ATC Panther on the drawing board

[Vic Harder]

+2 on more solar power. Sounds like your power requirements are small, but you did mention dual 6v batteries. That usually nets you over 200AH. How



Have you seen the thread I started on solar? - LINK --> caution... Information overload is possible!

Consider going with a portable solar setup. I will have both on my build. 265w on the roof, 300w portable.

Refers? I just ordered the TruckFridge 130 for my build. Low power usage, big, less $$ than the identical Isotherm.

OK - just read through your solar thread and of course all of the other topics that accompany it and am totally amazed at the amount of info you've provided. Thank you. I have read Handybobs blog and am sold on the Trimetric controller. So next question is going to be how may watt panels to start out with- 200 or 300 ? I'm going to talk to Marty and see what available space I'll have on the roof of my Panther. I might have to forego the additional roof vent over the bed - dunno. I'll also ask Marty to wire for a plug in panel if I find I need to add one. I'm reluctant to go with portable panels because of the extra storage space it'll take up - where do you plan to store yours? Will I be able to use the same controller if I add a panel later? Are you considering tilt brackets for your panels. So much to think about - think I'll go out and do a burn pile, have an adult beverage, and contemplate on all of this!

you must read fast. I'm impressed.
I plan on storing my portables under the camper overhang.
If you are using the trimetric, yes, you can use the same controller for both arrays.
I am considering the tilt function. I can always add that later if needed.
Ask more questions!

 

[Ronin]

you must read fast. I'm impressed.
I plan on storing my portables under the camper overhang.
If you are using the trimetric, yes, you can use the same controller for both arrays.
I am considering the tilt function. I can always add that later if needed.
Ask more questions!

Reading it and understanding it are 2 different things! My eye balls were spinning in opposite directions. At this rate I may not order my new ATC for another 2 months! Appreciate everyone's feedback. One thing on a Panther is I have a 2014 Tundra so the floor - ceiling height will be 3" higher. This gives me more headroom but I think Marty said the overhang will be that much closer to the top of the cab so underneath storage is out. I could be mistaken about that though. I have thought of adding storage under my Hawk for solar panels but after considering all of the upgrades I'd like to do I decided I'm better off buying a new ATC.

 

[jimjxsn]

PANTHER ORDERED!!!

I placed the order for the ATC Panther yesterday with Marty. He was a great help and a pleasure to work with. It looks like they have been getting slammed with order so my delivery date should be late May or early June.

I was debating on when to place the order since we didn’t want to make the trip out to Sacramento until after ski season. It’s a good thing I called to check though.


So, the big wait begins. And we are looking forward to a camping trip in California in the spring.

Here is the configuration I ordered...

Panther: Full Size - Short Bed 6.5'
Power Roof Vent / Fantastic Fan 3 Speed / Reversible
Furnace
Electric Water Pump
Additional Roof Vent
Mechanical Jacks With Brackets- Set of 4
Auxiliary Battery System
Awning Light – Passenger Side Only
Clear Slider for Screen Door
LED Flood Lights
Slide Out for Extended Bed
110 Volt System
Roof Lifting Gas Struts (set of 4)
Yakima Tracks: Full length

Customizations:
no stove
no ice box
add closet with single shelf in place of ice box left rear
add rear corner passenger side tall cabinet like in a Cougar (make bench shorter to accommodate)

BTW - I told Marty the new interior looks good to us. Here are the samples he sent.

 

[jimjxsn]

Here are some pictures I pirated of the customizations I've requested.

Right rear (passenger side) tall closet -

I realize that the fold out bed will be short but we never really used the one in the FWC Ranger for sleeping. And we think we prefer the bench to the side dinette for our use. We hope to fit the Yeti under the front window and can use that for seating as well.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Here is the idea for the closet in place of the ice box -

Except that I requested a single shelf so that it can handle bulky items (cloths, sleeping bags)

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Congratulations! You're going to have a great camper!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Wow that's a long build wait.
It's nice to see Marty getting a lot of business.
Waiting 6 months that's going to be hard but worth it.
Frank

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi jimjxsn
Congrats on y'all's panther order. Excited for you. Do you have your first shake down camping location figured out? I like the idea of the single shelf cabinet in place of the ice box.

Russ

ps Why clear slider for the rear door?

 

[Rockcod]

PANTHER ORDERED!!!

I placed the order for the ATC Panther yesterday with Marty. He was a great help and a pleasure to work with. It looks like they have been getting slammed with order so my delivery date should be late May or early June.

I was debating on when to place the order since we didn’t want to make the trip out to Sacramento until after ski season. It’s a good thing I called to check though.


So, the big wait begins. And we are looking forward to a camping trip in California in the spring.

Here is the configuration I ordered...

