New Swift Camper, Mods, Upgrades Etc......Pic Heavy.

[Hodakaguy]

Very nice camper.This is the first time I have seen the "Batwing"awning deployed.
Thanks for the photos.Have a great time with your new camper.
Frank

Thanks, if you want any specific pics taken just let me know.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Awesome setup Hodaka guy.
Where the shake down run gunna be?

We have a couple "local" trips planned then will be heading to Yellowstone this summer and the outback desert of NV later this year. Can't wait!

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Looks awesome! Congrats! I really like the layout.

Yeah the shell model is a great setup, the ARB fridge should fit nicely on the drivers side.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Why does your camper overhang the box when it is a new build, which I assume would be made for your truck?

That's just the way the Swift model fits the short bed trucks. You can put a Swift in a long bed version and it will fit fully in the bed, a compromise between enough usable space and being compact.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

FINALLY!!!
I knew this was gonna be posted up soon. Congratulations. Looks awesome. I can't wait to start seeing trip reports.

Some thoughts from my perspective. I do like that Batwing other than how much it sticks up above the roof. Maybe it is just perspective. Definitely like those LED strips inside compared to the older style lights. Hmmmm wonder what would be necessary to wire up some color changing smaller strips. I wish FWC would offer no heater in the shell models again. The bench fits so much better on the drivers side. Even though the Tacoma has the notorious "drivers side lean" you don't have to worry about it with the suspension set up you have. The way the door is offset to the side having the bench on the drivers side allows no overreach from the bottom of the couch. I think it would make it feel even more roomy on the wider models for small pickups. But being in the Pacific Northwest you'll be getting a lot of use out of the heater compared to other regions of the US.

What focal length lens are you using for the interior pics? Looks very wide. Gives a great perspective. FWC should hire you to do their photos.

The heater was an absolute must for us...I hate being cold! For me the bench on the passenger side works really good, not sure I'd want to mess with it.

The interior pics were taken with an Olympus EM1 and a 7.5mm Fish eye lens, the picture is then De-Fish eyed to remove the warping in post process and leaves you a nice looking normal wide angle shot. That lens is perfect for capturing detail in tight areas.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

You just pushed me over the edge to order a Swift!
keep the pics coming

The Taco and Swift is a great combo! Let me know if there is any specific shots you would like or have any questions.

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Excellent, and congratulations. I wonder what the percentage of Silver spur exteriors is to white. When we saw that SilveR Spur we knew we'd be ordering that. Enjoy.

There were more white campers than silver spur units while I was at the factory. I think the silver really looks more modern and clean on the truck myself, but I prefer the looks/feel of the lighter non silver spur interior as it makes it feel roomier and more open inside.

Hodakaguy

 

[Vic Harder]

The heater was an absolute must for us...I hate being cold! For me the bench on the passenger side works really good, not sure I'd want to mess with it.

The interior pics were taken with an Olympus EM1 and a 7.5mm Fish eye lens, the picture is then De-Fish eyed to remove the warping in post process and leaves you a nice looking normal wide angle shot. That lens is perfect for capturing detail in tight areas.

Hodakaguy

That's the camera I have too! Love it!

 

[ETAV8R]

The heater was an absolute must for us...I hate being cold! For me the bench on the passenger side works really good, not sure I'd want to mess with it.

The interior pics were taken with an Olympus EM1 and a 7.5mm Fish eye lens, the picture is then De-Fish eyed to remove the warping in post process and leaves you a nice looking normal wide angle shot. That lens is perfect for capturing detail in tight areas.

Hodakaguy

I can imagine needing a heater up there. Thanks for sharing how you did the interior shots. Well done. I've only done some panos with my phone. They turned out ok for my purposes.

 

[smlobx]

Congrats on your new rig!
There's nothing like that new camper smell.
I think the Swift is the best options for the Taco's. Great choice.

 

[Hodakaguy]

Testing the ARB fridge for fit in the camper. The ledge in the shell model is a perfect fit for the ARB!

