dorocks
Senior Member
Greetings All
If you have followed some of my threads you probably noticed I struggled between getting a Kestrel or a Hawk for my 2001 Tundra. But when a very clean, barely used Hawk showed up on Craigslist I couldn't resist the purchase. My wife had said she prefers nicer newer stuff nowadays, and since she makes more money than me, she said go for it.
One of the first things I noticed was when you get a Hawk, you don't have to get extension mirrors. Because the camper sits 5 inches above the bed rails you can see just fine "under" the camper sides with the standard mirrors.
Two, I did not have to drill a hole in the bed to run the wiring. Since the camper is above the side rails I just slipped my wiring harness down a stake hole and and the conjoined plugs stay in there just fine.
Third, amenities are nice. i never considered getting a furnace but this Hawk had one. It got rainy and cold when I was working on the camper early am. I jumped in the camper to wait out the showers and turned on the furnace. I was toasty in no time. I can see us doing more cold weather camping than I expected.
Fourth, the height in the Hawk surprised me. Even with the top down, I can sit comfortably inside even though I am 6'1". When I made the trip up to Lompoc, leaving at 4:00am, and drove back I got pooped. I jumped in back of the camper, and napped on the couch, with the top still down.
Fifth, the solar is heavy. It takes two to get the front roof up. May consider getting the lift assists from FWC.
Sixth, I ordered my custom springs from Deaver to handle the load. I want my truck at normal height. I don't plan to have the camper off the truck.
Seven and finally. My wife was pleasantly surprised at the room. With all the appliances we expected less space. Looks like FWC has tried to squeeze as much storage as they can in a slide in camper.
Wish I had had this unit when I went to Canyonlands. http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/White-Rim-Trail-Day-Two/10029977_C7Ldd#694498039_DghLK. I could have escaped the mosquitoes that scarred me for life Tee Hee.
Keith and Jeanne Barnes
If you have followed some of my threads you probably noticed I struggled between getting a Kestrel or a Hawk for my 2001 Tundra. But when a very clean, barely used Hawk showed up on Craigslist I couldn't resist the purchase. My wife had said she prefers nicer newer stuff nowadays, and since she makes more money than me, she said go for it.
One of the first things I noticed was when you get a Hawk, you don't have to get extension mirrors. Because the camper sits 5 inches above the bed rails you can see just fine "under" the camper sides with the standard mirrors.
Two, I did not have to drill a hole in the bed to run the wiring. Since the camper is above the side rails I just slipped my wiring harness down a stake hole and and the conjoined plugs stay in there just fine.
Third, amenities are nice. i never considered getting a furnace but this Hawk had one. It got rainy and cold when I was working on the camper early am. I jumped in the camper to wait out the showers and turned on the furnace. I was toasty in no time. I can see us doing more cold weather camping than I expected.
Fourth, the height in the Hawk surprised me. Even with the top down, I can sit comfortably inside even though I am 6'1". When I made the trip up to Lompoc, leaving at 4:00am, and drove back I got pooped. I jumped in back of the camper, and napped on the couch, with the top still down.
Fifth, the solar is heavy. It takes two to get the front roof up. May consider getting the lift assists from FWC.
Sixth, I ordered my custom springs from Deaver to handle the load. I want my truck at normal height. I don't plan to have the camper off the truck.
Seven and finally. My wife was pleasantly surprised at the room. With all the appliances we expected less space. Looks like FWC has tried to squeeze as much storage as they can in a slide in camper.
Wish I had had this unit when I went to Canyonlands. http://keithbarnes.smugmug.com/Landscapes/White-Rim-Trail-Day-Two/10029977_C7Ldd#694498039_DghLK. I could have escaped the mosquitoes that scarred me for life Tee Hee.
Keith and Jeanne Barnes