PopUp Times

I'm wondering what people use/drive to haul their pop up...

I currently have an Isuzu Rodeo & its worked great, but she's getting tired & I'm looking to get into a newer vehicle.  I'd also like something smaller - but I want to be sure it can pull my camper!   Thinking about either a Subaru Forester {I have a friend who hauls hers with one} or an Outback.   Looking for ideas from the pros!

That said ~ I'd much appreciate hearing what you drive to give me some ideas!

Thanks so much!:)

My TV (tow vehicle) is a 2001 Olds Silhouette mini-van.  Before you get any suggestions on a new TV, what camper do you have?  Year, make, model?  Do you know the loaded weight of the camper?

All these things need to be taken into consideration when buying a new TV.

Quote from: sewseriousMy TV (tow vehicle) is a 2001 Olds Silhouette mini-van.  Before you get any suggestions on a new TV, what camper do you have?  Year, make, model?  Do you know the loaded weight of the camper?
 
 All these things need to be taken into consideration when buying a new TV.

I have a '94 Rockwood XL.  Not sure of the loaded weight (just got it this summer!)

I couldn't agree more!(sewserious) And to add to that,be cautious about the gvwr of the tv you are looking at. I have a Jeep Liberty,and,everyone from the Jeep dealership to the Fleetwood dealership swore up and down that I would have no problems pulling my Arcadia.(3970# gvw) Acording to the owner's manual and the dealer,the Liberty can pull up to 5000#.(when properly equipped) While the jeep has the power,and I had a brake controller installed,the short wheel base couldn't handle the pushing from the trailer.I ended up spending $500.00 on a equalizer hitch.This made all the differance in the world.I'm still concerned about the wheel base,so,I'm looking into a bigger tv. Just be careful!!!!

I pull with a 2001 f150 supercrew and while I understand the needs of larger families and how minivans such as the hondas or caravans offer that flexibility, theres nothing nicer and easier than dropping the trailer on the hitch,no sway control,no distribution hitch, and head on down the highway
just my 2 cents

We use a 2000 Chevy Astro.  Sorry, they don't make them any more.  :( It was the last minivan that was really good for towing.  Otherwise, it rides like a truck, and drinks gasoline.

Austin

Originally towed with a 1998 Astro Van.  Lots of power for a mini van.  Now we tow with a 2005 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab.  Needed room for ther 3 kids and 2 dogs.   Hopefully in the next year or 2 we will move up to a larger SUV so I don't have to drive the truck as "mommies taxi"

Jacqui

I towed with a V8 Jeep Grand Cherokee for 10 years. It's pulled everything from pop ups to a 28' utility trailer with few problems, it was a tug boat. However, my new Coachmen Clipper is a little heavy and likes to sway more than the old Jeep could handle.  I bought a Chevy Silverado last month and what a difference. No sway, up and down the mountains at the speed limit,  I can see over the trailer from the rear view mirror and I can pack more stuff in the truck than I could in the Jeep.

I tow with a 2003 GMC Sonoma.  It's a 4 door 4x4 with sport/tow package.  It can tow up to 5400lbs.  My pup loaded is less than 2000lbs so it pulls it just fine.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a396/Viking_Camper/IM000255.jpg)

I tow my E3 with a 2007 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4. It has a tow rating of 6500#. It handles the E3 with ease. The GVWR on the E3 is 4400#. The Tacoma is a V6 with about 236 HP.

I do have a weight Distribution hitch. It keeps the rear end from squating and the E3 pulls nicely down the road. I also have the Prodigy Brake Controller.

The only complaint I have is the brakes. They seem to fade too easily. I will soon be checking into an upgrade in that department.

Couldn't agree more about towing with something big.  Drop whatever you have onto the hitch ball and go......

While our 1990 4x4 1/2 ton Suburban spends a lot of time holding down the driveway due to $110 per fill (34 gallons), we use it for everything from trailering cars and watercraft to ski trips with 8 on board, to hauling around our daughter(8yrs) and all of her little friends to movies, water slides, etc.  It's a can-do rig and at 250,000mi, it's been there, done that!

Quote from: waygard33I tow my E3 with a 2007 Tacoma Quad Cab 4x4...I also have the Prodigy Brake Controller...The only complaint I have is the brakes. They seem to fade too easily. I will soon be checking into an upgrade in that department.

