I'm currently in research mode (and in negotiations with the wife) over our next vehicle. When we got married, I brought the van in my sig. and a VW station wagon into our relationship. Now that we have 2 kids in car seats, the van doesn't really work well for a family of 4, and I'm tired of insuring and maintaining 3 vehicles.
My target vehicle is a crew cab truck that fits in the garage, with the plan to put a lightweight camper in the bed (e.g. FWC Raven or Hawk shell model). A friend has a 2019 F150, crew cab, 5.5' box and I was able to pull it into our garage. It seems that a F150 CC with a 5.5' box fits comfortably with room for me to move around and/or work on the truck with the garage door down (a consideration for my Michigan climate). A 6.5' box would fit but I would not be able to walk around the truck.
I think the compromise with the wife (who doesn't want a "huge" truck) will be a crew cab with a short bed, but I want the largest living space that is possible. The Hawk is designed for a 6.0-6.5' bed, but I've seen pics of Hawks in short-bed trucks...I know this is not ideal but seems possible. Seems that FWC has no issue with a Hawk in a short-bed truck (based on info I've found at other forums). There would be some overhang if you jammed the Hawk into a short-box truck. Is anyone doing this? Any pros and cons I'm not considering? I don't love the look of the camper overhanging, but if I can make me and wife happy, that is the ultimate goal! I found another forum where guys were discussing the overhang; some leave the tailgate attached, giving you a little bit of a step/shelf, others remove the tailgate to save weight and prevent paint damage to the tailgate from stones being kicked up.
As far as payload, it looks like a FWC Hawk shell with the couple options I want is coming in at 943 lbs.; I think I will be okay no matter the make of truck.
So if it is possible, I think the compromise will be a short-bed truck (should appease the wife) and carry a FWC Hawk shell (I get more space), but would like to hear some real-world experience/reviews with this setup!
Thanks!
My target vehicle is a crew cab truck that fits in the garage, with the plan to put a lightweight camper in the bed (e.g. FWC Raven or Hawk shell model). A friend has a 2019 F150, crew cab, 5.5' box and I was able to pull it into our garage. It seems that a F150 CC with a 5.5' box fits comfortably with room for me to move around and/or work on the truck with the garage door down (a consideration for my Michigan climate). A 6.5' box would fit but I would not be able to walk around the truck.
I think the compromise with the wife (who doesn't want a "huge" truck) will be a crew cab with a short bed, but I want the largest living space that is possible. The Hawk is designed for a 6.0-6.5' bed, but I've seen pics of Hawks in short-bed trucks...I know this is not ideal but seems possible. Seems that FWC has no issue with a Hawk in a short-bed truck (based on info I've found at other forums). There would be some overhang if you jammed the Hawk into a short-box truck. Is anyone doing this? Any pros and cons I'm not considering? I don't love the look of the camper overhanging, but if I can make me and wife happy, that is the ultimate goal! I found another forum where guys were discussing the overhang; some leave the tailgate attached, giving you a little bit of a step/shelf, others remove the tailgate to save weight and prevent paint damage to the tailgate from stones being kicked up.
As far as payload, it looks like a FWC Hawk shell with the couple options I want is coming in at 943 lbs.; I think I will be okay no matter the make of truck.
So if it is possible, I think the compromise will be a short-bed truck (should appease the wife) and carry a FWC Hawk shell (I get more space), but would like to hear some real-world experience/reviews with this setup!
Thanks!