Hawk Shell Mods

[robcocquyt]

Hi All,

Not sure if this should be in a new topic, but I thought I would post here in the meantime. I bought a Hawk Shell last year and made some mods and am quite happy with the result.

What I have done:

-Removed all extra panels and carpet coverings. I think I pulled out about 100 pounds of panels I didn't need. i re-used some of them for trimming out my mods.

-Pulled stove forward about 8" to make it flush with the front of the propane storage compartment. This gave me extra space in the battery cupboard and also added a handy nook behind the stove. Most importantly, it made cooking on the stove more comfortable since the propane cupboard made me have to reach forward too much.

-I built 6 full extension drawers. The big ones are 20" deep. The one under the sink is about 6", and the two near the bed are about 14" deep. I much prefer drawers to cupboards. I used 1/2" baltic birch ply to keep the weight down while still keeping them strong.

-i shortened the 4 compartment storage thingy and moved it from the couch side (where it was always in the way of my head) to just above the counter, where it is super handy.

-i cut about 2" off the front camper "bumpers" to allow the camper to slide forward....surprise surprise...another 2 inches.

-I added a water tank, accumulator, sink, inverter, outdoor faucet (for filling dog bowls and water jugs) and 100W solar panel. I added a couch "platform" and will be adding a 14 degree back and two more cushions. I also added an ARB cooler which i absolutely LOVE.

-i removed 2 out of the three plywood cross supports under the camper to lower the overall height on my dodge ram.

 

[longhorn1]

I'd pull your Jack's off. It will save about 80 lbs. but more importantly lessen the chance for damage to the camper. Someone backs into the rear Jack and pretty much guarantee damage to the camper frame.
Nice job on the mods. Also want to be careful with your water spigot getting hung up on branches if you do off roading.

 

[jrwdlw]

You did a really nice job on the interior. Very interesting ideas.

 

[robcocquyt]

I'd love to, but we often park (lift off) our camper and lower it to near the ground (supported) when we are in one spot for more than 3-4 days so we can zip around unburdened. Our most aggressive off-roading (where I would be more worried about the legs) in usually without the camper.

I'd pull your Jack's off. It will save about 80 lbs. but more importantly lessen the chance for damage to the camper. Someone backs into the rear Jack and pretty much guarantee damage to the camper frame.
Nice job on the mods. Also want to be careful with your water spigot getting hung up on branches if you do off roading.

 

[robcocquyt]

Thanks. It evolves on every trip. I usually bring a screw gun and cordless saw for inspired moments!

You did a really nice job on the interior. Very interesting ideas.

 

[longhorn1]

I'd love to, but we often park (lift off) our camper and lower it to near the ground (supported) when we are in one spot for more than 3-4 days so we can zip around unburdened. Our most aggressive off-roading (where I would be more worried about the legs) in usually without the camper.

We drop the top and spend most of the days sightseeing with the camper in the truck. Never would I consider pulling the camper off, but that's me. We've been to some pretty rough places. Lifting a loaded camper off the truck is running on the edge. The bottom tub is stapled to the aluminum frame. We travel wash board roads, switch backs, and narrow bumpy shelf roads. Be careful. jd

 

[longhorn1]

There was a post on removing a loaded camper and using it off the truck. FWC advised against it. The bottom needs to be fully support. The biggest issue is lifting the heavy camper off the bed. As stated previously the wood tub is stapled to the frame. Ask yourself this question: What will I do if the bottom falls out on a trip? How will I get everything back in the truck bed? Each his own, but doing this has risks and probably isn't done or considered by the majority of FWC Owners.

 

[trikebubble]

That is fantastic. I cut my bumpers down as well. The camper looks more like it should with it shifted forward in the Tundra.

 

[TrapperMike]

Very well done. I might have to consider doing something similar to my 2016 Hawk Shell. I do love projects. I have the side dinette in mine and don't like it a bit. I usually leave it folded down in the bed position to use as a couch.
Where is your water pump? Is that the water tank to the right of the ARB cooler?

 

[robcocquyt]

Very well done. I might have to consider doing something similar to my 2016 Hawk Shell. I do love projects. I have the side dinette in mine and don't like it a bit. I usually leave it folded down in the bed position to use as a couch.
Where is your water pump? Is that the water tank to the right of the ARB cooler?

Thanks, the water tank is just to the right of the ARB cooler. The pump and the accumulator are under the cabinets. I actually had to cut a hole in the bottom of one of the cabinets to just squeak the pump in.

