One Week in a Four Wheel Pop Up Camper

The  open road. Nothing compares to that feeling of freedom when the windows are down and there is only open road in front of you. I love plotting out my route: finding the best parks to hit up, places to camp, obscure historical spots to visit, and a few hot springs to soak in. Usually, a road trip with me requires packing the car with all of the camping gear: tent, sleeping bags, cooking gear, sleeping pad, cooler, etc.—the whole shebang. So if  I’ve left enough room for the passengers I’ve done a good job. Even with all of the work that goes into a camping road trip, I’d never considered RV camping.

I really enjoy pitching my tent, and the RV community never really resonated with me. So when campervans came into style, I admittedly grouped them right in with RVs. That’s why, when I tested out a Four Wheel Pop Up Camper for a recent trip to Joshua Tree, I was surprised when I fell in love with it. I admit it; I’m a convert. And if you’re an adventure-lover like me, the Four Wheel camper is something you want to check out as well.The campers are available to rent. But be warned; after you try one, you’re likely going to want to buy one for yourself. 

In October, I planned a road trip from Woodland, California (Four Wheel’s flagship factory) to the California desert. My plan was to deliver Issue 2 of Bucket magazine to the businesses that we recommended in the magazine and (to finally) try out one of the Four Wheel Pop Up Campers that we advertise in the mag. So, I started the journey right at the factory. 

You can tell from the moment you walk into the factory that this is a cool business. I was greeted by one of the owners of the company, who sported  a Hawaiian shirt and welcomed  me with a warm smile and an immediate invitation to tour the factory. You might think this courtesy was extended to me because I’m with Bucket, but you get the feeling that Four Wheel is a friendly bunch willing to show anyone who’s interested in the inner workings of the factory. 

Here’s what I discovered: These campers are manufactured right there on site (by humans, not machines) with incredible attention to detail. The factory is separated into different stages of the build-out process, which means as you walk through the factory you see a camper being built from start to finish. Pretty cool. They construct everything in-house: the frame, the electrical system, the upholstery, etc. making it a very impressive operation. Wanna take see it for yourself? Here’s a full factory tour. 

After the factory tour I was introduced to my “rig” –– that’s how they describe the trailer and truck together. The truck alone was impressive. You could tell that this truck was equipped to go just about anywhere (and, I went just about everywhere). Throughout the week I got many looks when I was driving the “rig”. I couldn’t help but feel large and in charge while I was driving it. Then we walked to the back of the truck and opened the door of the camper. Inside the Four Wheel Camper was everything you could possibly need for an adventure. Like I said, I haven’t spent much time in an RV or a camper van, but after my tour of the pop up, I couldn’t wait to get on the road. You can take a virtual tour of the rigs here. 

A Quick Tour 

Each rig has different features depending on the camper. The campers can be customized, so not every camper will be the same. Here are some of the features in most Four Wheel Campers: 

Kitchen 

When you walk into the camper, on the left hand side is just about everything you need in a kitchen: a gas stove top, a sink, and a refrigerator. There was plenty of counter space for prepping food and drying dishes, with tons of storage cabinet space below the stove and sink. 

Sitting Area 

On the right hand side of the camper there was a small table and chairs where you could sit and have a meal. There was also a long bench for seating. The best part? The chairs can be swiveled and tucked away to create another single bed. 

Electricity 

One pleasant surprise:  The camper runs on solar energy and energy generated from the truck. There are outlets and charging ports in the camper. 

Lights 

Lights line the inside of the truck so that you can cook, read, etc. at night. On the outside, there are bright lights on either side of the camper to use when you’re hanging out outside. 

Shower 

There’s a showerhead attached to the water tank for a nice outdoor shower.  

Bed

The queen bed is lofted above the cab of the truck and can be extended out into a king-sized bed with some extra cushions. 

When I Fell in Love 

I’ve spent a lot of time hiking in Anza Borrego, but I had never been able to make it to Font’s Point. Font’s Point is a vast canyon that’s been called “California’s Grand Canyon” and is supposed to be a stunning place to watch the sunrise or sunset. The problem, though, is that it requires a vehicle that can handle off-roading to get there and you really want to camp close so that you can catch the golden hours. I knew that I was going to finally have my shot at seeing the sunrise over the canyon with the Four Wheel Pop Up Camper. 

My brother and his girlfriend had come down to the desert to meet my partner and I for our week-long trip. We all set out in the “rig” for the canyon as the sun was setting. We knew we were going to have to settle in when it was dark outside, but we figured it was a great opportunity to test out the outside lights on the camper. We made it to Anza Borrego and, because you can camp just about anywhere in the state park, we found a place to park the rig not too far from the canyon. We turned on the outside lights, whipped up a taco dinner on the stove, drank chilled beer from the fridge, and played a round of cards under the lights of the rig. We charged our phones inside while we enjoyed each other's company and, when it was time to go to bed, my partner and I snuggled up into our king bed. Here we were in the middle of nowhere with a sea of stars above our head and all of the amenities we needed for the night. It wasn’t glamorous, but we weren’t roughing it—the perfect combination. Our alarm went off at 5:30 and we all rubbed our eyes and made our way to the canyon. Before we left, though, we whipped up a pot of coffee on the stove. We sat watching the sunrise over a landscape that was hard to truly grasp––so deep and so wide that it seemed like there was no end to it. That’s when I fell in love with the camper. 

Here’s what I didn’t understand: The Four Wheel Pop Up Campers offer convenience, not luxury. I’d always felt that RVs or camper vans were the antithesis of the true adventure’s spirit. It limited your potential for spontaneity or connecting with nature. What I found, though, was that the pop up camper was a tool for me to do even more. Instead of spending time packing (and repacking) my tent and car everyday or making a fire to cook over, I was saving time and energy by having everything in the same place. On top of that, the rig could take me places I might not have otherwise been able to access. It’s a complement, not a detraction,  to the adventurous lifestyle. Bring your surfboard, your bike, your skis, or whatever you’re into and hit the road. In a Four Wheel Camper, you may find yourself going further and enjoying the adventure even more.