pods8
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What is this combo to be called? A good nickname is in order. Will go with The Black Turtle tentatively and see where it goes from there… 
For starters what format does this forum prefer for posting, one long rig thread talking about all the mods as they go or individual threads for specific modifications with perhaps just a quick summary on the “rig” thread?
Anyways its been a busy week. I tracked down a hawk on the Olympic peninsula which set everything in motion. After some rapid truck shopping I drove home a new (to me) truck on wed and proceeded to install the front eyebolts for the camper (did the rears once I measured the camper). The truck is a 03’ Dodge 1500 quad cab Hemi 5.7, 4x4 with 36k on the clock. I the nearer future plan on adding some Ride-Rite airbags to it, possibly some blistein shocks, and a tranny temperature gauge to keep an eye on things (already has a stock 20”x11” trans cooler due to have the tow package option).
The camper is a 99’ FWC Hawk I found on the peninsula a nice lady was selling to downsize to an eagle. My wife and I went to pick it up followed by some friends who we were going to go camping with one way or another. Had some entertainment getting it on the truck due to a partially sloped driveway but eventually go it on. It had a deep cycle battery with it that was drained out, I jerry rigged it do my 7pin connector to try and throw some charge at it while heading for camp. Was able to partially charge it so I then rigged up a connection to the camper with the battery sitting under the truck to allow us to play around with things in the camper and use the furnace while playing some cards at night.
We hit the Elwha valley in the national park and hiked to the Olympic hot springs in the morning to check them out/soak before heading back for home (and the upcoming work week).
Overall the camper is in good shape. One worn out component did provide some humor for us and that was the drain petcock. Once I got the battery rigged up I noticed the gauge center said the water tank was full. I decided to verify there was water in there by opening the petcock. It opened up and promptly the handle snapped off. I tried using pliers to rotate different parts of it to close it but they all crumbled so I just removed the whole thing and allowed it to drain out.
This year has the upper bunk like the new ATC panther stock floor plan, 4’ overhang without a slider. I plan to modify it to have a slide out long enough to accommodate sleeping parallel to the camper. Other tweaking I’ll likely consider will be to move the stove above the fridge to allow its use while the new bed is deployed. I’ll be brainstorming dinette options or perhaps a couch redesign similar to Mark Ingalls idea. One of the first things I need to figure out is the battery situation; the previous owner was able to fit the batter in front of the wheel well, I do not believe I’ll have the room. While I was under the truck I noticed a good amount of space on the driver side frame rail in the area between the transfer case and the rear axle that I’d like to look into the possibility of installing a battery box there. Main perk for doing this would be to keep it out of the camper and not take up space in there (also keep the weight low and forward) and with it riding with the truck all the time it’ll keep it maintained.
Almost forgot one question, how much room should be between the top of the truck and the bottom of the camper? Right now there is only 1.25” at the highest point of my cab and I doubt that is sufficient when things start flexing. I’m assuming I’ll need to lift it some and I’m wonder how much?
Anyways that is enough rambling for now and I’m tired out. On with the pictures.
For starters what format does this forum prefer for posting, one long rig thread talking about all the mods as they go or individual threads for specific modifications with perhaps just a quick summary on the “rig” thread?
Anyways its been a busy week. I tracked down a hawk on the Olympic peninsula which set everything in motion. After some rapid truck shopping I drove home a new (to me) truck on wed and proceeded to install the front eyebolts for the camper (did the rears once I measured the camper). The truck is a 03’ Dodge 1500 quad cab Hemi 5.7, 4x4 with 36k on the clock. I the nearer future plan on adding some Ride-Rite airbags to it, possibly some blistein shocks, and a tranny temperature gauge to keep an eye on things (already has a stock 20”x11” trans cooler due to have the tow package option).
The camper is a 99’ FWC Hawk I found on the peninsula a nice lady was selling to downsize to an eagle. My wife and I went to pick it up followed by some friends who we were going to go camping with one way or another. Had some entertainment getting it on the truck due to a partially sloped driveway but eventually go it on. It had a deep cycle battery with it that was drained out, I jerry rigged it do my 7pin connector to try and throw some charge at it while heading for camp. Was able to partially charge it so I then rigged up a connection to the camper with the battery sitting under the truck to allow us to play around with things in the camper and use the furnace while playing some cards at night.
We hit the Elwha valley in the national park and hiked to the Olympic hot springs in the morning to check them out/soak before heading back for home (and the upcoming work week).
Overall the camper is in good shape. One worn out component did provide some humor for us and that was the drain petcock. Once I got the battery rigged up I noticed the gauge center said the water tank was full. I decided to verify there was water in there by opening the petcock. It opened up and promptly the handle snapped off. I tried using pliers to rotate different parts of it to close it but they all crumbled so I just removed the whole thing and allowed it to drain out.
This year has the upper bunk like the new ATC panther stock floor plan, 4’ overhang without a slider. I plan to modify it to have a slide out long enough to accommodate sleeping parallel to the camper. Other tweaking I’ll likely consider will be to move the stove above the fridge to allow its use while the new bed is deployed. I’ll be brainstorming dinette options or perhaps a couch redesign similar to Mark Ingalls idea. One of the first things I need to figure out is the battery situation; the previous owner was able to fit the batter in front of the wheel well, I do not believe I’ll have the room. While I was under the truck I noticed a good amount of space on the driver side frame rail in the area between the transfer case and the rear axle that I’d like to look into the possibility of installing a battery box there. Main perk for doing this would be to keep it out of the camper and not take up space in there (also keep the weight low and forward) and with it riding with the truck all the time it’ll keep it maintained.
Almost forgot one question, how much room should be between the top of the truck and the bottom of the camper? Right now there is only 1.25” at the highest point of my cab and I doubt that is sufficient when things start flexing. I’m assuming I’ll need to lift it some and I’m wonder how much?
Anyways that is enough rambling for now and I’m tired out. On with the pictures.
