Last fall my wife and I got caught in ferocious winds in our Hawk shell on two separate occasions. We were in a completely empty campground the first time and I was able to move the truck with the top up to a more sheltered site. But later the winds clocked around and got us again for a loud sleepless night. The second time we were on a ridge where there was no escape and I was concerned about damaging the top. I pointed the truck into the wind, dropped the top, and I slept on the side dinette berth while my wife huddled on the driver side shelf for another sleepless night.
That got me thinking about how we might both sleep comfortably with the top down if we ever find ourselves in similar conditions again. Here is my simple solution, which is lightweight, doesn’t require any tools to set up, and didn’t require any alterations to the camper. There is a 2x4 with aluminum angle ends that hangs between the dinette’s storage cabinets to support the table and a leg that is held in place by the table’s swivel arm. Some blocks lift our Yeti cooler to the correct height. I built steps at the same height that we use to enter the camper. The steps are sized so they fit in the space behind the dinette when we are under way. A piece of 3/8” plywood stored under the bed mattress makes the deck over the Yeti, table, and steps. We can fill the gap between the cushions with towels or clothes.
The 2x4 brace is stored in the small storage space under the flip up lid on the driver side shelf and the table leg fits in either dinette storage cabinet. Although I don’t think it’s necessary, I’ll probably add some non-slip vinyl to the top of the 2x4 and bottom of the table leg. And I am hoping that when I eventually add solar and replace the Yeti with a 12V refrigerator, I can find one that is no taller than the Yeti on blocks (17.5”). This setup will also come in handy on a really cold night if we run out of propane or just don’t want the heat loss with the top up.
That got me thinking about how we might both sleep comfortably with the top down if we ever find ourselves in similar conditions again. Here is my simple solution, which is lightweight, doesn’t require any tools to set up, and didn’t require any alterations to the camper. There is a 2x4 with aluminum angle ends that hangs between the dinette’s storage cabinets to support the table and a leg that is held in place by the table’s swivel arm. Some blocks lift our Yeti cooler to the correct height. I built steps at the same height that we use to enter the camper. The steps are sized so they fit in the space behind the dinette when we are under way. A piece of 3/8” plywood stored under the bed mattress makes the deck over the Yeti, table, and steps. We can fill the gap between the cushions with towels or clothes.
The 2x4 brace is stored in the small storage space under the flip up lid on the driver side shelf and the table leg fits in either dinette storage cabinet. Although I don’t think it’s necessary, I’ll probably add some non-slip vinyl to the top of the 2x4 and bottom of the table leg. And I am hoping that when I eventually add solar and replace the Yeti with a 12V refrigerator, I can find one that is no taller than the Yeti on blocks (17.5”). This setup will also come in handy on a really cold night if we run out of propane or just don’t want the heat loss with the top up.
