Why the Four Wheel Camper Hawk+ is the Most Capable Flatbed Yet

Walking through the Four Wheel Campers factory showroom in Woodland, California, it’s immediately clear which camper is attracting the most attention.

Positioned prominently on the showroom floor is the Hawk+, a side-entry flatbed pop-up camper that represents one of the most significant product evolutions in the company’s storied history. With its spacious floorplan, premium interior finishes, and impressive off-grid capabilities, the Hawk+ isn’t merely an updated version of an existing model—it’s a complete rethinking of what a modern truck camper can be.

To learn more about this cutting-edge camper, we sat down inside a Hawk+ with Jim Waters, National Dealer Development Manager at Four Wheel Campers.

As customers wandered through the showroom and preparations continued for the upcoming Overland Expo Pacific Northwest, Waters shared the story behind the camper, the extensive customer feedback that shaped its development, and why the company believes this is the most capable flatbed pop-up truck camper it has ever built.

Listening to Customers

The Hawk+ wasn’t created in a vacuum. Before engineers started redesigning the original Hawk Flatbed, Four Wheel Campers first turned to the people who knew the product best—existing owners.

According to Waters, the company conducted an extensive survey of Hawk Flatbed customers and asked a simple question: If you could improve your camper, what would you change?

“The ethos of the project was if we were to take an existing product and make it better, how would we do that?” Waters explained. “And who better to ask than the people who already own the product we’re trying to improve?”

Owners were asked about everything from storage and counter space to water capacity and electrical systems. Some questions focused on specific features, while others were intentionally open-ended.

The company then analyzed the responses, searching for recurring themes and common requests.

“We cross-referenced all the different surveys to see where the correlations were,” Waters said. “That started to point us in the direction for the design of the Hawk+.”

Yet the process didn’t stop there. Four Wheel Campers also invited several ambassadors, influencers, and long-time customers into the development process.

“They pitched ideas, and they were involved throughout the R&D process,” Waters said. “We would come back and ask, ‘Is this what you meant? Is this what you were thinking?'”

The result is a camper that feels less like a corporate product launch and more like a collaborative project between a manufacturer and the people who actually use its products in the field.

The Meaning Behind “Plus”

At first glance, the name Hawk+ sounds simple enough, but according to Waters, the “Plus” designation reflects the two most important improvements over the original Hawk Flatbed—significantly more water capacity and dramatically more electrical capacity.

“The biggest thing is that the plus in Hawk+ really stands for increased water capacity and increased power capacity,” he said.

Those changes may sound straightforward, but they fundamentally alter how long owners can remain off-grid.

For decades, Four Wheel Campers equipped its campers with a standard 20-gallon freshwater tank. That capacity served owners well, but it was also one of the most commonly requested upgrades among experienced travelers. For the Hawk+, the company doubled freshwater storage to 40 gallons. That alone would have been noteworthy. But Four Wheel Campers went a step further by introducing something it had never previously offered—a dedicated gray-water tank.

“It’s the first time Four Wheel Campers has ever had more than a 20-gallon freshwater tank,” Waters said. “And it’s the first time Four Wheel Campers has ever had a gray-water storage tank.”

The gray-water tank holds 5 gallons, giving owners the ability to remain compliant in campgrounds and public lands where wastewater containment is required. For campers who enjoy longer trips, the advantages are obvious.

“That’s really kind of the bottom line,” Waters explained. “You can be out longer.”

Longer stays mean fewer trips into town, fewer interruptions, and greater freedom to explore remote destinations. It also means more hot showers. With 40 gallons of freshwater available, travelers have significantly more flexibility when it comes to daily comfort.

A Power System Designed for Modern Camping

Water may be the first thing people notice on the specifications sheet, but the Hawk+’s electrical system is equally impressive. Due to benefits of the lithium battery, camping has changed dramatically over the last decade. Today’s travelers often bring laptops, camera equipment, drones, Starlink systems, induction cooktops, portable refrigerators, and even air conditioners. Traditional RV electrical systems weren’t designed for that level of demand.

The Hawk+ addresses those changing expectations with a battery system that can be configured with up to five Expion360 162 amp hour lithium batteries. Depending on the battery model selected, total capacity can exceed 800 amp hours. That’s an astonishing amount of energy storage for a pop-up truck camper.

When the numbers were discussed during the interview, even seasoned truck camper enthusiasts were impressed.

“That’s freaking crazy,” came the response after doing the math.

Waters laughed and jokingly questioned whether anyone truly needed that much power. But then he pointed toward one of the fastest-growing trends in the RV industry—DC air conditioning.

The Rise of 12-Volt Air Conditioning

For decades, air conditioning was largely reserved for larger RVs with generators or shore power hookups. Today’s highly efficient lithium batteries and 12-volt air conditioners have changed that equation.

Four Wheel Campers now offers a 12-volt air conditioning option for customers who frequently travel in hot climates.

“More and more people, especially in places like Florida, Texas, and Arizona, are asking for it,” Waters said.

The goal isn’t necessarily to run air conditioning around the clock. Instead, it’s about providing cooling during the hottest parts of the day or helping travelers sleep comfortably during warm summer nights.

“You’re still paying attention to your system,” Waters explained. “You’re still cycling that air conditioner on and off. You’re not running it like you would in a hotel room.”

Combined with large lithium battery banks and substantial solar capacity, however, the system gives travelers options that would have been almost unimaginable in a pop-up camper just a few years ago.

