Picking up Hawk in 2 Months - Questions

[cs0430]

We are picking up our Hawk base model in 2 months and putting it on a new F250 Tremor. Super excited about the camping upgrade. I have a few questions about things I should address day 1 or prior to pickup. I've posed these same questions to my salesperson, but appreciate this community's feedback.

For context, our FWC is a base model, open floorplan, 135A lithium, Truma heater, king bed, quilted thermal, roof tracks, and will have the new bamboo countertop and coin flooring. I will be building a lower bed for our 3-year old son out of 80/20 and mount our Dometic fridge in the camper either under his bed or on one of the shelves. Also plan on adding either a torklift glow step or an easy hitch step to get in.

1. Mounting on an F250 - The other thread has me a little concerned about mounting using regular eyebolts on our aluminum bed F250. Has anyone come up with a tie-down structure/bracket that uses factory tie-down locations? If not, I'll at least be adding some aluminum plate on the underside of the bed to distribute the pulling forces over a larger area.
2. Solar - have a 200w panel to go on top. Does FWC still use the SAE plug on the roof? Just need to know if I need to buy a MC4 to SAE connector.
3. Are there any wiring "chases" in FWC's on the exterior walls? I want to add some perimeter lighting using Baja Designs S2's, mounted directly to the exterior and with a switch inside the camper to turn them on.
4. "Must have" upgrades. Anything you all have added that FWC does not provide and you swear by?

 

[craig333]

Mine is so old now I hesitate to answer as much has likely changed. No wiring chases, but mine did have a wire for outside lighting already run. Lots of fun trying to find it You didn't mention but I hope you have at least one powered fan. Mostly you need to go camping and see what "you" need to add.

 

[penner]

I would highly recommend the torklift glow steps .

 

[Dirtroadsavant]

Cheap. Easy. Essential. Screen door grab bar. Camco has a fine one but there are many.

 

[Jsoboti]

If its pre-wired for solar it will have an SAE plug on the roof and on the back of the camper for a portable panel. Make sure you check the polarity of the plugs with a multimeter before plugging in any solar panels though.

Some of the SAE plugs they use (I think the Zamp brand) have reverse polarity. There are many threads on this forum about it and I'm glad I read them before installing my solar panel.

Many of us swear by some form of under-mattress ventilation. I use Hypervent but there are some others. It allows air flow under the mattress which makes sure you don't have a soggy and moldy mattress. With that, the stock mattresses are not for everyone, I found it extremely uncomfortable and had a custom 5inch foam mattress made by a local shop, probably the best upgrade I've done.

https://www.mattressinsider.com/mattress-condensation-prevention.html

 

[cs0430]

I would highly recommend the torklift glow steps .

Do you have the "stow and go" version that can be stored on the camper when not in use?

I am torn between the glow steps and the easy hitch step. I like the easy hitch step for not having to drill into the camper for a mounting bracket like the glow steps and not having to store inside of the camper when not in use. Dislike it for being made of steel (rust). The "Stow and go" glow steps look nice, but I'm concerned about how close they would be to painted parts and the risk of rubbing/dinging the truck when off-road.

 

[CreekRob]

We are picking up our Hawk base model in 2 months and putting it on a new F250 Tremor. Super excited about the camping upgrade. I have a few questions about things I should address day 1 or prior to pickup. I've posed these same questions to my salesperson, but appreciate this community's feedback.

For context, our FWC is a base model, open floorplan, 135A lithium, Truma heater, king bed, quilted thermal, roof tracks, and will have the new bamboo countertop and coin flooring. I will be building a lower bed for our 3-year old son out of 80/20 and mount our Dometic fridge in the camper either under his bed or on one of the shelves. Also plan on adding either a torklift glow step or an easy hitch step to get in.

1. Mounting on an F250 - The other thread has me a little concerned about mounting using regular eyebolts on our aluminum bed F250. Has anyone come up with a tie-down structure/bracket that uses factory tie-down locations? If not, I'll at least be adding some aluminum plate on the underside of the bed to distribute the pulling forces over a larger area.
2. Solar - have a 200w panel to go on top. Does FWC still use the SAE plug on the roof? Just need to know if I need to buy a MC4 to SAE connector.
3. Are there any wiring "chases" in FWC's on the exterior walls? I want to add some perimeter lighting using Baja Designs S2's, mounted directly to the exterior and with a switch inside the camper to turn them on.
4. "Must have" upgrades. Anything you all have added that FWC does not provide and you swear by?

I'd go with whatever mounting solution FWC has at the time of installation. I upgraded my turnbuckles to some marine hardware with eyes instead of hooks, but you can do that after you see how it fares.

With more solar and a rack I'd consider the stronger 40lb lift struts, unless you're going with one of the new lift options.

They should be able to point out where the current wiring goes. Nothing exterior AFAIK. Not on my 2023. But I'm not a fan of wired lighting, outdoor or otherwise. This is yet another reason why I use wireless. They do always have that rear porch light with interior switch; maybe you could tap that circuit depending on amperage.

