Got Tundra, ready to order Hawk (questions)

[kayaker]

OK, I went to the dealer in Eagle, WI (very nice persons both Sean and Diana) to see the campers in the flesh, and it seems that we'll be ordering a Hawk shell with some options to fit into our dual-cab Tundra.

The options we're thinking are: furnace, aux.battery, power roof vent, screen door, Yakima tracks, rear wall steps, couch, flourescent lights,mechanical jacks,12 volt power plug, Arctic Pack (a necessary item here in the winter in the Midwest)

One option that we're considering is the extended bed, since it allows better use of the camper space. How happy are people with the extended bed, would you buy that option again (500 $) ? The dealer didn't have one to see there, so I'm going by pictures I've seen on the web.

The Hawk is about 80" but the Tundra bed is about 76 " long, will the extra 4" hanging out over th ebumper be a problem ? I don't think so, but I'd like to hear any opinions against/in favor.

Lastly, I think I'll ask FWC if they can install rear wall steps on the side walls too, that way I can reach the kayaks/canoe for straping with no problems.

Any other option/advice/tip that I should consider ? I might be ordering it next week.

Thanks,

Hugo

 

[OutbacKamper]

One option that we're considering is the extended bed, since it allows better use of the camper space. How happy are people with the extended bed, would you buy that option again (500 $) ?

Lastly, I think I'll ask FWC if they can install rear wall steps on the side walls too, that way I can reach the kayaks/canoe for straping with no problems.

Any other option/advice/tip that I should consider ? I might be ordering it next week.

Hugo

Hugo:
Here is my advice (for what it is worth)
1) Extended Bed: YES - I wouldn't consider buying one without the 48" extended cab-over bed
2) The weight that you can carry on the roof and still pop the top up and down is very low. I have Yakima tracks, but would not bother next time. You will not enjoy having to take the Kayaks/canoe off every time you pop the roof up/down. Save the money on the Yakima option and put it towards a rack that goes over the cab and hood of the truck. Something like this:

3) consider getting the side awning, or at least have them relocate the roof latches so that you can add one latter.
4) Buy a used Hawk shell model? and save money (another shameless plug for my used camper)

Cheers
Mark

 

[marty]

You might take a look at www.allterraincampers.com

You will be able to get the same type of camper without the long wait.

 

[kayaker]

Marty, do you guys have a dealer in the Midwest ? FWC has a dealer 35 miles from my home, which is perfect for service, installation, etc.

Hugo

 

[chnlisle]

Hey Marty,
How difficult is it to retro fit a screen door on my ranger. Can I do it myself and will it hold up off and back roading? I've made a removable screen for the roof vent that fits nice and snug and keeps the beastys out but an entry door screen would be nice especially on those summer southwest trips.
Jay

 

[kayaker]

OutbackCamper (Mark),

thanks for the advice regarding the extended cab and racks. Actually, the rack would't be a bad idea, except that I'd need to carry a canoe (I'm not sure if would fit in there wit the camper behind). How long was the rack that you were using ? Did you fit a canoe there ? How loang was it ?

My whitewater kayaks would definitely fit and I'm thinking about moving into foldable/skin on frame kayaks, so sea kayaks will also fit (mhh, tempted, tempted). It would be hard to convince the wife, perhaps a rack that can be taken out ? I'm worrying about loosing visibility though.

I thought for a while about your camper (saw your post about 3/4 weeks ago) but the porblem is that I live in the Chicago area, and you're closer to Washington State than the Midwest -Illinois (unless I'm mistaken ?).

That's the beauty of living in the Midwest, we're far out from everything (in the
middle - MID of nowhere ;-)

Hugo

 

[marty]

Hugo,

I know the dealer that your speaking of, I am the one that set him up originally. While we don't have a dealer in the area, we can deliver the camper to you and if you have any problems which I would not expect, you could go to sean to have them fixed as he is familer enough with our type of camper to be able to service it.

Ben

 

[OutbacKamper]

OutbackCamper (Mark),
How long was the rack that you were using ? Did you fit a canoe there ? How loang was it ?

I'm worrying about loosing visibility though.


That's the beauty of living in the Midwest, we're far out from everything (in the
middle - MID of nowhere ;-)

Hugo

Kayaker;
1) Good point about the canoe. My rack is only 9 feet long (because of the extended cab-over bed). I was thinking of converting my rack to carry 3 kayaks, but my current kayak is 14' and would stick out too far (5' past the front bumper). It would work well for white water kayaks though.
2) The post (or posts) to hold up the rack do not really impact on visibility, but they do take a little getting used to.
3) I did not realize you were near Chicago, a bit far to buy a camper from the west for sure!

Cheers
Mark