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#1 jasonwantsout

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Posted 13 February 2020 - 01:14 AM

I'm looking to put a fleet on my ranger and have a couple questions for those who have already been there and done that.

 

When it comes to the solar, if all I do is get the charge controller only w/ display, do whatever panels I get then just plug into the system ? Say I got some mobile panels to lay out as needed, would they just plug in and I'm good to go ?

 

Also, battery options. I would want a stove, maybe a fridge. Beyond that I would want to keep charged personal electronics like cell phone and laptop. Would I be best served upgrading the single battery or would that get me by ?

 

And I understand that the truck battery and the 4wc battery are separate entities, but my truck alternator will also charge the 4wc battery. Is my stock alternator good to go for that ? are beefier alternators available that would be more beneficial for that task ?

 

This will just be me right now, and I plan to live full time in it for as long as I am comfortable doing so. Do not want to get surprised with a malfunction, especially power, when so much time will be far down dirt and likelihood of seeing others will likely be few and far between.

 

Any other advice from those who have been there ?

 

Thanks so much for any input you can share, greatly appreciated !


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Being alive is not the same as living. Just being alive is not enough.


#2 Wandering Sagebrush

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Posted 13 February 2020 - 02:42 AM

Jason, what year is your Ranger?  4WD?  4.0L V6?  You’re at minimum going to need air bags, possibly a new leaf spring pack if you keep the camper on all the time.  I had an ATC Bobcat on my 2007 4WD extended cab, and used Airlift bags to compensate for the weight.  When I bought it, it was 640 pounds, but after a build out and full of gear and provisions it was over 1,000.  If you have a comparable year, you’ll have to deal with the famous Ranger notch, where the camper has a small notch to fit the back.  Alternatively, you can hammer some sheet metal in the bed and call it good.  BTW, ATC is usually less expensive than FWC.

 

I did sell both my Bobcat and Ranger after a few years.  It was a great camper, but after the buildout, it was too small for me, a couple of pointing dogs, plus hunting and camera gear.  I’m not what you would call a minimalist.

 

Have you considered the Bobcat?  ATC makes a fantastic camper, and they do custom work.  It’s a small company, and the people are great.

 

Your Ranger alternator is sufficient to charge your battery(ies) while driving, but most folks add solar.  
 

First on my list of inside options would be a furnace, maybe a stove.  I like chest style refrigerators, and recommend them.  After that, your budget and preferences are your guide.  When I get another pop up, it will be an ATC, and it will be just a shell model with a furnace, stove and solar with two batteries.  Other gear will be my camp kit.   I will post a link to Ski3pin’s build to let you see what can be done.

 

Ski3pin Bobcat Build


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I am haunted by waters


#3 jasonwantsout

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Posted 13 February 2020 - 09:28 PM

Thanks WS. I have sen the ATC but liked the larger capacity h20 in the 4wc. Looking over then again though... hmm.

It is a '96, 3" Rancho lift, 4wd 4.0. standard. Haven't looked at the math for a while but believe I'm fine on the load.

 

appreciate the input, and i'm looking at those ATC builds again, much more affordable and still welded aluminum.


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#4 Casa Escarlata Robles Too

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Posted 14 February 2020 - 12:48 AM

Welcome to the cult Jason.

I also had a Ranger club cab 08 but with the smaller V6.

For 2 years I had my Bobcat mounted on it.

Added a set of Supersprings,they worked well.

The smaller V6 just had some power issues.

In the 2 years I did make a lot of long mileage trips.

The main issue was the ride comfort and power against headwinds.

There are pther members with Rangers and have had good use out of them.

 

I kept the Bobcat and mounted it on a 2002 Tundra AC 4X4.

As Steve mentioned about the ATC campers they are built as strong and quality

as the FWC.Main difference IMO is the price and if you want a basic camper that

does the same as FWC the ATC line is a great choice.

Frank


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2002 Tundra AC TRD 4WD Limited 2009 ATC Bobcat loaded http://sharychic.blogspot.com/


#5 Vic Harder

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Posted 14 February 2020 - 02:35 AM

Thanks WS. I have sen the ATC but liked the larger capacity h20 in the 4wc. Looking over then again though... hmm.

It is a '96, 3" Rancho lift, 4wd 4.0. standard. Haven't looked at the math for a while but believe I'm fine on the load.

 

appreciate the input, and i'm looking at those ATC builds again, much more affordable and still welded aluminum.

If you want a bigger water tank, just ask them to get one for you.  They are very open to customization.


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#6 larryqp

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Posted 14 February 2020 - 12:59 PM

I had a 2009 4WD Ranger, supercab, 4.0 L V6, Rancho shocks, BFG KO load range E tires  with a 2014 FWC Eagle shell with some Mods for over 3 years. I had a custom spring pack made up at Alcan Spring Co in Grand Junction, with 1000 lbs additional carrying capacity and OEM height.

 

The camper was bolted thru the bed of the truck, I added a 2 burner stove, propex furnace, 65 L Dometic chest style compressor refrigerator/freezer, custom swing away tailgate with 5 gals water, 2 gals propane, and drop down table, yakima rails 2 racks, and two 100 aHr 12 volt AGM  batteries with 175 watts of solar on roof.

 

When all was said and done I was slightly over the truck's GVWR, but it handled very well, I was very happy with it and would still have it today, except it was totaled in a roll-over wreck. Plenty of power in headwinds and mountains, but only about 15 mpg with the cruising on the hwy with the pedal down. 

 

I wouldn't pick a unit based on solely on water carrying capacity. If we needed more than 5 gals of water, we would just start off with a few 2.5 gal water jugs from the grocery store. We also carry a good water filter and solar showers. 

 

Good luck and welcome


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2016 F150, FX4, XLT super cab

2019 FWC Hawk Shell

2009 Ford Ranger 4x4, XLT, Supercab total loss on 7/30/19

2014 FWC Shell total loss on 7/30/19

Towed behind our home which is a 2005 Kountry Star Diesel Pusher


#7 jasonwantsout

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Posted 17 February 2020 - 06:01 PM

Thank you all for the replies, very helpful. Been dreaming of doing this for a couple years, finally getting close to reality. Early summer for sure !


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