E3 mods

[waygard33]

Ray, I know you will miss the H2

Regarding PUP colors, I have to agree with you that a yellow Evolution does stand out at a CG.  I've always wondered why PUP manufacturers didn't offer more options in color.  The reality is you have the gray and yellow Evolution series and Jayco Baja has a camo version.  Other than that I think you are stuck with white with some color accent.

My family has pretty much always been tent campers. Over the last couple of years we have been getting tired of running into very cold temperatures and rain in the Northwest. We had been looking for a travel trailer or toy hauler. I never even considered a Pup. Then one day we pulled into GI Joes parking lot and a local dealer had several Pups in the lot, including the Evolution series. They caught my eye and we just had to go check them out. It opened my eyes up to Pups and the off-road style of the E series is just what I was looking for. It couldn't haul all my quads but everything we looked at was a compromise in one form or another.

I actually ordered a Gray E3 because the yellow was a bit flashy for me. When we went in to pick it up, I noticed they were prepping a yellow one. I groaned and started heading to the office to let them know they made a mistake. My wife grabbed me and said she preferred the yellow one...so here we are.

Since I bought it, it has totally turned heads. Everyone, everywhere wants to know what it is. When I pulled into Sand Lake CG a couple months ago, I was immediately accosted by a group of about 10 people wanting to know what the hell I was pulling behind my truck. Another time, I was headed up the Hwy and pulled off the road to get some food. When my son and I came out, there was a family at the Pup waiting to talk to me. They had followed me off the road and waited so they could ask questions. They also had never considered a Pup but now they were interested. I bet they have one already.

Anyway, it's what got me interested and I'm sure it's working on many others as well. I've looked at competing off road models but the E series is the one I like the most.

All in all, we're happy yellow campers. :sombraro:

[He Ruide]

Ray, I agree it does not sound cool at all. First, you would void any warrantee on the frame, Second, I would be concerned with the impact it would have on tongue weight, center of gravity, towing and would you still be able to attached a WDH without some serious re-enforcement of the A frame.

Now what might be an option is to remove the propane cylinders and battery and place the tool box in front of the deck. Looking at my photographs I think there might be enough space between the front rail and the tongue jack and you should be able to open the tool box with the bunk end extended. The three new questions are:
1. What impact would that have to the tongue weight?
2. Would the toolbox hit the TV if you jack knifed the trailer?
3. Can you still turn the tongue jack handle?

[grcooperjr]

All in all, we're happy yellow campers. :sombraro:

Yeap.... Every time we pull into a campground, the heads turn, and a group of folks come over and ask us how we got Fleetwood to custom build a camper for us to match the Hummers. Then the next thing that happens is the kids want to ride in the Hummer. So we start giving Hummer rides to the kids and after a bit to the grown up kids. Great thing about working for the General is driving all that we make.



Anyway, it's really deceiving how GREAT the E3 really is. Most Folks(big trailer folks) don

[grcooperjr]

Ray, I agree it does not sound cool at all. First, you would void any warrantee on the frame, Second, I would be concerned with the impact it would have on tongue weight, center of gravity, towing and would you still be able to attached a WDH without some serious re-enforcement of the A frame.
 
Now what might be an option is to remove the propane cylinders and battery and place the tool box in front of the deck. Looking at my photographs I think there might be enough space between the front rail and the tongue jack and you should be able to open the tool box with the bunk end extended. The three new questions are:
1. What impact would that have to the tongue weight?
2. Would the toolbox hit the TV if you jack knifed the trailer?
3. Can you still turn the tongue jack handle?

Hi Again
 
 
 
Well, i did the math and the impact is around 40 lbs in tongue weight depending on the load in the tool box. by adding the lenght to the "A" frame, i'd gain the clearence so the truck would clear and not contact the box. The warranty issue is the only thing I

[He Ruide]

Ray,
     No problem thinking out loud except you have the whole forum listening to you

I didn't know there was a problem with the H2 and the clearance of the tire.  Before I added the Blue Ox WDH I sometimes had problems with the tongue jack, but that is now history plus I now use a drill to raise and lower the jack anyway.  Now since you are an auto engineer, I'm assuming you did the assessment and there isn't a problem with the 1/3 reduction in hitch capacity with the 7 inch extension.

