So after years of spending 6-8 weekends a year surf fishing on the Carolina coast, in a 2005 F250, V8, CC, SB, with a raised camper shell and memory foam mattress, I decided to start the lookout for a FWC or ATC shell, last year. Well I finally found a local 2016 Hawk shell, silver spur, that I'm picking up tomorrow. I've gained a ton of info from this site in the last few days, so I decided to join.
I've watched all of the videos for the eyebolts and read on here about larger backing plates. My model Ford has rounded sides between the bed sides and floor. The only flat spot in the front of the bed is right against the wall in the corner. I'm 1 1/2" from the front of the bed. I set the rear eyes 1" away from where the camper widens, so that should be good. I also bought a 1/4" rubber mat from an ag supply store. I'm going to use the stock turn buckles until I get a distance measurement, then replace with closed eye turn buckles, with jam nuts.
The word is, the sand in the Carolinas is the deepest softest sand in the country. My truck does great, once I'm down to 20 psi in the tires. My concern is the twisting and bouncing through the wind ruts in the sand. These ruts cross the truck paths and can be 1 -1 1/2" deep and continuous for 50-100yds, like a washboard. They cause tremendous bounce. I would have liked a more symmetrical pull from front to back, but I felt the flat area would be a better option. Does this setup sound like it will be ok for the conditions I've described? I will check the tightness quite often.
One other question. The current owner (2nd), says the camper does not have a battery. From what I can tell the isolator and 1 battery come standard now in the shell. I plan to purchase an AGM battery, but did the 2016 Hawk shells come standard with the isolator?
Sorry for the long first post, but thanks for reading.
I've watched all of the videos for the eyebolts and read on here about larger backing plates. My model Ford has rounded sides between the bed sides and floor. The only flat spot in the front of the bed is right against the wall in the corner. I'm 1 1/2" from the front of the bed. I set the rear eyes 1" away from where the camper widens, so that should be good. I also bought a 1/4" rubber mat from an ag supply store. I'm going to use the stock turn buckles until I get a distance measurement, then replace with closed eye turn buckles, with jam nuts.
The word is, the sand in the Carolinas is the deepest softest sand in the country. My truck does great, once I'm down to 20 psi in the tires. My concern is the twisting and bouncing through the wind ruts in the sand. These ruts cross the truck paths and can be 1 -1 1/2" deep and continuous for 50-100yds, like a washboard. They cause tremendous bounce. I would have liked a more symmetrical pull from front to back, but I felt the flat area would be a better option. Does this setup sound like it will be ok for the conditions I've described? I will check the tightness quite often.
One other question. The current owner (2nd), says the camper does not have a battery. From what I can tell the isolator and 1 battery come standard now in the shell. I plan to purchase an AGM battery, but did the 2016 Hawk shells come standard with the isolator?
Sorry for the long first post, but thanks for reading.
