Not sure about all terrain campers

[Zialen]

Hi friends, ready to change up my current setup from truck topper to camper.

I live in Canada and looking at the shell version of atc for my 2017 Tacoma with payload of 1100 pounds

Can you tell me about your experiences with atc and the quality.

why the shell is so much lighter than the four wheel camper

 

[Atlin]

I can't speak to the shell version, but I have been very pleased with my ATC Cougar (on an F150). Got it in 2015 with only a furnace and stovetop and built out the rest myself. Marty and the crew were more than happy to help me by providing countertop material to match what was already in the camper so I could custom build the rest (I was living in Reno at the time, so an easy trip over the hill to get it when needed). Quality of the build (their part) is fine, very solid and well put together, certainly as good as any other outfit I have seen. One advantage is because they are a small shop, they are willing to work with you to make any modifications (within reason) that you might want/need. I would go with them again in a heartbeat.

 

[penner]

Z. I live in Ontario ( Can) and drove out to Sacramento 3 yrs ago to have out ATC Ocelot shell installed on our Silverado. Honestly , you can't go wrong with the ATC. Excellent Guys to deal with and as far as I'm concerned the quality is there.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Zialen,welcome to the cult.
I have a 2009 ATC Bobcat full camper mounted on a 2002 Toyota Tundra.
We have traveled over 50K miles with it with two trips to Denali.
We have enjoyed working with Marty and their quality is great.

They are not a "fancy" camper nice and basic/simple.
Their shells start at about 9.900$.
There are a few options you can add.

Check out my travel blog for some trip pictures.

IMO they are worth checking out.
Frank

 

[CougarCouple]

Hello Zialan
We also commissioned a Cougar from ATC. Ours has almost every option. There were some things we wanted a little different, no problem for Marty and Jeff.

After one year the drawer handle broke and one LED light failed they sent them n/c.

I later asked if I could get the winter liner and they made it for us, told me how to install, locks like it was done when originally made.

For us been very pleased with our purchase, when you call someone answers the phone l, and get this they can answer your questions. [emoji41]

If this seems like a plug for them it is, because thank you guys we love our Cougar just seems to fall short.

Russ and Syma Sherratt

 

[eyemgh]

What model are you looking at and what weight are they quoting? I can't fathom that they are grossly different than a FWC in weight for a similarly equipped rig. Their heritage is FWC after all.

My Raven shell with heater and thermopack spec'd out at 903 lbs.

As far as ATC per se is concerned, owners tend to rave about both the quality and the service.

 

[Ronin]

I went with an ATC Panther shell for my Tundra because Marty was willing to build it out exacty how I wanted it. I ordered it with the 2 burner stove and side dinette, solar ready, additional usb plugs, fantastic fan, 2" higher side panels, AT can holder, and 3 gal Roto Pack. The build quality is no different than FWC (I've owner 2 Hawks in the past). I did talk to FWC about a Hawk shell but they don't have the capacity to do any custom work. My Panther weighs in at 988 lbs with the jacks, which I never travel with, so it's probably closer to 900 lbs.. Both FWC and ATC makes a quality product. The tie breaker for me was Marty's willingness to do custom work. One last comment, I later added a folding counter top and Marty made one to match the dinette table at no cost. Who does that!!??

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I have had both a FWC and an ATC. Both are quality campers, but the personal commitment of Marty and Jeff, plus their willingness to do custom work is what swayed me. If I buy another pop up, I’m going with another ATC.

 

[Wango]

ok,
my thoughts here. First of all i drive Jeff batty. Marty is always there soften the blow, but i am not the easiest client.
Now that, that is out of the way. i wanted my flatbed camper to be built at 7 foot wide, 9 foot long. The counters were built to my spec.
No dinnete, Everything, at my request, water tank size, propane tanks, Etc. i have the camper i wanted. I asked, the built it. Period.
i have dealt with them a few times since picking up my camper, always the same. Simple, to the point, and i get what i asked for.
Will i call them when i build the next one, YES!. They will be my first call. Are there alternatives, of course, and any sane person will check with them, but Jeff and Marty will always be the first people i call.
If your in my neck of the woods, come by and check out "Ernie", grab a bev and let's talk campers.
w

 

[Vic Harder]

Z, I'm in Calgary and have had both FWC and now ATC. They are essentially identical, except that ATC has (until recently?) used the older window style with an external weather flap, and ... they customize.

The SHELL from either company is lighter than a built out camper because everything weighs something!

 

[Your Mileage May Vary]

@Zialen

I previously owned a 4WC Fleet. Had it on a 2007 Taco and regrettably sold it. When I was looking for another pop up camper, I knew better what I wanted and needed because of my experience with the Fleet. I have big plans and requirements for the camper over the next 10 years and was looking for something custom to met my requirements.

But Four Wheel Campers have grown massively in just the last few years, and they are no longer able to do custom work. They have shifted to a more efficient production line model as they are pushing more campers out the door to meet the increasing demand.

So without hesitation I called Jeff and Marty at ATC. I have seen their workmanship and talked to enough owners to know they do quality work. ATC have remained small because they don't want to become corporate and all the BS that goes with that. They want to keep the personalized contact with their customers and they take pride in their work.