My first reaction was "go down the hill a little slower."  But if you really think you are not getting the performance you expect from the brakes, make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.  I don't mean the Prodigy, either.  

Unlike most passenger vehicles (which continuously self-adjust for drum/pad wear), trailer brakes have to be adjusted from time to time.  Dexter (makes most pop-up axles & brakes) recommends adjusting every "season" or every 3,000 miles, whichever is first,  and more often in the first year.

On my axle, I jack up one side, secure with a pair of jack stands, remove a small acess cover, and adjust a star wheel until the brakes drag, then back off until they just barely don't drag.  Repeat with the other side.  It takes about 20 minutes.  I usually do it just after repacking the bearings.

Austin

Quote from: AustinBostonMy first reaction was "go down the hill a little slower."  But if you really think you are not getting the performance you expect from the brakes, make sure the trailer brakes are properly adjusted.  I don't mean the Prodigy, either.  

Unlike most passenger vehicles (which continuously self-adjust for drum/pad wear), trailer brakes have to be adjusted from time to time.  Dexter (makes most pop-up axles & brakes) recommends adjusting every "season" or every 3,000 miles, whichever is first,  and more often in the first year.

On my axle, I jack up one side, secure with a pair of jack stands, remove a small acess cover, and adjust a star wheel until the brakes drag, then back off until they just barely don't drag.  Repeat with the other side.  It takes about 20 minutes.  I usually do it just after repacking the bearings.

Austin

Thanks Austin. I hadn't considered that.

When I noticed my problem, I was decending about a 1 mile grade (medium to steep grade). The E3 pulled so easily, I almost forgot it was back there. I was going slow (under 20mph) as this was a campground access road and there is little traffic. I think I was riding my brakes a bit (not thinking about the trailer), rather than pumping them from time to time. Nearing the bottom I went to brake a bit harder and there was a noticeable loss of resistance. I've read frequently about the lack of good breaking on the Camry and was intending to check into the adequacy of the Tacoma brakes.

Thanks again.

i tow with an 04 chevy silverado reg cab/long bed 4.3 v-6. not sure what the pop up weighs, it's a 97 coleman sea pine. pulls it just fine.

Used to tow with a '95 Nissan Pathfinder but it was a bit of a struggle.  

I recently bought an '01 Toyota 4Runner V6, 3.4L but I have yet to pull the camper with it.   I don't suspect I'll have too much trouble.  I'm confident it will be a better tow than the old Pathfinder.

Quote from: waygard33The only complaint I have is the brakes. They seem to fade too easily. I will soon be checking into an upgrade in that department.

Good advice above about adjusting the PUP brakes, but I would still recommend upgrading to a better quality front brake pad.  Nice semi-metallics are cheap, and the new ceramics are very reasonable and stop even better with much less dust on the wheels.  To get an idea of price, look 'em up at websites like www.autohausaz.com

You want something that doesn't fade with heat.....no matter if you're towing or not.

I tow with an '04 Durango 4x4.  It's got the smaller, non-hemi V-8 (4.7 l) with a 3.92 rear axle.  Great hauler!  Got 17 mpg towing our pup on a recent trip to the Tetons, featuring lots of grades and lots of crosswinds in Wyoming.  20 mpg highway w/o pup.  16 mpg city.  A bit thirsty, but not too bad for a full-sized (yeah, they call it mid-sized, but it's full-sized) SUV with a V-8, in my book.  Really pleased with the 17 mpg towing.  Seems like the engine finally got broken in after 50k.

The Durangos had a bunch of problems with rearend failures.  Something to do with retainer clips or something coming out of the differential.  Did they fix that prior to your year model?

Great mileage by the way, especially towing.  One nice thing about the PUPs...they're down out of the wind!

Quote from: austinado16The Durangos had a bunch of problems with rearend failures.  Something to do with retainer clips or something coming out of the differential.  Did they fix that prior to your year model?

Great mileage by the way, especially towing.  One nice thing about the PUPs...they're down out of the wind!

