New to PU camping need advice

[happycampingclarks]

Hi Everyone.  My family will soon be the owners of an old pop-up but one that has been well taken care of.  We're very excited.  We have a lot of experience in tent camping however this towing thing will be rather new to us.  Couple of questions, our van will be about at it's max towing weight with this camper.  Any suggestions of improvements we should do to the van to keep from having trouble?  Should we invest in a sway bar?  The camper is about 1800 lbs. & pulling it with a Chrystler Town & Country?   Any other hints or tips you experienced pups can give us?  We can't wait to not sleep on the ground anymore, not to mention, we don't have to go through our annual purchase of airbeds!

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new camper.  I know the feeling of moving up off of the ground into a PU.  Yes to adding a sway bar.  Cheap insurance.  Does the trailer have brakes?  Electric or surge?  If electric you will need a brake controller to activate the brakes.  You will probably have rear end squat.  I used Timbren Rubber Springs (easy to install) on my 1999 Ford Windstar to help out the with the sagging.  Some people use air pillows to do the same thing.  What camper are you getting?  Where will you be going camping?

[happycampingclarks]

Thanks for your info.  We're getting the hitch installed today & we'll see what else we need when we pick-up the camper and see how the towing goes.  We live in central KY & will be mostly using the camper around our state until we get used to it & maybe purchase a better TV if needed.  Eventually I want to go to Ft. DeSota park in Florida, absolutely beautiful!  

I have family in Clearfield & Philipsburg.  Spent a lot of time at Black Moshannon Park.  Is that near you?

Thanks again for the info.  

The happy camping clarks

[dthurk]

Welcome to PUT!
 
I generally discourage use of mini vans for towing, I believe there are many other vehicles available for about the same money that are more adequate for the task. We have a minivan ourselves, set up to tow.  We prefer to use our Jeep for towing.  Small SUV's are generally nice, and do a great job of towing pups.
 
That being said, listen to tlhdoc advice concerning sway and brakes. These are safety issues, and you want to be safe. You should have at least a class II hitch installed. Most minivans are rated at 2000 lbs without a tow package and 3500 lbs with a tow package.  Check with your dealer (auto, not camper) for exactly what your capacity is.  There are several numbers that you should be concerned about.  Tow capacity is one, GCWR is another.  There are others, but they would come off the camper.  Have a transmission cooler added if you don't have a tow package.  They don't cost an excessive amount, and really help avoid transmission problems.  They are included in a tow package. Try to beef up the rear suspension also, if possible.
 
Good luck, have fun and be safe.

[tlhdoc]

I have family in Clearfield & Philipsburg. Spent a lot of time at Black Moshannon Park. Is that near you?
 
Thanks again for the info.
 

You are welcome for the information.
 
I live about and hour and 20 minutes  east of Black Moshannon, but have never been to the park.  It is one of those place I keep wanting to go to, but just haven't had the time.  Do you have any campsites in the park that you would recommend?