ARB Compressor Fridge/Freezer. These units are awesome, very efficient and keeps items cold or frozen if needed. You also loose less cool air when you open the lid compared to a standard fridge with the door on the side.

This is the area in the camper where the stove and sink would be if you ordered the full camper model. Since we ordered the Shell model the kitchen was left out and this empty bench is left. The ARB makes a better fridge and we found we didn't use the water system in our VW Syncro so the shell model works perfect for us. I will use backpack camping gear for cooking etc.

And fridge in place. Fit's perfectly on the shelf. I will make a tie down attachment point to anchor the fridge in place.

Hodakaguy

 

[deezlgeezr]

Great write-up! Would love to read more on the 'Gini'; esp. suspension/tires, any other mods. Looks great!

BTW: I have read most of your other trip reports, some of the best reporting out there. THANKS for allowing us to have a window on that exciting world.

 

[Hodakaguy]

Great write-up! Would love to read more on the 'Gini'; esp. suspension/tires, any other mods. Looks great!

BTW: I have read most of your other trip reports, some of the best reporting out there. THANKS for allowing us to have a window on that exciting world.

Thanks, I'll be posting trip reports from our truck adventures as well.

Here's a link to all the info on our truck builds: CLICK HERE

Hodakaguy

 

[So Cal Adventurer]

Excellent! Congrats!

I argued with myself and changed my mind about 7,312 times over building out a shell or a full loaded option.

I can tell ya from experience, that ARB is insanely efficient and can be run solely off a 100 watt panel and a decent battery.

I haven't shut my fridge off in over 2 years! True story!

I get my camper in 2 weeks and the suspense is killing me! Enjoy!

Oh.... and UNIMOG eh??? Saweeeeeeet

 

[Hodakaguy]

Excellent! Congrats!

I argued with myself and changed my mind about 7,312 times over building out a shell or a full loaded option.

I can tell ya from experience, that ARB is insanely efficient and can be run solely off a 100 watt panel and a decent battery.

I haven't shut my fridge off in over 2 years! True story!

I get my camper in 2 weeks and the suspense is killing me! Enjoy!

Oh.... and UNIMOG eh??? Saweeeeeeet

Awesome and congrats! Make sure and post up some pics when you get it!

Hodakaguy

 

[Hodakaguy]

Out cruising the back roads tonight and snapped a few pics.

Hodakaguy

 

[craig333]

Good looking rig!

 

[longhorn1]

Sweet

 

[kestrel69]

Love the photos. I have a Swift shell coming soon for my Nissan Frontier, with almost the exact features in your FWC. Didn't get the Silver Spur exterior.....looking at your photos I kind of wish I had. Since the propane line was already being put in for the heater figured I would get the two burner stove. Those photos have me itching to pick mine up. I'm headed out to Bozeman.

Any chance you could post some photos of the storage space under the couch?

Look forward to some trip reports, and maybe I'll run into you sometime out here in the PNW.

 

[Hodakaguy]

Love the photos. I have a Swift shell coming soon for my Nissan Frontier, with almost the exact features in your FWC. Didn't get the Silver Spur exterior.....looking at your photos I kind of wish I had. Since the propane line was already being put in for the heater figured I would get the two burner stove. Those photos have me itching to pick mine up. I'm headed out to Bozeman.

Any chance you could post some photos of the storage space under the couch?

Look forward to some trip reports, and maybe I'll run into you sometime out here in the PNW.

Awesome and congratulations on the new Swift. If your every passing through Kennewick WA give me a shout. Have you seen that DasMule Outfitters in Issaquah WA is our new WA FWC Dealer?, I believe then have a open house coming up soon.

Here's a few pics of the storage area under the couch.

There is also a nice little open area under the end of the bench seat right as you enter the camper, I will be getting a small storage container that fits this spot to carry supplies.

I debated adding the stove or not and in the end decided I didn't want to give up the small storage tray above the heater unit...storage space is such a premium. The stove will be handy as well though, everything is a trade off. I'll use my backpack stove for cooking.

Hodakaguy