New FWC Hawk Options - Now vs Later?

[camelracer]

I got the second fantastic fan over the bed and use it more than the one over the sink. Good for sleeping on a hot night.

My camper has the velcro for the arctic pack even thought I don't have the arctic pack.

The Yakima tracks are screwed into the framing. With the new one piece roof the framing may be hard to locate. I would let FWC install these since there would be a warranty.

I did the install prep myself and it was pretty easy. I bought a hardware kit with instructions from FWC prior to delivery. You could also get all the hardware locally if you know what kind of electrical connection they're using now.

 

[rotti]

My thoughts on your list:

I would add the 110L 2way frig. It is my favorite and most used option by far on my camper.

To pay for it delete the smooth sides, exterior lighting and rear floods. The camper comes standard with a rear light that I hardly ever use.I like the backpacker style headlamps. Smooth sides look good but that is it. Heavier, $650 WOW, and If damaged very difficult to repair.

This is fun....just like ordering one all over again!

 

[Bwht4x4]

Deleting the smooth fiberglass siding would be tough for me. It looks so good and IMO a huge step up from the aluminum siding that has been used for so long.

 

[alano]

It always comes down to lifestyle choices because we all want the same things: water, heat, cold box, storage, light, cool breezes,shelter and a certain amount of style. You build them into the rig via the options, carry them along inside, bolt them on the outside or just do without.

You asked what's best to add now and what can wait. I stand by the roof tracks and solar plug (only $50). Why risk leaks by adding tracks later? You can carry a ladder if the rear steps are too pricey although the mounting points could be used for other things if you don't have anything on the roof.

Alan

 

[highz]

This is bringing back fond memories of the excitement of choosing options and realizing that my camper would be a reality.

My $.02:

I agree with getting rid of the flood lights and using a headlamp. That's because I love dark skies and hate light pollution, especially in camping areas. I have never needed floods for backing into camp or setting up camp. The standard exterior lights are plenty bright. If you use flood lights of any kind, be careful who you camp next to.

I would also not pay extra for the exterior LED package. I would go for the standard fixtures and replace the bulbs with LEDs. However, if the LED option FWC offers is better looking than the standard fixtures, I could be swayed.

I personally would not pay extra for the heavier fiberglass siding. If you go through brush, how will it look after it is scratched? But, aesthetic choices are hard to argue with.

Totally agree with having FWC add the roof racks. If there's a leak, you want it under warranty, definitely.

I don't think you will regret adding the steps. Since you are planning on a roof rack, you must be thinking of eventually carrying stuff on the roof, right? The steps are very handy when lashing gear to the roof, so, might as well have them added now.

I didn't add a solar plug, and that is the one option I wish I had.

 

[Bwht4x4]

I agree on the roof tracks being installed by FWC, but I was thinking that I could have them do it at a later date in the future when we needed them. I wouldn't do it myself for fear of screwing it up.

I plan on the solar plug for sure. I also think I'll swap out the rear LED lights for the halogen lights. I don't plan on using them a lot, but it'll be nice if I need to deal with the front of my trailer or skin buck hanging on my hitch mounted skinning setup.

I also think the LED lights are critical for my setup. I can and do spend weeks at a time on a hunting trip each year and I will need to conserve all the power that I can. This year I did 3 weeks on a CA elk hunt! This is going to be critical in the few years leading up to getting a solar panel on the roof (if we go that route). Even with the LED lights I'm assuming that I'll have to run my truck in order to charge the batteries every few days on an extended trip without the solar panel.

 

[jha6av8r]

We will have had our Grandby one year come Christmas and have 12 maybe 13 trips in it ranging from a quick overnight last weekend to a 2 week trip through Grand Teton/Yellowstone and up to Lake Coeur D' Alene. We've been to the desert, coast, Lake Shasta when it was 110 and Sierra Nevadas in the snow. In hind sight, the only option I would not get again are the flood lights. Everything else we use regularly. We have:

rear steps
Yakima tracks & 10' tracks
110L 2-way fridge
stove
sink
hot water heater
furnace
outside shower w/ electric water pump
solar panel
2 deep cycle AGM batteries
interior LED lights
lift assist struts
lift assist crank
thermal pack (would be without it hot or cold)
halogen flood lights (would not get again)

We added a dry toilet w/ wag bags and privacy shelter that doubles as a shower shelter.

 

[highz]

I plan on the solar plug for sure. I also think I'll swap out the rear LED lights for the halogen lights. I don't plan on using them a lot, but it'll be nice if I need to deal with the front of my trailer or skin buck hanging on my hitch mounted skinning setup.

I also think the LED lights are critical for my setup. I can and do spend weeks at a time on a hunting trip each year and I will need to conserve all the power that I can. This year I did 3 weeks on a CA elk hunt! This is going to be critical in the few years leading up to getting a solar panel on the roof (if we go that route). Even with the LED lights I'm assuming that I'll have to run my truck in order to charge the batteries every few days on an extended trip without the solar panel.

