East of the Mississippi FWC owners chime in

[Jollyrogers]

I'm heading up tomorrow for a Saturday night camp and explore around Rt60/605 as a start. Oronoco campground. Was planning on going down FR39 towards Lynchburg Reservoir or over to Panther Falls area (I think that's what it's called). If anyone is interested, you can't miss me, black Ram 2500 with a FWC Hawk.

ETA: Change of plans. Will be up there Friday evening.

 

[Jollyrogers]

So we got to Oronoco "campground" around 7pm. A few people were there. We set up on Peddler River. Someone had left a nights worth of firewood . Bugs were bad! But it was an Ok spot. Rode up to get sugar in Buenna Vista, then drove down Panther Falls and around Reservoir Rd. Pretty disappointed. Roads were nice and passable, limited areas to camp though. Almost went down to the off road area further south, but the map I had said limit to 50" wide vehicles. I never did find emerald creek or any of the 'rough' stuff. Ended up camping at Reservoir and Camping Swap crossover area.

 

[rustytinbender]

Hi my name is Keith. I live in southeastern Wisconsin and I picked up a 2011 FWC Hawk last October. Soon after I started following WTW looking for ideas.

During the winter I added a Trimetric 2030 battery monitoring system with 100 amp shunt, a SC-2030 solar charge controller, 2 Renogy 100 watt flexible lightweight solar panels and 2 Cabela size 24 AGM batteries.

By researching on WTW I was able to find the spot on the roof to access the wiring for solar and installed a plug in the roof. I used double face tape and silicone caulk to fasten the panels to the roof. I didn't like the bulky connections on the panel so I cut them off , soldered and sealed the connections and used a couple of waterproof wire nuts.

I remounted the thermostat to make room for the trimetric, the shunt is underneath behind the cabinet, and the charge controller is mounted in the cabinet below the door. I have atttached photos of the install.

My camper is used primarily in northern Wisconsin but I did take a 9 day trip to Utah in June. All operations worked well and I didn't need to plug in once while I was gone. The charge would get back to 100% most days while keeping the beer cold in my Engel fridge , along with extra power in the afternoons to charge my computer with a small inverter.

View attachment 21309View attachment 21309

 

[Jollyrogers]

Nice setup!

 

[ski3pin]

Hi my name is Keith. I live in southeastern Wisconsin and I picked up a 2011 FWC Hawk last October.
<snip>

Keith, welcome to WTW!

 

[wi_hawk]

Keith, Welcome to WTW and would be nice seeing you in the northwoods. Lot of places to go in WI & UP MI

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Keith, welcome to the group. I am glad you've found good information here.

 

[Main Line Overland]

As some of you know, Main Line Overland, the East Coast Dealer for FWC, is hosting the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Overland Festival from August 13-16th in Huntingdon, PA. This year we are organizing the factory-sponsored Four Wheel Campers East Coast Owners' Rally at the festival, which is located on our 220 acre farm in the rolling hills of Stone Mountain valley, with frontage for fly fisherman and anglers along the renowned Standing Stone Creek. There will be winch and recovery workshops from Garrett Porterfield from Overland Experts, talks from E7 Adventurer and Publisher of Overland Journal, Scott Brady, and many others throughout 4 days of camping, trail riding, vendor hopping, live music, and trading stories with fellow camper owners and adventurers. Stan Kennedy, FWC's factory Sales Manager will also be at the festival to meet and answer your questions, as well as the FWC sales and installation team from Main Line Overland. Our goal is to see the biggest ever line-up of Four Wheel Campers on the East Coast, so we are challenging all owners to come and give the West Coast rally a run for its money!

Registration is open and space is limited, so secure your spot today at: overlandfestival.com

 

[SCAROLINAHAWK]

New East ofs!!,

Leaving here F to begin the drive to CA for pick up of our new HAWK which will go on our 2015 Ford F150 4x4 off road.
We were delayed by a few minor issues: tracking a leak in an air bag(an unsquare hose cut) and discovering that though there are trailer sockets on the bumper of the truck they do not activate unless you are towing. Rather odd. So my husband is running wires from the cigarette outlet in the extended cab of the truck so we can hook up the back up camera.

We are former tenters who have spent 3 month stretches camping and hiking mainly out west. Our current plan, unplanned, is to spend the next 3 months wandering around the West and perhaps Baja.
Switching to FWC was something we long thought of as it extends our season and options. We primarily camped in remote areas. Will be nice to have heat and outdoor shower which for us should eliminate the occasional desire to hit a hotel and make winter more enjoyable.

We are relatively new to SC having lived outside of D.C. for eons. I did a lot of hiking with the PATC
Wednesday hikers. A great group if you are anywhere near there. Excellent resource for Shenandoah and beyond hikes.

Back here mid Winter. Looking forward to exploring the Smokies, Nantahala etc.
By the way, HUNTINGTON BEACH STATE PARK has a great campground on the beach and the rates usually drop for the Winter months.

