Where do you find popup sizes and weights? (small car)

[bruceg]

I've been working off and on since January getting a little 1965 Rambler American back on the road. Engine was seized, freed it up. New plugs, points, condensor, distributor cap, spark plug wires, battery, battery cable, couple lights, harmonic balancer, water pump, tires, bearing (just one), master cylinder, brake light switch, wheel cylinders, brake shoes, brake springs, adjusters, brake hoses, radiator hoses, thermostat, cleaned and sealed gas tank and filter, tires and shocks - and it ran! Well, until I took off the head to get it milled, hardened seats, new intake and exhaust valves - it should run again this weekend. Oh yeah, gotta put on a new exhaust manifold when I put the head back on. (fingers crossed)

So! .....  knowing all too well that the drum brakes are kinda small and under-sized (oh yeah, I had the rear drums turned and bought new front drums) - how do you figure what size pop-ups are a good size?

I'm thinking something no more than 1000 pounds (less is better). Light tongue weight. Maybe after-market electric brakes (believe me, the brakes on the Rambler are small). Light would be good as the car only has 125 gross horsepower with a 196 cubic inch OHV six and a tiny one barrel carb.

So - if I wanted to look for a mid-60's or newer popup in the less than 1000 pound range, where do I start? I don't need a lot of options, as I'd camp in state parks with facilities, and cook outside.

[jeezy]

Unless somebody else has another suggestion, these appear to be about the lightest out there.

http://www.livinlite.com/

[austinado16]

You may have to look at the entire picture, which includes how you'll mount a hitch to the rear frame, and how much tongue weight can you have swinging back there, based on tire sizes, springs/shocks, etc.

But if you go with something that has electric brakes, that would certainly allow you to go with a bigger camper.

You could probably tow anything with an 8' or 9' box without electric brakes...but I'm just guessing.

Have you thought about upgrading the front brakes to either larger drums/shoes or to disc brakes?  There's gotta be a forum of fellow Rambler owners online with all sorts of mods that can be done to make the cars more streetable in today's world.

You ought to find a tear drop of similar vintage.......that would be killer!

[Jim K in PA]

Welcome to PUT, Bruce!

I grew up with a Rambler American, but ours was pretty early.  It had the flat head 4 in it.  Not too fast, not too pretty, but reliable.  Post up some pics of the Rambler!

There is no single source that I know of the provides the specifications of all the current campers.  You will have to dig through the web site for each and compile the data.  As mentioned already, make sure you can properly mount a hitch to the rear frame rails.  I think the Rambler used a unibody chassis, so be sure to have one installed properly that won't stress the rails.

Go with a small box, like an 8 footer.  We just got one for my mom that weighs 1260 lbs, and only has 93 lbs on the tongue.  Even with that little weight, I would put electric brakes on it for towing with your Rambler.

Keep us posted on your search!