Hello, Wanders -
I have been a lurker for the past two years, following many great re-builds and trips on this forum and other forums. Last summer, I bought an old FWC Granby camper for $400 unseen (had to ask my friend to take a look at it). It is now sitting in my garage as I had other projects to finish up around my house and I'm starting to think about this camper and its plan. Full disclosure here: I have a family, and a full-time job and this build will be slow, but I'm patient and like to do things the right way. I also have access to a welding shop, automotive technology shop and auto collision repair & refinishing shop - I work for Career & Technical Education department at a school.
Now onto the camper -
Bad: The skins and interiors are shot. Cabinets are bad. The condition of the roof is bad.
Good: This camper came with a brand new Rieco jacks, multiple Yakima racks and the canvas is in a decent shape. I was planning to shorten the camper as I was inspired by Polybro's project where he shortened his camper from Grandby to Hawk. This meant that I'd have to gut and reconfigure the camper, so the interior and skins would have to be removed anyway.
My fluid plan - I'd like to make this camper into a flatbed hawk size camper with the intention of traveling with family during the summer.
However, I need some guidance and input - I drive 2010 F150 Crewcab. I have been toying with the idea of trading it in for bigger truck, but the reality is that I do not want to trade it in because it's my daily driver, getting anything bigger would be overkill for 3/4 of the year, it's paid for, and it's still in a good condition.
When there was an FWC shop in Texas a while ago - I spoke with the guy, and he said that my truck could carry a Hawk with reinforcements to the suspension system but the price for a new Hawk was not in my budget at that time. I personally don't like paying full price for anything as well
I got in touch with Utes flatbed about making a custom size (length would be 6.5 knowing that my bed is already short with 5.5) - the person I spoke with did have some reservations and wanted to make sure I wasn't going to carry anything HEAVY.
My plan/questions here:
1. Get Utes flatbed, as this would shed approx 300 lbs off when compared to the stock bed. I like the idea of being able to re-use flatbed, just in case, we move onto to a new truck in the future and keeping the camper the way it is.
2. Add reinforcement to the suspensions (I'm assuming I'd have to add shocks, spring leaf and what else?)
3. Make camper light as possible - I would like to have two beds (one overhang and seats that convert into bed) and cabinets with no doors (my friend has a cricket trailer, and I like their cabinet with no doors design). I'd like to put a 20 gal water tank in the front of the camper with the intention of using it for outside (shower, rinsing, filling up a pot, etc.)
Does this all sound doable and safe? I'm open to any extra input to make sure this set up is safe.
Thank you for your time.
I have been a lurker for the past two years, following many great re-builds and trips on this forum and other forums. Last summer, I bought an old FWC Granby camper for $400 unseen (had to ask my friend to take a look at it). It is now sitting in my garage as I had other projects to finish up around my house and I'm starting to think about this camper and its plan. Full disclosure here: I have a family, and a full-time job and this build will be slow, but I'm patient and like to do things the right way. I also have access to a welding shop, automotive technology shop and auto collision repair & refinishing shop - I work for Career & Technical Education department at a school.
Now onto the camper -
Bad: The skins and interiors are shot. Cabinets are bad. The condition of the roof is bad.
Good: This camper came with a brand new Rieco jacks, multiple Yakima racks and the canvas is in a decent shape. I was planning to shorten the camper as I was inspired by Polybro's project where he shortened his camper from Grandby to Hawk. This meant that I'd have to gut and reconfigure the camper, so the interior and skins would have to be removed anyway.
My fluid plan - I'd like to make this camper into a flatbed hawk size camper with the intention of traveling with family during the summer.
However, I need some guidance and input - I drive 2010 F150 Crewcab. I have been toying with the idea of trading it in for bigger truck, but the reality is that I do not want to trade it in because it's my daily driver, getting anything bigger would be overkill for 3/4 of the year, it's paid for, and it's still in a good condition.
When there was an FWC shop in Texas a while ago - I spoke with the guy, and he said that my truck could carry a Hawk with reinforcements to the suspension system but the price for a new Hawk was not in my budget at that time. I personally don't like paying full price for anything as well
I got in touch with Utes flatbed about making a custom size (length would be 6.5 knowing that my bed is already short with 5.5) - the person I spoke with did have some reservations and wanted to make sure I wasn't going to carry anything HEAVY. My plan/questions here:
1. Get Utes flatbed, as this would shed approx 300 lbs off when compared to the stock bed. I like the idea of being able to re-use flatbed, just in case, we move onto to a new truck in the future and keeping the camper the way it is.
2. Add reinforcement to the suspensions (I'm assuming I'd have to add shocks, spring leaf and what else?)
3. Make camper light as possible - I would like to have two beds (one overhang and seats that convert into bed) and cabinets with no doors (my friend has a cricket trailer, and I like their cabinet with no doors design). I'd like to put a 20 gal water tank in the front of the camper with the intention of using it for outside (shower, rinsing, filling up a pot, etc.)
Does this all sound doable and safe? I'm open to any extra input to make sure this set up is safe.
Thank you for your time.