I'm going off topic a bit, but I'm trying to make a point. In 2008/09 I rode my motorcycle to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of South America, and back to eastern Canada. I was gone for 9 months, but one week after I got back my fancy BMW R1200GS Adventurer wouldn't start and I had to trailer it two hours to the nearest dealership. It took them 6 weeks to diagnose, order in, and replace the faulty electrical part. They hadn't seen that issue preciously. If I had had that brakedown a few months earlier in the jungles of Brazil, the bike would still be there. Lesson learned.

ATC is the pop up camper company that keeps it simple, and they do what they know works. When I first started talking to them about my desired build, they wanted to know more details before they agreed to build it. They are not attracted by the new shinny objects. New products are constantly being introduced, and sometimes those work as promised. But if you want something that's trusted, proven, reliable, and if you are going off road any distance – you probably do, then you can't go wrong with ATC.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Z, I'm in Calgary and have had both FWC and now ATC. They are essentially identical, except that ATC has (until recently?) used the older window style with an external weather flap, and ... they customize.

The SHELL from either company is lighter than a built out camper because everything weighs something!

To the best of my knowledge ATC still uses the removable weather flap on the upper windows. I liked having them.

 

[ski3pin]

ATC is the pop up camper company that keeps it simple, and they do what they know works. When I first started talking to them about my desired build, they wanted to know more details before they agreed to build it. They are not attracted by the new shinny objects. New products are constantly being introduced, and sometimes those work as promised. But if you want something that's trusted, proven, reliable, and if you are going off road any distance – you probably do, then you can't go wrong with ATC.

Yup

 

[kmcintyre]

To the best of my knowledge ATC still uses the removable weather flap on the upper windows. I liked having them.

I had them replace my "vinyl" a few years ago (probably 4 now) and the external flaps were used then. I'll say that it's nice not having them on the outside when things are nice but when you need them on (rain, snow, etc.) in the middle of the night, it's a hassle to get them up. You could plan ahead (like I never seem to do) and have them installed under the upper flap and velcro them up which would make it a lot easier. We've also had some leakage issues around the seams. I've seam sealed them but haven't really been in a heavy rain since. I will say the seam seal looks really ugly and wish they'd done some type of seam seal before installing the new vinyl (ie tent seam seal). I'm also seeing quite a bit of wear on the "new" vinyl and not sure why as I treat it with 503 every month or so during usage. I'm not sure if both companies use the same product for the sides or not?

Having said all that, ATC and FWC have been great to work with and always there for you when you need it!

 

[Mykiss]

Hi friends, ready to change up my current setup from truck topper to camper.
I too live in NW BC, another 1700km to the Can/US border but will incorporate the long drive to Sacramento into a camping trip. I just put a deposit for a panther shell for now, as there is at least a 12 months waiting. I will have time to consider what other options may want plus have extra time for working overtime to pay for all theseAlso some of the gadgets(Li batteries,fridge, electric system etc) are cheaper in US and can buy online and ship them to ATC.
Used ATC/FWC are very hard to find in Canada and US, I tried, didn't even have a chace to ask questions as the good deals sold fast.
As the other posters/owners stated, the campers are built by the two owners(with some help)but those guys are not getting any younger and foresee that soon ,the "name" they created will be sold to a bigger corporation. The owners are very flexible, although I don't know why they were trying to talk me out of upgrading the wire sizes on my cost, supplied by myself
In a year ,I also hope, the oil will go up and hope so will be the Can $...or no...
Cal Tax and Can tax something to consider and use your creativity...
My 2c

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Hi friends,
<snip>
As the other posters/owners stated, the campers are built by the two owners(with some help)but those guys are not getting any younger and foresee that soon ,the "name" they created will be sold to a bigger corporation. <snip>
My 2c

I will toss in my 2¢... knowing the philosophy of the owners and some of the very small crew, I’m thinking it will go employee owned. Now, I hope I’m right.

 

[ski3pin]

I will toss in my 2¢... knowing the philosophy of the owners and some of the very small crew, I’m thinking it will go employee owned. Now, I hope I’m right.

I agree. ATC will remain employee owned.

 

[Ronin]

I will toss in my 2¢... knowing the philosophy of the owners and some of the very small crew, I’m thinking it will go employee owned. Now, I hope I’m right.

Marty's son is one of the builders at the shop. He does quality work and hopefully he will keep the ATC brand going when the time comes.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

The basic premise of FWC/ATC, unlatch all latches,open door,step in,push up on rear lifter panel ,
push up on front lifter panel,remove shock cords and there you are a comfy,simple camper.

Now if you want bells/whistles and doodads you get a FWC for a slightly higher price or
a simple clean easy to use camper form ATC.

Some customers want lots of "flashy" options,which is fine but if you want a great constructed
easy on the "wallet"camper then it's ATC IMO.

I bought ATC but I went to the FWC company first and got lots of info and a camper build price.
That was in 2009 before they were bought by the current owner.

They still make a great camper but don't do custom work.

So there you are there are choices,but don't pass on ATC just because they are a small company.
Frank

 

[Argonaut20]

I would say deal with ATC BECAUSE they are a small company that knows what it's doing and does it well.