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Panther Plan


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#51 ScottBailey

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Posted 24 August 2009 - 05:20 AM

Huh... Looks like I forgot to post my GC pics. Maybe I'll get that later.

Anyway, here is a nice pic of our campsite at Pioneer Pass.
atc_pp.jpg

I call it "Cactus in the Pines".
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Scott Bailey -- W7SEB
2007 F350 XLT Diesel CC SRW SB 4x4
Cheap tent and a Partner Steel stove. 
Future? Really like the Hiatus, but I'm broke AF, so dreaming about a DIY.
SOLD: 2008 ATC Panther:dinette, 5th wheel


#52 lostnot

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 02:22 AM

Today marks 30 days from receipt of the camper.


We've had the camper out 3 times and here are some of my negative/critical thoughts/observations/ramblings, and a few positives, too:

  • Table post mount. Bad place: toe stubbing. Do we really need the table?
  • Curtain rods suck: flimsy plus mounts pushed holes in screen of rear door. Use Velcro mounts instead?
  • Need a factory option for Ax and shovel brackets. These are too necessary in the Southwest.
  • Porta Potti storage is inconvenient: it should slide out (ala FWC). I have a plan to "fix" this, just no time to do the work!
  • King size bed is awesome and should be a standard factory option with extra lights and--maybe--relocated safety equipment. (I don't think the smoke/co2 alarm will work well with the top down.
  • Could the king bed be done without a slide? Extending the bed farther forward above the cab? How much of a PITA would the top be to lift? Just thinking...
  • Lifting the back is easy, the front seems--while not hard--awkward.
  • The front sliding window is a waste. I don't care for it. I'd rather have flat "glass".
  • The arctic pack seems of mediocre durability. If a guy had time, he could make a better solution.
  • The 3-way fridge is OK. Lighting it can be a PITA. If the Nova Kools hold up to the vibration, I think a Nova Kool and solar would be a better way to go.
  • If I were building from a shell, I would consider an Engel fridge/freeze. There's a lot to like there. I'm thinking I'm buying a small one anyway...
  • Always get 2 powered fans. The cost is small relative to the benefit.
  • In future, I'd skip the 110v system.
  • Running water is awesome. I'm through with stupid 5 gallon cans.
  • Wouldn't it be nice if the stove and furnace were diesel?
  • I prefer the full length aisle of the Panther compared to the Hawk. Also, stove position is better in the Panther.
  • The 4" factory foam is adequate. No need to consider any alternative.
  • Ford's factory tow mirrors make this an easy drive.


All criticism is generally minor. The camper is great! It makes getting outdoors possible for us.


As an aside, we just retired the truck to full recreational/hauling duties with the purchase of a cheap commuter. We figure we'll be ahead at the end of 5 years. With the difference in cost of fuel an maintenance we should do OK. Amazingly, the Hyundai has a 60k bumper to bumper. I wish Ford had that warranty.


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#53 lostnot

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 02:28 AM

Scott

A few nice things about the slide window.

Nice to have when picking up long items such as a 7 foot roll of carpet. Stayed inside through window so we could continue to shop without having back door open or tied to roof.

Open both sliders and have a long stick to beep horn in case of problem people.

Allows cool air in to circulate through camper and out fantastic fan.

Pass thru from cab to camper or camper to bed.
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#54 dsrtrat

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Posted 27 August 2009 - 03:50 PM

Scott,
I also had the rear curtain rod wear a hole in the screen. Here is what I did to all the curtains.

I removed the factory curtain rods and replaced with nylon pad eyes and black parachute cord. I also replaced the snaps that furl the curtains with velcro straps. I can still slide the curtains on the cords like the rods. To wash them all I have to do is untie a knot and slip them off the cord.

Dsrtrat
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#55 ScottBailey

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Posted 13 September 2009 - 11:19 PM

Scott,
I also had the rear curtain rod wear a hole in the screen. Here is what I did to all the curtains.

I removed the factory curtain rods and replaced with nylon pad eyes and black parachute cord. I also replaced the snaps that furl the curtains with velcro straps. I can still slide the curtains on the cords like the rods. To wash them all I have to do is untie a knot and slip them off the cord.

Dsrtrat


Thanks. That is a GREAT idea.
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Scott Bailey -- W7SEB
2007 F350 XLT Diesel CC SRW SB 4x4
Cheap tent and a Partner Steel stove. 
Future? Really like the Hiatus, but I'm broke AF, so dreaming about a DIY.
SOLD: 2008 ATC Panther:dinette, 5th wheel


#56 ScottBailey

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Posted 13 September 2009 - 11:31 PM

The first pic was of a camping trip with some friends. I blame them for causing me to need a camper. The second was labor day on the Mogollon Rim. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful. Not that busy for such a huge weekend.

The easy auto lighter failed, I need to dig in and properly install the Atwood electrode. <sigh> I think I'm done with it. I'll likely add another battery and the Nova Kool 2600 over Christmas IF I can scrounge up the cash...

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  • gc_pops.jpg
  • rim.jpg

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Scott Bailey -- W7SEB
2007 F350 XLT Diesel CC SRW SB 4x4
Cheap tent and a Partner Steel stove. 
Future? Really like the Hiatus, but I'm broke AF, so dreaming about a DIY.
SOLD: 2008 ATC Panther:dinette, 5th wheel





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