Newbie Query - which truck best for an ATC?

h2opup

h2opup

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Joined
Apr 18, 2024
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16
Location
Oregon Coast
Hi!

I am brand new here. Will be ordering an ATC very soon and still looking for the best (used) truck to put it on. For sure the truck will be a full-sized quad cab (RAM) or extended cab (FORD) and NOT a crew cab because I want a 6' bed and don't want an extended wheelbase. I love Toyota, but am not considering the Tundra. I also want a full-sized truck vs a Tacoma or similar.

Currently looking at a RAM Rebel (I figured the Rebel's off-road capacity and skid plates, etc., might be welcome features) however the photos seem to show that the lower corners of the tailgate and truck bed are rounded (??). I've never seen this on a truck before.

Does anyone have an ATC on a RAM with this type of rounded truck bed corners?

If going with the Ford option, I am concerned about the clam-shell style door for the rear seats bumping into the front corner of the camper when opening the truck door.

Does anyone with a Ford extended cab have this issue when opening the rear clam shell doors?

Thanks in advance for any insights. If there are other issues folks have run into with ATC/truck combos that didn't work well for whatever reason, I would sure love to hear about them prior to pulling the trigger on the truck.

Happy to be here and looking forward to gearing up & gettin' out there!
 
I don’t recall ever hearing about the rear door on an extended cab truck hitting the camper. That might be a good question to ask Marty when you place your order. ATC makes their campers with the Ford Notch to deal with rounded bed to sidewall corners. I have heard of people taking a hammer to the bed when buying a camper without a notch… not a practice I’d recommend. Since you’re going full size, think about going with a 3/4 or 1 ton. No worries about being overweight.

BTW, Welcome to Wander the West. I think you’ll like working with ATC, they’re a great team and make great campers.
 
Thank you for the info and welcomes! I have heard wonderful things about Marty & ATC and have friends with their products so that is a done deal in terms of what camper to order.

I would consider the larger rigs -- for now I am trying to strike a happy medium between hp, mpg, and the checkbook :rolleyes:
 
h20pup said:
Thank you for the info and welcomes! I have heard wonderful things about Marty & ATC and have friends with their products so that is a done deal in terms of what camper to order.

I would consider the larger rigs -- for now I am trying to strike a happy medium between hp, mpg, and the checkbook :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
hmm hp, mpg, and the checkbook ... I suspect you can only get two of those three in any one given vehicle....
 
Vic Harder said:
hmm hp, mpg, and the checkbook ... I suspect you can only get two of those three in any one given vehicle....
Click to expand...
Like the old saw about consultants: Do you want it done fast, cheap or well? Pick two.
 
h2opup said:
Thank you for the info and welcomes! I have heard wonderful things about Marty & ATC and have friends with their products so that is a done deal in terms of what camper to order.

I would consider the larger rigs -- for now I am trying to strike a happy medium between hp, mpg, and the checkbook :rolleyes:
Click to expand...
A quick FYI, we just got back from our first "real adventure" with our new camper. We roll with a FWC Grandby perched on a 2006 Ram/Cummins. Our average mileage for he trip was 21.2 mpg.
 

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Thanks Rseas. That mpg is impressive! Went with a clean, low mileage 2014 F-150 Coyote V8. Have not driven it enough yet to calculate mpgs, but I really like the ride thus far. Of course, the mpg will go down with the camper loaded up. Speaking of -- my Ocelot is now on-order and will be ready later this year. woot woot! -- gearing up for adventure -- here's to getting out there🌎
 
h2opup said:
Thanks Rseas. That mpg is impressive! Went with a clean, low mileage 2014 F-150 Coyote V8. Have not driven it enough yet to calculate mpgs, but I really like the ride thus far. Of course, the mpg will go down with the camper loaded up. Speaking of -- my Ocelot is now on-order and will be ready later this year. woot woot! -- gearing up for adventure -- here's to getting out there🌎
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Congratulations and enjoy!
 
i purchased an ocelot back in...... 2018? i dunno. but i was able to change the spec a couple times during the wait to build, w/o any upcharges from atc. i think they lock it down at some point, but that was nice of them. i think i heard that fwc charges for each changeorder, no matter how far in advance of build.
 
Marty (ATC) has been super helpful throughout the order process, as many others have noted. He patiently talked me through the options and listened to what I wanted over the course of several calls. Hopefully no further spec changes needed!
 
h2opup said:
Thanks Rseas. That mpg is impressive! Went with a clean, low mileage 2014 F-150 Coyote V8. Have not driven it enough yet to calculate mpgs, but I really like the ride thus far. Of course, the mpg will go down with the camper loaded up. Speaking of -- my Ocelot is now on-order and will be ready later this year. woot woot! -- gearing up for adventure -- here's to getting out there🌎
Click to expand...
IIRC, @Missing Link got around 16-18 MPG with a similar truck and camper. You might send him a PM to validate my memory.
 
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