Help needed by July 4, 2007 if possible

[foe3643]

Okay,  so I have NEVER used a pop-up before.  In fact don't own one.  I will as of July 4, 2007 and we will be using it July 4, 2007.  I know that in itself maybe stupid.  Any helpful advice?  I have tent camped for years.

TV - Dodge Grand Caravan - no hitch yet that will come on July 4, 2007 also.
Campsite unknown guess I'll figure that one out tomorrow also.

PU - either
1996 Coleman no air no fridge - $3,000
                     or
2003 Palomino air and fridge $3,500 - fridge may or may not work, dealer is going to look at it tonight as of this moment it doesn't work.

The best I can tell there are no differences than what I have listed above.

Can anyone tell me the pro's or con's about either brand?

What type of hitch do I need?  U-Haul is who was recommended to put it on, do they really know what I need?

Do I need one of those cooling 'thingys' (I said I was new) for my transmission?  Right now we camp about three times a year but hope for more with the PU.  We live in the mountains in KY so it will be a load atleast the first 60 miles no matter where we go.

What else do I need to know?  I know that is so general but I will read responses all  night and in the morning so if anyone has anything to add or help PLEASE let me know.

[Dray]

Sounds like you're rushing things.  Not a good idea.  My advice would be to bring the PU home and practice with it a few times in the driveway before going out.  That is unless you have experience towing and campers.  With your TV your going to be concerned with how heavy they are.  I personally like Coleman PU's.  It's what I have.

You will likely need the transmission cooler and maybe a power steering cooler and also might need a weight distribution hitch.  I tow with a Honda Odyssey and just got a weight distribution hitch and it really helps.  

Hope that helps.  Good luck.

[foe3643]

Sounds like you're rushing things.  Not a good idea.  My advice would be to bring the PU home and practice with it a few times in the driveway before going out.  That is unless you have experience towing and campers.  With your TV your going to be concerned with how heavy they are.  I personally like Coleman PU's.  It's what I have.

You will likely need the transmission cooler and maybe a power steering cooler and also might need a weight distribution hitch.  I tow with a Honda Odyssey and just got a weight distribution hitch and it really helps.  

Hope that helps.  Good luck.

I'm afraid of that also.  I was camping all last week in a tent at boy scout camp and my DH was suppose to buy 'a' PU and the works while I was gone.  Thus the reason for the rush now.  

No experience towing and no experience campers.  Maybe we will end up in tents again this week, much to my dismay.  I was hoping if I got to the camp grounds and had problems I could ask some kind soul there to help, we usually find everyone very friendly at the sites.

As for the cooler I think after reading more on here today, you are correct and I should get one, regardless of how much the PU will be used.  Better safe than sorry.

[SherryandFamily]

You are correct that you will find helpful folks at the campground.  We have been camping in popups for about 17 years, and tent camped for years before that.  We have been on both the giving and receiving end of help many times.

I think the point of not rushing is so you won't make a decision you might regret.

If you have been looking for a while and know what you want, then go for it!

I doubt you can get the tow vehicle set up on the 4th though.

Good luck and have fun!

Sherry

[erich0521]

Dray makes a good point.
If you can, set up in what I call "camp driveway" for an overnighter before going on much of a trip.  Gives you a chance to try things before going out.

As for your tow vehicle and weight, find out what your van is rated to tow.  I think a transmission cooler is a good investment.  Do you know what both PU's GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) is?  You don't want to tow 3,500 lbs if your van is rated for 3,500.  Our Jayco is GVWR rated at 2,700 lbs.  this means that fully loaded, with the AC on the roof, spare tire, our 'stuff' in the camper we should not exceed 2,700 lbs.  Our Jeep Gr Cherokee can easily handle it with it's tow package. On longer trips, we opt for the Jeep. Our Toyota Sienna minivan is rated to 3,000 lbs and it does NOT have a tranny cooler.  With the van we typically travel less than 100 miles and we live in the middle to IL which is as flat a land as there is.  Thus far both had worked well.

Since both are used, make sure the dealer does the following:
1. repack the wheel bearings.
2. inspect/adjust the brakes if needed.
3. make them spend enough time to show you how everything works, sets up, tears down, etc.  I'd think a solid 1 hour should be devoted to answering your questions and showing you everything.
4. inspect the tires.  ask how old they are?  tires don't wear out tread, they dry rot from 'down time' in the off season, being stored, etc.  if in doubt, replace them.  We had a blow out recently and it was not the most fun

Best of luck and don't be scared.  I'm sure you'll have great fun.  We bought our used last yr and have loved it since.

