounted, it’s mounted to the flatbed. There are a lot of people who mount a hard sided slide in camper to a flatbed and put storage boxes along the side where the cuts out for the sides of the bed and wheel wells are. Just keep in mind that set up can get very heavy and you’ll most likely be over your trucks GVWR.

JOE & KAIT, hi I never knew you had a ‘storage bed’ the first time I saw that was in my cousins condo in GERMANY. now I saw 2 different batteries, no description. , also I saw you a fixing a winch, but I thought you already had 1 in front. so is this a replacement. Or is this for rear ? Cheers 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

I'm not sure what you're referring to in terms of batteries. As mentioned in the video, they have different options for batteries and we have the lithiums. The slide in shown has the AGMs but can get lithium. The winch I installed is a new one. When we bought the truck there was one but we removed it before we got the camper on since it didn't work.

@flybyairplane3528

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos there was a clip from the RUSSOS, SAW 2 BATTERIES ONLY, NO AUDIO,,OR ANYTHING ELSE, THATS WHY I asked 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

Do you know how much higher the floor is on the flatbed vs the slide in? Wondering specifically how much higher the center of gravity is? thanks

@Weretherussos

5 ай бұрын

It is different for each truck and how it’s set up. The CG on our flatbed wasn’t ever an issue. Never felt top heavy

What's the maximum height of the slide-in truck camper? My garage door height is 89" only and I wonder I can move in the truck when the pop-up camper is down.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

When the top is down, the slide-in camper is 60" from the bed of the truck to the top of the vent (for most trucks). Measure from the ground to the bed of your truck and you'll get an idea of the total height.

You are comparing these specific models. However is there a reason the overbed in a slide in can't be the same length?

@Weretherussos

2 жыл бұрын

That’s just how the company designs them

With the flatbed could you haul a travel trailer with the camper on the truck?

@Weretherussos

2 жыл бұрын

Yes you absolutely could.

What are the organizers you have behind your sink and stove?

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

It’s by OGG overlandgearguy.com/products/four-wheel-campers-kitchen-organizers

@aaronjohnson9634

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos thank you for the quick response.

Guys, any tips on flat beds? This OZZ bed is really pricey :)

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

You can check out a commercial trailer / flatbed shop and see what they have that would work with this camper.

How long is your flatbed truck from bumper to bumper?

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

22 feet.

When you go off highway, do you air down your tires ? It so how much?

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Yes, we typically run at 50% of our on-road tire pressure. Each vehicle is different so go by the pressures listed for your vehicle.

@kevinshepler2314

3 жыл бұрын

Thanks, I’ve seen plenty of videos about Jeep’s airing down but not hd trucks I am planning to go full time this year in a gmc 3500 and Alaskan camper so I am learning everything I can

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

No problem. People who are rock climbing will air down further but for any other vehicles, 50% on a dirt road will work wonders for your ride quality. We typically air down if we’re going 10 or more miles on rough stuff. Just remember to adjust your driving accordingly when your tires are aired down - it’s not a race and you don’t want to pop a bead or worse.

👋

Who uses what insurance ?

I will chose flatbed campers because I do not have to unhook the components on truck.

Ohh so the flat bed is a taller ride. Good to kno thx

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

No problem 👍

My friend wants to know if you've officially shifted to a product-reviews-only channel. He would like to resubscribe once you start showing camping trips again (especially if you do them in a van or class B+/C). Thanks, bye, 👋

Just upgraded to 2500 or 3500

Thanks for the video. These things just seem over built, under thought through. 900 and 1300 pounds? Seriously? Over and over again I'm just left thinking that all these companies are busy doing the exact same thing the exact same way. Maybe it's some misinterpretation of customer-macho wanting something a bear or army can't chew through. Someone (hopefully) is going to make a streamlined 300 pound pop-up. The price point will drop, the 'old guys' will laugh at the rigs until they notice that they're going farther, digging in less. And why is the second thing done to all of them is fill them up with home kitchen type hard style cabinets? I'd buy a lightweight variation of one of these rigs in a heartbeat - if they existed. And yes pop-ups are the only practical consideration - unless you're going to drive around selling ice cream or sandwiches from the back. It makes no sense to push all that air for space you cannot use while pushing the air. Roof top tents are the simplest demonstration of what I'm beefing about. Two flip panels and a tent to replace a 4 lb $400 ground tent (so I'm not talking cheapo Target/Walmart on sale) . . . 200 - 400 pounds, $2400-$3500. What just happened??? Ok, memory foam mattress instead of air mattress. +$75 and an extra 15 lbs. Sorry to beef, I just wish someone was thinking. I've looked at the Hawks, they're better than most, but too heavy and they cost more than the truck. Just because your truck can haul a certain amount of weight doesn't mean you have to haul it; and spend $20,000 for the opportunity. Again, sorry for the rant - just hoping someone says, 'You know that idiot might have a point. What if.....'

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Four Wheel Campers makes what you’re thinking of: fourwheelcampers.com/model/project-m/#specifications 350-400 pounds Now these are essentially pick up truck toppers that pop-up with a bed. I’ve seen super lightweight campers and the cabinets, etc are either super flimsy foam board type stuff or super expensive composites. Even then you’re now where near your 300lb target. If you want an actual camper with amenities, the cost is weight.

@seelevel1767

3 жыл бұрын

You got a good point

I don't get it. You don't even say hi. Just go right into infomercials. It wouldn't take much to let your viewers know that due to covid, you're not traveling much, and you have sponsors you want to support because you believe in / use their products, etc.

@nikiedge

3 жыл бұрын

I like it when Joe gets right to the subject.. as far as advertising, film stars, sports persons, models etc make a lot of money, probably without using the product.. he may be promoting the product, but to be fair, he's giving his assessment for people to make their own opinion..

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

Hey Jack - so these videos are meant to be informational and most of the people who watch them aren’t subscribers. We’ve learned from past videos that if we don’t get into the subject right away, people will click off. But I get it and that’s why we try to do live streams every now and again that are really meant to be a way for us to chat with all of you and let you know what we’re up to. Also, if you follow us on Instagram or sign up for my newsletter on our website, we do a good job of posting what we’re up to, where we’re going and those types of things.

I feel like We Are the Russo’s needs to meet up with Bound For Nowhere...

You do a great job but can the wife please speak more?! You have been the majority of most of the videos and Variety is never bad. Just speaking for myself. Great Channel though just some constructive feedback.

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

She prefers being behind the camera. I try to get her on camera as much as possible.

@theseniorbodyguard5790

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos you guys are a great team no matter! Glad you are living your dreams!!!

It seem like your videos have turned into adds for campers and no long a traveling channel:(

@Weretherussos

3 жыл бұрын

This channel was built on these types of videos and is what we do the most of.

@travelingyukon2357

3 жыл бұрын

@@Weretherussos But that is all you are doing any more, just sales persons:(

You sound like Trevor Noah (R.I.P).

I love them, but what a waste of a truck, tiny house and a full size truck, buy a van,

Flat bed completely negates the advantages of a pickup.

@Weretherussos

5 ай бұрын

Not at all. Our flatbed has side we can pop on and it much bigger than a standard truck bed

@realistic.optimist

5 ай бұрын

@@Weretherussos send me a link please?

@Weretherussos

5 ай бұрын

I don’t have the second overhead bar at the rear on mine but you can see some different set ups: www.mainlineoverland.com/pages/norweld-aluminium-tray