58 replies to this topic

[longhorn1]

That makes sense. I like idea of marking the legs. I just use a tape. Wish I had room in my garage and a level drive way
Have to store it at a storage place
Probably need to raise the roof once or twice over the winter.

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[DesertDave]

I just measured my Grandby which I just opened in the garage.  Hooked the tape on the rear awning rail, it measured 82" down to the bottom of the camper.  Need to add 2 -2.5" to that to allow for the height of the roof vent, I think.  Factory says closed height is 59" and adding the 24" of the popup to that gives you 83", so it's somewhere in the 83-84.5" height range.

 

I have an F350 4x4, with the camper on I clear the 95" door opening by one inch, with the racks removed.  Depending on your vehicle height you may not need to remove the racks to drive into the garage with it on your truck.

 

FYI I raised a light fixture in order to have it be a couple inches above the camper when raised up (while on the truck).  Floor to light tubes in 115", so that's about the inside height needed to open it on a truck with the bed sitting about 36" off the ground.

[TrapperMike]

DesertDave - Thanks for the info.  Looks like I might be able to raise the height of the dolly if I choose to and still be able to open the camper.  I'll see how much of a pain it is to raise and lower.  But right now, when the dolly is not in use, it is short enough to store out of the way under my boat trailer.

Really looking forward to getting this new FWC Hawk Shell!

[Timothy McGowen]

Looks like someone else is tired of waiting too.

[Oly Bill]

Not Necessary But Nice if you have SHOREPOWER! 1) Get the smallest Microwave Oven for about $70, 2) Bread Toaster for EGGOS w/syrup & margarine, 3) Mini Keurig for your favorite single cups of Coffee or Carmel Cappuccino, 4) Hamilton Beach Breakfast Sandwich Maker $25, 5) Ready-Set-Go Cooker for most Fish, Oysters, Scallops, Hamburger Paddies...6) Small George Foreman Grill, 7) 8x8 inch wide by about 1 inch + deep oven bake pans to be used as food plates >see your local Dollar Store. 8) Chinet 12" x 10" HD Paper Plates (at Costco), 9) 2 Aluminum or Iron 8" Square Dutch Ovens, 10) Maybe a Sandwich/Waffle (Panini) Maker. Then resolve to go on many strenuous hikes to neutralize the the many flavorable calories gained (or not). 

[Ace!]

I don't know that I've never seen a square dutch oven.

[TrapperMike]

Oly Bill - Thanks for the suggestions, but I don't plan on using shore power for the majority of places I go. Minimalist camping is what I try to achieve plus keeping the weight down.

One thing I have to add to the budget is E rated tires. But no hurry on that until next spring. I only plan on a few short trips early winter to work out the system and see what I need to add to the shell. Won't think about taking it out when the below zero (F) weather arrives!

[Oly Bill]

Ace! On 9-5-1997, I ordered two 9" x 9" Cast Aluminum Dutch Ovens for $50 each & an Aluminum "Gripper" Pliers. My Dutch Ovens weigh 6 pounds each. See their products & colorful family history at: http://woodydutchoven.com/

 

18 years later, they costs about twice as much but are very durable & useful. 

[Oly Bill]

TrapperMike, In January 2003, I flattened my 2 passenger side 4 Ply Tires on a narrow logging road. This was very troubling because I only had one Jack & 1 Spare Tire!!! These "wimpy" tires came w/my new 2003 GMC 1500 Sierra. I quickly replaced these w/4 Les Schwab LT245/75R-16/6 108/104S Open Country AT 6 PLY Tires. These tires worked well & I replaced them in January 2015, after 53,000 miles w/the very same tires. HOWEVER, I now wish I would have chosen an "E" Rated 10 PLY Tire instead of 6 ply. I get very nervous & cautious when driving on logging roads such as : 1) Gold Hills gravel road at the Crystal Mtn Ski Resort, & 2) the very steep gravel USFS Road #74 to Corral Pass. Both roads are in WA State.  

[snuffy]

yes 10ply tires are great but if you are mounting them on a half ton be aware of the weight of the tire that you buy , some can be very heavy..