Hope to cross paths with some of you and share info.
Honk if you spot us. Stop in for a refresco if you catch us.

daygreeter

 

[PaulT]

Daygreeter,

When you get to the Smokies, Nantahala area, check out Judaculla Rock while the marks are still there. Soapstone doesn't stand up to the elements like harder rocks do.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judaculla_Rock

Welcome to the forum.

Paul

 

[Montreat]

Hello, ran across this thread looking for a caravan to Alaska for 2016, anyone headed that way? I have a 2015 Fleet purchased in Jackson Hole (great folks) on a 2015 Tacoma. Live in the Asheville area of North Carolina, enjoy driving and visiting national parks and monuments. Have had three sportsmobiles before settling on the FWC.

 

[eblau]

Located in Winchester, VA. Mulling over the idea of selling my Grandby and looking for a Big Foot but I do love my Four Wheel Camper. Id like to check out a Big Foot in person but they are few and far between out this way just like the FWCs.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

eblau, if you're considering a Bigfoot, look at Northen Lite as well. My opinion is these two are the best of the hard sides in terms of construction. The downside is the weight, and sway going down the highway.

If you're still open to a popup, consider an Alaskan. I've never been in a more comfortable camper of any type or style. They are very light when compared to the hard side campers, well insulated, and after visiting the factory, appear very well made. If we sell our Grandby, and replace it with a full size camper, it will most likely be an 8 foot Alaskan. Another thing I like about the Alaskan is I can close and lock the tailgate. With expensive camera gear in back, that's a plus for me, not to mention having the original backup camper.

The Grandby is great, but as arthritis catches up with me, I'm less inclined to want to be the lift mechanism for the top.

 

[eblau]

I've been keeping an eye out for either the Big Foot or Northern Lite but both are pretty scarce around this part of the country. The Grandby is perfect for what we have been using it for so far (mostly staying in the paddock at the racetrack while road racing) but the paddock is paved and the heat radiating from it really makes the inside hot during the peak summer months. I use a small window unit in the emergency exit window but the setup is kind of a pain especially when we arrive late. I will say it is a pleasure to stay in the FWC the other three seasons of the year though, I have had it in temps as low as 15 degrees and on another trip in two straight days of rain and was perfectly comfortable. Truly relaxing hearing the rain on the roof sometimes. I figure if I am going to haul a camper in my truck to the race track why not just haul a self contained unit so when we arrive its just a matter of opening the door and turning the AC on. I've got a few months to think about it but so far have narrowed it down to a Big Foot/ NL as the construction is just so much better than the competition. I am still banging my head about missing an Outfitter that was for sale in PA with AC a few months back, looked like a really clean unit and was a steal at $7K!!!! Doh!

eblau, if you're considering a Bigfoot, look at Northen Lite as well. My opinion is these two are the best of the hard sides in terms of construction. The downside is the weight, and sway going down the highway.

If you're still open to a popup, consider an Alaskan. I've never been in a more comfortable camper of any type or style. They are very light when compared to the hard side campers, well insulated, and after visiting the factory, appear very well made. If we sell our Grandby, and replace it with a full size camper, it will most likely be an 8 foot Alaskan. Another thing I like about the Alaskan is I can close and lock the tailgate. With expensive camera gear in back, that's a plus for me, not to mention having the original backup camper.

The Grandby is great, but as arthritis catches up with me, I'm less inclined to want to be the lift mechanism for the top.

 

[fireball]

We just sent out a deposit for a 2014 Hawk. Going to pick it up Memorial Day weekend. Excited to join the club!

 

[TZtraveler]

Welcome, in advance, to the FWC way to explore the world. You must be very excited. We look forward to hearing more, and seeing some pictures, when your rig arrives.

 

[Bombsight]

Picking my new loaded Hawk up on May 31st at Rocky Mountain FWC.
17 Hour drive (one way) from southeast Texas.

You have all convinced me its worth it.

 

[DYNOBOB]

Guess I should check in on this thread.. After a couple years casually looking, our summer trip plan to AK forced the issue and in Feb I made a 3200mi run to Billings for a mint 2010 Hawk. Now, instead of camping, Dad will chase me with the truck the entire 11,500mi trip (I'm riding my Wing to Yukon, then switching to Husky for AK). Leaving mid-Aug, with luck the rig will be in Prudhoe before Labor Day. I'm thrilled with how the Hawk is barely noticeable on the Ram 3500, even when towing and on twisty roads. Got hand calc 13mpg@72mph taking the bikes to the TN Smokies last weekend. Anyway, hope to make one of the group GTGs at some point and meet some fellow FWC enthusiasts. Bob

,

 

[scirocco16v]

Located in Middle TN, refurbishing the hawk I just purchased a few weeks ago. mostly plan to piddle around TN and them branch out in my adventures when the rig is all set up.

 

[ofc11066]

Well after another year following WTW, I finally put my deposit down. Will be driving from Fl. to Main Line in PA. to pick up the Raven in Sept then drive down to Asheville for Overland Expo East.