Vote on my new camper

[carld]

My 2002 Tundra and 2015 ATC Ocelot got wrecked in New Mexico. I replaced the 2002 Tundra with 27500 mi with a 2006 with 145000 mi. and now what to do for the camper. I looking at no propane, compessor fridge, and saved my 100W solar panels, victron controller and monitor, battery and isolator form the old camper. Here are the choices:

No. 1 A shell from Bel Air in Garden Grove CA. $3400 +$680 to go get it, sleeps 1 + a hamock for one.

No. 2 The Capri Cowboy in Bluf Dale TX, $7350 + $80 with a/c, sleeps 2 + hamock for one.

No. 3. ATC Panther in Sacromento, CA, $10,615 + $830, sleeps 3.

 

[ski3pin]

No.3

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

No doubt, the ATC Panther would be my choice! Lower clearance to get into tight places, less windage, lower CG (my guess), headroom when popped, plus I have confidence in the ATC team.

 

[CougarCouple]

X2 on the NO.3

 

[DavidGraves]

Hi Carl

#3 but make it ATC's bigger model shell.

David Graves

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

#3 seems to be the popular one.
Would you be happy with one of the others after having
a ATC camper?
Frank

 

[Smokecreek1]

#3

Smoke

 

[rando]

Hands down #3

 

[Alley-Kat]

No question about it... #3. ATC

 

[Dragon]

Curious as to why you are considering options 1 & 2 after having an ATC?

Mike

 

[jimjxsn]

#3

 

[carld]

I liked my ATC Ocelot, but there were a few issues. On really rough 4x4 roads the balance is a bit off. I think a Panther shell with front dinette and centered water tank with no propane will be better. The fabric top doesn't provide insulation, as soon as the furnace turns off it cools off. The Ocelot is nice but it is more than I really need, a good place to sleep and fix a meal, considering the amount of time I use it verses other things. We just moved to a smaller place in the country and I have several projects I want to do. I planned to upgrade my truck, 2002 Tundra with 275000 mi, and essentially the insurance settlement paid me retail for it. I think I will get retail for the Ocelot, still working on it. So I could just turn around and put that into a Panther shell, or use some for my projects at home and get something smaller like the Capri.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Sounds like a good decision.
No need to rush into anything.
You have a chance to make a change
that will work for you .
Frank

 

[ntsqd]

Another #3 vote

 

[CougarCouple]

Carld you have another option. Start the search for a used camper, which ever one or ones that you would like! No need to run out and jump into one. I'm sure you could find a deal. Freeing up the cash for your other projects.
Russ

 

[kmcintyre]

Hard choices for sure. I guess I'd consider some other factors. I wouldn't get anything where 2 people couldn't sleep comfortably. I agree w/ the "insulation" part of the reasoning but you could do the inslulation pack. If you are concerned w/ resale, ATC is the way to go. Also, I don't know if they are goign to raise their prices or not but FWC did starting Dec. 1st (I think) so I suspect ATC will do the same shortly. I also agree that you may be able to find a "used" one but I suspect you'ld have to spend extra $'s and time to get it how you like it, but I still like option 3.

 

[Andy Douglass]

Based on looks alone, #3. I don't like the way the other two look. Looks aren't everything, but I'm assuming you are thinking about appearance since you shopped each camper onto a pic of your truck.

Never had a camper other than our FWC, so on functionality I would vote for #3 as well. The soft side is a drawback for insulation (and bear safety), but you can mitigate it a little bit with a thermal pack type product.

 

[DavidGraves]

Hi Carl

I don't know if you could consider this but we have been very happy to have a dedicated camper truck alongside our daily drivers.

It is an older Chevy 4WD 3/4 ton and is certainly adequate to our travel needs....meanwhile the Toyota pickup (s) do all the daily grind.

It is wonderful to have the camper nearly always ready to go with gear and supplies.

Just a thought that changes the camper choice process.

David Graves

 

[JaSAn]

I don't know if it is important to you but the Capri Cowboy has only 5 ft height inside; not enough for the average person to stand.
Looks like the Bel-air is about the same.

 

[firemen7]

Carl,


I'd have to go with the ATC, when the weather is bad and you want to make tea or coffee, something to eat or just get out of the weather you will have room to stand up, a nice place to rest, and all of the other amenities/creature comforts you decide to install.

my 2 cents.

Whichever one you choose, i'm certain you will dress it up and thoroughly enjoy it.

Bud