What fridge? Instant shower? Cougar vs Puma? R6 in floor?

[LosAngeles]

What fridge? Instant shower? Cougar vs Puma? R6 in floor?

Hi all

Just spoke with Marty at All Terrain Campers and he was nice, and helpful. For us he recommended a Cougar or Puma, but not with the dinette, but with the side couch instead, for more storage space below, and the most floor space.

He clarified that the outside window flaps are removable, and are in addition to window flaps on the inside.

I am hoping to get a pop up camper - either a FWC or an ATC, for the three of us. Not planning on towing, and no extreme off roading.

Does anyone here own an ATC Cougar or an ATC Puma?
What might be best for the 3 of us? (Cougar or Puma)
The Cougar is 84" wide and the Puma, 78" or 72”
I am leaning towards the 84” wide cougar, and would likely get the Ford long towing mirrors anyway, with the built in turn signals.


Has anyone put some foam, and also Reflectix under the over cab bed, for some insulation? That area is not insulated on an ATC.

In the walls ATC puts a pretty good insulation - duct wrap. R3.4 in walls, R6.8 in roof.

Marty at All Terrain Campers said in the floor there is no insulation. He offered (at build) to put 1” hard slats under camper, and put 1” R6 insulation between the slats. Any downsides to this? (it sounds good to me)

ATC does not install an inside shower.

Anyone used a Zodi Hot Tap instant shower? They use the little green propane tanks. They get a wide range of good and bad reviews on Amazon.

http://zodi.com/hot-showers/hot-tap-with-case

Marty (ATC) said I could supply my own Engel MT45 fridge. They can build cabinet around it. Open top with nice wall. 12v / 120v 2 way fridge.

Has anyone used this fridge?

https://www.engelcoolers.com/mt45f-u1cd-p-mt45f-combi-fridge-freezer.html

Fridge option I have reads good things about the fairly big Nova Kool RFU6200. 6.0 cu. ft. (170 L) 12v / 120v 2 way fridge. Yes I know it is 93 lbs. and we would need to get at least 250+ watts solar on the roof, and two nice AGM batteries to run this fridge, and it is quite expensive . We do like to get far off the beaten path, and frozen fish, etc is very nice to cook.

Fridge option C) can anyone recommend a (roughly) 5 cu. ft. or 6 cu. ft. 3 way fridge?
We’d need propane for a furnace, for sure, so we’d have propane on board. (not sure if ATC use 10 or 20 gallon tanks)

Thanks for any and all thoughts.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I’ll see what I can answer...

The couch gives you storage, but you lose seeing out the window when the back is up, the table and big feet also take up the aisle. I had a Grandby with couch and didn’t care for it, preferring a side dinette.

If you’re going with a camper that big, get a 3/4 or 1 ton truck. My choice would be a 1 ton.

Yes on having Marty put foam under the floor. No on Reflectix, it reflects radiation, doesn’t insulate. I would put hard foam under the mattress, with hypervent between the foam and mattress. It will give you insulation, plus deal with condensation.

Yes on the Zodi, it’s one that folks like. I prefer to heat water on the stove, put it in a tub, then take a sponge bath. A simple spray can is another option.

Yes on the Engel. I have that model for my boat, and occasionally in the camper. On the boat, I use it as a freezer, moving daily food to an ice chest. My Bobcat has a small Dometic 3 way. It works, but a compressor fridge like the Engel is far superior as long as you have charged batteries or shore power. Yes on the solar.

I recommend Yakima tracks on top. You may not use them often, but if you have a canoe/kayak or a rocket box, they do come in handy.

Two vents would be best. One with power, the other doesn’t need it, but your choice.

 

[OutToLunch]

In March, I got a 78 inch wide ATC Ocelot for my F150. I didn’t want any overhang. The f170 is 79 inches wide. I went with the side dinette instead of the side couch. I figured that I’d rather be able to see outside and not look at the galley if I was sitting inside. Also, if my wife is along on the trip and we are eating inside, I get to look at her. It has worked well.

My Ocelot has a five gallon propane which I believe is rated 20lbs or so of propane.

We got the 1.7 cf 2-way fridge. Small but works well and never drained the battery on trips. Always used shore power (good option) before trip to chill down the fridge. I figure if I need more chilled space I bring a Yeti ice chest along.

We also got the jumbo bed extension so we can sleep north-south. Important for us older folk so you don’t have to climb over someone for those middle of the night calls. When I travel alone, I don’t extend the bed and leave the extra cushions at home.

Wishing you Good luck and many adventures with your build. Remember to check those turnbuckles.

 

[LosAngeles]

Thanks Wandering Sagebrush and Out To Lunch for the great info.

Much appreciated!!

Anyone else wanna chime in?

