New Four wheel camper Eagle owner

[bimmeryota]

Decided I need to start putting my truck on a diet so I'm starting with swapping out my spare tires wheel with a lighter one. I went with an ultra wheel outlaw II look alike. It was only 15lbs!

The steel stock wheel weighed 34 lbs!

Decided to do white letters out to be keep the sidewall dents from the tire holder out if site.

Next thing is probably the trailer hitch since I don't tow anything any more but want to have a recovery point solution first. I want to get a marlin or addicted rear number eventually.

 

[jopatco]

Thanks for the pix. If you have any more pix or comments on the Eagle, please post them. I'll be looking at an Eagle (among others) in November. It would really help with my decision.

 

[bimmeryota]

I've spent about 7 nights in my eagle so far and I'm still getting used to it. My choice of the eagle was based on the truck I'm using it on since it can only hold so much.

The only issues if had so far are the grab handle that wasn't properly attached to the frame and a light that doesn't want to turn off. The latter happen just this past weekend so I had to pull the bulb in it.
Overall I'm loving it, and my wife really likes the choice of the silver spur interior package.
We used the shower once and it says pretty dang warm! I'm going to figure out some sort of platform to bring to not be standing in mud by the time I'm done showering.
My choice of the icebox was based on some confusion on the 2way vs 3way and the weight. I was going to do an engel (similar weight but more portable) to be used in the cab and for other things anyway but I haven't moved on that yet. Not sure if I'll convert the icebox to a fridge or storage but I like not having that weight up high.

 

[bimmeryota]

I've spent about 7 nights in my eagle so far and I'm still getting used to it. My choice of the eagle was based on the truck I'm using it on since it can only hold so much.
View attachment 186552
The only issues if had so far are the grab handle that wasn't properly attached to the frame and a light that doesn't want to turn off. The latter happen just this past weekend so I had to pull the bulb in it.
Overall I'm loving it, and my wife really likes the choice of the silver spur interior package.
We used the shower once and it says pretty dang warm! I'm going to figure out some sort of platform to bring to not be standing in mud by the time I'm done showering.
My choice of the icebox was based on some confusion on the 2way vs 3way and the weight. I was going to do an engel (similar weight but more portable) to be used in the cab and for other things anyway but I haven't moved on that yet. Not sure if I'll convert the icebox to a fridge or storage but I like not having that weight up high.

 

[stclair]

Try using sand ladders as a base under the shower. Drains well, and will help you get un-stuck!

*saw these on a 70Series last week. You get the idea.

 

[bimmeryota]

Try using sand ladders as a base under the shower. Drains well, and will help you get un-stuck!

*saw these on a 70Series last week. You get the idea.

That's a great idea, where's a good place to get those? I would want tem to be plastic so they are lightweight.

 

[LukesPa]

Sweet Rig

A nasty tax bill forced me to sell my FWC Hawk a few months ago, so I've gone the opposite direction and now camp out of a shell. I hope to get another FWC someday, but I think I'll get a shell model and build out the interior in a simpler fashion. If anything I'd buy just the bed/dining booth and propane tank installed. I'd use a catalytic heater and make storage for a simple outfitting of essential gear along the drivers side wall. I'd use an ice chest or ARB fridge and a good camp stove.

Don't get me wrong your rig is nice and these are great rigs. I bought my rig used and very loaded and in almost three years and many trips (mostly short) we never used the outside shower, or the water heater. We seldom used the frig. We did use the furnace, but it was loud enough to wake us up when it kicked on and off. The sink was nice to have with the fresh water tank. I cooked indoors always wishing I was cooking outdoors. Space is at a premium so bringing a second stove didn't make sense. I now appreciate why some of the old tent trailers had indoor/outdoor stoves that slid in and out through the wall.

I did some pretty intense off-roading with my FWC, including some multi-day expeditions they are built to take that kind of thing. A couple cool ideas....they aren't mine my used rig came with them. A gear hammock available from West Marine is really handy to have along the sofa or bed wall just below the cabinets. We also had an entertainment center, about a 9x12" 10" deep basket screwed down that held 8-10 magazines, 3-4 books a deck of cards, travel battleship, bananagrams and two or three other travel games, literally countless hours of entertainment for evenings or when weather keeps you in the camper.

ENJOY!!!

 

[Kole]

Shower Mat

Expedition Ops has a great shower mat. http://www.expeditionops.com/news/expedition-ops-shower-mats/

I love the rig so far! Looks like it'd be perfect for my Tacoma. I'm getting married in November and the lady and I have discussed about every option available for more comfortable Glamping. One of these FWC's is on the list.

 

[LukesPa]

A couple more thoughts for you.

I hope your airbags are only attached to one side, my Firestone RideRites, bent the bracket and tore the rubber ruining them on the first significant off-road trip. They were suggested as one of the best set-ups on Wander the West. Those guys that like them must not really off road with their FWC. The solution is a bag with attachment at one side only that can come free with articulation of the suspension. I learned of it too late, it was an aftermarket item made to work with the Firestone bags. You mentioned cradles in one of your posts so I hope you got those, If not do it before you do any real off-roading. I ended up taking my truck to Deaver Springs in Santa Ana and for about $350-400 the reworked my springs adding a couple leafs. I had no adjustability, but didn't need it since my camper was on full time and they nailed the setup, it rode nicer than the bags had. Of course now that I sold my camper the rear of my truck is slightly stiff and slightly high.

