Last updated: August 4, 2026

In 2012, the desire to explore more of the American West while avoiding conventional travel costs like airfare and hotels led to the purchase of our truck and camper. Having everything we needed to live comfortably off-grid allowed us to tap into a kind of freedom we’d never experienced. It showed us how little we need to be happy and that a life built around spending time in the great outdoors is a wildly satisfying way to spend our time.

Many possessions have come and gone in our life since then, but our Four Wheel Camper remains the perfect tool for a life of discovery and simplicity. Today, the “overlanding” market is flooded with six-figure rigs and expensive gear you don’t actually need to have the adventure of a lifetime. We’ve intentionally kept our setup focused on a hybrid of rugged reliability and true affordability. We built an incredibly capable home on wheels without breaking the bank, and we hope this exact breakdown helps you figure out what you truly need to get out there—and what you don’t.

Jump to:
• Truck Specs
• Four Wheel Camper Specs
• Flatbed Design
• Solar Setup
• Gear & Accessories
• Photo Gallery
• The Rig in Action

Truck Specs

• Engine: 2001 Ford F250 7.3L Turbo Diesel
• Suspension: Custom leaf springs by Alcan Spring, Firestone airbags, Bilstein shocks
• Tires: BFGoodrich All-terrain KO3 tires.  We air down our KO3s for beach camping and rough corrugated roads using these Staun tire deflators and air back up with our 1hp AC air compressor.
• Fuel: Standard 29 gallon fuel tank + one 5 gallon jerry can with this spout replacement kit
• Navigation: iPad mini (the cellular version has built-in GPS) on RAM mount
• Storage: We removed the back seat and built a simple wood platform to maximize storage space.  A cargo net is mounted overhead for coats and rain gear.
• Recovery: Maxtrax, Rhino recovery tow strap, full-size shovel (the shovel is our most frequently used piece of recovery gear and gets the job done way faster and easier than a compact shovel)
• Connectivity: Starlink mini magnetically mounted to the roof of the cab.

Why we chose the truck we did

Online research often yields varied opinions. However, when it comes to Ford’s 7.3L turbo diesel engine (manufactured from 1994-2003) many people agree, it was the best engine Ford ever made. Often referred to as a “million-mile engine” we were drawn to the reliability and longevity of this particular motor. Further, the turbo diesel offered the extra power we needed to perform at high elevation in the Rocky Mountains where we spend our summers. Lastly, weight is always important to consider when building out a truck camper. A 3/4 ton truck gave us a higher weight rating than a 1/2 ton truck.

Why we aim to keep our truck as close to stock as possible

Custom parts introduce custom problems. Because we live on the road full-time we value the ability to source parts quickly, no matter where we are. Over the years, we’ve taken our truck throughout the wilds of the American West and deep into Mexico; very rarely have we wished for more clearance or capability. Less modifications keep our costs down and overall reliability high.

The pros and cons of owning a 25-year-old truck

• Maintenance: Older trucks require more consistent maintenance. We are fortunate that Mark has the mechanical skills to handle almost every repair himself; without his knowledge and willingness to get his hands dirty, keeping our truck in top shape would be a much more expensive endeavor.
• The Warranty Caveat: New trucks come with warranties, but those often come with fine print. Modifying a new truck for off-road use or taking it onto rough backcountry trails can sometimes void your factory coverage, leaving you with a false sense of security.
• International Freedom: When you own your vehicle outright, international travel is simpler. If you’re planning on crossing borders, remember that many banks and lienholders have strict policies against taking financed vehicles into countries like Mexico—you often need explicit written permission, which isn’t always easy to secure.
• Utility Over Appearance: We love pushing deep into the backcountry, and we don’t want to be held back by the fear of a few dings or scratches. If we were making payments on a newer truck, we would likely be much more hesitant to take it down the tight, rugged trails where the best campsites are waiting to be discovered.

Four Wheel Camper Specs

• Model: 2012 Four Wheel Camper Hawk Slide-In Shell*
• Optional add-ons from the factory: furnace, side dinette
• Water: 28 gallons stored in 7 gallon aqua-tainers
• Refrigerator: ARB 50 quart 12v chest fridge
• Toilet: Dometic 5 gallon portable toilet
• Awning: Fiamma F45S
• Shower: Taruca Rogue ensuite shower tent
• Window Coverings: Reflectix cut to size
• Storage solutions: Kelty chef roll to organize odds & ends, coiled rope baskets for inside our cabinets, basket for fresh produce, wall-mounted utensil organizer, rubbermaid bins for clothing, large throw pillow to fill with down coats and blankets, 3M Command hooks for hats and coats

Why we chose a Shell* model

When ordering our Four Wheel Camper, we bypassed the fully built-out floor plans and opted for a base “Shell” model. Our desire for simplicity, durability, and affordability drove this decision. By starting with a blank canvas, we were able to build a home that perfectly matches our travel style. Here is why the shell model works best for us:

