Front wall couch?

[Frstnflt]

Hi, just joined and love the dialogue. I have a Hawk shell on order with the couch on driver's side to not obstruct the window. I now realize how little storage space this will leave me there will be virtually no room for cabinets, heater, stove, sink if I want to do that. Can the couch be moved to the front wall and what will this entail? What is the downside of this? Will it be too wide? Have found a couple mentions and pictures but no discussion on whether this can be done or why more people do not do it. It looks cool too. Thanks.

 

[DSD277]

I bought a used Kestrel shell(basically a Hawk) last year, and had thoughts of moving the rollover to the front also, (mostly because I have difficulty getting around it getting into the camper). Moving it wouldn't be the problem, what may become a nuisance is the leg area is only the 4' between the wheel wells and sitting shoulder to shoulder with your partner. If you're eating, you need to get around whatever table your food is on. You'll also realize the couch will then be mounted higher on the outside sections of the camper over the bed rails, most likely the sitting position will have your feet dangling... then to fix that, you add a riser to the floor to take the pressure off the back of your legs. The only other plus is you'll now have some good storage area under the couch, a nice, clean entry to enter from the outside... unless you muck up the rear area building cabinets that infringe on the walkway.

With that said, I unexpectedly changed trucks which requires a different camper. After I determine if I can sleep across the front on a Fleet or Swift, I'll be back to trying to solve those other irritants.

 

[forrestthorniley]

Frstnflt,

I also ordered a Hawk Shell, should be ready in mid July. I believe Chris at RMFWC told me that it is the same width to go from the roll over to the front mount for the couch, but I did not measure to confirm. I think with the front mount couch it would need to be removable or you would lose the little lift up storage area along the wheel well shelf withut some cutting. I believe you would also have to remove the underseat cabinet for the roll over couch on the side if you move it to the front.

I originally wanted the front dinette which is not an option for the shell. Buying the couch parts only is prohibitively expensive, so I bought just the roll over brackets and I'll cut some plywood to fit and add cushions and fabric. The brackets are $150. I'm not sure what the height of the couch will be for legroom but as DSD277 mentioned it may result in feet dangling without an additional storage platform build. I also plan on sliding an ARB fridge under the couch during transport to keep the weight in a good spot.

I plan on using my camper a good amount in winter, so I wanted the room for gear and sleeping capacity for 2-4 people. I think the front mount couch leaves a good amount of room towards the door, and will sleep four tightly for the "Powder Highway".

 

[Frstnflt]

Thanks guys glad I asked. The first thing about narrow foot room did not occur to me. I just found some measurements and the Hawk seems to be 78 in wide and 77.5 in long, hard to believe it is wider than long but guess that will work. I did not even know there was storage under the bedrails, how do you get to it with a couch on top of it? Why would it be mounted higher? Will it need any center support?

 

[llavaseur]

I have the front roll over couch in my grandby shell, it works well for me, i use the area under to store a cooler, water container and portable toilet. The seat cushions of my couch are loose and if i slide it all the way forward it only protrudes from the front wall 11 inches as shown in the first picture. no center support is needed, I think there is an aluminum structure on the seat cushion, its very strong.

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/gallery/image/14731-1/

http://www.wanderthewest.com/forum/gallery/album/911-fold-over-couch/

 

[DSD277]

Thanks guys glad I asked. The first thing about narrow foot room did not occur to me. I just found some measurements and the Hawk seems to be 78 in wide and 77.5 in long, hard to believe it is wider than long but guess that will work. I did not even know there was storage under the bedrails, how do you get to it with a couch on top of it? Why would it be mounted higher? Will it need any center support?

The normal mounting position of the couch is in and lower than the bed rail, If you can find a pic, you'll see on the shell that there a cabinet over the wheel well opposite the couch and has a door to open up (not obvious because it is carpeted). On side with the couch, you get the storage by removing the cushion and opening the doors up. It would be part of the open floor area if you didn't have the couch. If you move the couch to the front, you will need a base across to support the cushions.
The Hawk shell is basically a square box

 

[RisingSun]

Can someone tell me where I can purchase the bracket?

 

[Stokeme]

FWC will sell the brackets.

 

[RisingSun]

Contacted them, no response.
I am sure this is not FWC design and they are getting from somewhere. Does anyone know who makes this? Or make similar hardware?

 

[forrestthorniley]

I bought my brackets from FWC. Try tour local dealer? Mine is Rocky Mountain FWC in Arvada, CO.

You can also buy the whole couch kit (popular in sprinters and toy haulers). You might try calling these guys direct to see if they will sell you the brackets only. I assume these are built the same as the FWC rollover couch, but I don't know for sure.

http://www.blazinbelltech.com/index.html#sportbedbracket

http://www.rbcomponents.com/components/furniture/furniture/76in-sofa-sleeper-567.html

https://www.modulinecabinets.com/accessories/folding-beds/

 

[RisingSun]

FWC got back to me and told me that they stop selling this to customers. Too bad.

But I also contacted RBC and they responded to me they sell the parts. If you are looking to buy the bracket, contact RBC. Quick response and smooth transaction. It was little more than I was willing to pay, but not so bad.