RE: Preparing for Summer

[DC]

 
As some of you know I m looking at getting a Merc Mountaineer for a TV.
 
 In preperation for this, I am getting the camper ready for summer as I won t be using the pickup to tow.
 
 On the camper I have the rack that is mounted on the roof to carry a canoe.  The dealer put it on.  It s Coleman....two black rods mounted front and back, running the width of the camper.  I would like to get the mounts for bicycles as I won t be using the pickup to haul them.  I need to add another rod a little ways behind the front rack, don t I.  I also need the accesories for mounting the bikes, right?  Anyone know where I can get the best deal on these accessories.  I d let the dealer mount the" third"  rod.  Get the accessories myself.  Seemed pretty expensive at the dealer.
 
 Also, I presently have 1 propane tank and 1 battery.  Mounting a second propane tank isn t a problem.
 
 My battery(Group 24) presently sits in the middle of the frame with the long dimension running left to right (port-starboard).  Can I change that by re-welding angle iron such that I could mount two batteries(Group 27) that sit side-by-side with the long dimension running front to back?  If I get a friend to do the welding on the frame (welder by trade) will I jepordize any warranty?
 
 Thanks......summer is a comin!!!

[TheWallRocks]

 DC
Glad to see your post.  I have the same situation on our Bayside with the roof racks, and want to install bike racks.  When posing the question a few months back most suggested I have the dealer do the install.  Have you received a quote yet for the install?  I haven t, so I m curious.
 
 As for preparing for summer... the spare bedroom is already getting piled up with new camping supplies!  Just have to wait until the snow melts!!
 
 

[DC]

 DC
Nope, I don t have a quote yet for the 3rd rod to be installed.  I ll call tomorrow and post.  
 
 Your Right!!!  I just bought a deal that mounts onto a 20lb propane tank that you can mount a propane lantern on.  It has a side outlet for a hose to hook up to a.....Coleman Grillin Griddle(I got one for Dad s Day)!  Got the hose too.  Also bought a 6  aluminum table and two of those chairs that fold up into a bag for the kids.  Hope to buy a Carefree Supersport Add-a-Room also.....I hope, I hope, I hope!!
 
 Can t wait till it starts getting warmer so I can do my list of mods.  Alto it s only January in Montana....I m getting anxious!

[tlhdoc]

 DC
Check at EBay for the bike carriers.  The Yakama are made for the round rails that are on your trailer.  Some of the other brands will fit too.  Just read the description of the bike tray.[]
 
 2 years ago I paid $150 for a set of cross bars installed.  Now the dealer wants $169.[]

[Tim5055]

 DC
DC,
 
 Yakama accessories are available any placed.  I would suggest a [link=http://www.google.com]Google[/link] search to find sources.  I agree, it is probably best tolet the dealer install the bar.
 
 I don t see a problem with your friend installing the battery frame.  But, before you go to th trouble please weigh your pop up.  The Santa Fe is one of the few Coleman units that are delivered with a decent amount of weight on the tongue.  Two LP bottles and two Group 27 batteries may push you over the top on tongue weight.
 
 Here ae a couple of pages that might help you out
 
 
 [link=http://www.title-3.com/Hitch.htm]Towing and Hitch Information[/link]  Look near the bottom for information on weighing your pop up
 
 [link=http://www.title-3.com/Battery.htm]Adding a Battery[/link]
 
 You willnote that I only add a battery for [link=http://www.title-3.com/DryCamping.htm]Dry Camping[/link].  I look at it this way; During the summer I need two batteries because we are usually in the National Forest Dry Camping.  In the late fall/early spring (cold camping) we generally have two lp bottles for the furnace, but we are in a campground where we have power.  So I switch off LP bottle for battery up near teh box.
 
 Good luck

[Ab Diver]

 DC
DC-- If you haven t already, call Coleman FIRST before having a welder work on your trailer. Not saying for sure it will cause you a problem with your warranty, just saying check it out first. []
 
 If you have it welded on, be aware that the trailer s wiring runs through the frame. It wouldn t do to melt all the wires and then have to fish some new ones through. (big PITA)
 
 Ok, that said... Two group 24 batteries (in their boxes) will not fit on the trailer s tongue in front of the propane tank(s), without extending past the A-frame s perimeter. (at least they wouldn t on my Bayside) A pair of group 27 s will only be worse. There is a single battery box on the market, made to hold two 6 volt batteries (which are the same outside dimension as a group 24). I think West Marine has it in their catalog or web site. Kinda pricey, though.
 
 The problem with having 2 batteries extend past the A-frame is that they can interfere with the rotation of the tongue jack, and/or a sway bar. And if you weld this new battery platform onto the frame, it s pretty much a " permanent"  mod. I took a different approach when I mounted two 6V batteries on the tongue. I cut a couple pieces of scrap 1.5"  steel tubing (3/16"  thick) to ride on top of the frame from the edge of the trailer s box to the tongue plate. Bolted these down with three U-bolts for each side. Then made a battery tray out of aluminum angle stock to save weight. Drilled and tapped holes in the steel tubing to match holes in the tray, and screwed the tray to the tubing with 1/4"  stainless-steel machine screws, two at each corner. (the SS screws help prevent dissimilar metals from corroding each other. A *boat* guy could explain it better) I sized the tray so both batteries could be in a standard group 24 battery box, side by side, and fit snug. A regular battery hold down can then be placed over the batteries to keep them on the tray. When it s all said and done, the batteries, tray, and tubing ain t going nowhere-- a good, solid battery mount.
 
 Why go to all that trouble? Well, it lets you move the two batteries over just about an inch, so the tongue jack can still rotate into position. And the tubing lifts the tray up just enough so that you can install the sway bar without scraping your fingers, and the bar can have plenty of clearance when the tow rig and trailer move over humps and dips in the road and change their position relative to each other. Plus, if you ever want to go back to the original battery platform, all you have to do is unbolt this one and you re all set.
 
 So if the tongue weights all add up for you with two tanks and two batteries, this could work for you. Just another option for you to consider.
 
 Hope it helps.

[MtnCamper]

 DC
Check out my website, I added a second battery in front of the first one. I just bought  a piece of angle, cut it, painted it and pop riveted it on. Works great. If I ever want to take it off, just drill the rivets out. Minor damage to the frame, just four 1/8"  holes.