[curryp]

$500 more for a camper that is seven years newer and has fridge and air seems like the better buy to me. Probably better resale value with the Palomino as well.

You only gave makes and no models of PU. Do the campers have electric brakes? If so, you will need to have a brake controller. I have towed campers before and also tow a snowmobile trailer and boat. But when I bought the PU it was the first time I had to use a brake controller. I was glad to be able to do a test drive on some back roads at home before heading out on my first trip this weekend.

Your owner's manual should tell you your towing capacity. As far as the transmission cooler, that is probably a wise decision. I would also say rushing into all this may not be the wisest thing and you may regret it later. I appreciate and understand your excitement and anticipation of camping in a PU ASAP. But patience may save you some bucks and aggravation in the long run!

[foe3643]

Thank you for the heads up on what to check out.  We have found a place to go camping that is close, we are going to go to Fort Boonesborough State Park here in Kentucky, provided they still have sites available, the website states they do.  It is actually on our way home from the RV store so it won't be excess driving for us.

I didn't know to ask about the different types of brakes.  I knew you guys would help me with what to ask.  Sure wish I knew a PUer that could go with me to the RV place but we have no one around us, that we know, that really camps.

I think the GVWR for the van is 5500, 2850 front and 2850 rear. Now I'm confused though.  I swear I pulled out the book on the Grand Caravan two nights ago and the GVWR was 3500,  However, I just looked and the book states to look on the drivers door to find the GVWR and the door states the numbers above.  I have to go and look through that book again really well to make sure I have the correct numbers.  At any weight I think I'm okay, the weight on both PU's are about 1600, I don't remember exactly from the dealer one was 1,600 and I think the other was 1,700.  I figured 1000 for the normal six of us that are in the van, although that is high on our personal weight (4 are teenagers with the heaviest being about 110)  That leaves more than enough for 'stuff' I think, even if the GVWR is 3500.

I too, feel as if we are rushing into it.  Mostly because I don't know anything about PU's.  I guess all we know is we want a PU and the only absolute was it had to fit six of us to sleep.  I'm sure after using it a half dozen times I'll find lots of other things that I want.  We don't want to spend a fortune on our first PU as our van has 70,000 miles and once the van expires in two or so years we hope to buy a vehicle that is meant to tow and then upgrade to all the 'gadgets'.  

As for the $500 difference between the two PU's that is what bothered me also.  I guess I was worried that maybe the Palomino was a bad brand name or something and that is why it was so cheap compared to the Coleman.  To be quite frank and show my lack of knowledge, I don't know what models they were, the Coleman said Fleetwood on the side.  I'm sorry guys I feel like I'm sounding really stupid.  I know I told my husband later it seems like I'm asking what is better a Ford or Chevy.  As long as the Palomino brand isn't a dud they both looked great.  Everything seemed to work fine when the Sales man tried them out except for the fridge in Palomino which he said he would fix if it was a quick fix for the $3,500 and if it was a more expensive fix he would have to increase the price or make us pay for the fix.  We just happened to walk in about 10 minutes after the previous owners traded in the Palomino and went to the dark side.  The salesman really didn't even want to show it to us, because they hadn't 'cleaned' it up but it looked like the previous owners had before they brought it in.

[Dray]

Are these PU's listed on the internet?  If so paste a link in here so we can see.

[foe3643]

Are these PU's listed on the internet?  If so paste a link in here so we can see.

Great Idea, but I just went to their website

http://www.bluegrassrv.com/usedinventory.html

and they don't have either posted on there.  I would guess the Palomino is a Pony as I looked at the 2005 they have listed here but it was already sold.  That is when the saleman told me about the one that had just been brought in.  

I have to also say I looked around in London, Kentucky at Valley RV and when I asked the saleman there what the weight of the RV was he told me that it wasn't that heavy he could pull it by hand.  Never offered to look up the weight as he obviously didn't know it.  I knew right then that I needed to go somewhere else!

[wavery]

You need to know the "Tow rating" not the GVWR.

You will need a trans cooler for sure. Bigger is better. You probably won't hurt anything if you don't have it for the 1st trip (if it's not too hot out or you're not climbing hills).

