Ordered...2011 FWC Hawk!

When storing I set the camper on a platform and run the jacks down to the ground for stability. We've had 60 - 70 mph winds and the camper is still there. I do like Leadsled's trailer idea so the camper could be moved easily. I still would lower the jacks, though.

As for solar, I bought 2 plug sets (male and female) and installed one female connector on the under side of the ledge over the truck bed. The controller is near the entry for the cord. I made up a 20 foot extension cord from 14 gauge wire that rides in front of the camper in the truck bed. I made a mount for a 40 watt panel that puts the panel over the truck cab. When traveling I have the panel literally bolted into the mount. When it is charging time, I take the panel out of the mount, hook it up to the extension cord, and put the panel in the sun while the truck is in the shade. You can do a larger panel (as Barko said, prices are coming down) and put together a system pretty reasonably when you have the cash and time.
 
Congrats LT Traveler on your camper.I have a bobcat and the solar wiring I had added ended up in the wrong area so I had to rewire it. Adding a panel is not a problem as long as you have some basic skills and some tools. I installed my panel on the rear right on the factory style roof rack. Did you order that style rack? There are several threads on solar panels and their installation. A good system shouldn't cost an arm and leg.There is a large selection on solar products on the market. I actually shopped through amazon and they had a lot of makers and the prices were good.

As for springs I have a ford ranger and use the supper springs they add about 3" of lift empty but level off back to normal with the camper.If you are leaving the camper on they are great but without the camper the ride can get bouncy.One thing to remember is that no matter what the spring rate you need to stay within the GVW.

Good luck and we'll wait for pictures.
Frank
 
If you are storing it on jacks....why not lower it all the way to the ground so you are not putting any stress on the floor by walking around in the camper? I don't think it is a good idea to be walking around in the camper while it is suspended in the air.


I rarely go into the camper when storing it, I was just saying if I did need to grab something out of it quickly I just move slowly through it and only one person. Stan has said in the past the floor can support this kind of occasional thing, its just not rated to be used like that for regular camping and with multiple folks. Thus I don't really see the need in dropping it quite all the way down (and then have to jack it all the way back up). I'd make some supports like I linked before I'd drop it all the way down anyways. When its off the truck its between my house and fence so I don't really have direct wind to deal with either.

As it is my camper is usually on the truck unless I need to bed for something.
 
I use these. They're light and very strong
 

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My home made camper dolly uses some spare scaffolding wheels which can be coaxed to pivot 360 so moving it around my garage is a snap. I leave the jacks lowered within an inch for security.
 
All great ideas everyone thanks for all chiming in. Looks like we'll be adding the solar connector to the camper build so it's there for future solar addition. As far as storage, right now to keep cost down I think I'm leaning towards the X plywood system linked to above or a home built rolling dolly. The milk crate idea's a good one too.

Having this site available as a resource makes buying one of these campers so much easier to a new guy.

Thanks again.
 
LT

Way to go. I sent you a reply yesterday and now I can not see it. Any hoot good on ya. Now you can make that trip up this way. I have started my tlc's. As you there is always something else just around the corner to do. I have added a new floor (lino), for $59 bucks what the hell. Guess you will be wearing the green jacket as well.
Later..........
 
Small update:

Added the solar plug to the build for future solar adaption or addition.

Ordered Super Springs to the truck. Really like the idea of maintenance free and durability. We do a lot of trips off-road in southern Utah and through out the west and hate the idea of having to worry about articulation and rips and airing up and down. Figure if we hate 'em we can always sell and do the bags. When the camper isn't on the truck I always have a Leer shell and other stuff in there and all winter roll with at least 200lbs of sand for weight in the snow. Hopefully those things add some tension to the springs and keep the ride near stock when the camper is off.

Tires: The Titan stock tires are a stupid size; 265/70R18...try finding anything in a D or E rating that is at all appealing. The only two tires I've found are the Good Year ASR and the Michelin LTX AT2. After talking to different tire guys and other folks seems the Michelin is the way to go.

That's the latest.
 
I really like my Toyo AT's. Sittin @ about 35K on 'em and that is far more wear than I've got out of any other tires on the market/on this Tundra.

Can't speak to the D or E rated Michelins...but the set of Mic "passenger" tires that came on this vehicle new (pre-camper) lasted less than 20K before I took em off. Absolutely the worst tire I've ever ran.

gonna get another set of toyos when the time comes. If I can make it a few more months til "Summer" I think i'll get 40K out of em, no problem.

http://ssl.delti.com/cgi-bin/rshop.pl?dsco=135&Cookie=froogle&details=Ordern&typ=R-200537&ranzahl=4&nichtweiter=1

good luck on yer selection

mtn
 
I've used BFG AT for years on several trucks. I always get over 50K and I have over 60K on this set with about 15% tread life left on them and that's on a 3/4 ton diesel.
 
I really like my Toyo AT's.


x2 on the Toyo Open Country's. I had them on my last F150 - great all around tire. Even spent the winter up in Alaska (Girdwood - 962" that season!) and was the only guy I knew without studs and I didn't crash. Easy choice when I got my new F150 last February, 2nd thing I did was get rid of the P tires and throw on the E rated Toyos. Look good, drive well, etc. Recommended. BFG At's I think look really good as well, but I've never run them.
 
FWIW, living/driving in the mountains takes it's toll on tires. Unlike Jay, it is insane highly unadvisable to run tires here til they are bald (15% tread left)as it's a sure way to end up in the ditch. These Toyos will give me double the miles the Mics, Wranglers, etc have offered in the past. 25K is about all a set is worth up here...unless they are the toyos....

can't wait to see pics of the new camper....

mtn
 
Hey my wife reads this and she doesn't need any help! And I do live in the desert. Before my trip up the 70 last month my tires had 25% left on them.
 
My friend mtn-high is right on here, when you live year round in the mountains, there is no substitute for good truck tires with lots of tread. Your life could depend on it. Sorry for the minor hijack, we all are anxious for photos of your new rig and the places you wander to with it! Best of luck!
 
I've been under the impression that I needed or highly recommended I get D or E rated tires. The Toyo's although a great sounding tire are P-rated. As far as the BFG AT's I would love a set of those but they don't come in my tire size. So I'd need to switch to a different tire size and not overly psyched about that. I don't know WTF to do? :cautious:

FYI. I run Bridgestone Blizzak's all winter so this new set for main camper duty really is going to be more of a April-November tire.
 
Goodyear Wrangler SR A come in an E in standard 265/70/18, check Tirerack.



Yeah thanks Barko; that's one of the two tires I've found in that tire size, the other being the Michelin ATX LT2. Considering the Michelins or maybe going to a different tire size.

I can't wait to get the camper, get some pics up and then move on to having fun and posting trip reports!
 
The Toyo's although a great sounding tire are P-rated.


You're right I'm not seeing the 265/70/18 in E rated on their site. Maybe you can run 275/65's if you want the tires. They're great...!
 
Leveling the truck:

Any recommendations on products? Obviously for comfort it's pretty important but how level do we need for the 3-way fridge; exact or if it's comfortable enough to sleep is good good for the fridge? I was looking at the following products but couldn't decide which level I think would be best, any recs?
http://www.adventurerv.net/exterior-accessories-levels-c-55_21_62.html

And seems like people are using these things for actually accomplishing the leveling, thoughts?
http://www.adventurerv.net/lynx-levelers-camper-motorhome-pack-p-36.html
 
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