Bobcat prototyping build

[drumwood]

We took our maiden voyage shakedown overnighter a couple of weeks ago, so now is a good time to document progress so far. Before I start the next phase.

I am taking a Proto typing approach to building out my shell. My wife and I have not owned a camper before or even done any RV type camping. So everything I've built is an experiment, that we will try out and then likely change.

I am having trouble putting pictures in this topic. I better post what I have so far and do the rest and subsequent posts.

 

[drumwood]

I built the cabinet boxes out of half inch Baltic Birch with water-based lacquer finish. Mounting is with a French cleat system so I can move them easily.

 

[drumwood]

I am building the boxes as light as possible. The front is a mitered frame. I plan to fill the frame with a fabric panel. That will give me access from the front, so I don't have to dig down from the top if something is at the bottom. And the cabinet can have shelves since there is front access.

 

[drumwood]

We think we like the side dinette configuration, but wanted to try it out to be sure. I got a Coleman Pack-Away 4-In-1 Table for a prototype.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002YXR766/ref=cm_sw_r_oth_api_0BlkzbJ4Y78AC

The leg length options make it good for this type of experimentation. I used half to simulate a site dinette table, and half to simulate a counter.

 

[drumwood]

I can only get one photo per post. This is getting tedious. Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

 

[drumwood]

For the counter area I just leveled out the middle step with one by six so I can use some bins. At this point I'm not planning to build in the water system so this will all be storage under the counter.

 

[drumwood]

I want to optimize for solar. I haven't put in an isolator or a converter. So my only charging while on a trip is solar. We'll see if that is sufficient.

I've got it all in one of the side dinette seating boxes.

 

[drumwood]

The box lifts off for good access to the solar set up.

 

[drumwood]

Besides the standard lights, I am running a truckfridge, furnace fan, and lights. I just wired in a USB charging outlet as well.

I've got the trimetric 2030 controller and monitor. It is giving me a good readouts so I can evaluate my usage.



Since I haven't camped like this before, I did not really try to estimate my usage. I had no usage to estimate. But by reading the posts on this forum I've figured that we could get by to start with a 100 watt Renogy panel on the roof and a 110 amp hour Crown AGM battery. I hope to monitor our usage and adapt our camping methods to the system we have. But if necessary there is room on the roof for another panel. Or I can add a portable.

 

[drumwood]

By the way, the shake down overnighter went very well. We went to Fort Stevens State Park on the Oregon coast. My wife and I both slept through the night in comfort. Better than at home. The weather was good. We saw some very interesting birds. A hopeful harbinger for trips to come.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Welcome to the Bobcat group.
We have had ours since Dec 2009 and have gotten great service with it.
Your build looks good.
Keep posting.
Frank

 

[drumwood]

Thanks Frank.

I should also post a thanks to everyone that has contributed information to this forum. I have learned so much, especially from those that have built out their campers.

 

[takesiteasy]

Good idea to do the prototyping approach- you will probably change things around a couple of times. Have fun camping!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Looks good! Nice work!

 

[Bseek]

Ah, the joys of planning and implementation. Just remember everyone is different. Don't feel compelled to do it the same way as others have. I like your prototype method. Each trip will refine your set up, until one day you enjoy a trip and say to yourself, "I can't think of anything I would change". At that point it is time for a different rig, because some of us just thrive on that stimulation.

 

[ski3pin]

"My wife and I both slept through the night in comfort. Better than at home. The weather was good. We saw some very interesting birds. A hopeful harbinger for trips to come."

The best part!

Congrats on your new camper and best of luck with outfitting and setting up your unit.

 

[jimjxsn]

Enjoy the adventures!

"Just remember everyone is different. Don't feel compelled to do it the same way as others have." What she said...

 

[drumwood]

Thanks for the encouraging words.

 

[drumwood]

Well, I guess I am well past the prototyping stage now but I'll just add to this post to keep the story going.

I built out the side counter cabinets and side dinette and we took several trips this summer. It worked great, but now I'm tweaking things a bit and it is a good time to catch up the post.

Here are the side cabinets with no shelves or counters. I used 1/2" Baltic Birch with a water based lacquer-type finish. I used a frame construction to reduce weight.

The counter cabinet is 16" wide. The same width as the wheel well inset. That is a little narrow, but we like having some room to move around in the camper. I fastened a partial bottom under the frame side panel so it is flush with the upper inset of the floor pack. To keep things in the bottom of the cabinet, I hinged a 3" flip-down lip with spring roller catches.

Below the cabinet I have a stretch net to create a little storage for towels and what-not.

The cabinets are drilled with shelf pin holes for shelves. I want to keep things adjustable. I found some locking shelf pins to keep the shelves in place.

The shelves are a frame construction with 1/8" oak plywood centers. Nice and lightweight. I had scraps of the oak plywood left over from another project. Otherwise I would opt for something less expensive. But it makes a nice looking shelf.

The shelves also have the hinged lip, but I attached an angle brace to the shelf to hold the spring catch. That way I can move the shelf where I want it without screwing the catch into the cabinet panel.

Cabinet with empty shelves.

I found these really inexpensive plastic bins at Bimart that are just about the right size. And very lightweight. There is a short and a tall size.

I can get four short bins or two tall bins in a cabinet.

With the lip down, it supports the bin when it slides out. They come out far enough for access. Not quite as smooth as drawers with drawer slides, but a whole lot lighter and more adjustable.

That is enough on the side cabinet for now. Time to go to bed. I'll work on getting pictures posted of the counter and side dinette.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Roger, nice work! Well done!