Try to get a "Prodigy" brake controller. Anything less is a waste of $ because after you tow the trailer a few times with a cheaper unit, you'll probably buy a Prodigy and throw the other one away.

Camp Driveway is always best, if you can do it. However, if you don't mind a few hassles and a little frustration, you may be OK taking it out (if you can get the van ready). Just don't rush things or try to force things.

***As soon as you get to the place that you're buying the trailer, make sure your propane tank(s) is full and light your fridge so that it can start cooling down.***

The proper procedure for popping up is as follows:

1. Find a spot that is as level as possible. Stop the van and apply the parking brake.
2. Try to determine how much you have to raise the trailer on the low side. Put an appropriate amount of spacers (wood or whatever) in front of that tire and pull up on it. You will need a level. Never use your stabilizers to level the camper.
3. Once level, side to side, block front and back of both tires and unhitch from the van, using your tongue jack. Park the van.
4. Level the camper, front to back using your tongue jack.
5. Unlatch the roof and raise it with the crank handle provided (Make sure you get one). When you get to the top, stop, don't force it. (BTW, this isn't a race :p )
6. Now is the time to lower your stabilizers that are located on all 4 corners of the trailer (underneath). Just put them down firmly on the ground. Don't lift the trailer with them (ever).
7. Pull out the bunks. Make sure that the tenting is not over the corners of the bunks yet. Secure the bunk platform support rods. Put the corners of the tenting just slightly over the corners of the bunks (not very far over, right now).
8. Install the door.
9. Go inside and find your "Shepard's hooks". Put them together and push up and out the end tent support brace. Now you have 1/2 of your tent set up.
10. Do the same on the other side.
11. Go back outside and pull the tent corners all the way under the bunks now and secure the bungee cords under the bunks (if your trailer has them). Some PUs have Velcro tabs. Whatever....secure the tenting to the bottom of the platform.
12. From here, a lot of PUs differ. You are on your own but at least you now have a place to sleep and you haven't damaged anything.
13. Print this out and take it with you.

I have probably left something out. If I did, someone will catch it and I will correct it on this list for you.

Oh ya!!! Be prepared for NOTHING to work. I would camp just like you did when you were tent camping. That way, if you can't figure something out or something doesn't work, it's no big deal. It might even be a good idea to bring the tent (just in case). Make sure that your propane tank(s) is full.
Happy camping!!!! :sombraro:

[harleywolf]

We just got or PUP this week and are taking it out Friday thru Monday so I don

[foe3643]

You need to know the "Tow rating" not the GVWR.

Thank you!  I looked before we started looking for the PU and the towing rate is 3500 then I questioned myself last night and looked again but looked at the GVWR instead of towing that is 5500.  I thought I needed to go by the towing rate buy my mind wasn't thinking clearly thus the two numbers.  I think we are still within range.  Maybe on our way home from camping we will stop at the truck stop here in town and get weighed.  If we do that which of these two numbers do we want to be at?

Oh ya!!! Be prepared for NOTHING to work. I would camp just like you did when you were tent camping. That way, if you can't figure something out or something doesn't work, it's no big deal. It might even be a good idea to bring the tent (just in case). Make sure that your propane tank(s) is full.
Happy camping!!!! :sombraro:

We have decided that we are tent camping sort of.  We are going to get the PU this morning in Lexington and supposable the Hitch and the rest of the necessities.  We are going to bring the tents and I told DH that while he sets up the PU I am going to set up the tents.  That way if something just isn't right we have the tents for back up and if everything is perfect we can put anyone in the tent who we deem snores to loud!

You guys have been awesome and I will let everyone know how it all goes this weekend.


DH 44

DW 36 (7 nights in a Tent 2007)

DS 16

DD 15 (never camped before)

DS 12 (7 nights in a Tent 2007)

Our other DD has been permanently moved to another foster home, guess there will only be five for this trip.

Furry Friend Roxy that is a 14 year old dalmatian that I would love to give away if DS 16 would let me!

Watch out Fort Boonesborough here we come!

[foe3643]

Didn't make it in the PU good thing as my DH can't seem to get it put up.  Well, it is up we just have extra parts!

here's that thread:

http://www.arveeclub.com/showthread.php?t=63689

DH 44 (1 night in a Tent 2007)

DW 36 (8 nights in a Tent 2007)

DS 16

DD 15 (1 night in a Tent 2007)

DS 12 (7 nights in a Tent 2007)