Tent Trailers: Pop-up Camping

Top 85. Jun 7, 1999 8:33 AM

» LearningQuest - Aerostar light/wiring

Sherri,

We too have an Aerostar...a mechanic told me that they are notorious for having problems with their signal/marker lights.

Somewhere else I heard that some campers are set up so that they are on a 'chain'...if one light is out or shorted, the whole series won't work right. Have you tried checking each connection and bulb?

That's the extent of my help sorry I couldn't offer more ideas, good luck.

-- posted by LearningQuest

Top 86. Jun 7, 1999 11:52 AM

» dar - Bought a Rockwood

After reading all the comments about pop-ups, I sold my 1987 hard side Palomino for $2500 and the next day I bought a 10ft 1990 Rockwood pop-up trailer with a screened room and 6 pc. bike rack for $2500. I brought my list of things that I should get and what I shouldn't get from the comments that everyone has posted. It is in excellent condition. The canvas and the inside of the trailer is like brand new. It sleeps 6, has cabinet space, sink, heater and an icebox, the kind that looks like a cooler, not the stand up kind. The set-up is so easy, my 9yr. old and I set it up ourselves. It does however have a seamed roof and the door is a 2 piece which I know some of the comments said to stay away from that. I bought it from a private party and the guy seemed very honest, he showed me everything and how to do it and then had me set up everything to make sure I knew how to do it. When I was leaving, the left blinker did not work on the trailer, so he also tested and rewired the wires to make sure it all worked before I left.

When I brought it home, my daughter and I were so anxious to set it up, but there was one problem. There are 4 stabilizer jacks that swing out from the bottom, the 2 in the back couldn't swing down because they hit the ground. My ex had to use the jack to raise the trailer up a little so we could fully extend them. Does anyone have a clue why the front ones came down, but not the back ones? The ground was flat. Other than that, I can honestly say I made a good choice and feel good about my purchase that I made (all by myself), but I would not have made this purchase if I didn't read all the comments everyone has posted (like twice). I thank you all very much! My first camping trip is June 23rd.

-- posted by dar

Top 87. Jun 7, 1999 11:56 AM

» dar - Bought a Rockwood

When I brought it home, my daughter and I were so anxious to set it up, but there was one problem. There are 4 stabilizer jacks that swing out from the bottom, the 2 in the back couldn't swing down because they hit the ground. My ex had to use the jack to raise the trailer up a little so we could fully extend them. Does anyone have a clue why the front ones came down, but not the back ones? The ground was flat. Other than that, I feel that I got a good deal (so please don't tell me I was ripped off) and feel good about my purchase that I made (all by myself), but I would not have made this purchase if I didn't read all the comments everyone has posted (like twice). I thank you all very much! My first camping trip is June 23rd.

-- posted by dar

Top 88. Jun 15, 1999 12:28 PM

» Coleman_Or_Other - First outing with the Coleman Utah

We're just back from our first week-end out with the Utah ... and in a single word ... it was "Wonderful".

About the only thing we didn't get with this trailer when we bought it was roof racks.

Are there any "do's" and "don'ts" that we should know before looking to add racks/rails for several bikes, and maybe a canoe?

-- posted by Coleman_Or_Other

Top 89. Jun 15, 1999 3:20 PM

» Gaia - roof racks

We used the foam holders for our canoe and later on we plan on getting the bike rack that coleman puts out, that way it won't do any damage to the top.If you stick with their products and anything happens then they can't say you used the wrong product if something happens.

-- posted by Gaia

Top 90. Jun 15, 1999 10:18 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Pop-up heaven!

All your great comments, camping trips and such make me want to go out and buy another tent trailer! They are a lot of fun. As for the roof racks, I agree that sticking with the same brand (if possible) is a good idea. If you need to drill any holes for mounting, just be sure they are sealed well and that you don't drill through any of the wiring.

I can't imagine why the rear stabllizers won't deploy. You may want to buy a couple of portable jacks at your local RV store and forget about the ones that are attached.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 91. Jun 16, 1999 5:53 PM

» pamschwindt - jacks

try letting the tongue down in front and then put the rear jacks down and then put the front up a bit and put down the front jacks. Sometimes it is a little tricky, but you will get the hang of it. When I take mine down I lift up the front with the tongue and put up the front jacks and then I roll [let it down] and put up the back jacks. We have a new [to us] 1996 Coleman Sun Valley and we love it!!!!

-- posted by pamschwindt

Top 92. Jun 17, 1999 11:01 AM

» Tom_Stephens - Smart thinking Pam!

Now your talking! Glad some of us have a few smarts. One tip from me, the wife (also Pam) says we had a button on the levelers that retracted the arm. You might check that out.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 93. Jun 17, 1999 10:14 PM

» BillandGinny - Spare wheel

Some time back we were buying our second Coleman. It didn't have a spare wheel with it. We insisted on a spare. The salesman told us that a spare was not necessary, but we told him we would not buy unless the camper had a spare.
We hooked up and started out for Virginia Beach. Late one evning after dark we were trying to find our motel when suddenly we heard this awful noise. It took us a few seconds to realize that the camper had gotten a right flat tire. We pulled over on the shoulder and I PUT ON THE SPARE. Next morning we took off again and not long down the road we heard that very same noise again. This time we pulled off right away. The first tire and rim had been totally ruined. So i get out and ponder the situation. (WE DIDN'T HAVE ANOTHER SPARE.) So I put the beat up rim back on and we drove on the shoulder until we got off the exit and came to a small truck stop. No they didn't have a tire, but they did direct up down the country road to an automotive garage that might. We unhitched and drive over to the garage and, we feel that God was with us, the man had ONE tire. He mounted it on the good rim and didn't even try to gouge us. We came back to the camper and mounted the new tire and continued on to Virginia Beach. Before our return trip we went to an RV STORE AND BOUGHT A NEW SPARE. And one other thing that is an absolute must. Our lug wrench that came with our vehichle did not fit the lugs on the camper wheel. We bought one of those 4-way universal wrenches. Not only does it have four different sizes but you can get better leverage when recoving and putting on the wheel lugs.
Bill and Ginny

-- posted by BillandGinny