9 replies to this topic

[bsharp007]

Getting ready to order a new Hawk to go on my new Ford F150. I'm an trying to decide about going with the older style fold over couch or to one of the new dinette configurations. I have noticed they now have two different style dinette setups and would like to hear fom people who have them and their experiences. I currently have the Eagle model with the fold over style couch and have found it to be uncomfortable due to the cushion always sliding off the bench and generally no being that practical because of the narrowness of the bench. But possibly the Hawk being wider has a more comfortable and wider bench seat.
I have enjoyed many miles with the Eagle mounted on a Tacoma but it's time to move on!

Any personal experience people may have is appreciated.
Btw a 2008 Eagle fully loaded will be entering the market in Northern CA very soon.

[Desertboater]

In the middle of this past summer I removed the standard bench out of my Eagle, then designed and built a dinette configuration. I haven't found a need to use the couch (or the new dinette) for stealth camping, so I didn't worry much about that, and it's now a much better system. I added about 2 inches of height to the seats so they're now flush with the carpeted piece under the window, and I now have enough room to walk around, they're comfortable to sit on, and I think I ended up with more storage space.



I can't comment on the width of the Hawk compared to that of the Eagle, but so far, I'm really happy with the way my rebuild came out. It's just way more practical/comfortable than the bench ever was.

Cheers,
West

[orion]

My Hawk is about a year old now, and I got it with the rollover couch option. The upsides I felt the dinette offered was a more table-centric seating position for playing cards, laptop, writing, etc for a couple of people. The dinette also opens up more view access for the side window. The downsides for me-- I didn't like how the dinette felt in the camper, and how cramped I felt sitting at it. Some people have modified the table to maximize leg room underneath, though. I also didn't like how it was less of a bed when flattened out. I also didn't like it offered less storage than the rollover couch underneath. Over the past year, I've loved the rollover couch. When camping solo or with my girlfriend, I can stretch out my legs and read a book on the couch, and still have a decent view out the side window since my head is lower and more able to see out the window than if I were sitting at the dinette. I have also loved the storage underneath the rollover couch. And when I bring my nephews camping with me, I can easily roll that couch over, and the boys can sleep up top and I can sleep on the couch, and have lots of room. A downside to the couch I feel is that if you sit normal in the couch, you're looking at the cabinets, and the window is behind you. Also, the window is obstructed, letting in less natural light I suppose. All in all, if I had to do it over, I'd choose the rollover couch for my needs again, no question asked. I just feel it's the most versatile for all of my needs.

No experience with the Eagle. I would imagine the extra width of the Hawk would be better. I haven't had any problems with the cushions sliding off. My Hawk is on a F-150, and love everything about the combo.

Good luck and congrats on your new Hawk

[billharr]

All depends on how you are going to camp. I did my own conversion to the dinette, it works great for me and the wife. If you have more than two camping the dinette may not work for you. The wife likes that the port a pot is ready to use and not under the couch. Which ever you get you will enjoy the Hawk.


I would have changed to the front dinette if I was buying new.

Bill in Stockton.

Edit: After rotti's post I feel I should say I am 5'6" and the wife is 5'2" so room at the dinette is not a problem.

[rotti]

KeithJ pretty much covered my impressions of the two different options.
For my 6'3" frame the dinette was not an option, too cramped.

[bsharp007]

Well some good comments so far...much appreciated! I have pretty much ruled out the the standard dinette due to being 6'3". Im guessing that few people have the front dinette seats becasue it's so new. So it's between the newer front dinette seating and the standard rollout couch. Unfortunately FWC doesn't have an example of the front dinette at their factory. And they are using the same cheezy saleman that sold me my Eagle a few years ago, he forgot my name 15 min after I gave him 20K . I had a warranty issue with the Eagle and they made me drive 5 hours round trip to hand me a part instead of sending it to me, still a little bitter about that. Not to be a smartass but this guy has to be related to the owner.
FWC is fortunate that no one is building a camper that is close to theirs..arguably. I love the guys at ATC, just wish they sold an updated camper.

It looks like I'll be driving to FWC soon hopefully they will be building a camper with the front dinette that we can actually look at.

Getting ready to order a new Hawk to go on my new Ford F150. I'm an trying to decide about going with the older style fold over couch or to one of the new dinette configurations. I have noticed they now have two different style dinette setups and would like to hear fom people who have them and their experiences. I currently have the Eagle model with the fold over style couch and have found it to be uncomfortable due to the cushion always sliding off the bench and generally no being that practical because of the narrowness of the bench. But possibly the Hawk being wider has a more comfortable and wider bench seat.
I have enjoyed many miles with the Eagle mounted on a Tacoma but it's time to move on!

