Looking for a Hawk

[Taken Lightly]

Hello happy campers. I like to tow my boat up and down the Central California Coastline looking for good fishing. I figure with the price of gas it will be cheaper to make fewer trips but stay longer and fish multiple days. Currently I sleep in the boat or in the Leer shell on the back of my Dodge.

I can see a Four Wheel Camper in my future. I wish I could afford to purchase a new one but will have to settle on a previously owned one. I checked out the Hawk today and it is perfect for my needs. Now if I can only find a used one.

I like to fish light tackle so my screen name and the name of my boat is Taken Lightly. A light weight camper fits right in with the theme.

Thanks for having this great website.

 

[chnlisle]

Welcome to the forum,
Keep yours eyes peeled and if you're patient you'll be rewarded. I've had 3 used FWC's all in great condition for a fraction of new.

 

[CJ8Rockcrawler]

Good luck on your search... The Hawk is a perfect match for your Dodge... Jay (Chnlisle) and I both have the same setup.

 

[Stan@FourWheel]

you might want to check these sites on a regular basis for used campers ...


http://www.wanderthewest.com/ads/cat-2/


http://www.usedfourwheelcampers.com/page11.html


http://sfbay.craigslist.org/



BTW ... is that Doran Beach (Bodega Bay) in your pictures ?





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[DLN]

Welcome aboard, good luck with your search, keep us posted.

 

[Taken Lightly]

Thanks for the warm welcome. I think I have read every post on the site trying to understand all the different configurations and modifications that can go into these campers.

I can see the newer models have the window flaps on the inside of the camper. I think I would prefer this. What year did FWC change the design?

Any other design changes on recent models I should be aware of. In other words if I am looking for a used one is there a certain model year or years I should be looking for?

I also have seen a few Hawk models that have come up for sale and then the ad gets pulled. I assume this model gets snatched up pretty quickly. I am thinking of ordering the setup kit that Stan talks about on another post and have my Truck prepped ahead of time.

Am I correct in thinking that if I were to buy a shell model new that I could never upgrade it to a fully loaded camper in the future? Furnace, sink, stove etc.?

As you can see I have a lot of questions. But doing the research is half the fun. Well maybe not half but it is fun.

My last concern is my truck it is not a diesel. It is a Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.7 liter Hemi. I only put 6000 to 7000 miles a year on it and it tows my 6,000 lb boat no problem. I am thinking adding a 1000 lbs (camper + stuff) shouldn't slow it down. I read somewhere my Leer shell weighs 200 lbs so it's really only adding 800 more lbs. about the same as a full tank of gas in the boat. Other than the mpg any concerns I should be aware of?

I don't want to ramble on so I will end my post here.

Stan those photo's were taken at the Westside Park Campground in Bodega Bay. One of my favorite spots and only 65 miles from home.

 

[craig333]

Sure you could upgrade it. Lots of people have done it that way. Is it going to be as easy as calling Stan and ordering a heater and sink and bolting it in? No. You won't have the exhaust port in the side for example. All depends on how handy you are whether such things would be a big deal to you. Me, while I can modify some stuff, I'd never want to take on something on the order of outfitting a shell. Some people just can't wait to do a project like that.

 

[Star152]

TL
Nice pics I thought you took those pic at Halfmoon bay.........No salmon this year I picked up a really good used grandby on http://www.usedfourwheelcampers.com/page11.html
I use mine to fish over nite in the delta and lake Sonoma. send me a PM if you want to take a look at an 04.........also the 4wheel site has a fit list for older models.

 

[Taken Lightly]

I am looking at this camper tomorrow can you tell from the picture if it is a HAWK? It looks like a HAWK but the seller wasn't sure. It is a 1998 model and it fits a 6.5 FT bed.

 

[pvstoy]

Looks like a Hawk to me because of the bed is fixed and no slide out. If it was a Eagle then you would see the wood tracks for the bed to slide out and the pad would be thinner.

Good luck looking at it.

 

[chnlisle]

My '04 hawk has a slide out. The space between the couch and the sink cabinet looks narrower than a Hawk.

 

[mtn-high]

heya Taken.....

Not sure about the model here... but the sink/stove are flipped on my new Hawk from that layout.

IMO, if you're @ all a larger person or ya have a S/O...wait for a model with the slide out/bigger bed.

I had a few folks contact me wanting to sell their Hawk when I was looking (after I made the order, naturally)...if you want I can see if I can find thier address and see if they still have something to offer.... (I know I have one of 'em handy as he just wrote me a few weeks ago to see if I was still looking)

heck...I got nothin' else to do...right chnlisle? LOL

 

[chnlisle]

Right there with ya my brother.

 

[Taken Lightly]

I decided to pass on this camper. After looking at the drawing on the FWC website I think this is an Eagle not a Hawk. The placement of the burners is the same as the Eagle. It also lacks the front settee of the Hawk.

I stand corrected it is a Hawk.

My search continues.

 

[mtn-high]

Check yer PM's bro....

mtn-high