I like the option of putting the tool box on a slider... just don't slide it out too far and tip the trailer :yikes:  

In my case I take out all the stuff I need (BAL leveler, ladder, axe, tool bag, hoses, extension cords etc.) from the tool box before pulling out the bunk end... and they go back in last.

I'll confess I'm somewhat concerned with extending the length of the trailer since if you ever wanted to sell the E3 a mod like this might raise some issues with potential buyers.

[grcooperjr]

Ray,
 
I didn't know there was a problem with the H2 and the clearance of the tire. Before I added the Blue Ox WDH I sometimes had problems with the tongue jack, but that is now history plus I now use a drill to raise and lower the jack anyway. Now since you are an auto engineer, I'm assuming you did the assessment and there isn't a problem with the 1/3 reduction in hitch capacity with the 7 inch extension

Yeap. If you have a H2 with the rear tire carrier and Adventure package, the 07 E3 tongue jack will hit the tire when turning. Only 2" clearance between the tongue jack & the tire. The 7" extension is needed to get the minimum needed clearance. (barley) As for the crank on the jack, I converted mine to a 3500 lbs electric jack
 
The H3 has no issues other than it can turn sharper than the trailer putting the bumper into the "A" frame of the tongue. 7" extension fixes that.(been there before)
 
 
 
ON the weight reduction

[He Ruide]

Yes I do have the H2 with a tire carrier - but I could not add a hard cover to the tire.  I remember in the past if I was trying to hitch up with the H2 at an angle, I could not turn the jack handle 360 degrees.  I also had to raise the jack all the way up so the handle would be turned towards the PUP while I was towing.  However, as I said before that is all history since the Blue Ox WDH gave me several inches.

Take care.

[Peter_MA]

I've got an 2006 E2 (no Hummer) and I'm curious how you guys mounted the tool box?

[grcooperjr]

I've got an 2006 E2 (no Hummer) and I'm curious how you guys mounted the tool box?

Hi There
 
I just bolted mine to the deck

[He Ruide]

Did the same.  I use six  bolts and placed sealant into the bolt holes as well two beads along the edge of the box.  Three things to watch out for:  
1. Make sure bolts are spaced away from the frame
2. As you are drilling the holes watch out for the gas and electic lines under the deck
3. Thightening the bolts it is a two person job

Hope this helps

[Peter_MA]

Thanks for the response..

That seemed like the logical answer but I was curious/cautious abut penetrating the decking material.

[He Ruide]

I don't think there is a problem... and I just followed the advice of my dealer.  In fact I sold an E2 back to him and all he did was put six bolts into the holes.  If you look at my pics and mods you see I bolted a lot of other items including an EU 3000 Honda generator, bike mounts and gas cans holders.

[jeepmaniowa]

I recently built two sliding drawers under the dinette bench seats.
No more lifting up the seats to access stuff.

I still use small totes for packing the items you only get out once during the trip.  Now with the 22inch drawers it is easier to access pots/pans/coffee pot and store when not in use.

I also added a 12volt receptacle under the front deck.
It comes in handy for powering a 12volt refrigerator.

[grcooperjr]

I recently built two sliding drawers under the dinette bench seats.
No more lifting up the seats to access stuff.
 
I still use small totes for packing the items you only get out once during the trip. Now with the 22inch drawers it is easier to access pots/pans/coffee pot and store when not in use.
 
I also added a 12volt receptacle under the front deck.
It comes in handy for powering a 12volt refrigerator.

Well...... That sounds cool... Got any pictures to share?

[jeepmaniowa]

Well...... That sounds cool... Got any pictures to share?

I'll take some tonight.  Just got back from our last camping trip for the season (according to the DW).  My DW did like that addition.  

Later,

Bob