And you'll need something to get into the back. Step stool or ladder, hitch mounted step, etc etc. And something for the sink to drain into.

 

[rubberlegs]

Your comment on turnbuckles reminds me: get jam nuts for the turnbuckles. For some reason ours didn't come with them, and they worked loose frequently.

 

[n7wrh]

Watching this topic (thanks for posting) as our Hawk was recently ordered.

 

[JaSAn]

. . . I am torn between the glow steps and the easy hitch step.

If possible, try both types of steps. I have the hitch steps. With a hitch tightener they are solid (won't move unless the truck does). Without they are a little wobbly. My beagle can go up and down without a problem. I thought the accordion steps were too steep and narrow for da beagle (and me) going down.

You do have to be aware when backing up or going over an obstacle like a log or rock that they are back there. I take them off and store in the camper when off-road.

 

[cs0430]

I'd go with whatever mounting solution FWC has at the time of installation. I upgraded my turnbuckles to some marine hardware with eyes instead of hooks, but you can do that after you see how it fares.

With more solar and a rack I'd consider the stronger 40lb lift struts, unless you're going with one of the new lift options.

They should be able to point out where the current wiring goes. Nothing exterior AFAIK. Not on my 2023. But I'm not a fan of wired lighting, outdoor or otherwise. This is yet another reason why I use wireless. They do always have that rear porch light with interior switch; maybe you could tap that circuit depending on amperage.

And you'll need something to get into the back. Step stool or ladder, hitch mounted step, etc etc. And something for the sink to drain into.

Does the porch light have an interior switch? From the demo videos I've watched you have to switch it on the fixture itself. I always thought this was a little silly, having to already be outside to turn on an outside light. What wireless option do you use? I'd like to have some perimeter lighting for setting up camp, cooking, and for when things go bump in the night.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I believe ATC & FWC have both internal and external porch light switches, wired in series is my guess.

 

[PaulT]

My 2014 Hawk has exterior side lights on inside switch, exterior down lights on interior switch, exterior rear floods on interior switch and exterior side mounted & exterior rear mounted porch lights with switches on the fixture only.

No light has multiple switch.

Paul

 

[pvstoy]

My 2014 Hawk has exterior side lights on inside switch, exterior down lights on interior switch, exterior rear floods on interior switch and exterior side mounted & exterior rear mounted porch lights with switches on the fixture only.

No light has multiple switch.

Paul

Same as for my 2015 flatbed hawk.

 

[fuzzymarindave]

RE Mounting. Get confirmation in writing from them that your self installed mounting system will allow them to install camper. Ask for their recommendations too. At the eyebolt I’d go with big reinforcing plate under aluminum bed and smaller plate or washer above. Need flanged eyebolt for that.

 

[cs0430]

That exterior lighting package is nice, but not available on the base model. They do offer the rear lighting package, I was just planning on adding side lights too, so I didn't opt for it.

 

[cs0430]

RE Mounting. Get confirmation in writing from them that your self installed mounting system will allow them to install camper. Ask for their recommendations too. At the eyebolt I’d go with big reinforcing plate under aluminum bed and smaller plate or washer above. Need flanged eyebolt for that.

Definitely adding a plate underneath since my SD will have an aluminum bed, hadn't thought about on top as well.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

My 2014 Hawk has exterior side lights on inside switch, exterior down lights on interior switch, exterior rear floods on interior switch and exterior side mounted & exterior rear mounted porch lights with switches on the fixture only.
No light has multiple switch.

Paul

Paul, thanks for setting the record straight. I’ll have to check my Cougar to see if I’m 100% wrong.

 

[penner]

Do you have the "stow and go" version that can be stored on the camper when not in use?

I am torn between the glow steps and the easy hitch step. I like the easy hitch step for not having to drill into the camper for a mounting bracket like the glow steps and not having to store inside of the camper when not in use. Dislike it for being made of steel (rust). The "Stow and go" glow steps look nice, but I'm concerned about how close they would be to painted parts and the risk of rubbing/dinging the truck when off-road.

No, I don't have the stow and go version. I mounted the bracket that the steps fasten to on the back of the truck box. Only problem with that is the bracket has to come off before I put the tailgate back on, but not really a big deal. I usually just store them behind the drivers seat. I also carry the plastic 2 step they gave me with the camper for reaching the latches and use it for getting into the camper at 'pit stops'. When at camp with the steps installed we use the 2 step to set our 5gallon water jug on.

 

[CreekRob]

Does the porch light have an interior switch? From the demo videos I've watched you have to switch it on the fixture itself. I always thought this was a little silly, having to already be outside to turn on an outside light. What wireless option do you use? I'd like to have some perimeter lighting for setting up camp, cooking, and for when things go bump in the night.

I seem to think inside was an option maybe...i only wanted the switch outside though, since I only use it when I'm outside. So the one on the light housing itself works for me.

For wireless I use puck lights. I can point the IR remote out the window to turn them on if I had reason to. I use them on the steps sometimes. But I have no reason to use perimeter lights so can't comment on that.