Tent Trailers: Pop-up Camping

Top 888. Sep 19, 2000 9:26 AM

» Cabrales - Battery power

Okay, based on past responses I gather that a pop-up battery would run down very quickly if I tried to use a 120v ceramic heater. It won't run the AC either. So is there a reason to have a battery? If all I need it for is to run the little lights inside the trailer, wouldn't I be better off just installing some of those stick on battery operated lights they sell at WalMart?

-- posted by Cabrales

Top 889. Sep 19, 2000 7:40 PM

» morgoth - The need for a battery on board?

If you ever get the propane heater installed, you'll need that battery to run the fan on the heater. It's nice to have if it's a chilly night (we had a few too many up here in Canada already this summer). It's nice as well to have a stationary light to switch on right away when entering the camper in the dark. Having only the lights and the furnace fan and maybe the radio to run, we don't bother with the 120V hook up (costs 5 bucks extra a night in a Provincial park which adds up if you camp more than a month) so we use the overhead lights for a brief time in the evening when we first come into the trailer after camp fire. Using them somewhat sparingly (no more than say half an hour at night, one at a time) and charging the battery in between trips, we never had a problem with battery failure. We'd usually camp 11-14 days at a time. This was our first experience camping in a trailer this summer and this system worked pretty good for us. Those little battery operated camp lamps are good to compliment the on board battery run lights as well if you don't run with electricity.
Pop ups are sooooooooooo much better than tenting. It made our camping experience with 2 children a billion times better!
Great site...I've been reading since last spring.

-- posted by morgoth

Top 890. Sep 19, 2000 10:03 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Batteries

Folks, I wouldn't pull out of my driveway without my two 6V Deep Cell batteries! You need a battery for your water pump, furnace blower, radio, 12 volt TV, the wife's hair dryer, lights, and much more. We have two large solar panels on the roof that keeps my batteries charged while we are camping plus they recharge while we drive. We can dry camp for a very long time with this setup, and enjoy the comforts of home!

Yours,

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 891. Sep 20, 2000 9:52 PM

» Everettfolks - Coleman sagging roof

My wife just attended an RV show where the Coleman dealer said that the sagging roof problem was fixed by putting an extra bracket in the roof in 1996 and newer. If you are the original owner of an older model you might see if the dealer will put in the extra bracket at no cost to you.

-- posted by Everettfolks

Top 892. Sep 21, 2000 11:31 AM

» attitude - coleman roof

I just had a new roof put on my 2000 Coleman Utah. They may say that the problem is fixed but I'm not so sure. It is much better though. I have seen some older models that looked like canoes going down the road. You couldn't really see the bow in my roof but the seal bowed out from the sides of the unit and didn't seal well in the front or back. I still don't think I would trade it for a different brand though.

-- posted by attitude

Top 893. Sep 22, 2000 3:34 PM

» satcom - Propane fridge on while traveling

I am new to this forum for pop up owners. I have been looking at some of the older postings. I cannot believe there are people out there who actually operate their 3 way fridges on propane while traveling down the road. Read your owners manual. It probably says NOT to do this as it is a safety hazard. How do you fuel up your tow vehicle at a gas station. Read the signs there that say to extinguish all open flames et cetera before fueling. Even though the flame for you 3 way is behind the door and inside the little plenum of the unit, it is still considered an "OPEN FLAME". On your 3 way, that is what the 12 volt/battery position is for on these units. Most pop-up trailers that have an on-board battery have capability to be charged from the tow vehicle when it is connected for lights and brakes to the tow vehicle. I would strongly caution anyone from using their 3 way while underway. By the way, some states check trailers for using the flame while under way, don't get caught.

Camp Happy, but be safe.

-- posted by satcom

Top 894. Sep 23, 2000 11:57 AM

» Tom_Stephens - Traveling with frig. on

Yep, you are absolutely right. It is not a good idea to tow your trailer with the propane on and your refrigerator lit! However, we do it anyway and have done so for a number of years. Sure does keep our food and beverages cold!

Yours,

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 895. Sep 23, 2000 5:14 PM

» newbie - 1998 Bayside

Hey Campgirl, don't know if you got the Bayside, but here's another reference point. I just looked at a used 2000 with a/c, decor pkg, dlx add-a-room for $9,000. It was nice, but we have 5 kids and decided to look at the 2001 Utah's with an extra sleeping position.

-- posted by newbie

Top 896. Sep 25, 2000 6:50 AM

» morgoth - Electric brake failure!!

Well, after having read everything and anything on this forum, I really felt the need to address something that may concern anyone looking in the used market. This spring we purchased a used Rockwood pop up...our first pop up. After being assured by the dealer that they had thoroughly inspected the unit and having them install the harness, hitch and electric brake controller, away we went. We found out after having to replace the front rotors on our brakes midway through the summer that the brakes on the 2,000lb trailer were not working! I shudder to think what could've happened if those same brakes completely failed rather than just warping. The lesson I wish to share is do not assume that because you've purchased from a dealer, used or otherwise that they're going to have your best interest (or safety!!!) in mind. YOU need to check things out yourself. I'm not exactly sure where you can go to have things rechecked but I think it's a really good idea at this point. Any suggestions from any other posters?

-- posted by morgoth