New ATC Ocelot Shell Buildout

[Ambling1]

As a newer member I would like to say hi, and thank everyone for this great forum. What a great resource of information, pictures, ideas, references, trip info, and help! I've decided to post a build thread to share ideas that I stole from others. Hope I can help those who decide to go the custom route by posting pictures and thoughts. First, I want to thank Jay Aronow (Chlnile), sales rep for ATC down in Tucson. I received excellent information and service from order to delivery. The camper was exactly as ordered and perfect. Next, a thanks to Gene and Phil on WTW, for showing off their Ocelot shells and a warm welcome. And the biggest thanks to Marty and the crew at All Terrain Campers for building outstanding campers!

 

[Ambling1]

The Camper

March 2014 All Terrain Camper Ocelot Shell Model 78" wide x 6.5' box

Options

-Mechanical jacks and brackets
-2" softwall extension (for more headroom over the bed area)
-Small window at front wall (cab side) of camper
-Solar panel with solar controller
-Auxiliary battery system with Optima battery
-Fantastic Fan over bed area
-Extra awning lights on both passenger and driver sides
-Gas lift shocks
- Extra reinforcement in rear wall for future Roto Can install


The Truck 2014 Nissan Titan Pro-4x

Mods -Nitto Grappler load range E tires
-Ride Rite air bag
-Du-Ha under seat storage box for HiLift jack, recovery gear, tools

 

[ski3pin]

Congrats on your new camper!

 

[Ambling1]

Design Criteria

-Use existing products that I already had from my Landcruiser FJ60 with rooftop tent setup (Engle 45 frig, water tank, LP tanks, Zodi portable shower, and other misc items).

-Minimal exterior penetrations (service doors, vents).

-Keep as much weight over or in front of the rear axle and down as low as possible

-No 110v service, water heater, or furnace ( plan on using a Wave3 for heat)

-Make the floor area as roomy and open as possible

-Side dinette seating. I want to easily see out of the large side window.

-Create a sleeping platform for stealth camping or extra company, that doesn't crowd the isle.

-Not design around cushion size or have any carpet.

-Have an exterior water supply from water tank.

- Secure and safe LP storage locker with easy and convenient access.

-Water tank on floor and next to front wall.

-Battery on floor next to water tank.

-Frig at front wall of camper

 

[Ambling1]

Home

After the trip home from taking delivery, it was time to take the camper off the truck and get ready to work. I had the camper bottom well supported and perfectly level before starting. Truck and camper just fit under the carport roof!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Great looking camper.
Marty and crew,well what else can you say after "great"
Have fun. Post build pictures.
Frank

 

[Ambling1]

Starting The Build

I waited six weeks from order to delivery, and during that time followed many WTW build threads and spent serious time internet shopping. Seems the longer I waited for delivery the more I bought and my original modest shell upgrade turned to an almost full build. This is my first pop up truck camper, and even though I had a plan, materials, and ready to start, I was totally overwhelmed on where to begin, so I sat in the camper for a couple days thinking, measuring, replanning. This is when the pictures, and ideas from Bisleybud, Ski3pin, BillHarr (except for the x-ray) builds were invaluable for me. Thank you all! Time to start! First was moving the 12v electric wiring where it came out the front wall, up and over to the side. It was in the way of the water tank. I added a fuse panel.

 

[Ambling1]

Water Fill Door

I had to pull back the paneling on the drivers side and front wall to examine in wall wiring layout, and to decide where to install the water fill door. At this time I added wiring for a future front spotlight and a future rear spotlight.

 

[billharr]

Looking forward to your build. Take lots of pictures along the way. I wish I would have taken more "before" pictures to show how much the camper has changed. That internet shopping is fun.

Bill

 

[chnlisle]

Randy is a terrific guy and a great client. He is going to be an outstanding addition to WTW. This guy camps! He used the camper the day he took delivery.

 

[Ambling1]

Bill, you can never take enough pictures, and I am sure I didn't. Internet shopping wasn't fun for me until I ordered the camper. Now it's my new drug. Jay, you just gave away to the world my under cover name. Got any ideas for a new one?

 

[Ambling1]

Future electric switches wiring and location. Camper front wall before water tank install.

 

[Ambling1]

Water Tank

I built a sloped floor under the water tank to help with draining of the tank. Also the tank is NOT tight up against the front wall. It is set away from the front wall so as the water tank fills and expands, there is no pressure exerted to the wall. Water drains out the sidewall of the floor pack and is piped to the rear of the camper.

 

[Ambling1]

Water Tank

 

[chnlisle]

Bill, you can never take enough pictures, and I am sure I didn't. Internet shopping wasn't fun for me until I ordered the camper. Now it's my new drug. Jay, you just gave away to the world my under cover name. Got any ideas for a new one?

I forgot you were in witness protection. Your secret is safe with these guys.

 

[Ambling1]

LP Locker

Located the LP tanks on the floor at the rear drivers side corner. The box is built with 1/2" plywood lined with sheet metal and sealed. The access door will be located inside the camper and sealed. Vent holes were cut in the upper sidewall of the floor pack and in the floor at the rear of the camper for ventilation. I designed the box to hold 1-20lb tank, or 2-11lb tanks, or 1-11lb and 1-5lb tanks. A two stage regulator is wall mounted in the box with two feeds. One is for the Wedgewood stove and the other for a future Wave3 heater. I do most of my cooking outside and away from the camper, so I wanted a secure, safe, convenient, and dedicated place to store the more portable 5lb tank and hose. Coleman stove will be stored next to the frig.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Starting The Build

I waited six weeks from order to delivery, and during that time followed many WTW build threads and spent serious time internet shopping. Seems the longer I waited for delivery the more I bought and my original modest shell upgrade turned to an almost full build. This is my first pop up truck camper, and even though I had a plan, materials, and ready to start, I was totally overwhelmed on where to begin, so I sat in the camper for a couple days thinking, measuring, replanning. This is when the pictures, and ideas from Bisleybud, Ski3pin, BillHarr (except for the x-ray) builds were invaluable for me. Thank you all! Time to start! First was moving the 12v electric wiring where it came out the front wall, up and over to the side. It was in the way of the water tank. I added a fuse panel.

Ambiling, your going to like that battery isolator Marty uses.
If you get solar when the truck battery needs a charge it will also charge it. It's great when in my case the camper sits on the truck full time and I don't drive it much. During the winter I don't have to worry about the truck battery going dead.
So far so good on your build.
Thanks for the pictures.
frank

 

[Ambling1]

LP Locker with more detailed pictures. You can see the upper vent in sidewall. I used QuickGrip rubber straps to easily hold the tanks and control vibration and noise. Also added rubber mat to floor and sidewall to cushion tanks. I highly recommend the rubber straps, they take care of both vertical and horizontal movement.

 

[Ambling1]

Start of drivers side cabinet. 1/2" oak plywood.

 

[Ambling1]

First picture shows 1x2 sub framing for countertop and face frame. Second picture has the oak 1x2 face frame attached with cabinet screws.