Camping Camper » Camping Trailer » New Coleman pop-up owner – advice needed, please
New Coleman pop-up owner – advice needed, please
Question:
> You are a Rockwood dealer? We have been looking at Rockwoods. I can’t
remember the name off hand, but it was the top of the line one with the toidy and shower. We are looking for competative prices. We are willing to drive a bit if the price difference makes it worthwhile. Can you give us a price on a trailer? Maureen Gudio
Response:
Congratulations on your new Coleman Key West… excellent trailer! As far as installing a brake controller in your van, it probably isn’t a bad idea… remember, it’s just your van’s brakes doing all the work and you never know when you may want to travel into the mountains. I would also recommend having a certified technician install the controller, sometimes there are computer circuts which need to be accessed and one wrong crossed wire and you may end spending more to correct an oversite on your part… my mechanical ability on 1 to 10 is 4. Again, if your van is an automatic, I would recommend a transmission cooler… better safe than sorry. You can get a Yakima rack system for your Coleman from your local Coleman Folding Trailer dealer. Good luck and happy camping!
Response:
(Sorry if this is a duplicate – I think the first got ate.) Hi, all! Well, we finally took the plunge and bought a pop-up. The tent was fine for 2 adults, but 3 small kids later, it just doesn’t cut it anymore. We just purchased a Coleman Key West, after doing a lot of looking around. It was a little more than the others, but after seeing some of the junk that was being sold, I firmly believe that you get what you pay for in campers. I feel confident that the Coleman will last our family for years. Since I don’t have any experience pulling a trailer, I’m looking for hints/advice on the current setup: 1989 Dodge 250 Van (full size) with a new 318 V-8 engine (no other mechanical upgrades) Class 3 hitch, receiver, 2" ball. Coleman Key West popup – 7′3" x 19′ x 55" closed, 2129 GVW, 182 hitch weight. (I’m still surprised how big this thing is, even closed 
The Key West comes standard with electric brakes. Considering the above, should I go ahead and install a brake controller on the van? Most of our camping will be done in the south, with an occasional (bi-annually?) mountain trip to the Carolinas. I’ve heard that electric brakes can help fight swaying from crosswind/trucks (which you get a lot of in a full size van, anyway). Any recommendations on type of controller? And is this something I can install myself? (Handyness rating 1-10=7.5 What about a transmission cooler? Anybody had any experience hauling bikes on top of a popup? Any other Coleman (or other) popup owners out there with any other good advice? Thanks for any info! – Lloyd "Managing programmers is like herding cats." — Lloyd Robbins "Managing programmers is like herding cats."
Response:
>(Sorry if this is a duplicate – I think the first got ate.) > Hi, all! Well, we finally took the plunge and bought a pop-up. The tent > was fine for 2 adults, but 3 small kids later, it just doesn’t cut it > anymore. We just purchased a Coleman Key West, after doing a lot of looking > around. It was a little more than the others, but after seeing some of the > junk that was being sold, I firmly believe that you get what you pay > for in campers. I feel confident that the Coleman will last our family for > years.
I’d read the POP FAQ (posted a couple of days ago), if you need more help I would ask the editor (Wes) — RV and Camping FAQ <http://kendaco.telebyte.net/rlindber/rv/ They call it "Surf’n the Net" ’cause you can wipe out so easy
Response:
> Hi, all! Well, we finally took the plunge and bought a pop-up. The tent > was fine for 2 adults, but 3 small kids later, it just doesn’t cut it > anymore. We just purchased a Coleman Key West, after doing a lot of lookin >g > around. It was a little more than the others, but after seeing some of the > junk that was being sold, I firmly believe that you get what you pay > for in campers. I feel confident that the Coleman will last our family for > years.