 

[robcocquyt]

There was a post on removing a loaded camper and using it off the truck. FWC advised against it. The bottom needs to be fully support. The biggest issue is lifting the heavy camper off the bed. As stated previously the wood tub is stapled to the frame. Ask yourself this question: What will I do if the bottom falls out on a trip? How will I get everything back in the truck bed? Each his own, but doing this has risks and probably isn't done or considered by the majority of FWC Owners.

Thanks for the input. I didn't know that the tub was stapled to the frame...that is good to know (and hard to imagine). When I take the camper off I do lower it onto two mini / foldable sawhorses and only have a bit of weight, for stability, on the camper legs. It would be a bit of shock to have the unsupported bottom drop out!

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

Robo - you've done a great job. I especially like the drawers. We added two of them in the rear in the Eagle and they work great.

We use a small block of wood to hold them closed.

Solar Panel
You mentioned you added a 100 watt. We do a lot of winter off the grid camping. We average 2-3 amp draw (Engel, lights, fan) plus budget 2 amps charging. We upgraded to a 150 watt panel as our 100 was too small because we can't angle the panel into the sun. When the battery is at 70% it charges at 5 amps on December 22nd. Works very well in the field and easily maintains the battery at 100% when truck is parked in our north facing carport. (We get sun reflection off our neighbors white roof).

Happy Camping

 

[James T Kirk]

These are excellent! I have a large cabinet right there that's divided into three shelves. Always digging around at the back to find stuff. This is on my Mod List!!! -kirk out

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

Hi Jim,

I just saw an old movie featuring "you" and Capt Jean Luc Picard..."Startrek Generation". You seem to be aging well at least in that movie. And you displayed a lot of energy "chopping wood and horseback riding" in the Nexus.

Back to the FWC shelves. I know they look odd as the big one is on the top. Top one holds kitchen items. Bottom one holds Misc.
Go to my gallery, "Build Out # 2 for more pictures. Text and photos are on page 11 - Reply #'s 104 and 106

 

[robcocquyt]

Thanks Jim. It seemed like a lot of work at the time (and I was wondering whether I should have just gone with a built out model) but after living in it for the past two months all of the custom mods really made it feel like "our" home.

So far the 100W panel is keeping us topped up quite well...but we also typically drive for at least an hour a day as well so the truck system is probably doing a good job in filling in any small deficiencies.

Your drawers look like a solid addition. Can't say enough good things about drawers vs cupboards.\

Robo - you've done a great job. I especially like the drawers. We added two of them in the rear in the Eagle and they work great.

We use a small block of wood to hold them closed.

Solar Panel
You mentioned you added a 100 watt. We do a lot of winter off the grid camping. We average 2-3 amp draw (Engel, lights, fan) plus budget 2 amps charging. We upgraded to a 150 watt panel as our 100 was too small because we can't angle the panel into the sun. When the battery is at 70% it charges at 5 amps on December 22nd. Works very well in the field and easily maintains the battery at 100% when truck is parked in our north facing carport. (We get sun reflection off our neighbors white roof).

Happy Camping

 

[jjcpms]

Hey Robo- Very nice job. Like the cut the bumper down idea. My question is what trick did you use to find the aluminum studs in the walls. I assume you tapped into these based on the mods. This is always a question that I cant quite seem to get a handle on. Thx

 

[RC Pilot Jim]

There was no diagram for mine either when I put the sink in and the "thru-wall" connector for the drain, I ran my hand along the side - pressing down hard and felt a slight "bulge" where the stud was located then measured outside and in to pick up the second one for the counter angel-aluminum across the back wall.

When I drilled the hole I just hit the side of the stud about 1/4 inch in, Moved hole over slightly. Added a wood plate to cover it. Worked well. Has not become loose in almost 7 years of use.

Pictures in my gallery. Here is the SINK link Post I out up in 2012.

 

[Jaybirdp8870]

I really like your layout great work. I recently bought a Hawk side dinette and I would like to do some modifications myself. How did you attach the storage compartment over behind the sink? I’m worried about screwing into that wall area. Also, I want to shave 2 inches off the rear bumpers too; what tool did you use to cut them? Thanks for posting this as it’s really helpful to me thinking out what I want to do.

 

[Paul H]

Very nice looking cabinets! I have a new Hawk Shell coming soon and was wondering if you have as-built dimensions available for the new one piece counter top and a length and height of the side cabinet you made? I'm planning on making one ahead of time so I can pop it in when I have the camper in hand. Thanks.