PopUp Times

We're relatively new to pop ups having bought ours in May (2003 Coleman Carmel).  We've loved it and the good news is that we got about 24 days in this summer/fall and have 2 more before we have to close it up til April (We're fair weather folks).  Every time we go over a big bump or a large dip with the Sienna loaded for a trip, we manage to drag the tow hitch and make that really cool SCKRETCH noise..  I've read on these forums that upgrading the shocks can give us a better ride and allow us to manage the grinding issue a little better.  Anyone have any thoughts about this?  Where's the best place for shocks?  What kind are we looking for?  Will this really help this issue?  What else can we do?  Thanks for your insights thus far, especially that buying the memory foam materess topper (That was spot on!!!!) :confused:

Quote from: jpcjtrtjWe're relatively new to pop ups having bought ours in May (2003 Coleman Carmel).  We've loved it and the good news is that we got about 24 days in this summer/fall and have 2 more before we have to close it up til April (We're fair weather folks).  Every time we go over a big bump or a large dip with the Sienna loaded for a trip, we manage to drag the tow hitch and make that really cool SCKRETCH noise..  I've read on these forums that upgrading the shocks can give us a better ride and allow us to manage the grinding issue a little better.  Anyone have any thoughts about this?  Where's the best place for shocks?  What kind are we looking for?  Will this really help this issue?  What else can we do?  Thanks for your insights thus far, especially that buying the memory foam materess topper (That was spot on!!!!) :confused:

I would skip the shocks.  We installed air bags on our sienna they work great, and won't effect ride when not in use.  Check this site

//www.siennaclub.org  search for airbags.  Lots of info on there.  You will also need a rise on your hitch if you don't already.

Good luck

I tow with a minivan too.  A 2004 Honda Odyssey.  I had the same problem you're having.  I got a weight distribution hitch and it is working well to take the weight off the rear of my TV.  I still haven't been able to get it perfect but with a little more adjusting I'll get there.

As much as this pains me.......i have to agree with Dkutz.  Airbags are the only way to go. They will level you out and improve the ride.  If you need shocks, I would recommend Bilsteins.  Great shock and provides a very smooth ride.

Quote from: TheVikingAs much as this pains me.......i have to agree with Dkutz. Airbags are the only way to go. They will level you out and improve the ride. If you need shocks, I would recommend Bilsteins. Great shock and provides a very smooth ride.

I will mark my Calendar!!

Thanks for the info.  Airlift 1000s on the way.  My buddy said he could help me put em in (since I'm one of those good lawyers but bad mechanics and he's a good mechanic, but we won't say what kind a lawyer. . .  ).  Hopefully they'll be here for the last camping trip of the season 10/31.

Quote from: jpcjtrtjThanks for the info.  Airlift 1000s on the way.  My buddy said he could help me put em in (since I'm one of those good lawyers but bad mechanics and he's a good mechanic, but we won't say what kind a lawyer. . .  ).  Hopefully they'll be here for the last camping trip of the season 10/31.

Good choice, they are great and not too hard to install.  Soap water on the bags to install.  Hardest part is finding a place to attach the hoses.  Check the sienna owners site for tips on installation....
GOod luck.

Remember to keep like 5 pounds in when not in use,  I inflate to 30psi BEFORE I load up the car and trailer...

I'm with dkutz on the AirLifts. I, too, pump them up to 30 psi before loading the van and hitching the pup. I deflate to 5-10 psi after unloading back home. I installed my valve in the cargo area, over on the left side up under the recessed storage area. I didn't use two valves. I ran both bags to one valve. It points down inside that recessed area, and is very easy to reach standing on the ground at the back. And with the 12-volt port just in front of this location, it is easy to plug my little air compressor in to inflate the bags.

You'll love the AirLifts. Just make sure your hitch weight does not exceed 200 lbs. since you're not using a WDH. That's Toyota's specifications. I'm not familiar with how big a Carmel is.

Quote from: fallsriderI'm with dkutz on the AirLifts. I, too, pump them up to 30 psi before loading the van and hitching the pup. I deflate to 5-10 psi after unloading back home. I installed my valve in the cargo area, over on the left side up under the recessed storage area. I didn't use two valves. I ran both bags to one valve. It points down inside that recessed area, and is very easy to reach standing on the ground at the back. And with the 12-volt port just in front of this location, it is easy to plug my little air compressor in to inflate the bags.