I believe all of the rear end problems with Durangos happened with the 1st gen models (prior to '04).  There were also some front axle problems, I believe, that led to a recall, but that was also 1st gen.  I am not aware of any major problems or recalls with the 2nd gen Durangos.  Mine has 60k and has performed flawlessly. *Knock on wood*

I tow with a 2007 Ford Freestar and havent had any problems as of yet, knock on wood. i have towed thru the mountains and to the beach, the longest haul was 6 hrs to Tenn over the river and thru the woods and it pulled perfectly. The max towing cap is 3800, and my pup is only pushin 2400 loaded.

Our TV is a 2003 EB350 4x4 Ford van with the V10 gas engine. It gets us from gas station to gas station without any problem.

(http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r34/RussC_02/zzzz-5.jpg)

Quote from: RussinatorOur TV is a 2003 EB350 4x4 Ford van with the V10 gas engine. It gets us from gas station to gas station without any problem.

BOOYAHHH!!  Now that's a TV and a PUP!!!!

2005 Dodge Ram1500 Hemi

(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e43/cmarques1/camper.jpg)

I dug up a photo of my Tacoma with the E3. (I think)

Team Jestercat pulls their 2003 Yearling with a 2002 Toyota Sienna.....

We like it  :)

2002 Toyota Tundra Ivan Steward Edition Access Cab with Prodigy brake controller. I don't even know the camper is behind me unless I look in the rear view mirror.

We tow with a 1994 Chevrolet Caprice station wagon with woodgrain sides.

94 F150 extended cab  5.0L w/ G.T. cam and roller rockers, 3.73 locking rear. Not real strong out of the hole but once it gets rolling its all good.  12-14 mpg. It has a bit of brake fad but Im mindful of it. The rear drums have been resurfaced to much which probally doesnt help plus these trucks always had complants of brake fad.  My oversized, tandom axle, 75 Skamper pop up is heavy and came with hydrolic trailer brakes but havnt been functional since Ive owned it.  Ive only had to pass a person while trying to stop once. Talk about drawed up tight!!!  It was my wife and she was tailgateing someone else when they decided to turn, guess I was to close too.

Pup hitched to the Pathfinder in the driveway.
 
(http://inlinethumb43.webshots.com/4074/2401744010093531129S500x500Q85.jpg)
 
PUP setup next to the Pathfinder at Jellystone Park near Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.
(http://inlinethumb55.webshots.com/13494/2886193690093531129S500x500Q85.jpg)
 
 
Have a good one.

I have a 2003 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4x4. Can tow 10,300 Lbs and haul 3,575 Lbs in the bed. No extras, just load up, hitch up and go.

A 1997 Chevy Astro that just seems to want more work; everything I throw in it, on it or attach to it doesn't faze it one bit. Love it. Oh, by the way, anyone know where I can get gas on the cheap?  :p  It's a guzzler, no doubt about it.

Quote from: mountainrevI tow with an '04 Durango 4x4.  It's got the smaller, non-hemi V-8 (4.7 l) with a 3.92 rear axle.  Great hauler!  Got 17 mpg towing our pup on a recent trip to the Tetons, featuring lots of grades and lots of crosswinds in Wyoming.  20 mpg highway w/o pup.  16 mpg city.  A bit thirsty, but not too bad for a full-sized (yeah, they call it mid-sized, but it's full-sized) SUV with a V-8, in my book.  Really pleased with the 17 mpg towing.  Seems like the engine finally got broken in after 50k.

I too tow with a G2 Durango (2005) and I think it is a great TV. Mine has the Hemi and the factory tow package so it's rate to tow +8600lbs (AWD). Way more umph than needed but I believe in having the TV larger than "you think you need." Of course this is about twice what I need for my Rockwood, but I am getting just about the same mileage readings as you. On a recent trip to Watoga SP in W.V. we averaged over 17mpg even in the mountains towing the pup and with a carrier on top. On a recent non-towing, no mountains, and no car top carrier  trip we averaged 22mpg. Not too bad for a "full sized" (I agree with you) SUV and it rides more like a luxury vehicle than a truck. So I second your assessment of the G2 Durango. "GREAT HAULER!"




BTW I used to have a G1 Durango  with the 5.9 (2003). It towed well. Had plenty of pull but..........it got 13-14 mpg. That's all. It got it towing, around town, on the highway, didn't matter. 13-14 mpg was it. And it rode like a truck. A 6 hour trip would wear you out pretty well.

