Is it almost 2018? Then it must be time for my-every-three-years-order-a-new-FWC "fix". 2012- my first FWC Hawk (slide-in), 2015- new hawk (flatbed model). Both mounted on a 2012 Ram 2500 which honestly has done great and my wife thinks I am crazy to leave our FB Hawk.
So what will be my 2018 build? (As of now- nothing ordered yet so your suggestions welcomed)
1. 2018 4WD regular cab 3500 Ram SLT "Chassis Cab" SRW, 6.4 Hemi w/ Aisin tranny, "Shift-on-fly", 220 amp alternator, limited slip differential and (if needed) after-market lockers on the front axle.
2. Custom aluminum bed (110" long x 80 1/2" wide) with a shovel box (28" wide x 6" high running the full distance of the underbed frame rails) with four underbed boxes (2 36" long and 2 30" long) plus a 20" wide transverse aluminum "garage" between the cab and Grandby.
3. FWC Flatbed Grandby, 130 Liter 2 way Isotherm frig, inside shower/ cassette toilet, Fantastic Fan and... ???
Here's where I need help: I'm a solar/electrical dummy so if you folks could be so kind I'm focused (obsessed?) now on...
The standard 160 watt FWC rooftop solar. On both of my previous Hawks I didn't order this option thinking I would "install something better". Never happened due to A) my ignorance (see above paragraph) and inertia. Sooo...
A. Is the 160 watt FWC roof top solar option adequate for your needs? Using the FWC controller, etc. can an additional solar panel be added? (Told you I'm a dummy.)
B. I'm seriously thinking of converting the outside access battery box on the Grandby into a "cubby hole" for Sioux. (Remember that this will be a regular cab with little storage inside the cab) I'll just drill down into the aluminum underbed box below and install heavy duty 1" plastic conduit to wire into batteries below. This will lower my weight but even better allow any batteries I want. so the major question of this (too long) post:
If size and weight (within reason) were no object what batteries would you install that would combine well with the factory rooftop solar and give us more capacity than the standard AGM's from the factory? (I also have the 100 watt Renogy solar suitcase which I'll carry too.)
Many thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Steve
P.S. I also appreciate the advice we received from many here on our 5 day sojourn on the White Rim Trail last week Perfect weather, few people, our Ram/Flatbed Hawk combo performed magnificently and we had a great time. Sure wish I was smart enough to post photos...
So what will be my 2018 build? (As of now- nothing ordered yet so your suggestions welcomed)
1. 2018 4WD regular cab 3500 Ram SLT "Chassis Cab" SRW, 6.4 Hemi w/ Aisin tranny, "Shift-on-fly", 220 amp alternator, limited slip differential and (if needed) after-market lockers on the front axle.
2. Custom aluminum bed (110" long x 80 1/2" wide) with a shovel box (28" wide x 6" high running the full distance of the underbed frame rails) with four underbed boxes (2 36" long and 2 30" long) plus a 20" wide transverse aluminum "garage" between the cab and Grandby.
3. FWC Flatbed Grandby, 130 Liter 2 way Isotherm frig, inside shower/ cassette toilet, Fantastic Fan and... ???
Here's where I need help: I'm a solar/electrical dummy so if you folks could be so kind I'm focused (obsessed?) now on...
The standard 160 watt FWC rooftop solar. On both of my previous Hawks I didn't order this option thinking I would "install something better". Never happened due to A) my ignorance (see above paragraph) and inertia. Sooo...
A. Is the 160 watt FWC roof top solar option adequate for your needs? Using the FWC controller, etc. can an additional solar panel be added? (Told you I'm a dummy.)
B. I'm seriously thinking of converting the outside access battery box on the Grandby into a "cubby hole" for Sioux. (Remember that this will be a regular cab with little storage inside the cab) I'll just drill down into the aluminum underbed box below and install heavy duty 1" plastic conduit to wire into batteries below. This will lower my weight but even better allow any batteries I want. so the major question of this (too long) post:
If size and weight (within reason) were no object what batteries would you install that would combine well with the factory rooftop solar and give us more capacity than the standard AGM's from the factory? (I also have the 100 watt Renogy solar suitcase which I'll carry too.)
Many thanks in advance for your suggestions!
Steve
P.S. I also appreciate the advice we received from many here on our 5 day sojourn on the White Rim Trail last week Perfect weather, few people, our Ram/Flatbed Hawk combo performed magnificently and we had a great time. Sure wish I was smart enough to post photos...