LEDs are the way to go, but you are right that you may have to charge up the battery anyway. The forced air heater is the main culprit. In the summer, I can stay in one spot for several days without charging if I don't run the heater. A DC fridge also has a large draw, but I don't have one of those, yet. Solar and a second battery would resolve that issue.

It would be good if you could do a night-time comparison of exterior halogen vs. LED. I would think you would be happiest with the light that produces the least amount of glare.

 

[Bwht4x4]

I'm leaning toward getting the second battery after the first year of use too. If the power draw from the heater is that great I could also subsidize my heating with my indoor-safe propane heater.

Right now the way I'm seeing my list of options is that most of them are critical to me and of the few that are not they're only adding around $1,200 to the price of the camper. This seems like such a small amount of money compared to the overall purchase.

I sent FWC an email asking a couple of clarifying questions that will help hone the list of options. The first is the install of the Yakima tracks. I want to know if adding the tracks to the camper when it's being installed provides any advantage (i.e. attaching to aluminum sub-frame of roof) versus FWC installing it at a later date. If they tell me that installing it during the build versus later on are the exact same...I'm going to save that for later.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Your build options are your choice as to what you feel comfortable out camping.Seems like you have the popular ones,and the ones that may not be able to install your self.
IMO the price for all the LED options seems high.If I read your order right the optional lighting adds $800,wow.
On my ATC went with the standard lights and replaced the 12v bulbs with aftermarket LEDs way more cheaper.
Have fun with your build.
Frank

 

[Bwht4x4]

Are the replacement LED bulbs as energy efficient as the LED lights installed at FWC? If they are that could save me some $$.

 

[sourdough]

I bought a used FWC Hawk and I like it. But I have been thinking about up grading both my truck and camper. Outfitter is a brand hardly mentioned on this website. Check out their website, it has a brand comparison feature that is, very interesting.

 

[Bwht4x4]

My buddy has an outfitter and he seems to like it. It's been down to Baja a ton and is still livable!

 

[craig333]

I don't see why the leds you add yourself woulnd't be as efficient as the ones FWC uses. Believe me, the led floods are plenty bright and pretty cheap on ebay too.
They're plenty bright enough to annoy certain campers

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[Bwht4x4]

I changed my options to include the cheaper halogen rear floods since they will only be used intermittently. If I decide to go LED I can do that in the future.

I just spoke with FWC and they said installing the Yakima tracks are the exact same process now or years from now. They know where the aluminum frame and crossbars are located to ensure the racks gets attached securely. So, I'm going to take that off the option list for now too and consider that later.

Since I am planning to install all the mounting hardware and do all the wiring myself I can save the $395 installation fee.

I've been able to reduce the price by $1,000 by changing or removing options and doing the install work myself.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Are the replacement LED bulbs as energy efficient as the LED lights installed at FWC? If they are that could save me some $$.

I would think they are.The difference might be in the light fixture it self.
The after market bulbs IMO are the way to go.
Frank

 

[idahoron]

Even though I live in Idaho and it is cold here I elected to not get the heater. I had a trailer with a indoor safe propane heater and it was awesome. I could camp in that trailer for a week and have plenty of power in the single battery. So when I ordered my FWC I left the heater off the list. I got
Jacks with brackets
The 3 way fridge 3.0 cf
Refrigerator fan since I do camp in areas when it is HOT.
Screen door
and battery pack.

I have used mine 19 nights now since the first of September. I am glad I didn't get the heater. The buddy heater I am using heats the camper very well and uses no power. I have a small fan that uses two D cell batteries. It runs for ever on two batteries.
I didn't get the storage attachments for the top or the steps because I almost always have my trailer attached to pull my ATV's or my Pontoon boat.

 

[Bwht4x4]

Does the Fan-tastic fan run both directions? Or does it just run one direction...pushing air up and out?

 

[Lighthawk]

Does the Fan-tastic fan run both directions? Or does it just run one direction...pushing air up and out?

We have the simple three speed unit, which has a reversible fan direction. It's come in handy both directions.

 

[Ramblinman]

Even with the LED lights I'm assuming that I'll have to run my truck in order to charge the batteries every few days on an extended trip without the solar panel.

FWIW, I was on a 10 day bear hunt and camped in one place. Running my truck intermittently throughout the day did not help charge the battery that much. I wish I had brought my generator. I like the generator because I can use it when it is cold, overcast, or when the camper is tree covered.

I get the impression that Solar can be expensive and sometimes prone to problems. This said I have no experience with solar.

Also I can use my generator else where or when the power goes out at home or during the zombie apocalypse ...

I appreciate that there is an anti generator clan out there but in my world I don't think solar is best.