Bunk Head Room – Fleet VS. Hawk

[caykend]

I haven't seen any threads commenting on the head room while in the bunk in a Fleet vs. a Hawk.

We are trying to decide on which 4 Wheel Camper model to get. Originally we'd planned on a Tacoma Extended Cab/Fleet, but after reading many payload/cargo discussions on this site (very helpful!) we are now considering an F150 Access Cab/Hawk. We've visited the factory, plus two other dealerships, and have crawled around the Swift, Fleet & Hawk models. I noticed that I could sit up easily in the Fleet & Swift, but not in the Hawk (higher hard sides = higher bunk & shorter fabric on pop-up). Has this been a problem for anyone?

It seems like the F150/Hawk might be a better option in terms of space & power, but I'm worried that I'd be unhappy with the headroom when trying to sit up in the bunk. This seems to be the one drawback to getting a Hawk vs. Fleet. Has anyone spent time sleeping in both models who could give us an opinion. FYI, I'm 5'8" and my husband is 5'10".

Thanks!

 

[longhorn1]

We have a 2014 Grandby. I'm 5'-9" and my wife 5'-3". Never been an issue. The bed is for sleeping and the dinette for sitting. FWC used to offer an option for a taller soft side. You might ask.

 

[Dphillip]

In our Hawk the headroom in the bunk is not a problem but that lifting push board is a magnet for our heads. My wife and I hit our noggins on that thing nightly. Minor annoyance however because we love our Hawk, the fun factor is off the hook!

I like your idea of the F-150 verses the Toyota, greater payload and braking is always a good thing.

 

[rubberlegs]

Umm.... whattya doing in there, hitting your heads?! Seriously, we've also hit our heads, and I've considered putting a bit of padding on that board. But I hit my head a lot worse going through the back door. Owie.

Our Tacoma was overweight by 600 lbs (6200 lb) on our recent trip, according to several weigh stations. I was amazed how well it performed on highway and very rough roads. We drive pretty slowly up hill and in headwinds to save gas, getting 16-20 mpg highly dependent on winds on pavement, and 10 mpg on rough roads. We are newbies though, no comparison with any other truck.

 

[gaylon]

Can’t sit up easily in bed in the hawk. We’ve discussed, if we get another, to ask them to build it with an extended height kit, which I have heard they can do for really tall people. An extra three inches of headroom would make watching movies in bed with the pups that much easier for sure.

 

[DavidGraves]

Hello Caykend

I wonder about your inquiry of the differing height over sleeping area.

We find it a place for one to sleep and a very handy place to put stuff when we are in the lower space.

I cannot imagine ever needing to "sit up" to dress, read or otherwise be in the upper area.

Is that what you were hoping for ?

Sitting up in the bunk would almost certainly involve ones legs hanging over the edge and then you are for the most part already down in the lower area.

FWIW , Hope, 6-1 and I, 5-11 alternately sleep crosswise in our Hawk.....take turns from night to night.

Upper person has lots of room for a clothes box "nighstand" and lower person has easy access to start the coffee and stuff in the morning.

You are smart to think thru your expected use before investing in a camper.

David Graves

 

[drumwood]

I'm 6' 2" so I ordered the additional 2" height when I got my ATC Bobcat. My wife is shorter so I didn't think it would make much difference to her, but it does, for the bunk height. We like to sleep with our heads toward the center of the camper, which means a reverse maneuver after you crawl up to the bunk. The extra bunk height makes that easier, especially when you are trying to not disturb your spouse sleeping next to you.

 

[klahanie]

... An extra three inches of headroom would make watching movies in bed ....

Well I've wondered about the sit up thing before and that explains it (or some of it, IDK )

I'm old and figured it was either for reading or acid reflux.

 

[caykend]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. To clarify, I was thinking about being able to sit cross-legged in the upper bed (that’s over the truck cab) and use it for extra lounging space. It’s good to know that 4WC offers an extra height build—didn’t know that was an option.

It’s also been helpful to hear the different ways that people have worked out for using their space (ex.: alternating who sleeps in upper bed, etc.). Keep the comments coming. Thanks!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

You might also talk to ATC. They will do custom builds, including extra height.

 

[Wallowa]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. To clarify, I was thinking about being able to sit cross-legged in the upper bed (that’s over the truck cab) and use it for extra lounging space. It’s good to know that 4WC offers an extra height build—didn’t know that was an option.

It’s also been helpful to hear the different ways that people have worked out for using their space (ex.: alternating who sleeps in upper bed, etc.). Keep the comments coming. Thanks!

Interesting topic...we only travel with the two of us and read in bed [upper bed/'16 Hawk] before konking out...sitting up not needed for us lots of places to sit down below with side dinette...

Wonder how extra height is achieved? Extra height to top or extended side panels? Probably not significant wind drag issue either way but lifting front could take more umph...fore and aft panels would need changes I assume...

Good to get what you want; after really turning over the pros and cons..cuz you need to live with your choices...

Phil

 

[esimmers]

Here’s our experience in an 09 Hawk. I’m 6’ 3” so if I’m in the cab over bunk, I’m lying prone, left to right. If I want to sit up, I’m down in the dinette.

