Thank you for your very nice video. For the problem of your turnbuckles unscrewing, we have the same problem on the shrouds of sailboats. To prevent them from unscrewing, the screw threads are drilled at the end and a pin is passed through them which will prevent the cage from rotating
Good review. Some of the "cons" can be corrected, as I found out living in my 2004 FWC Hawk for 6 years. I use the standard FWC mattress, but under it I permanently keep an inflatable, insulated Thermarest-style backpacker's mattress (not the old-fashioned blow-up kind of mattress.) After raising the roof, I open the Thermarest valve & put in a few puffs of air. (Over-inflation makes it uncomfortable.) Before lowering the roof, I let the air out of the Thermarest. The result is very comfortable sleeping, with the added benefit of preventing condensation in the cabover area. Unlike me, you slide out the bed platform for sleeping, so adjustments of my system will be necessary if you adopt it. Wishing you many more years of FWC camping, Bob K.
Hi Bob, thanks for the feedback. We have seen the Thermarest recommended a couple of times and we are probably going to try it. (We always slide the bed out before lowering the roof, simple). Traveling in Central America we are not able to get these matrasses. So it's an item on the list for when we are back in the north.
I have a 2010 FWC Finch shell (not made any longer) on a 2023 Tacoma extended cab, 6ft bed. Upgraded from a 2019 Taco double cab, 5ft bed. I find my Finch to be perfect for one person. It does get a bit cramped when there are two of us. Especially if it's raining our really cold outside. With the longer bed on the new Taco we can keep the tailgate on. That offers us a "back porch" which makes it easier to get in and out of. It also is a place to cook when there are no picnic tables (no stove or sink inside the camper). It also allows us to close the tailgate for additional security and I can use the backup camera. I agree, the interior turnbuckles are a bit of a pain, but on my old truck I had exterior turnbuckles. Either way, the camper moves a bit when on rough low-range 4x4 roads. The best part is that we're not having to drive a full-sized truck and can get in and out of places much better.
Sounds like you have your camper dialed in for your needs! After living in ours for so long we know what we want to change (there's a lot). The tailgate is a great idea for multi use. We unfortunately couldn't use the tailgate which also took away our back up camera but there's a plan for that too. We are much happier with a small truck than a giant one with an ev3n bigger camper as we'd never get anywhere we'd want to go! But a few tweaks and life will be that much better
2x4 to wedge between the camper and wheel well may help. I have a Ram with a Winter camper StarCraft RoadStar Pine Mtn with the Stablelift and a NorthStar 850sc. I have found the 2x4 will keep it centered. Great video!
Thanks for the tip! We need to come up with a solution. But everything we want to do, we have to take the camper off... so it is something we will have to figure out when we have that ability. The camper does have special mounts where it nicely fits in between, so not sure if that got bended or shifted 😬... to be continued
We boondock in our truck camper (8.5' floor) in winter when we snowbird to Arizona. Its a small hard side with indoor bathroom, perfect for two. When I see your inside shots, its hard to believe you guys can coexist in there., it seems so small. Our first truck camper was a Palomino pop-up camper we bought new, we had a blast in it.
Thank you for your very nice video. For the problem of your turnbuckles unscrewing, we have the same problem on the shrouds of sailboats. To prevent them from unscrewing, the screw threads are drilled at the end and a pin is passed through them which will prevent the cage from rotating
That's good information! I might try that. Thanks for watching
Good review. Some of the "cons" can be corrected, as I found out living in my 2004 FWC Hawk for 6 years. I use the standard FWC mattress, but under it I permanently keep an inflatable, insulated Thermarest-style backpacker's mattress (not the old-fashioned blow-up kind of mattress.) After raising the roof, I open the Thermarest valve & put in a few puffs of air. (Over-inflation makes it uncomfortable.) Before lowering the roof, I let the air out of the Thermarest. The result is very comfortable sleeping, with the added benefit of preventing condensation in the cabover area. Unlike me, you slide out the bed platform for sleeping, so adjustments of my system will be necessary if you adopt it.
Wishing you many more years of FWC camping,
Bob K.
Hi Bob, thanks for the feedback. We have seen the Thermarest recommended a couple of times and we are probably going to try it. (We always slide the bed out before lowering the roof, simple). Traveling in Central America we are not able to get these matrasses. So it's an item on the list for when we are back in the north.
@@justtravlin I have a 2" memory foam topper on my bed, but I don't think you can close the top on yours with anything on the mattress.
Mattress - (2) EXPED MegaMat 10 Sleeping Pads works great in my Project M (6). Add or delete air based upon your needs.
We're seriously considering an exped mattress
I have a 2010 FWC Finch shell (not made any longer) on a 2023 Tacoma extended cab, 6ft bed. Upgraded from a 2019 Taco double cab, 5ft bed. I find my Finch to be perfect for one person. It does get a bit cramped when there are two of us. Especially if it's raining our really cold outside. With the longer bed on the new Taco we can keep the tailgate on. That offers us a "back porch" which makes it easier to get in and out of. It also is a place to cook when there are no picnic tables (no stove or sink inside the camper). It also allows us to close the tailgate for additional security and I can use the backup camera. I agree, the interior turnbuckles are a bit of a pain, but on my old truck I had exterior turnbuckles. Either way, the camper moves a bit when on rough low-range 4x4 roads. The best part is that we're not having to drive a full-sized truck and can get in and out of places much better.
Sounds like you have your camper dialed in for your needs! After living in ours for so long we know what we want to change (there's a lot). The tailgate is a great idea for multi use. We unfortunately couldn't use the tailgate which also took away our back up camera but there's a plan for that too.
We are much happier with a small truck than a giant one with an ev3n bigger camper as we'd never get anywhere we'd want to go! But a few tweaks and life will be that much better
escapees from the great white I see. me too. bought my 4 wheel 14 years ago and a favourite destination is nova scotia. enjoyed your video. cheers!
Yes sir! This video was recorded in Costa Rica. Slightly Warmer than Canada. Thanks for taking the time to check out our video 🤙
Sure. Great camper for off road adventures. Along with the Toyota Tacoma. Let's go places.
Let's goo!
Great video. As a FWC owner it's relatable even if somewhat different for me. I tend to sleep wast-weat in the Hawk.
Interesting! The hawks are a nice size. We feel a hawk flatbed must be the bomb!
2x4 to wedge between the camper and wheel well may help. I have a Ram with a Winter camper StarCraft RoadStar Pine Mtn with the Stablelift and a NorthStar 850sc. I have found the 2x4 will keep it centered. Great video!
Thanks for the tip! We need to come up with a solution. But everything we want to do, we have to take the camper off... so it is something we will have to figure out when we have that ability. The camper does have special mounts where it nicely fits in between, so not sure if that got bended or shifted 😬... to be continued
Just put blue thread locker on your turnbuckles
While we appreciate the suggestion that is not something I will consider at this time 🤙
Would you live in this truck camper?
We boondock in our truck camper (8.5' floor) in winter when we snowbird to Arizona. Its a small hard side with indoor bathroom, perfect for two. When I see your inside shots, its hard to believe you guys can coexist in there., it seems so small. Our first truck camper was a Palomino pop-up camper we bought new, we had a blast in it.
Been camping in a camper shell but I would love a slide in camper, way more roomy
Its very small, haha. We spend a lot of time outside of it
Just a tire pressure question. What pressures do you inflate them to when fully loaded?
I usually keeps the tires around 55-60 psi
IN CANADA YET
Almost!