The 2.6m F45S weighs 20kg without the mounting brackets. The weight is also high up and way off the vehicle centerline, which is the worst place for vehicle handling. We take ours off when we know we won't use it, which is most of the winter season.
rando said:The 2.6m F45S weighs 20kg without the mounting brackets. The weight is also high up and way off the vehicle centerline, which is the worst place for vehicle handling. We take ours off when we know we won't use it, which is most of the winter season.
I’m getting rid of mine when I’m back home, it’s to much extra weightrando said:The 2.6m F45S weighs 20kg without the mounting brackets. The weight is also high up and way off the vehicle centerline, which is the worst place for vehicle handling. We take ours off when we know we won't use it, which is most of the winter season.
i totally understand, but in my case I have a real “overloaded “ issuerando said:Otto,
Just to be clear, my point was not that you should get rid of the awning (unless of course you don't use it at all), but as with anything in the truck/camper consider whether you will be using it for that particular season or trip. We only consider removing ours when we know we won't use it for a significant period of time. There is no point carrying around extra weight you know you won't use. We use the awning frequently during the summer, so it stays on for the summer.
we really made a mistake or 2 before we left, should have left the 4 jacks at home, 120 lbs, awning another 120 lbs, that alone would have made a huge difference, running with empty water is also 200 lbs, we are learning as we go alone, this group has been VERY helpful!!!!rando said:I am sure you are right - I don't specifically notice a change in handling due to the awning. But if you keep playing that game you can end up in real trouble - 30lbs here, 50lb there, no individual change makes a noticeable difference but then you end up in a roll over accident.
It is always a trade off. I have a smaller more nimble and more capable truck, but as a result I have watch my weight carefully. One of the ways I deal with this is to remove things I am not using to save weight. I removed the bed pull out and extra cushions (~50lb), and the rear seats from the truck (~100lb) because we don't use them. Instead of two lead acid batteries, we have a lithium battery that saves 70lbs. In the winter we carry chains, which adds about 40lb back in. From about October - April we really don't use the awning here in the rockies/SW as we want the sun and it doesn't rain, so if I know I am going on a trip with a full load, I will take it off. I also try not to fill the water tanks until we are near where we are headed to explore, which saves 200lbs for long highway drives. Again, each of these steps only saves a little weight, but in the end we are about 500lb lighter than if we didn't take these steps, which is noticeable. You have to use your best judgement for your situation.
Sorry for getting so far off topic! The awning is great, particularly in the summer, and is actually one of the best deals amongst the FWC options - you can't buy the awning for what it costs to add it.
i wish Toyota made a 3/4 tin, the Tundra is a very good truck, but it’s not quite up to the Hawk fully loaded with 2 adults and water stored, I’m at 2200 lbs or socraig333 said:And thats why I got a 3/4 ton PU. Extra 500lbs of "stuff"? It doesn't care. Not for hauling or towing.