I sleep next to the bunk edge so it’s tight for my wife to crawl over me to get to the front of the bunk.

 

[trikebubble]

I'm 6'2" and I usually prop a couple pillows against the vinyl section and kind of lean into it when watching movies. I definitely
can't sit straight up in the Hawk, but so far it has not been an issue. We have two dogs and we can all relax pretty comfortably on the Queen size bed while watching a movie or reading.
It really depends on where you see yourself traveling. So far we really haven't been limited due to the size of the Tundra and Hawk combination and we off-road and jam it into places it has no place going.

All other things being equal I'd opt for the full size truck and Hawk over the smaller truck and camper. I'm not familiar with the power of the F-150, but I imagine it should more than enough power to get you where you're going in comfort. I', all in on a full size truck myself, the increased interior room for comfort on long trips, the added power, payload, increased interior size of the camper...to me it's a no-brainer.

 

[klahanie]

Thanks everyone for your input so far. To clarify, I was thinking about being able to sit cross-legged in the upper bed (that’s over the truck cab) and use it for extra lounging space. It’s good to know that 4WC offers an extra height build—didn’t know that was an option.

It’s also been helpful to hear the different ways that people have worked out for using their space (ex.: alternating who sleeps in upper bed, etc.). Keep the comments coming. Thanks!

No point in buying an uncomfortable camper. The length of the overcab berth would be my first concern. If too short, or diagonal too groovy then buy the bigger one. If getting a roll over couch layout, the width of the lower bed would be a factor. Our Granby made up is 42" wide, barely enough but possible to sleep top down.

Another consideration is interior height, top down. For jumping in to use the porta potti, change clothes, make some lunch etc.

Be nice if you could test before buying.


fwiw We run a large fullsize which, for our own reasons, is a good set up for us right now. But I have to say, every time I go to the store parking lot and see a Tacoma parked, I instantly see it's appeal for driving around the city. Furthermore, the narrower, shorter platform and matching camper would have been welcome many a time off highway; we've done a lot of road-edge pruning over the years and turning around would have been less worrying.

No pot stirring, just saying, each rig has it's merits. And each owner has her own wants and plans for use.

Good luck with the hunt !

 

[Chadx]

Unrelated to height, but whichever you get, Fleet or hawk, I recommend getting the king bed option. In the hawk, sleeping front to back, rather than side to side, is great with two people. No crawling over the top of each other and more head and foot room compared to sleeping sideways. When pulled out, there isn't much room to stand, but you don't have to pull it out all the way. You have the option of using it in full, queen or king mode.

 

[Lighthawk]

One of the first things I did was to put some closed cell pipe insulation on the push board over our heads. Those edges are sharp enough to cause a decent head wound on the 08 models.

 

[Frstnflt]

I had a Hawk shell on a Ram 1500 and now have a Swift on a Tacoma. It was not until reading this that I realized I can sit up in the Swift and not the Hawk. It has been nice on a couple occasions being able to host a few people "downstairs" while I'm up top with legs dangling and beer on the counter. I am not satisfied with the power of the Tacoma and the camper. The next step will be to trade to an F-150 but keep the Swift though it will need a small platform and jack extensions. Best of both worlds also smaller campers look good on bigger trucks because there is little or no overhang off the sides of the bed.

 

[caykend]

Thought I’d post an update on our decision. We’ve ordered a Fleet and a new Ford Ranger which has a higher payload than the Tacoma. We feel the smaller vehicle will work better for us when the camper is off. We don’t expect delivery until late spring so it will be a while before we can let you know how it all works out.

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

The issue is "bed-rail" height. With the Tacoma the top is higher because the "bed-rails" are lower than in a full-size truck. My buddy could not sit up in his '06 Kestral (Hawk) sitting on a 2013 Chevy 1500 while I can sit up in mine. Sitting up is important because we sleep "north-south" so its easier to get in and out of the bed.

"First-N-" You mention that you don't like the lack of power in your Tacoma so you must have the 3.5 motor. Our Tacoma with the 4.0 V6. Loaded for a week off road at 6100 pounds passes semi's on 2 way roads like a sports car. Looks like I will be keeping our 2013 for the rest of my driving life.

 

[Frstnflt]

The issue is "bed-rail" height. With the Tacoma the top is higher because the "bed-rails" are lower than in a full-size truck. My buddy could not sit up in his '06 Kestral (Hawk) sitting on a 2013 Chevy 1500 while I can sit up in mine. Sitting up is important because we sleep "north-south" so its easier to get in and out of the bed.

"First-N-" You mention that you don't like the lack of power in your Tacoma so you must have the 3.5 motor. Our Tacoma with the 4.0 V6. Loaded for a week off road at 6100 pounds passes semi's on 2 way roads like a sports car. Looks like I will be keeping our 2013 for the rest of my driving life.

yeah, I have not driven a 4.0 but the consensus seems to be that they are better at least lower down and the 3.5 was optimized to have power closer to redline which I just do not want to use. Maybe I had unrealistic expectations but it stinks and just not getting used to it.