New to WTW and New Bobcat Owner

[mountainpirate]

Hi Everyone! New member here and in about a week will be a new Bobcat owner!

I’m super excited to be getting my All Terrain camper. I’m going with a Bobcat shell and some add ons, heater, couch, solar panels and batteries. ATC is also being kind enough to mount my Eezi Awn 270 awning to the passenger side the camper.

I’ll the camper on my 2021 Ford Ranger FX4 package truck. Unfortunately it is a short bed so I’ll have some overhang off the back.

I was able to stop by the shop today while the guys were working on the camper and got to see it taking form!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Welcome aboard, Mountain Pirate. That Bobcat sounds (and looks) nice, I often regret selling mine! The ATC tram builds a great camper. You might consider having Marty installing Yakima tracks, too… they come in handy.

Regarding your Ranger… If you haven’t done it yet, consider putting screens over your engine air box and cowl vents to keep rodents out. There are several threads here and on the Ranger5G forum that address the problem. Check your insurance police to ensure you have rodent damage coverage..

The cost to my insurance company was $2700 and change to clean the hvac and other areas, and replace the blower motor.

If you haven’t seen the build threat for Monte and Julie’s (ski3pin) Bobcat, that will give you a lot of great info and ideas.

Again, welcome aboard!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Welcome to the cult.
Bobcats rule. I have a 2009 complete camper with side dinette.
Over the many years/trips it's been a great camper.
Enjoy your new rig.
Frank

 

[mountainpirate]

Welcome aboard, Mountain Pirate. That Bobcat sounds (and looks) nice, I often regret selling mine! The ATC tram builds a great camper. You might consider having Marty installing Yakima tracks, too… they come in handy.

Regarding your Ranger… If you haven’t done it yet, consider putting screens over your engine air box and cowl vents to keep rodents out. There are several threads here and on the Ranger5G forum that address the problem. Check your insurance police to ensure you have rodent damage coverage..

The cost to my insurance company was $2700 and change to clean the hvac and other areas, and replace the blower motor.

If you haven’t seen the build threat for Monte and Julie’s (ski3pin) Bobcat, that will give you a lot of great info and ideas.

Again, welcome aboard!

Appreciate the info on the rodent problem! Funny enough the first oil change I took it for they pulled out the cabin air filter and there was signs of rodent activity. I didn’t realize it was a major issue out there.

 

[mountainpirate]

Welcome to the cult.
Bobcats rule. I have a 2009 complete camper with side dinette.
Over the many years/trips it's been a great camper.
Enjoy your new rig.
Frank

Thanks Frank! First trip is Death Valley and I’m pumped!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Appreciate the info on the rodent problem! Funny enough the first oil change I took it for they pulled out the cabin air filter and there was signs of rodent activity. I didn’t realize it was a major issue out there.

They were in between my hood and the insulation pad. Had traveled up the A pillars to the headliner… pretty much all through the cab.

Have fun in DVNP! Don’t forget pictures!

 

[mountainpirate]

I’m planning on keeping the truck pretty stock. The only changes I’ve made are larger tires, BFG K03s 265/70/r17, and installed airbags to help support the weight of the camper.

I used cradles to mount the lower portion of the airbag instead of bolting to the lower leaf pack. This was suggested by most folks I talked to about adding airbags. It took some modification to make the cradles work but everything is now installed and ready to go!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Which airbags did you choose? I’m also curious about how Marty wants to do the tie downs.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

I’m planning on keeping the truck pretty stock. The only changes I’ve made are larger tires, BFG K03s 265/70/r17, and installed airbags to help support the weight of the camper.

I used cradles to mount the lower portion of the airbag instead of bolting to the lower leaf pack. This was suggested by most folks I talked to about adding airbags. It took some modification to make the cradles work but everything is now installed and ready to go!

I've used airbags, on my 2002 Tundra AC cab Firestone brand. I really like the fact
that I can adjust the height side to side.My camper is on all the time.
Frank

 

[mountainpirate]

Which airbags did you choose? I’m also curious about how Marty wants to do the tie downs.

I did the airlift airbags. I tried Firestone ride rite but the lower mount did not fit the leaf pack and their customer service was less than helpful so I just ordered a different kit. Plumbed separately so I can adjust independently.

 

[mountainpirate]

Took delivery of the camper Friday! So excited for the new adventures. I don’t love the over hang on the back but the interior space sure is nice. Got some D rings mounted inside to hold down interior items. Future plan is to build shelving on the driver side to house what’s in the storage boxes.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Wonderful camper, congratulations! Footman loops work nicely for securing gear. Strapworks in Eugene is a great place to get that type of gear.

 

[AWG_Pics]

We have that same cookstove. Works great! But that reminds me I need to give it a good spring cleaning soon.

Welcome to WTW!

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Looking good welcome to the Bobcat group.Have a great time with your new camper.
Frank

 

[mountainpirate]

I had a fantastic first trip in the Bobcat! Went down to Death Valley for 6 days and the camper was amazing. A little nerve racking taking it out for the first time but the truck handles it very well on the road and I am still dialing in my air pressures for off road.

 

[Casa Escarlata Robles Too]

Looking good.Fits the truck nicely.
Have many great times.
Frank

 

[Gussie]

Mountain Pirate, welcome to the Bobcat Cult, errr.. Club! I remember when mine was new (2016). I loved it right away, and many many trips and miles later I still can't imagine camping in anything else.

Looks like you had a great maiden voyage. Did you deploy your awning? That's my next upgrade - the Fiamma awning that I got has never closed right, and after eight years I'm ready to move up to a 270.

Did ATC Marty supply the mounting brackets?

 

[PaulT]

It took me several years with my 2014 Hawk's Fiamma awning before I discovered that the problem with closing my awning was my not folding the feet correctly and snapping the end of each leg into the slot before cranking it closed.

 

[mountainpirate]

Mountain Pirate, welcome to the Bobcat Cult, errr.. Club! I remember when mine was new (2016). I loved it right away, and many many trips and miles later I still can't imagine camping in anything else.

Looks like you had a great maiden voyage. Did you deploy your awning? That's my next upgrade - the Fiamma awning that I got has never closed right, and after eight years I'm ready to move up to a 270.

Did ATC Marty supply the mounting brackets?

I did! I don't seem to have any photos of it. It works really well and the guys at ATC were able to figure out a solution for me. They had the hardware as well. The one watch out I would say is the height of the awning depending on how high your truck/camper is. But I love the amount of shade this thing provides.

 

[01yzf600r]

I like the flat cubbies on the solid wall side of the camper, is that a new design or a new option? Mine has the steps on both sides and I have less flat space.

It looks like you guys had a great trip, I’m guessing you put all the gear in the camper for travel, I’m guessing you don’t have any pictures of that?

I have a similar setup to yours and since I don’t have many passengers I keep my water in the back seat on the floorboards to help spread out the weight when fully loaded.