Size of couch in Hawk shell?

[Stringer]

Hello,

I have a Chevy Silverado 2500 with a 6.5ft bed.

Several months ago I placed on order for a FWC Grandby shell (with the roll-over couch added), thinking that the extra length of the camper on the tailgate would be not ideal, but still workable with a few modifications. Then I bought a small cargo trailer to pull behind my truck. Realizing it might be a pain to tow anything with the tailgate down, or use a hitch mounted bicycle rack with the tailgate down, I paid the $250 to change my order to a Hawk shell.

This will keep the camper more flush with my bumper, and will allow me to shed the weight of the tailgate.

However, I did a bit more thinking, and started to worry about the interior space available in the Hawk versus the Grandby. Here's my concern: I'm 6'3" or 6'4", and I'd really like to be able to pull over and do some stealth camping in my camper. Basically, when on road trips, I'd like the option to pull over at a rest stop and sleep with the top down. I know the couch itself is only 6' long, but with the Grandby's extra length between the edge of the couch and the edge of the camper, I could have just let my legs hang off the end.

Now I'm concerned that I might not be able to sleep comfortably in the lower level of my Hawk with the top down. Are any of you top-down sleepers? For those of you who are approximately my height, have you had any issues? I'm hoping that with the couch rolled over into the down position, I will have enough room to sleep comfortably, but since I've never actually been able to set foot inside a Hawk or Grandby, I haven't been able to verify.

Now I'm wondering if I made a mistake by switching to the Hawk from the Grandby. I'd like to have fewer headaches with towing and using bike racks, but maybe I should just deal with all that if it would allow me to do the frequent stealth camping that I'm planning.

Does anyone have any words of wisdom? Should I be the most annoying customer ever and consider requesting a second order modification back to the Grandby, and just deal with hitch extenders or whatever else? Or do you think I could sleep comfortably on the roll-over couch in the Hawk with the top down?

Many thanks!

 

[m5040]

You would have to answer that yourself. You can set up something in your house that is 6' and see if you can deal with it. See if you can sleep on your side, or tolerate it, then it would be fine, especially considering the length of time you would do it. Would you stealth camp for a full night or just to recharge? With the top down it limits the ventilation (no side windows in canvas portion and front vent blocked by bed). With a camper larger then the truck bed, you will have many issues. If the trailer has a tung jack it could interfere and will difficult to operate. Whatever you load on the trailer might be too close to the camper, especially on a tight turn. It will be heavier and the center of gravity will be further back and the back tiedown won't be close to the truck bed. To name a few.

 

[astropuppy]

I'm 6'6" and nap regularly on the roll over couch in our hawk shell; just lay on the diagonal.

 

[Jon R]

The distance from the interior front wall to interior rear wall on my Grandby is 93 inches. The Hawk is 16 inches shorter, so it would be 77 inches inside. So while the couch might be 72 inches, you should have 5 more inches of space. You can also sleep a little diagonally to get more length.

I would not want my camper hanging past the tail lights for all the reasons you mentioned. Also, the cg of my Grandby (fully equipped) is right on the rear axle of my long bed truck. A Grandby shell will have the cg a little further forward, but I bet it would be behind your axle on a 6.5 foot bed truck.

 

[Stringer]

This forum is great. Thanks so much for the helpful responses. I appreciate it.

Sounds like sticking with the Hawk is the right call.

 

[Sagebrusher]

I am 6' 8" and we stealth camp infrequently but stealth "nap" often. In my Hawk Shell build, we have no rollover couch, but I built out one bench 5" for a better seat, then put 1 by 2 cleats along both benches and a front cabinet I built. Then I have two 39" plywood boards I drop between the cleats to make a 78" x 52" lower bed (except for the refer in the corner). We have extra cushions too, same size as the ones for the upper bed. A rolling Husky bin below the board helps with support. Plenty long for me, but also, as mentioned by the other tall persons - use the diagonal. Also, helps if your wife can use the triangle ;-).

 

[goinoregon]

i would also concur with the recommendations for not going with the model that extends past end of truck bed. you also get the benefit of not carrying around the weight of the tailgate. i have a 2015 gmc sierra, and was surprised at the weight of the tailgate. not insignificant.
if you are in the market for a swivel rear bike rack, i bought a rocky mount, and it is bullet proof.

 

[Jon R]

FYI, my 2021 3500hd has the “multipro” tailgate, which is probably about the heaviest tailgate out there. It weighs 75 lbs.

 

[astropuppy]

Plenty long for me, but also, as mentioned by the other tall persons - use the diagonal. Also, helps if your wife can use the triangle ;-).

I live that life.