Bobcat Options

[jmontesi]

Hello everybody, I am about to join the club and put in an order with ATC for a new Bobcat shell. I am deciding on options to add to the shell and wanted to ask the group about some specific options.

I am definitely going to add a power roof vent, couch/bed on passenger side, the luggage/boat rack, mechanical jacks, clear sider for screen door, and 12 volt outlet.

I am on the fence about the furnace, fridge, and large window on driver side.

For the furnace, I don't intend on doing too much cold weather camping and thought I could get away with a good catalytic propane heater - ATC told me that these days much more efficient tent/catalytic heaters are available as a cheaper option and you don't have to worry about gas/air quality as much...

The large driver side window seems like a great idea to see the scenery, provide air flow, and feel less claustrophobic, but it is an expensive option and lets more light in and more hot air in on hot days, warm air out on cold nights.

I would greatly appreciate any comments as you guys are the true experts!!

 

[pods8]

I am on the fence about the furnace, fridge, and large window on driver side.


Catalytic is up to you, read around.

Fridge: I'd not bother with a 3-way on a new install and would instead pursue a 12V compressor fridge personally (whether factor installed or done later).

Driver side window: Think about how you'll use your rig. When pop'd up the soft side windows let in a lot of light. When down are you going to have your rig configured to allow clear light in? Why not have the couch/bed on the driver side so you can look out the stock passenger window? I can tell you from experience you'll likely hardly open that one at all with the couch on that side which turns you away from it.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Hello everybody, I am about to join the club and put in an order with ATC for a new Bobcat shell. I am deciding on options to add to the shell and wanted to ask the group about some specific options.

I am definitely going to add a power roof vent, couch/bed on passenger side, the luggage/boat rack, mechanical jacks, clear sider for screen door, and 12 volt outlet.

I am on the fence about the furnace, fridge, and large window on driver side.

For the furnace, I don't intend on doing too much cold weather camping and thought I could get away with a good catalytic propane heater - ATC told me that these days much more efficient tent/catalytic heaters are available as a cheaper option and you don't have to worry about gas/air quality as much...

The large driver side window seems like a great idea to see the scenery, provide air flow, and feel less claustrophobic, but it is an expensive option and lets more light in and more hot air in on hot days, warm air out on cold nights.

I would greatly appreciate any comments as you guys are the true experts!!



The installed heater is great on cold mornings,to just reach over and flip on the thermostat no muss no fuss.But they do take up room.Since we don't use the heater at night, to me I can't see finding a place to store it.It's just more convenient to have the built in. Look into solar and on on board battery.As for the fridge there are 12v ones like the Edge Star.Check out threads about it.Seems like the driver side window could be useless.The couch/bed on that side makes sense
.I have a bobcat and really like the 4" extra width and the longer cab over.We don't have to carry the extra cushions as we sleep across the camper.The roof rack is useful as is the fantastic fan.
You will like working with Marty and Jeff they are a great crew.Ask a lot of questions and tell them your needs and ideas,they are easy to work with.Things like the screen door and clear slider I think are no cost.At least they were on my full out bobcat.You might look into the roof lifters mounted on the out side.Those you can add yourself later,but they sure make a difference raising and lowering the roof.

Hope this helps

Frank

 

[chnlisle]

Hello everybody, I am about to join the club and put in an order with ATC for a new Bobcat shell. I am deciding on options to add to the shell and wanted to ask the group about some specific options.

I am definitely going to add a power roof vent, couch/bed on passenger side, the luggage/boat rack, mechanical jacks, clear sider for screen door, and 12 volt outlet.

I am on the fence about the furnace, fridge, and large window on driver side.

For the furnace, I don't intend on doing too much cold weather camping and thought I could get away with a good catalytic propane heater - ATC told me that these days much more efficient tent/catalytic heaters are available as a cheaper option and you don't have to worry about gas/air quality as much...

The large driver side window seems like a great idea to see the scenery, provide air flow, and feel less claustrophobic, but it is an expensive option and lets more light in and more hot air in on hot days, warm air out on cold nights.