• No Permanent Indoor Kitchen: Because we prefer to cook outdoors, a built-in indoor galley would be a waste of space. By skipping the permanent kitchen, we gained massive interior room. During inclement weather, we simply bring our portable induction stovetop or Instant Pot inside.
• Fail-Proof Water Systems: Built-in RV plumbing is just another complex system waiting to break, leak, or freeze. We rely on simple, modular water jugs instead of a built-in tank and pump. As a bonus, skipping a traditional sink has proven to be one of our greatest hacks for conserving water off-grid.
• The Chest Fridge Advantage: Standard upright RV fridges drop all their cold air the second you open the door. By choosing a shell, we had the freedom to build our layout around a portable chest fridge, which is far more power-efficient and holds significantly more food.
• Ultimate Customizability: The shell model offers spaciousness. It gave us the freedom to custom-build a modular interior that perfectly fits our wants and needs.

*What we purchased as a “Shell” model in 2012 is now known as the Hawk “Base” model. The configuration and options offered in the Base model are slightly different than the Shell model.

Flatbed Design

• OEV Aluma-Tray (purchased used on Facebook Marketplace)
• Custom aluminum boxes fabricated by DW Metal Works out of Grand Junction, Colorado

Check out this post to read an in-depth explanation of how we decided to go with a used bed and custom boxes.

What we store in our boxes:

• OEV headache rack: These two narrow but long storage boxes are perfect for items like our Maxtrax recovery boards, deployable solar panels, paddleboard paddles, and a full-size shovel
• Passenger-side upper boxes: These serve as our kitchen and hold items such as our Instant Pot, induction stove-top, electric kettle, gas stove, a small propane tank, cooking utensils, and pantry staples. Our DIY shower system is also housed here. The custom box design offers a sleek surface for cooking which is hard to find with off-the-shelf boxes.
• Passenger-side lower boxes: Water jugs and leveling blocks
• Driver-side upper boxes: Recreational gear, tools, water filtration system
• Driver-side lower boxes: Lubricants and oil for the truck, a permanently mounted air compressor

Why we chose a slide-in camper over a flatbed model

While dedicated flatbed campers offer incredible interior living space, we intentionally chose to mount a traditional slide-in camper onto our OEV flatbed tray, flanking it with custom storage boxes. Here is why this specific hybrid setup works best for our lifestyle:

• The Ultimate Outdoor Kitchen: Counter space is limited inside a pop-up camper. We prefer to cook outside, and the drop-down doors on our passenger-side boxes offer ample counter space.
• Keeping the Dirt Outside: We like the ability to store our outdoor gear and tools outside of the camper. The exterior boxes limit how much dirt, mud, grease, and grime makes its way into our living space.
• True Compartmentalization: When living in a tiny space, organization is everything. Instead of digging to the bottom of a massive pile of gear, our flatbed boxes give every tool and piece of gear their own dedicated, easy-to-reach compartment.
• Maximum Storage: Dedicated flatbed campers look incredibly comfortable on the inside, but they often lack in storage. By pairing a slide-in camper with custom boxes, we gained a wealth of outside storage space without compromising the nimbleness of the rig.

Solar Setup

Because we spend the vast majority of our time camping off-grid on public land, relying on RV parks for shore power was never an option. We needed a setup that would allow us to live, work, and run our business seamlessly no matter how remote our location. Mark custom-designed and built our electrical system from the ground up to give us total independence.

The Solar Array: 

400 watts of flat-mounted solar panels on the roof, regulated by a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 100/30 charge controller. To boost our power production on cloudy days or when parked under shade, we also carry a deployable 200W solar panel paired with a Victron SmartSolar MPPT 75/15 controller, which allows us to optimize our solar angle and utilize Bluetooth load switching.

The Battery Bank: 

A lightweight yet powerful 280Ah 12-volt LiFePO4 lithium setup. To tailor the capacity and footprint perfectly to our camper, Mark built this bank using a DIY lithium battery kit from Sun Fun Kits.

The Inverter & Charging Systems: 

A Magnum Energy MMS1012 1000W inverter/charger handles our 120V AC needs, converting our 12V battery power to easily run our household electronics and gear. To ensure our battery stays topped off while driving between remote campsites, Mark integrated a Victron 50A DC/DC charger that draws power directly from the vehicle’s alternator.

Portable & Auxiliary Power: 

For maximum flexibility in the truck cab and outside around camp, we rely on an EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus portable power station. Paired with two deployable EcoFlow 110W folding solar panels, this gives us an entirely independent power hub to run mobile devices, laptop charging, or camp lighting anywhere outside the main rig setup.

Gear & Accessories

Photo Gallery