I'm in So Cal, but camped year around at the beach and in the desert and even in Julian in a snow storm. I was in temps to about 25 degrees and did not need the arctic pack. I would suggest some insulation under the foam in the top bunk. Unless they have changed the foam they use in the last few years, it compresses pretty far and loses it's insulating power. I woke with a cold butt, or cold hip and shoulder a few too many times, a roll of that silver bubble wrap looking insulation from Home Depot or Lowes made a big difference; it's cheap and not too thick. I go to Colorado a lot but usually in the Summer, If I lived somewhere else and camped in real cold more often I may have sprung for the arctic pack.

The thermostat if they are not using digital now has too wide a temp swing. You will fluctuate from too hot to too cold with about a 10 degree range. If you have that type, buy a digital for $10-15 and you can cut that fluctuation down to maybe 4 degrees. The front of the camper up top is the coldest, whichever of you sleeps hotter may be better sleeping there even if it's not how you sleep at home

 

[bimmeryota]

I hope your airbags are only attached to one side, my Firestone RideRites, bent the bracket and tore the rubber ruining them on the first significant off-road trip. They were suggested as one of the best set-ups on Wander the West. Those guys that like them must not really off road with their FWC. The solution is a bag with attachment at one side only that can come free with articulation of the suspension. I learned of it too late, it was an aftermarket item made to work with the Firestone bags. You mentioned cradles in one of your posts so I hope you got those, If not do it before you do any real off-roading. I ended up taking my truck to Deaver Springs in Santa Ana and for about $350-400 the reworked my springs adding a couple leafs. I had no adjustability, but didn't need it since my camper was on full time and they nailed the setup, it rode nicer than the bags had. Of course now that I sold my camper the rear of my truck is slightly stiff and slightly high.

I'm in So Cal, but camped year around at the beach and in the desert and even in Julian in a snow storm. I was in temps to about 25 degrees and did not need the arctic pack. I would suggest some insulation under the foam in the top bunk. Unless they have changed the foam they use in the last few years, it compresses pretty far and loses it's insulating power. I woke with a cold butt, or cold hip and shoulder a few too many times, a roll of that silver bubble wrap looking insulation from Home Depot or Lowes made a big difference; it's cheap and not too thick. I go to Colorado a lot but usually in the Summer, If I lived somewhere else and camped in real cold more often I may have sprung for the arctic pack.

Got the cradles and they seem to work well except I think they limit up travel a bit. I like the adjustability particularly side to side. The rebound is the only thing I don't like about the ride so I may address that with different shocks. I've got bilstein 5100s now but need something to slow the rebound a bit more.
Good call on the insulation. I will check that out. My therm is not digital but I haven't camped in much cold yet.

 

[ETAV8R]

I have gone to the following for a shower floor. I bring four squares in my camp tote. They work fairly well and keep the mud off. I think the plastic mats like maxxtrax have points on top to keep traction for tires. Seems they would hurt a bit.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20165486/

 

[bimmeryota]

I'm liking the ideas for the shower floor. It will likely come down to cost and/or weight. I have the camper off now to do some hauling of stuff and may have it weighed before I load it to see how well I can do in staying under weight.

The one thing that I haven't used yet and seem hard to use are the rear wall steps. Unless I have a rack on top to hold on to I don't see how I can use them but we will see when the time comes. Outside if that I've used every feature I ordered.

 

[Captm]

We've tried various shower floors and that the were all the same in that you had to them rinse off, dry, and store. We now just wear flip flops.
Cheers

 

[rayct77]

I've spent about 7 nights in my eagle so far and I'm still getting used to it. My choice of the eagle was based on the truck I'm using it on since it can only hold so much.
View attachment 186552
The only issues if had so far are the grab handle that wasn't properly attached to the frame and a light that doesn't want to turn off. The latter happen just this past weekend so I had to pull the bulb in it.
Overall I'm loving it, and my wife really likes the choice of the silver spur interior package.
We used the shower once and it says pretty dang warm! I'm going to figure out some sort of platform to bring to not be standing in mud by the time I'm done showering.
My choice of the icebox was based on some confusion on the 2way vs 3way and the weight. I was going to do an engel (similar weight but more portable) to be used in the cab and for other things anyway but I haven't moved on that yet. Not sure if I'll convert the icebox to a fridge or storage but I like not having that weight up high.

Another good option is something like this. I like it because I can pack stuff in it but it's great for a shower floor.

 

[RHINO]

another floor option i use is the recycled tire welcome mat,,, the one we all grew up with. dbl duty with a shower mat and a welcome mat to the camper for cleaning off shoes.
http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...k4-hMLFLeiCfc8rnzF4yignQ&ust=1380668165093446