I would greatly appreciate any comments as you guys are the true experts!!


Hi,
Give me a call. I think I can answer all your questions and provide you with some options as well. My number is below on the signature block and you can call at your convenience.
Jay

 

[Alley-Kat]

Jeff should... "talk you out of" the clear slider for the rear door.
He told me you can't clearly see through the clear slider.
He's got a neat screen door modification of cutting down the black, door handle, slider cover and extending the "screen" to fill in the space.
Works great, I can see very clearly out the back when driving (sorry, I've got the rear window inside cover on in this photo).

Here's what it looks like...

And a Close up...

BTW, I wanted the way the door swings open to be changed and ATC could do that for me.
It opens and people exit towards the passenger side of the truck, not into the road way.
However, that mod took a few weeks to be made at the place where they get the doors made.
No extra cost, nice!

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

I'm not that tall of a guy, but I got the extra height added to the side material and the lifter panels (Marty says Don doesn't like to do 'em, but he does do them), not so much for standing up, but for the extra room while in the overcab bed. It's amazing how much 4" in additional height makes it feel a lot more open or larger when I'm waking up, or going to sleep, or reading in the sack. It does cost more.

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

And, in the daytime I get plenty of light from...

I) the two roof vents, 1) in front, the metal unit from ATC, open and it let's in a lot of light, or when closed I can make it nice and dark in the overcab bed, both day & night with a cross camper curtain, and 2) in the rear position, the fantastic fan with the smoke transparent dome, open or closed it let's in a fair amount of light, even when parked in the shade. BTW, get the 12 speed fantastic fan, it's so quiet on the lower speeds, might only come with the remote control, I'm not sure.

AND,

II) the four windows in the side material also let in a lot of light. So, much light, very nice. And, the idea that I'd like to have some privacy at night, that I only have the front slider window and the rear door window (no hardside, side windows in my Bobcat shell). If I want to see out, I'm probably already standing or in the overcab bed and will look out the side material windows. And, while digital cameras can compensate for low light levels, the photos above are just with the side material windows opened.


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

I don't plan on spending much time inside the camper doing anything, "doing stuff is for outdoors" (didn't Edward Abbey say something like that?), and I'm mostly a fair weather camper, so, no couch for me. Now for my owner built interior, you'll just have to wait until I'm finished for those details to come out.

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

Voice from the clouds... Get the gas shocks installed at ATC.

 

[jmontesi]

Hey Alley cat, just talked to Jeff. He said the extended height only gives you 2 extra inches, not 4 inches. I must admit, I am concerned with how much room there is over the bed - I don't like sleeping in tight places....Jeff said the opening is about 25" and the extension would only go to 27"....

Anybody else have concerns with how much room is above the bed???

Thanks!!

 

[Alley-Kat]

OK.

Man I thought I paid for 4", story of my life...

 

[DLN]

Replace the modified black slider with 1/8" plex and you can see through the whole thing, very easy to do.

 

[Alley-Kat]

Ah, one more thing came to mind...

Are you going to build in any of the interior?

Jeff mentioned that it would be better to leave off the carpet in the "below truck bed" area (where the plywood is), as it would be easier to screw into without the carpet there and you'd get a better mounting surface without the carpet.

 

[jmontesi]

Not sure if I am going to build much inside besides a storage cabinet of some sort?...kinda want the space as of now but will wait and see when I get the shell, but thanks for the tip.

So far I am getting the Bobcat shell with mechanical jacks, power roof vent, luggage/boat rack, aux batt system, couch/bed, large driver side window, and 12V outlet. I don't plan on spending anytime in the camper either besides reading/sleeping or if rainy/buggy - that is why I am just going shell and not full blown camper. I have a wife, young daughter and a dog, so need space with comfortable sleeping option other than a tent.

I am opting out of the furnace and going with a Buddy heater. Anybody use the Buddy heaters? I was thinking of the Portable Buddy (4k and 9K BTU/hr) heats up to 200 sq ft or Big Buddy heats 400 sq ft (4k, 9k or 18k Btu/hr). Anybody use those, have any opinions?

