Is the FWC Grandby good for full-time living?

It can work for short stints of full-time living, but most owners find it too small for permanent residence. The lack of a bathroom, limited storage, and condensation issues make extended living challenging. Couples who live in them full-time typically supplement with external storage and have a gym membership for showers. It's better suited as a dedicated adventure vehicle.

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Four Wheel Campers Grandby

Name: Four Wheel Campers Grandby
Brand: Four Wheel Campers
Availability: InStock
Rating: 2.6 (7 reviews)

by Four Wheel Campers · 2025

$26,995–$35,000Base price; options typically add $5K-$8K

Dry Weight

1,280 lbs

Sleeps

Setup Time

2 min

Kitchen

Yes

Bathroom

None

Season

3-Season

The largest Four Wheel Camper model, designed for full-size 8-foot bed trucks. Offers more interior space and full kitchen amenities while retaining the lightweight pop-up design.

TL;DR

The FWC Grandby is the long-bed sibling of the beloved Hawk, offering the same legendary build quality and lightweight design with more interior space. At 1,280 lbs dry, it's remarkably light for a full 8-foot bed camper. It's the go-to choice for long-bed truck owners who want FWC quality without compromise.

Based on 10 reviews and 4 owner submissions

What You Need to Know

Great For

Long-bed truck owners who want maximum interior space in a pop-up, overlanders prioritizing weight and off-road capability, couples who want a bit more room than the Hawk, FWC fans with full-size trucks.

People Love

The extra length over the Hawk provides noticeably more living space — particularly appreciated for longer trips. Same outstanding FWC build quality and lightweight construction. The larger floor plan allows for a more functional kitchen layout. Holds value extremely well on the used market.

Weight & Dimensions

Dry Weight1,280 lbs

Wet Weight1,520 lbs

Interior Height78"

Overall Length96"

Overall Width80"

Overhang—

Sleeping

Capacity4

Bed TypeCabover Queen

OrientationEast-West

Kitchen

KitchenYes

Cooktop2 burners

Fridge12V Compressor

OvenNo

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the FWC Grandby and the Hawk?

The main difference is bed length — the Grandby fits 8-foot truck beds while the Hawk fits 6-foot beds. The Grandby is about 180 lbs heavier but offers significantly more interior space, especially in the kitchen and dinette areas. Build quality and construction methods are identical. Choose based on your truck bed length.

Can the FWC Grandby fit on a short bed truck?

No, the Grandby is designed specifically for 8-foot long beds. It will overhang dangerously on a short bed and the mounting points won't align. If you have a short bed truck, look at the FWC Hawk or Fleet models instead. Some owners have modified trucks with flatbeds to fit the Grandby, but this is uncommon.

How long does the FWC Grandby last?

FWC campers are known for longevity. It's common to see Grandbys from the 1990s and 2000s still in active use with regular maintenance. The wood-frame construction ages well if kept dry, and the aluminum skin doesn't rust. Canvas sides may need replacement every 10-15 years depending on UV exposure and care.

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LivabilityPositive

The Grandby's extra length over the Hawk makes a real difference in daily living. Owners consistently cite the additional floor space as transformative for cooking, moving around, and organizing gear. The layout accommodates a larger dinette area and more counter space. For couples on extended trips, the extra room reduces the feeling of being on top of each other.

Noticeably more floor space than the short-bed Hawk
Kitchen area benefits from additional counter and prep space
Dinette area is more comfortable for two people
Extra length is most appreciated on trips longer than a weekend

Weight & PayloadPositive

At 1,280 lbs dry, the Grandby is impressively light for a full 8-foot camper. It pairs well with full-size trucks like the F-250 and Ram 2500, leaving generous payload for gear and water. Even on an F-150 with the long bed option, the weight is manageable. The FWC construction methods keep weight low without sacrificing durability.

1,280 lbs dry is very light for a full 8-foot bed camper
Full-size 3/4-ton trucks have excellent payload margin
Loaded camping weight typically 1,700-1,900 lbs
Weight advantage translates to better fuel economy and handling

CondensationNegative

Like all FWC soft-side pop-ups, condensation is an issue in cooler weather. The canvas walls and ceiling collect moisture from breathing and cooking, especially below 50 degrees. The Grandby's larger interior can actually help slightly compared to the Hawk, as there's more air volume. But ventilation is still essential — a fan and cracked window are the standard owner solutions.

Same condensation challenges as all FWC soft-side pop-ups
Worst in temperatures below 50°F without ventilation
Larger interior volume helps slightly compared to the Hawk
Roof fan and cracked windows are essential for moisture management

KitchenPositive

The Grandby's kitchen benefits from the extra length, offering more counter space and a slightly more practical cooking layout than the Hawk. The standard two-burner stove and sink work well for camp meals. Most owners still prefer cooking outside when weather allows, but the Grandby makes indoor cooking less cramped. Many add a portable fridge on the floor.

More counter space than the Hawk thanks to the longer floor plan
Two-burner stove and sink handle most meal prep needs
Indoor cooking is more comfortable with the extra room
Portable 12V fridge fits well on the floor near the kitchen area

Four Wheel Campers Grandby

TL;DR

What You Need to Know

Great For

People Love

Weight & Dimensions

Sleeping

Kitchen

Own a Four Wheel Campers Grandby?

Frequently Asked Questions

Have a Question About the Four Wheel Campers Grandby?

Watch Out For

Bathroom

Water System

Electrical

Climate & Insulation

Construction & Setup

Truck Requirements