Panther: Full Size - Short Bed 6.5'
Power Roof Vent / Fantastic Fan 3 Speed / Reversible
Furnace
Electric Water Pump
Additional Roof Vent
Mechanical Jacks With Brackets- Set of 4
Auxiliary Battery System
Awning Light – Passenger Side Only
Clear Slider for Screen Door
LED Flood Lights
Slide Out for Extended Bed
110 Volt System
Roof Lifting Gas Struts (set of 4)
Yakima Tracks: Full length

Customizations:
no stove
no ice box
add closet with single shelf in place of ice box left rear
add rear corner passenger side tall cabinet like in a Cougar (make bench shorter to accommodate)

BTW - I told Marty the new interior looks good to us. Here are the samples he sent.

Congrats all around, thanks for the pictures, helps me visualize my thoughts.

 

[Ronin]

That is going to be one sweet camper. Congrats! One cool thing is you'll be able to make changes right up to when Marty actually starts the build, so keep researching all of the possibilities.

 

[jimjxsn]

Hi jimjxsn
Congrats on y'all's panther order. Excited for you. Do you have your first shake down camping location figured out? I like the idea of the single shelf cabinet in place of the ice box.

Russ

ps Why clear slider for the rear door?

Hi Russ,

I replaced the slider with a clear one on our Ranger. When it slides over in front of the door window it doesn't block the light quite as bad as the solid colored one, you can actually see through it.

You know, we had the FWC Ranger for 10 years and eventually got away from using the 3way fridge, we ended up just using it for dry storage. I always thought that so much of that space was wasted in that huge cabinet. And the one thing I always thought was that there really wasn't much space for clothing. We had a pull behind trailer previously and the prior owner of that camper had done a closet up with big shelves for cloths. I always liked that feature.

I wanted to wait until spring to pick up the camper so we could enjoy California when we go to pickup the camper. I don't know yet, what direction we'll head. We'll be heading to Sacramento through Reno, I expect. We've camped out from San Diego to San Francisco along the coast but haven't really seen much else in California.

Maybe Yosemite then, south through Death Valley and take the south route back to Colorado.
Maybe over to the north coastal area above San Francisco.

There are lots of places in that part of the country we haven't seen so we are excited for the road trip.

Jim

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

For better vision when driving, another option is to carefully pull the slider out, trim it down with a block plane until it is easy to remove and replace. You can then travel with no obstruction of any kind.

 

[Bseek]

jimjxsn
Check with ATC about a Reno delivery. They will take it there (for a fee I believe) which saves you big time in California Sales tax. If you are not a California resident you can get away with it. But they will know the details.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

jimjxsn
Check with ATC about a Reno delivery. They will take it there (for a fee I believe) which saves you big time in California Sales tax. If you are not a California resident you can get away with it. But they will know the details.

ATC also delivers to Southern Oregon. It's on their website.

 

[jimjxsn]

Gypsy,
Yeah, I'm down for the Reno delivery. It's on the way since we'll be coming from Colorado.
Jim

 

[jimjxsn]

Here is a question about the AT Can Holders.

I'm wondering about the AT Can Holder like Tuff Guy 62 and others have mounted on their campers, specifically the one on the right side. Does the door hit it? If so, how do you hold the door open with it there? And if so, does the door glass rest against it?

I see that there is not a door stop installed in the pictures...

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I have Rotopax gas cans on our Bobcat, and you're right, there is no door stop, and they hit. Marty made a bungee to hold it open, but I think a person could make either a rod or use a gas strut to hold it open. We use an ensolite pad to cushion the glass when bungeed. One of these days I'll make something permanent (maybe... I like simple).

BTW, Marty recommended the Rotopax versus the AT.

 

[takesiteasy]

This is what I did. It was not as easy as it looks as there was nothing to screw the hardware into in either the door or the camper. I had to take the door apart to add some blocking. The rubber stopper has worn out and I use a bungee to hold the door open. But it works well to protect the window from hitting the can carrier. I have since gone to the Scepter MFC (plastic) rather than the metal cans.

 

[jimjxsn]

Thanks all for helping me out. I have a new question.

**Sliding Front Window Leaks**

My old FWC Ranger did not have a front sliding window and I always thought it would be great to be able to reach into the back seat of the truck to reach items stored there. Sometimes we keep all the food in the truck and not in the camper (we are not ordering a Fridge and are deleting the ice box).

So as I wait patiently for my Panther, I was reading a thread in the FWC section about the terrible leaky sliding window FWC used and that got me worrying about the front slider option I ordered.

What is your experience? Do the ATCs have the same issues?

Thanks!

 

[CougarCouple]

Our camper has no leaks from front window. We just drove thru a pretty good storm from Parker AZ all the way back to Las Vegas.
Russ

 

[Tuff Guy 62]

Here is a question about the AT Can Holders.

I'm wondering about the AT Can Holder like Tuff Guy 62 and others have mounted on their campers, specifically the one on the right side. Does the door hit it? If so, how do you hold the door open with it there? And if so, does the door glass rest against it?

I see that there is not a door stop installed in the pictures...

Yep, the window on the door hits the PS can holder. We just use a self adhesive clear rubber bumper affixed to the window. Works just fine. We've had a stiff wind catch the door a couple of times and bang against the can holder with no damage. Marty at ATC made a "custom" bungee to hold the door in the open position that we latch from the door to the can holder.