Setting up new (used) FWC Hawk Shell model, need advice

tophmon

New member
I just acquired a used Hawk shell model for my '97 Ford F150. I am working on my camping storage/kitchen system and was looking for advice on how others have set up their shell model FWC's. I would like to be able to cook outdoors using my coleman stove and obviously store my cooking equipment and food. I plan on using a cooler for now. Rubbermaid Actionpackers are one option I was considering.
Anyone have thoughts/pictures on how they have set up their storage?

Second question: I would like to carry a second full-sized spare as well as my Hi Lift and maybe some extra fuel. The spare tire phobia comes after shredding a sidewall in the Saline Valley with my pregnant wife and three year old. Let's just say I was VERY cautious on the drive out as it would have been painful having to get down to the main road in the Saline Valley and then bum a ride to buy a new tire, have it mounted then get back to the Valley.
I have been looking at a couple of options:
Tiregate http://www.tiregate.com/hg_series_0.shtml
CBI http://www.cbioffroadfab.com/store/page7.html
Both look like they would meet my specs (although the CBI will not carry a jerry can, but is quite a bit cheaper)
I was also considering adding a 2" receiver hitch to the front of the truck and just using a tire carrier from JC Whitney: http://www.jcwhitney.com/spare-tire-adapters/p2004360.jcwx?filterid=j1

Any thoughts? I know I am not the first to be pondering these questions and the folks on this Forum seem to consistently come up with great ideas.

Thanks!
Topher
Sacramento, CA
 
We find it easiest to pack most of our gear in action packers and rubber bins. I built plywood boxes that fit the bins and have hinged lids. While we now have a Flippac, we went with the same basic concept. Easy load in/out, and you can still pack/stuff loose items around or on top of the bins and close the lid. One slightly taller cabinet/box can be used as a kitchen, and you can easily add an aluminum or stainless steel top to the plywood, and add a fixed sink/basin in one of the non-opening portions of the box top if you want.
 

bob91yj

Resident **************
i took the tire gate idea to my race teams crew chief, had him put his spin on it, this is what he came up with...

2010baja1000003-1.jpg


2010baja1000005-1.jpg


He added another receiver box at the end of my hitch mount as far outboard as possible. The biggest thing I didn't like about the Tiregate is it is only held by the center reciever. I haven't noticed any issues, but hindsight being 20/20, I should have had the tire rack set up for the passenger side. Besides my fat self, I also have a 45 gallon fuel tank on the driver side.
 

tophmon

New member
Good advice, thank you both.
As I grew up we had an '81 vanagon that did not have a kitchen in it. My built a camp kitchen that based on a 1"x2" frame with bussing trays (plastic trays that bus boys use to clear tables) that you could pull in and out of the frame. These held food/dishes/silverware/other utensils. The bottom was an old milk crate which held all the pots and pans. This whole unit was bungee corded to the back side of passenger sink and provided easy access to the kitchen gear both inside and from outside the van.
I am considering some sort of integrated set up that uses a plywood top to contain the Actionpackers, this top will have some plumbing flanges anchored to the bottom so it can be pulled out and 3/4" pipe can be threaded into the four corners to make a table. Maybe it will also be used across the rails inside the camper as a bed for my kids.....we'll have to see.
Cheers,
Topher
Sacramento
 

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