Last thing I am considering is getting the extra height added to the side material and lifter panels as Alley cat suggested...Jeff said there is about 25" of room above the bed - that seems tight. Did anybody out there get the extra height added - worth the money?? Jeff says 2" for $250...

I also am not going to get the roof lifting gas struts...I know they would probably be nice but I am young and need to 'rough it' a little.

Thanks everyone for all your help - still looking for info on the buddy heaters and the extra height added to side material for more room while sleeping. I am slightly worried about feeling tight while in the bed.

THanks everyone for posting again!! Very excited to pull the trigger on my order just want to make sure I am making the right calls on options and I live in Arcata (5 hours from Sacramento) so I am buying it without seeing it.

 

[pods8]

large driver side window

<snip>

I don't plan on spending anytime in the camper either besides reading/sleeping or if rainy/buggy - that is why I am just going shell and not full blown camper.


These two statements don't seem to line up in my mind, seems odd to spendy money on that window...

 

[craig333]

Catalytic heaters need to have fresh air. Window and vent usually. I was camping on the ocean, running the heater at night, window and vent open, it was storming good, windiest I"ve been in yet. In the morning I found the vent had been blown shut.

 

[Alley-Kat]

Good to ask about the extended height side material now and decide now, either... one way or the other, as it's expensive to change it later on.

Maybe because ATC hasn't offered it for very long there aren't many of us that purchased it?

Too bad you're so far away from me, I'd invite you over to check it out.

 

[Alley-Kat]

Another thought...

Are you even remotely thinking about adding a solar panel on the roof in the near or far future?

I'd say spend the $ at build time to have them install the wiring into the roof.
Not really that hard to do afterward, but a much cleaner install and probably more trouble free in the long run when done by ATC at build time.

And, if you're like me, I prefer have both a positive wire and negative wire for the solar panel, instead of just the single positive wire and using the camper frame as the negative (ground). Granted, I am kind of particular when it comes to electrical stuff.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

When I had mine built I asked for the wire to exit under the overhang ,the thought was to install the panel there.Since I didn't use that spot ,I installed a 45w panel on the right rear corner of the rack.I had to run my own wires.I used #12 for both + and - was what the panel maker suggested to use .The wire Marty used was a much thiner one maybe 16 .I would ask what size and suggest they use a larger size. Just a thought.

As for heaters, IMO using a portable inside during the sleep time seems to be asking for problems,like waking up dead.Still just another thought.

Frank

 

[jmontesi]

Thanks for all the input. Yah, the 2nd large driver side window does seem extravagant and costly but this is a big step for me and I want it to feel as much like I am sleeping outside as possible. Even when I tent camp, I always try to sleep outside or without the rain fly as much as possible cuz all my life that is why I went camping...to be outside. but now I have a young daughter and think this might be nicer/easier for all of us to get some sleep.

Anyway, I am going with the extended height. ATC doesn't advertise it cuz they don't like doing it but they will for a price. I am probably not going with the solar panel (or wiring) at this point. THanks for the heads up, just gotta put a limit somewhere.

Yeah, heaters are becoming more efficient and safer to use. Definitely need venting, (one reason for 2 large windows for cross ventilation) but they come with low oxygen sensors now and will automatically shut off if 02 is low.

Thanks everyone for all the response - really helped me out a lot. Will be sure to post pics when I get the Bobcat in July!!!!

 

[Argonaut20]

It isn't difficult to put a solar panel connection on after you get the camper. Drill a hole in the overhang, install a connector, install a controller, wire to the battery, be sure the hole is sealed. You can plug the PV panel in when you want it, leave it stored when you don't. With an extension cord, you can be in the shade and have the panel in the sun.

 

[BillM]

What is the standard inside height of a bobcat? I've got a buddy who's 6'4" and looking at 4W and ATC. Can't find the ATC height on their website. Thanks

-Bill

 

[Argonaut20]

I think the inside height is the same for the Eagle and the Bobcat. You can probably talk to Marty and the crew about adding a couple of inches to the height if it is being built for a specific person. Likely the same idea for FWC.