You'll love the AirLifts. Just make sure your hitch weight does not exceed 200 lbs. since you're not using a WDH. That's Toyota's specifications. I'm not familiar with how big a Carmel is.

I put my valve on the black plastic strip just below the bumper and just above the hitch. Only one valve.  Love the airlifts.  They worked out great!

Ok, I actually went out and weighed the darn thing.  320 pounds on the hitch with the battery forward and a second propane tank (Yikes!!!).  It drops to about 260 when I took off the extra tank and moved the battery closer to the body.  The Toyota owner's manual for the all wheel drive says I can tow up to 3500 pound and that 9-12% of the total trailer weight should be on the hitch not to exceed 350 pounds without a weight distributing hitch.  I'm figuring we've got about 2500 pounds when you add up the trailer (1900#) and the junk in it; so I'm heavy on the hitch weight but within the total hitch tollerances.  On the way too camping I notice the weight.  On the way home, it's easy as pie to drive.  Any thoughts?

What year Sienna do you have? My '04 manual says not to exceed 200 lbs. hitch weight without a WDH. 350 lbs. is the total hitch weight not to exceed under any circumstances.

Maybe they've changed that since '04.

Quote from: jpcjtrtjOn the way too camping I notice the weight.  On the way home, it's easy as pie to drive.  Any thoughts?

Travel with the water tank empty and fill up when you arrive at the cg.

When I had my Tundra, I had the fill valve coming through one of the License plate holes.  You could hardly tell it was there and easy to fill.

It's a 2006.  I definitely notice the difference between a water tank full and one that's empty.  I try to empty before we leave the campground.

The airlifts are supposed to arrive today and I'm hoping to sucker my friends into helping me install them sunday morning.

Quote from: jpcjtrtjIt's a 2006. I definitely notice the difference between a water tank full and one that's empty. I try to empty before we leave the campground.
 
The airlifts are supposed to arrive today and I'm hoping to sucker my friends into helping me install them sunday morning.

Tjey are easy to install.  Took about an hour & 1/2 total

You will like the Airlift 1000. My brother-in law and our neighbor down the street put them on their Sienna's and they work great for them. I have the Infiniti QX4 SUV and installed a set on it. I like the ride and the SUV does not sag any at all. I am pulling a way larger camper than the others do as mine is the Jayco 1406. It is pretty heavy and putting the airsprings on saved me the embarracement of looking overloaded. I am right at the max on the weight the SUV can handle and I am very pleased. By the way, they are very simple to install and on the Sienna, inside the right rear side pocket is where the others installed their airlines. Out of sight and out of mind.

Using a single fill valve might work on a smaller vehicle like yours. It is recommended that on full size trucks to use two separate valves. The reason being if both bags are connected air will travel from one bag to the other in turns. If this happens the bag on the inside of the turn will inflate lifting the body. Not good with a heavy load in a turn.

Yes, if I had a much heavier load, I would probably have installed two separate valves. But one works great for me. What I REALLY want is the switch assembly that lets you increase and decrease the pressure while sitting in the driver's seat! But I'm too cheap for that.

well did you get them installed???

Quote from: dkutzwell did you get them installed???

I was wondering too.  I bet he's in the garage right now trying to put them in himself.  

Hey jpcjtrtj I'm in Sacramento too, let me know if you need some help.

I had the troops out last sunday morning to install them.  It was like being at home with my dad when I was 12.  They did all the work (including making a handy dandy attachment piece out of a coat hanger to attach the T to the fame.  Me, I just handed them tools and the Mrs. made em breakfast.    Gotta love good friends.  

So, they're in, but alas, it's raining this weekend, so I'm not sure if we're gonna head out to camp Friday.  The wife loves the new ride and I did tow the pup around the block to see how it went. It's a much nicer ride, but the proof will be with a full van and a full pup.  I'll keep you posted.

It's really nice to have your van AND your pup fully loaded down for camping, and your van is still sitting level!

Got the airbags in; took out the pup and the van loaded.  It was nice not to grind the chains into the ground on the trip.  I'm very pleased with my airbags.