F350 Norweld flatbed and canopy evolution

[Craig Lathem]

I occasionally get asked about my truck so I decided to document some of that process here for those that might be interested.

Originally the truck started out as a platform for a Four Wheel Camper Hawk flatbed. That was a great package but during that time period I went full time in an Airstream trailer. The Hawk hung over the back end of the flatbed just enough to tag the front window of the Airstream when backing up on unlevel surfaces. At $900 a pop that soon became an expensive habit. I sold the Hawk poptop and bought a Norweld canopy.

First week I bought it I replaced the stock tires and wheels. Since I was going to be pulling a trailer I opted to stay fairly stock and just did a leveling kit with 35" Toyo Open Country.



In addition to the wheels and tires I also added Fox 2.5 shocks, Icon springs on the front and a Deaver leaf pack on the rear. Califab fabricated a nice pair of rock sliders and rear valance to complete the flatbed. At this point the truck was ready for the Four Wheel Camper Hawk flatbed.





Great rig but I needed to be able to tow my trailer so after selling the Hawk I had Mule Expedition Outfitters install a Norweld canopy. A very nice looking piece of kit. I also added a James Baround rooftop tent and ARB awning with room. With the canopy I had storage space and the ability to use it as a camper. Around this time I also added a twin ARB air compressor. The Viair did fine with the FJ Cruiser but now with potentially eight tires to air down I needed something more robust.



I spent the next year doing mods on the trailer. I removed most of the furniture and pretty much made it into a man cave on wheels.




A couple of thoughts on this setup. A trailer such as an Outdoors RV would be much more practical for full time off grid living. But if you want to live in a spaceship in the desert you don't have a whole lot of choices. I added 600 watts of solar and 2 Battle Born batteries. I don't have dual pane windows and eighty gallons of fresh water like the Outdoors RV but I get by.

 

[Craig Lathem]

Just back from Toroweap Overlook on the north rim of the Grand Canyon. The ARB awning room just wasn't working for me. I knew going into it the walls would be too short for the F350. I bought some vinyl and PVC glue to add an eight inch band all the way around to lengthen the walls. Sounded simple enough but as sometimes happens you get everything laid out in front of you and it just wasn't going to work the way I had envisioned. In addition to the issue with the length of the walls the canopy door would not open inside of the awning room without some major modification. Rather than make a mess of things I sold the awning room and will get a 6 x 6 clam shelter. I can park the clam next to the awning so I have a place to setup my table and stove out of the wind and rain if need be.

Will be working this summer to get the truck more dialed in and make it more comfortable for off road adventures.

 

[chet6.7]

I like this mod to the Clam, it think I would have the same probelm you had with the awning room as the barn doors on my camper are too high for the Clam. FWIW

 

[Tex68w]

I love that you built a Super Cab aka SCAB. I am super excited about this build thread as it's very much in line with where I plan to go with my 3500. I have been looking at Norweld flatbed trays but I had no idea about their canopies.

So where has this truck been so far, what kind of fuel economy is it seeing and do you have any plans to change things up further going forward? Which model Airstream are you using, any pics of the interior and do you miss the FWC at all?

 

[Craig Lathem]

I like this mod to the Clam, it think I would have the same probelm you had with the awning room as the barn doors on my camper are too high for the Clam. FWIW

Good ideas !! Yes, this is similar to what I wanted to do with the ARB awning room. If I had the skills or found the right vendor I am sure its doable. I decided to park the Clam shelter off to the side of the awning so my canopy door can still open under the awning and the Clam shelter will be a small room off of the awning. I have some real heavy weight canvas that I am going to add some velcro to and use for a floor. I have enough that I may use that to make a door as well. As he mentioned finding a spot with that large of a Clam can be an issue. I noticed this with the awning room as well. I think with the smaller 6 x 6 Clam and being able to place it on any three sides of the awning I will have more options as to campsites.

 

[Craig Lathem]

I love that you built a Super Cab aka SCAB. I am super excited about this build thread as it's very much in line with where I plan to go with my 3500. I have been looking at Norweld flatbed trays but I had no idea about their canopies.

So where has this truck been so far, what kind of fuel economy is it seeing and do you have any plans to change things up further going forward? Which model Airstream are you using, any pics of the interior and do you miss the FWC at all?

I have around 35k miles on the truck. I am mostly in the SW USA. Since I run oversized tires I am not sure what the mileage is. Plus I am towing sometimes and not others. Sometimes in the flats and other days only in the mountains. Just too many variables for me to keep track of. I will add a front bumper and some lights at some point. I really miss the Baja Designs floods and Hella Rallye Xenon's I had previously. I doubt I get a winch. I was fine with the land achor and such on a smaller truck but with this truck it just gets to be a bit too much for me. I am just careful what I get myself into. I have a jack, shovel and Maxtraxx. Also have some soft shackles and Bubba rope. Figure the Bubba rope would be the safest bet on a truck this heavy.

I am towing a 25 foot Flying Cloud. I removed the front dinette and couch. In that area I installed a desk. It looks a bit different than whats in this pic. I have changed the desk and added a cabinet underneath. Looks a little more pro now. Many Airstreams have a rounded sink that protrudes out into the middle of the trailer. I didnt care for that since thats where my desk chair is so I had that sink removed and made the counter square. this gives me way more room in the aisle to move around.

FWC is a great rig. I am just a little too spoiled to full time in one