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Additonal Sleeping Platform Mod in Panther?


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#11 carld

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Posted 25 December 2018 - 01:03 AM

What options are you having ATC put in the camper? The campers have a lot of usable space and can easily suit your needs if you plan it out right. I’ve built out a hawk shell and a panther shell and both would easily sleep two adults and two kids with a decent amount of storage. The layout that FWC and ATC is good for most but doesn’t fit everyone’s needs. ATC is very accommodating to custom builds and is ultimately why I went with ATC over FWC. I have some time today and will update my post so you can get a better look at my camper, it might help to strike an idea. The post is new all terrain shell build. Feel free to hit me up with any questions.

ok. I would like a ocelot
78” shell, no propane with smaller windows. Want to build it with side dinette, solar power, 10 gal fresh water, and compressor fridge. Must be able to hold 2 trail bicycles and sleep at least 3.

Edited by carld, 25 December 2018 - 01:04 AM.

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2002 Tundra AC 4x4 with 2015 Ocelot

2006 Tundra AC 4x4 with 2018 78" Ocelot

2011 Tundra AC 4x4 with 2010 78" Ocelot

 

 


#12 jasona

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Posted 04 January 2019 - 11:48 AM

Not exactly sure what your question is. It seems like your looking to do a fairly simple build. I’m a huge fan of the pull out wrap around couch rather than a dinette. It’s easier to build and has more seating/storage room expecially if you’re looking to sleep 3, it also has room for 3 to sit. I have given it a fair amount of thought on my build and ultimately decided to not do a sink or fridge. If I was going to I would place a small fridge in the back passengers corner and a sink on top of that. A Coleman stove fits nicely on the ledge in front of the window (at least on a panther). For the table I used a standard RV table leg, mounts, and laminated piece of plywood that seconds as a counter fastened to the ledge below the passengers window. Take a look at my build thread. It’s pretty vague but if you would like any additional phots or have any questions I’m happy to help.
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#13 roverjohn

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Posted 09 January 2019 - 03:57 PM

My old cabin cruiser had a port side couch right behind the v-berth bulkhead. The back of which would hinge upward and that would turn the couch into two narrow bunks. I used to love napping in the upper bunk because you could see out the windows if someone stopped by. If your camper is long enough it would be pretty easy to build and you would have a lot of storage under the seat area because that would be hinged too. It also would not encroach on the floor space if mom and dad needed to get out of bed at night for some reason.


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#14 Lyndon

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Posted 26 February 2019 - 05:38 AM

I'm contemplating a new ATC shell at the moment and have this same issue. My 2 kids are small right now, but they'll soon be big, so I'd like to have a way for the camper to actually sleep 4 adults. I'm thinking a rollover couch on one side, and then an east-west bed platform right above the rear door. It would be pretty much the same as the pull out extension for the cabover bed, as far as construction goes, sitting on ledges all the way around. It would also flip up toward the back of the camper, so would sit vertical when not being used as a bed. It could also be removed completely when not needed for some trips. When the top is down, it would be in the sleeping position, and when the top is popped up, you just flip it up against the roof supports. 

I don't know of anyone who has an ATC near me, and I'm in Canada, so a bit of a drive from ATC headquarters. Anyone have any reasons why this might not work?


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#15 jimjxsn

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Posted 02 March 2019 - 12:52 AM

I'm contemplating a new ATC shell at the moment and have this same issue. My 2 kids are small right now, but they'll soon be big, so I'd like to have a way for the camper to actually sleep 4 adults. I'm thinking a rollover couch on one side, and then an east-west bed platform right above the rear door. It would be pretty much the same as the pull out extension for the cabover bed, as far as construction goes, sitting on ledges all the way around. It would also flip up toward the back of the camper, so would sit vertical when not being used as a bed. It could also be removed completely when not needed for some trips. When the top is down, it would be in the sleeping position, and when the top is popped up, you just flip it up against the roof supports. 

I don't know of anyone who has an ATC near me, and I'm in Canada, so a bit of a drive from ATC headquarters. Anyone have any reasons why this might not work?

 

Lyndon,

I think it is doable.  I have an ATC Panther which is their widest model.  I am 6'2" and can sleep across the camper.

 

Here are some pictures so you can see if there is enough room.  You need to allow enough room for the lift panels to fold.  One disadvantage would be entry since you would have to duck to get through the door as well as under the bunk.  You might need to leave out the small slider cabinets above the bench seat since that cabinet may be too high for fitting the bunk.  Keep in mind that I had several customization done when my camper was built like the back two pantries and the sink stove combo....

 

See how you have space between the fridge/pantry cabinet and the lift panel hinge.

20170612_111203-L.jpg

 

And in the front the bed cushion is right up to the lift panel hinge.

004-L.jpg

 

Here is the passenger side. Note that the pantry is not standard.  I had ATC shorten the bench so that the pantry would fit.  Also, see how that small slider cabinet above the window is high on the wall.  It may be in the way of a rear bunk but ATC could leave it out.

 

20170612_111255-L.jpg

 

Here is another idea.  They used to use a front seat cot on the old VW Westy campers and that might be a possibility as well.  The cot poles would fit into brackets on the walls.

westyfrontcot.jpg

 

Also remember that ATC can do modifications.  If you want to try and add the rear bunk, make sure they know about it.  My Panther was made to fit on a Tundra. Some dimensions may be different depending on the truck it is for.  The Tundra has a deep bed so the camper is was made to fit that.

 

Good luck finding your perfect camper...


Edited by jimjxsn, 02 March 2019 - 12:57 AM.

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~Jim
2000 Tundra AC- 2000 FWC Ranger

2017 Tundra DC - 2017 ATC Panther





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