29 replies to this topic

[TravisandMarla]

Can you put a Hawk on a long bed tundra and use the extra space to store things?

[KngBee]

TravisandMarla,

We only had the tundra a few weeks before we picked up the Grandby, but were getting 15-16 mpg. With the camper we lost about 1 mpg, down to 14-15.

[EdoHart]

Can you put a Hawk on a long bed tundra and use the extra space to store things?

I assume you mean mount the camper toward the rear of the bed and use the space between the front of the camper and front of the bed for extra storage. If that is so, that location is where you would want to put your heavier items for a good load distribution. Things like water, fuel and batteries. I suppose it could be done, but I think it would take some careful planning and fabricating to do it right. Plus I think that large gap between the camper and the cab would produce a lot of drag. I don't know, I'm just guessing.

Because of the wheel wells and how the camper is shaped, I don't think you could mount a hawk toward the front of a long bed, but again, I'm just guessing. If you plan to get a long bed truck, plan on a long bed camper.

[TravisandMarla]

Thanks for all the advice, now we are trying to decide...short or long bed and yes we will get a long bed camper if we get the long bed truck. MOre people seem to have the short bed/hawk, does the long bed/grandby make much of a difference as far as space? thanks again, I appreciate the help of this forum.

[Kilroy]

I wish I had went for the Grandby, even with a short box. I think the extra space for the small increase in weight and price would have been well worth it.

[TravisandMarla]

Does the gas mileage go down with the long bed and the grandby, less than the short bed and hawk? (tundra)

[Kilroy]

I loose a good 3 to 4 mpg with my Hawk on my o4 Tundra DC.

[brett13]

I agree with KNGBe on the new Tundra's. I have an '07 with the 5.7l v8 too and it doesn't even know the camper is there. Over the first 10k miles on the truck, I averaged 16.3 with 4000+ of those miles with the camper on. I live in CO (6000ft+ elev.), so its up and down "hills" and it handles great with camper and without. 10,000lb towing capacity. Also added the ride-rites, but you could get away with out them. I am extremely pleased with this combo BUT to be honest, the rated payload is far below what this truck feels like it can do. (If you crawl around, it looks like a 3/4ton with the big brakes, stout leafs, big UCAs, etc.) If you think you will exceed 2000lbs total, you might want to consider a 3/4 ton to be safe. Toyota just announced a Tundra diesel for 09, which would be sweet, and it will probably have a bigger payload (I would expect).

[r95018]

I really liked my F150/Hawk combo. The FX4 package on the 150 provided adequately stiff suspension for the weight of the camper and it did great as a stock setup - even on some occasional off-roading.


In 2009 the F150 is supposed to be offered with a diesel which should improve the mileage a fair amount. I'm not sure if that is the ultimate truck for the price, but I sure am interested in checking it out.

Hi DD - I like the F-150 FX4 as well. If money is the primary driver for someone, the XL series is still a real solid truck, and XLTs offer lots for the $$.

No F-150 diesel until 2010. The '09 F-150 is redesigned inside and out and offers a choice of three V8s. Manual is no longer offered. Tailgate step, side steps, and integrated trailer brake controller are available. They will come standard with an advanced traction control with roll stability control. Also, with side airbags.

In regards to diesel pickups (no matter the brand), they are great pullers and do get better fuel economy than gas, but their initial cost is high, and diesel is more expensive than gas. If a person keeps a truck for decades, or needs the power, they are the best way to go. Otherwise, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, and Toyota all offer more than adequate power with about the same economy.

I enjoyed your travel logs so much I joined the forum! This is my virgin post.

Thanks all!

[oly884]

I've been really happy with my setup. It's small and light. My only desire would be a diesel engine for power and mileage. That being said, the 3.4L V-6 in my Tacoma has been more than adequate for getting my camper all over the place.