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Just looked at the Engel link you provided. My model is either fridge or freezer, and was $300-$400 less expensive than that one... same size. Check Truck Fridge as well, a number of folks here use them, with very good reviews.

 

[PaulT]

We have a Hawk with inside shower & outside shower with water heater. We have never used the inside shower as that seems like far too much moist air to release inside. Although we can turn on the water heater & have a hot outside shower on demand, we usually opt for a sponge bath or use our Nemo Helio shower as it uses less water & less propane.
https://www.nemoequipment.com/product/helio-shower/
The money we spent on the inside shower would have been much better spent on more solar power.

While we like & use our water heater, we also fill a 60 oz thermos bottle water with boiling water for use when desired through the day.

My $0.02
Paul

 

[CougarCouple]

Hello LA

We have the Cougar, built for our 2016 F250. Had the deck over the heater just to the left inside,where we mounted our Engle mt40 model refrigerator.
They were nice enough to frame and plumb for a water heater which I installed, use a small privacy tent and shower outside. Have the side couch and will be converting to side dinette. Also going to make a small cabinet for storage to compensate for the loss from removing the couch. I did cut a piece of reflectix under the mattress that hangs out over the cab. Just ordered the insulation blanket for the fabric section, and carpet or anti fatigue mats are what we have on the floor. I also cut foam insulation board for the tie down access ports I think that helps. I think with three of you the wider model is better suited because of the extra room. Weight adds up fast, we weigh 9,140 this summer loaded gas motor super cab. Truck with 2 adults full tank of gas no camper 7330 lbs, 3/4 ton truck is the smallest truck I would recommend that's just my thoughts, seems like some are using 1/2 ton seems to light for the job.

Russ

 

[penner]

Hey LA. We picked up our 72" Ocelot last Feb. Got a shell with furnace,awning and AT can holder.We have added 160 watt solar , 40l Dometic and some basic shelving and seating. We put it on our 2017 Silverado 1/2 ton. Only suspension mod is Timbrens. Our camper doesn't stay on the truck full time and we travel very light. I feel fine with the 1/2 ton ,but, we have a fairly light set-up. A 3/4 ton would be the way to go if you can swing it.

 

[LosAngeles]

Hey LA. We picked up our 72" Ocelot last Feb. Got a shell with furnace,awning and AT can holder.We have added 160 watt solar , 40l Dometic and some basic shelving and seating. We put it on our 2017 Silverado 1/2 ton. Only suspension mod is Timbrens. Our camper doesn't stay on the truck full time and we travel very light. I feel fine with the 1/2 ton ,but, we have a fairly light set-up. A 3/4 ton would be the way to go if you can swing it.

Hi there Penner

Thanks for the info.

so....

Ford F 150 Payload 2019

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=F-150&year=2019

- see page 34 of 35

We would custom order the 3.5 Eco boost
4x4
SuperCrew
156.8 WheelBase
7,850 GVWR model
The Heavy-Duty Payload Package
18" wheels

The Max Payload for that configuration is 2,6203 lbs

(basically bottom right of the chart)

Yes I read that “ Weight of additional options, equipment, passengers and cargo must be deducted from this weight. “

Yes I know we’d need 10 ply E type tires.

No, we would not carry anything near 2,6203….. but that is the payload for that configuration.

Yes we would need to order that way. We would not ever likely find a F150 with Heavy-Duty Payload Package (etc) on a dealers lot.

 

[Happyjax]

Hi there Penner

Thanks for the info.

so....

Ford F 150 Payload 2019

https://www.ford.com/services/assets/Brochure?make=Ford&model=F-150&year=2019

- see page 34 of 35

We would custom order the 3.5 Eco boost
4x4
SuperCrew
156.8 WheelBase
7,850 GVWR model
The Heavy-Duty Payload Package
18" wheels

The Max Payload for that configuration is 2,6203 lbs

(basically bottom right of the chart)

Yes I read that “ Weight of additional options, equipment, passengers and cargo must be deducted from this weight. “

Yes I know we’d need 10 ply E type tires.

No, we would not carry anything near 2,6203….. but that is the payload for that configuration.

Yes we would need to order that way. We would not ever likely find a F150 with Heavy-Duty Payload Package (etc) on a dealers lot.

Hello LA,

I just went through buying a truck to put a camper on.

I was enamored by the F150, getting a 1/2 ton all dressed up with near 3/4 ton specs seemed like a deal.

However I found that after adding everything needed to get the 150 to that payload I could pretty much get a 250 where payload would be much less of a concern.

I know the fuel mileage suffers a bit but that is mainly empty. From my research the mileage evens out pretty quickly once you load them up.

Can't verify that as I am still camper shopping but that research includes info from several places.

So if you are gonna be a weekend warrior and remove the camper a lot the 150 might be the better choice.

If you are going to travel a lot and negotiate hills and off-road I'd suggest the 250

I love mine

YMMV