My BOBCAT Build

[rvsixer]

Thanks for that offer to check out your camper, but I am down in socal so visiting the factory is closer (I think, haven't mapped it out). FWIW, the Ocelot is available in either 72" or 78" widths (Ambling1's is 78" so does have the extra width). Your build looks great can't wait to see pics of it being enjoyed out in the field!

 

[GroovyDad]

I started to build the dinette table for my Bobcat.


I cut out the table and rounded the corners...


I cut out a piece of vintage "Boomerang" Formica to match...


I glued the laminate to the table top and put on an aluminum edge band...

Now I'm just waiting for more hardware to arrive before I can actually mount the table in the camper.

 

[takesiteasy]

Nice vintage look!

 

[GroovyDad]

So, the weather was nice enough last weekend to get a little more work done on my Bobcat.


I started to build my main counter and storage cabinet.


I have some large openings that will each hold a big plastic bin instead of drawers.


Four bins fit perfectly and should be enough storage for most of my gear and food.

I still have to put face frames on the cabinets and do a lot of finish work as well as
laminate the Formica counter top and mount my sink and cooktop, etc. I'll have to
wait for warmer weather to do any more, but she's coming along.

 

[GroovyDad]

So, as the nice weather continues, I've gotten a few more things done to my Bobcat.





I got the face frames attached to the cabinets and put on some aluminum trim to protect the face frames when I slide the bins in and out. I also painted the cabinets to match the rest of my additions.



Here's how it'll look with the bins in place. I might have to add a nylon strap to hold the bins in place while I'm driving, but I'm going to see how it does without them first.



Some things you just have to have...

 

[takesiteasy]

Lots of easy accessible storage! Nicely done.

 

[longhorn1]

Nice job. Will you have doors or will things be open?

 

[craig333]

Very nice. I wish I had your skills.

 

[GroovyDad]

Nice job. Will you have doors or will things be open?

They'll be open. I don't like doors in small campers because you need all of that swing space to be clear in order to access your gear. The face frames have a little bit of a lip on the lower rung and I'm hoping that'll keep the bins from sliding out. If they do slide out, I'll attach a nylon strap along the length of the cabinet to hold them in.

 

[GroovyDad]

The absolutely gorgeous weather allowed me to get my Bobcat's dinette table fabricated and installed.



I laminated some vintage Boomerang Formica onto a small sheet of stainless steel I had lying around the house. It makes for a nice thin profile.



It can fold up...



And swing away... I can travel with it in this position, but it'll probably rattle some screws loose if I'm on a lot of rough roads.



I mounted this small track of aluminum channel to the floor to better help stow the table when not in use.



I bolted a lever clamp to hold the top of the table when it's stowed.



Here it is when stowed. It's in there solid AND the table also serves the purpose of keeping my bins in their cubby holes.

I probably wont use, or even take, the table on most of my trips, but if I'm expecting bad weather, it'll be nice to have when you have to hunker down inside more than usual.

 

[GroovyDad]

Another beautiful day in what's supposed to be winter allowed me to get my sink and cook top mounted to my cabinets. I'm going to use 7 gallon plastic Jerry cans with spigots for my gravity fed water source. Now I just have to finish the curtains and I'll be done.

 

[ski3pin]

.......................................... Now I just have to finish the curtains and I'll be done.

Looking great and pretty darn groovy!

 

[Ambling1]

Excellent engineering and workmanship! Looks like it's almost time for a test trip.

 

[GroovyDad]

I had to be on call for work this beautiful three day weekend, so I couldn't leave town, but I did manage to get a few more little things done to my Bobcat.


The hasty wiring job I did so I could take it out last weekend was haunting me, so...


I cleaned it up. It's funny how just knowing that something is a tangled mess gnaws at me...


I wired in a small inverter and a couple of 12 volt plugs. I don't use powered things very often, but I'm sure I'll need it every now and then.


I picked up this little gun safe at Costco ($50.00) and it fit perfectly between my dinette seat and the camper's wall.


It's large enough for a handgun and a D-SLR with a regular lens. It can be opened with a key or an electronic combination.

I still need to finish up the curtains and just a couple more little things and I think I'll be done (if one can ever really be done).

 

[super doody]

Another beautiful day in what's supposed to be winter allowed me to get my sink and cook top mounted to my cabinets. I'm going to use 7 gallon plastic Jerry cans with spigots for my gravity fed water source. Now I just have to finish the curtains and I'll be done.

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Looks fantastic! Where did you get the counter top material? Looks like the FWC silver spur option.

 

[GroovyDad]

Looks fantastic! Where did you get the counter top material? Looks like the FWC silver spur option.

The counter top is Formica brand and the pattern is "Vintage Boomerang." Formica used to make lots of different colors of the boomerang pattern and I restored an old 1957 teardrop trailer with the aqua boomerang. I think Formica only makes the charcoal color now.

 

[Happyjax]

Your counter build is great. I have a question if you don't mind. I am thinking of doing a shell and also using water jugs instead of the huge water tank. I was also thinking of getting a free standing cooktop like the Camp Chef Everest or something similar. That way if I wanted to cook outside I would not need another cooktop. Have you any ideas on this subject? Would it be safe to cook with that indoors or should I go with an installed cooktop. I am getting so many cool ideas from all of the posts here I just don't know what to do...lol Newbie Brain Freeze

 

[takesiteasy]

Your counter build is great. I have a question if you don't mind. I am thinking of doing a shell and also using water jugs instead of the huge water tank. I was also thinking of getting a free standing cooktop like the Camp Chef Everest or something similar. That way if I wanted to cook outside I would not need another cooktop. Have you any ideas on this subject? Would it be safe to cook with that indoors or should I go with an installed cooktop. I am getting so many cool ideas from all of the posts here I just don't know what to do...lol Newbie Brain Freeze

We use a Partner stove with our shell. We usually cook outside but can use it inside if necessary. Same reasoning as you express- why have two stoves?

 

[GroovyDad]

A few more little things to my build...


A small first aid kit had to be a necessity.


I may be paranoid, but I had to mount a knife close to the bed just in case I ever had to cut myself out of the camper in an emergency. With it mounted, I always know where it's at and that it's only an arm's reach away.

 

[Happyjax]

A question....(yes they are never ending
How did you vent your propane tank. From what I have seen all are vented through the side of the camper. My question is since propane is heavier than air could you not vent to the underside of the camper where you would not disturb the integrity of the aluminum siding?? I am still trying to figure out how to mount a tank outside on a Hawk or similar ATC version. There is not a lot going on unless you have some cool bumper thingy you can add stuff too. (I don't even have my truck yet so you can tease me if I'm being a bit dense Looking at F150 aluminum body. Lotsa payload capacity
Thanks!