Any personal experience people may have is appreciated.
Btw a 2008 Eagle fully loaded will be entering the market in Northern CA very soon.

[Phird05]

Personally, I can't imagine anything but the dinette setup in my camper. Although I have a Hallmark camper, I did look at all other manufacturers campers and the one thing I decided from the get go was having a dinette setup, which also folds into a bed over the folding couch. I couldn't imagine sitting on the couch system and my view being the other side of the camper unless I turn my head 180 degrees to get a view. With the dinette in my camper I can either look at the women of my dreams, (still waiting for her) while facing her or I can easily look out the large windows on the dinette side of the camper at the beautiful scenery. Certainly it is personal preference based on each persons needs and I am not criticizing those who choose the fold out couch system over the dinette. I might add that my dinette table is easily removed and stored on the ceiling with brackets should I need to use that floor space for any reason while in travel mode. Like I said, just my personal preference.

Good Camping!

Paul

[JBahr]

Unfortunately FWC doesn't have an example of the front dinette at their factory.

We have had the Front Dinette Fleet in our showroom for some time now and will soon have a Front Dinette Grandby!

[leadsled9]

I ordered my Hawk with the roll over couch and the silly table on a pedestal. After trying to live with that set up.....we decided that it needed to be changed to the Dinette. Four Wheel Campers had just come out with the Dinette set up and it wasn't available when I ordered my camper. With the couch....we both sat there staring at the counter when we ate....and the silly wobbly table was useless. I set my laptop on it and the entire top snapped off. What a horrible design for a table.

I'm 6 ft 1 in and my girlfriend is 5 ft 4 in. I took my camper back to FWC and had them do the dinette conversion. We love the set up now....as we can sit facing each other and also use the window to see out of which helps with making our meals much more enjoyable. The only problem then was the table. It was a way better design than the first one but the table leg was always in the way.

So, the last modification we did was to install the Lagun Table Mount. Here's the link: http://www.wanderthe...hp?/topic/4643/

On page 2 of that thread you will find lots of interior pictures with the new table mount.

As for the storage.....I feel that I now have MORE storage with the dinette set up because of the small additional cabinet. The couch set up was better for storing long items.....but the dinette set up has a sliding panel that closes off the area between the seats....and thus gives you the same amount of storage for short items.

The service I've received after the sale has been great. Stan is the man....and Terry and Chicali complete the team of folks I've dealt with....they have always been a great bunch of guys to deal with.

[bsharp007]

That fold out table looks great and functional. Had something like that on a Eurovan camper, that got out of the way when not needed. I'll be taking a long look at the 2 different dinette configurations. Btw my "silly pedestal" table has been stored in my garage from day one.

I have met all the people you mentioned from FWC briefly, my direct experience was different, if I wasn't so lazy I would have sent an email directly to the owner at the time. But I would agree that Stan goes out of his way to be helpful especially on this forum.

I ordered my Hawk with the roll over couch and the silly table on a pedestal. After trying to live with that set up.....we decided that it needed to be changed to the Dinette. Four Wheel Campers had just come out with the Dinette set up and it wasn't available when I ordered my camper. With the couch....we both sat there staring at the counter when we ate....and the silly wobbly table was useless. I set my laptop on it and the entire top snapped off. What a horrible design for a table.

I'm 6 ft 1 in and my girlfriend is 5 ft 4 in. I took my camper back to FWC and had them do the dinette conversion. We love the set up now....as we can sit facing each other and also use the window to see out of which helps with making our meals much more enjoyable. The only problem then was the table. It was a way better design than the first one but the table leg was always in the way.

So, the last modification we did was to install the Lagun Table Mount. Here's the link: http://www.wanderthe...hp?/topic/4643/

On page 2 of that thread you will find lots of interior pictures with the new table mount.

As for the storage.....I feel that I now have MORE storage with the dinette set up because of the small additional cabinet. The couch set up was better for storing long items.....but the dinette set up has a sliding panel that closes off the area between the seats....and thus gives you the same amount of storage for short items.

The service I've received after the sale has been great. Stan is the man....and Terry and Chicali complete the team of folks I've dealt with....they have always been a great bunch of guys to deal with.