Our new rig: Trucky McTruckface
Ok, that name may not last. Annika has claimed naming rights for the new rig, but beyond "the Truck", nothing has stuck yet.
We'll be cataloging the details of and projects around the new rig as we go!
Our 2018 Ford F-150 with 2020 Four Wheel Camper Hawk Flatbed Camper
Blog Entries for the Truck:
- Acquisition and Registration
- Cabinet Modifications for Thetford Curve Toilet
- Dashboard Electronics Mount with Charging
- On-Board Air System
2018 F150 XLT 4x4 Specs
- 5.0 V8 395 hp 400 lb-ft
- 10 Speed Transmission
- Electronic Locking 3.73 Rear Axle 4wd Hi/Lo
- 36 Gal Fuel Tank (500+ Mile Range W/ Camper)
Truck Upgrades from Original Owner:
- Venomrex 17x9 Flow Forged Wheels
- BFG AT KO2 Tires, 285/70r17
- Neoprene Seat Covers
- RCI ¼” Aluminum Skid Plates
- TeraFlex Falcon Tow/Haul Adjustable Shocks
- Custom Rear Leaf Pack From Boise Spring Works
- 12k lb Ironman Winch with Hidden Mount
- Aluminum Flatbed w/ Storage Boxes and Removable Sides and Tailgate Included
- LED Ditch Lights w/ Amber Running Lights
2020 Hawk Flatbed Specs & Factory Options:
- 26 Gal Fresh Water
- Dinette Converts to Small Bed
- Silver Spur Interior Package
- Thermal Insulation Pack
- 8' Fiamma Awning
- Exterior LED Lighting Package
- 160W Solar Panel / Charge Controller
- Dual 6V AGM Battery Upgrade
- 6 Gallon Hot Water Heater w/ Outdoor Shower
- Forced Air Furnace w/ Thermostat
- Flush Mount Sink and Stove
- Full Length Yakima Roof Tracks
Custom Camper Upgrades from Original Owner:
- Custom Rear Rack
- Extruded Aluminum Roof Crossbars on Full Length Yakima Tracks
- 2 Upgraded Dometic 14 Speed Fans w/ Rain Sensors and Remote
- Upgraded 80L Dometic Stainless Fridge AC/DC
- 600W AC Pure Sine Wave Inverter
- Hypervent Breathable Mattress Underlayment
- Counter Backsplash
- Vinyl Flooring (Removable)
- Custom Walnut Table and Countertop
- Side-mounted and Enclosed Pop-out Shower Curtain
The Story
By ~2020, things were getting cozy in our first rig "Vandalf". We had maximized that platform, but as a family we needed more space, and more capability - both on and off the road.
We had begun our search by checking out literally dozens of other possibilities. Every Vanlife Meetup, Rendezvous, or other gathering of like-minded travelers was a chance to evaluate other platforms against our own shifting needs. Fairly early on, we had identified the Four Wheel Camper Hawk Flatbed model as a strong candidate - the revised side-entry layout make for a radical shift in the way we could fit three people into a small space. We kept searching, but few platforms available as a "complete" solution met all of our needs. We liked vans, but it is shocking how many commercially-made Class-B campers, even HUGE 170" wheelbase models, fail to accommodate three people easily. (I'm looking at you, Winnebago Revel.)
In early 2022, Mike found Trucky listed on the Expedition Portal Classifieds for sale as a turn-key rig. The promise of acquiring a new rig and having it fully prepped for our planned 2-week summer adventure was too good to pass up!