Harvesting the Sun

Supporting those electrical demands is a robust solar system. The Hawk+ roof can accommodate up to four 125-watt solar panels, providing as much as 500 watts of solar generation. For many travelers, that amount of solar capacity can significantly reduce dependence on shore power or generators. The only limitation is available roof space.

Customers who choose roof-mounted accessories such as additional fans or air conditioning units naturally have less room for solar panels. Still, Waters noted that creative owners can often maximize available space and tailor the system to their specific travel style.

Like much of the Hawk+, the electrical system is designed around flexibility rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

A Camper Built Around Choice

Customization has always been a core part of the Four Wheel Campers philosophy, and the Hawk+ continues that tradition. Rather than forcing customers into predetermined trim levels, the company allows buyers to build a camper around their own priorities.

“There are many standard features,” Waters said. “But almost everything with Four Wheel Campers is personalized.”

The camper comes standard with a queen-size bed, rear dinette, fresh water and gray water holding tanks, DC compressor refrigerator, two-burner propane stove, 12 volt powered roof vent, 30 amp shore power system, two 10-pound propane tanks, and numerous other features.

From there, buyers can choose even larger DC compressor refrigerators, induction cooktops, expanded battery systems, 2,000 watt inverters, DC air conditioning, interior showers, and a wide range of interior finishes.

One particularly popular option is the bamboo cabinetry package. The natural bamboo surfaces immediately stand out when entering the camper.

“It’s my favorite,” Waters admitted. “I think it’s really smart looking.”

The bamboo not only enhances the visual appeal of the interior but also adds durability and a premium feel that elevates the overall experience.

The Side-Entry Flatbed Advantage

While batteries and water tanks often dominate conversations, Waters believes the Hawk+’s most important feature is actually its floorplan. Traditional truck campers typically place the entrance door in the center of the rear wall. That layout creates certain design constraints. When the doorway occupies the middle of the camper, manufacturers often end up building a narrow hallway down the center with cabinets, seating, and utilities squeezed along both sides.

The Hawk+ takes a different approach. Because it is designed for flatbed trucks, the entrance is located on the side. That seemingly small change creates enormous design flexibility.

“It allows us to achieve more usable space on the interior of the camper,” Waters explained.

The difference becomes obvious when stepping inside. The floorplan feels more open. Storage compartments are larger. Seating areas are less cramped. Counter space is more functional. Most importantly, the design allows Four Wheel Campers to integrate larger water tanks and battery banks without compromising living space.

Storage, Storage, and More Storage

Ask experienced overlanders what they always want more of, and storage inevitably makes the list. The Hawk+ delivers. One standout feature is the expansive under-bed storage compartment located beneath the cabover sleeping area. Supported by gas struts, the platform lifts easily to reveal a surprising amount of space. The storage area is large enough to accommodate clothing, bedding, outdoor gear, recovery equipment, and numerous other essentials.

Waters shared a humorous lesson learned from using the compartment himself. During a family camping trip, he woke up early and decided to go for a bike ride before everyone else got out of bed. There was just one problem. His clothes were stored beneath the mattress.

“My wife and daughter were still asleep,” he recalled. “I realized I had to wake them up to get my pants.”

The story drew plenty of laughs, but it also highlighted something important: the camper was designed by people who actually use it.

Built for Real-World Camping

That practical mindset extends throughout the Hawk+.

The camper includes a variety of thoughtful details that might not appear in marketing brochures but make a difference during daily use. Heavy-duty billet aluminum door latches replace the lightweight plastic hardware commonly found elsewhere. A redesigned screen-door handle provides a more durable grip. Exterior storage compartments improve accessibility. Power outlets are positioned where users naturally need them. Lighting controls are strategically located near both the entrance and sleeping areas.

The goal isn’t simply adding features. It’s making those features work better.

Tough Enough for the Long Haul

Durability has always been a hallmark of Four Wheel Campers, and the Hawk+ continues that tradition. The camper utilizes the company’s welded aluminum tube frame construction combined with block foam insulation and aluminum exterior skin.

The pop-up liner remains one of the company’s signature features. Rather than using traditional canvas, Four Wheel Campers uses a reinforced vinyl material derived from the rafting industry. The material is similar to those used in whitewater rafts and is specifically designed to withstand moisture, abrasion, and years of outdoor exposure.

“It won’t absorb water, it won’t mold or mildew, and it’s very durable,” Waters said.

For many buyers, that durability is one of the biggest reasons they choose a Four Wheel Camper over competitors that use traditional tent-style materials.

The Future of Off-Grid Travel

At the end of the interview, one theme kept resurfacing. The Four Wheel Camper Hawk+ isn’t simply about adding more features. It’s about extending freedom.

More water means fewer resupply stops.

More batteries mean more independence.

More storage means carrying more gear.

And the side-entry flatbed design unlocks a level of interior livability rarely seen in a pop-up camper.

Starting at approximately $46,000 before options, the Hawk+ occupies the premium end of the truck camper market. Yet for travelers seeking extended off-grid capability without giving up the compact advantages of a pop-up design, it represents something increasingly rare—a camper that appears to have been designed by listening carefully to the people who use it.

After spending time inside the Hawk+ and hearing the story behind its development, it’s clear that Four Wheel Campers didn’t simply build another camper. They built a camper intended to help owners stay out longer, travel farther, and enjoy the journey more comfortably than ever before.

And judging by customer response so far, the formula is working.

For more information about these upgrades or Four Wheel Campers in general, email the company direct at sales@fourwh.com.