I pull my Coleman Popup with a 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 Diesel.  This is also my work truck and has a manual 6sp transmission.  This is a lot of truck and will just about pull anything on three axles or less.

I'm currently towing with a 2000 Chrysler Concorde. I don't recommend it! I'm very near the towing limit (2000 lbs.) if not over.

What does this mean?  I'm looking at a vehicle right now & this was posted in the tech specs:

• Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 5,200, curb weight (lbs) 3,826, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 2,000 and max payload (lbs) 1,150

What is the max payload mean?  Thanks so much!

gvwr is what the vehicle can weigh loaded- weight of truck,passengers,and cargo

max payload is total weight of people and cargo

gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 2,000

Probably another silly question....does this mean that my popup would need a brake?  

This is still new to me, just got our popup this year!  I do know that it doesn't have brakes on it!

almost every towing guide i've read said you should have brakes on a 2000+ lb trailer. i don't have brakes on my pop up either but my truck has huge brakes.

Quote from: GoneCampinWhat does this mean?  I'm looking at a vehicle right now & this was posted in the tech specs:

• Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 5,200, curb weight (lbs) 3,826, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 2,000 and max payload (lbs) 1,150

What is the max payload mean?  Thanks so much!

You would get a far better response to this if you asked it as a new thread rather than taking it on to a thread that most of us stopped reading a long time ago.

Austin

Did I see somewhere up the line on this thread that they STOPPED making the Chevy AstroVAn?????  Why would they do such a thing?

I have a 1999 Chevy Astrovan, All Wheel Drive - bought 2yrs old, used, in 2001 when they first came out with those 0% loans and people were trading in good used vehicles.  It had about 40,000 miles on it and I've now got it at a little over 100,000 in the 6 yrs I've had it.  I've got a great mechanic who I trust and who keeps it in top notch condition for me.  It's a 'keeper' and will probably be around forever, despite it's low milage.  It's just too useful.  It hauls scouts, equipment, home remodeling supplies, lawn mower, garage sale and curbside finds - not to mention the whole family and the dog.  The only thing I might be tempted to trade to would be a full-size truck, and I know I'll never be able to afford one.

Had a 1987 GMC safari two vehicles before this one - loved that, too.  Bought it when I was married and we towed our 22' ski boat with it.  Had the trailering package (tranny cooler, etc) and we towed that big boat to kentucky & back once a year, and all over the place locally. I got it in the divorce because our other car was a stick Honda, and I didn't know how to drive a stick.  I drove that Safari (identical to an Astro) until it died at 180,000 miles. (Timing chain broke, oil drained out and the engine fried.  (If I'd known my mechanic, Herb, back then - I'd probably STILL be driving that Safari now!)

I grew up driving in Wisconsin Snow, and in Rear-wheel drive vehicles.  I just can't get used to front wheel drive, ABS brakes and I hate these lite little cars! In between the two vans, I had a Olds Ciera sedan.  It was a great little car, dependable and easy on gas - I even towed our tiny Starcraft Starlette with it!  but that camper probably only weighed about 750 lbs fully loaded! (it WAS tiny!)

Still, the first week I had the Ciera, in January, I started to fishtail a bit on an icy 2 lane highway - tried to correct the way I would with the bigger rear-wheel drive vehicles I was used to, by getting a front tire into the rough where I could regain control - and whoosh! ended up in a farmer's field!  No damage to me or the car - just to my pride!

Still, I prefer my van - riding up high and rear wheel drive.

I can't believe they're not making them anymore - is that true? I'll have to ask Herb, he's a Chevy mechanic.

Laura

Quote from: GoneCampinWhat does this mean? I'm looking at a vehicle right now & this was posted in the tech specs:
 

• Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 5,200, curb weight (lbs) 3,826, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 2,000 and max payload (lbs) 1,150

What is the max payload mean? Thanks so much!
 

What it means is that you have a low payload rating so you'll not be able to load your vehicle with very much.
 
Max payload is based on the GVWR (total weight of truck and items in it) minus the actual weight of the vehicle in a bare bones base model. So you'll also have to subtract ~100 lbs for a moderately optioned vehicle or ~200 lbs for a fully featured top of the line model.
 
So you most likely have about 1050 lbs. of payload. Figure on an adult couple weighing 350 lbs and a couple of kids weighing 250. Then figure on your car tools, CDs, other accessories, luggage, cooler and stuff weighing 200 lbs for a family of 4. You have a total of 800 lbs right there. You can only pull a PUP with a hitch weight of 250 lbs "LOADED".
 
If you want to load more into your vehicle, you'll need to kick one kid and their luggage to the curb, learn to tent camp, or get a vehicle that can handle more gear and people, or overload your vehicle and hope for the best.
 
Since I camp with a lot of people, I looked for a vehicle that had higher payload as my Pathfinder. It's base payload is 1307 lbs and optioned (calculated) I have 1200 lbs. I have about another 50 lbs in tools and accessories. When we have 2 couples including ourselves, there is 710 lbs of body weight and 100 lbs of luggage and 20 lbs of cooler.
 
We have a total of 880 lbs of people and gear in the truck and my tongue weight is 294 lbs for a total of 1174 lbs.
 
If there's any more than that, we need to take 2 vehicles and/or I may need to put some of the luggage in the camper to keep the weight down.
 
Have a good one.

Quote from: ScouterMomDid I see somewhere up the line on this thread that they STOPPED making the Chevy AstroVAn?????  Why would they do such a thing?

It's true.  Here is a story about the original announcement:
http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/112_news041119_astro/

I heard from someone just this past weekend that said they drove by the plant in Baltimore, and it is gone.

That leaves the Honda Odesy (sp) as the only minivan with anything that looks like a tow rating.  And it's a %&#@ import.

Austin

Well that sucks.

Now I'll just have to make sure that Herb Keeps my baby going as long as possible.

I suppose they don't have anything reasonable to replace it with, either?  

That model was a great one for families on a budget.  I swear I don't know how anyone affords to buy new vehicles - between the vehicle purchase cost and gas prices!  and with all the fancy electronics & 'modular' components on them - they cost a fortune to repair.  My son recently knoed off a mirror, Herb said it would be expensive to replace, thinking it was one of those with the turn signal IN it - (it isn't) so it only cost me about $50.  you can't replace just the broken parts p you have to buy the ENTIRE mirror unit.  I had to have the window motors on mine replaced, just to get thru the drive- thrus at the bank & restaurants in the rain and snow. they kept getting stuck open - and you can't drive in IL year-round with an open window! they were pretty expensive! I guess that's pretty common at the age of mine - but honestly - I'd rather have plain old push locks and crank windows, and NOT have the fancy crap to maintain and wear out.  My electronic key hasn't worked for years, and the powerlocks work to lock & unlock the doors sporadicaly, or halfway - EXCEPT the driver's door, which doesn't work at all, except by locking manually. I just had to replace the fuel pump on the Astro, and some ignition switch - about $800 which Herb said was typical at about 100,000 miles.

the vehicle itself - the motor and essentials are a workhorse - very few problems in the years I had each van.  The problems were mostly with incidentals like door latches, rusting exhaust systems from IL salt, and expected maintenance, etc.

So what is their current answer to the Astro's place in the line up? anything?  

Hondas are pretty dependable - my ex had  an accord when we divorced that he drove for 200,000+ miles - but like you, I prefer American made vehicles. (and so does my trusted mechanic - he's a GM guy) So I would never get anything Herb couldn't keep up for me.  I don't know much about cars - but I know people - and Herb, I trust.

Laura

TV in sig and here: http://fourgalvs.googlepages.com/towvehicle

(http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s274/79inline/gottorque.jpg)

Might as well add mine here since i did to the other post too.

My other tow vehicle is a '98 Ford Exploder Eddie Bauer 4wd with the 4.0 SOHC six. Comes stock with 4.10 gears :D
I'd post a pick, but they're a dime a dozen, so I'm sure ya'll already know what it looks like.
It does the job pretty well and has more power than I expected from a six. I can hardly tell the PUP is back there, 'course mine only weighs 1000lbs plus all the gear we take. I've got a Yakima rack on top to tote the toys. We get 16 mpg city and 20 mpg hwy.