Shoot, shoulda got a Rockwood. I’m a rockwood dealer… BTW, did you look at the higher end Rockwoods? I’m looking for feedback from people who have. They also make a fiberglass unit. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Since I don’t have any experience pulling a trailer, I’m looking for > hints/advice on the current setup: > 1989 Dodge 250 Van (full size) with a new 318 V-8 engine (no other > mechanical upgrades) > Class 3 hitch, receiver, 2" ball. > Coleman Key West popup – 7′3" x 19′ x 55" closed, 2129 GVW, 182 hitch wei >ght. > (I’m still surprised how big this thing is, even closed > The Key West comes standard with electric brakes. Considering the above, > should I go ahead and install a brake controller on the van? Most of our > camping will be done in the south, with an occasional (bi-annually?) mount >ain > trip to the Carolinas. I’ve heard that electric brakes can help fight > swaying from crosswind/trucks (which you get a lot of in a full size van, > anyway). Any recommendations on type of controller? And is this something > I can install myself? (Handyness rating 1-10=7.5
Your in good shape for pulling it. I’d say go for the brakes. Pretty much all the trailers that come with them, really should have them in use. And if you gotta stop in a hurry, the trailer won’t push you around. > What about a transmission cooler?
Probably not necessary, but it doesn’t hurt. Especially for long trips. If you got the extra cash, I’d go for it. > Anybody had any experience hauling bikes on top of a popup?
Ya, on most popups it works like a champ. They make a couple different kinds… but they’re all basically the same. They just mount on the roof, and the bikes fit on em and bolt or strap down.
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> : What about a transmission cooler? > That wouldn’t hurt. I’m not a Chrysler person so I don’t know how > rugged your particular transmission is. You would probably be okay > as-is, but it only takes one transmission failure to really ruin > an otherwise nice outing. > : Anybody had any experience hauling bikes on top of a popup? > I see ‘em all the time. We don’t because I throw them in the back > of the pickup for us, but if you use a correctly supported bike rack > for the trailer, there isn’t a problem. I think the Coleman rack is > a particular version of the Yakima line. > : Any other Coleman (or other) popup owners out there with any other good > : advice? > See the Folding Trailer FAQ, rec.outdoors.rv-travel newsgroup (already > posted for this month). If you need a copy, let me know. > Wes Fujii KC7MFT | Weekend Camper > Boise, Idaho | "Wishing for more weekends in the year"
Please send me a copy of the FAQ on folding trailers….. also, I have a 95 Jayco 1207, and I pull it with a 93 chevy extended cab pickup, I used to pull it with my Mercury Villager, I just had a tranny cooler installed on my truck 2 weeks ago, ya find the right shop, and it won’t cost much, mine installed with a fluid change was $150.00. also, I carry 4 bikes on the roof of my Jayco, I bought a generic bike rack from a local rv dealed, and it still cost a small fortune, several hundred dollars, but I also found out why not to cheat and try and just strap them down, I dented my roof… bummer! I priced a brand named one, and it was in the 300.00 range. I too would love to hear from other pop-up owners of any tricks or ??? Dave — | David R. Goetzel | Quad/Graphics Inc. |"Off the hub, through | |Manager – Data Comm.|Sussex, WI 53089 – USA | T1… Nothing but NET!| |Voice (414)246-2136 |Printers of fine quality|Comments expressed are | | Fax (414)246-5454 |Magazines, Catalogs and |mine, and don’t reflect|
Response:
: I feel confident that the Coleman will last our family for years. You won’t be disappointed : 1989 Dodge 250 Van (full size) with a new 318 V-8 engine (no other : mechanical upgrades) : : Class 3 hitch, receiver, 2" ball. : : Coleman Key West popup – 7′3" x 19′ x 55" closed, 2129 GVW, 182 hitch weight. : The Key West comes standard with electric brakes. Considering the above, : should I go ahead and install a brake controller on the van? Under normal circumstances, you probably don’t really NEED the brakes, but under emergency circumstances, you would probably need them. You didn’t say where you lived, but at least in the Carolina’s, you will need brakes to satisfy the State towing regulations, anyway. Might as well put ‘em in. Cheap insurance after spending big bucks on the trailer. : type of controller? And is this something I can install myself? Definitely something that you can put in yourself. There is really nothing to them, especially the totally electronic ones. Just make sure you use heavy enough wire (12 GA or better for controller power, brake feed and ground). : What about a transmission cooler? That wouldn’t hurt. I’m not a Chrysler person so I don’t know how rugged your particular transmission is. You would probably be okay as-is, but it only takes one transmission failure to really ruin an otherwise nice outing. : Anybody had any experience hauling bikes on top of a popup? I see ‘em all the time. We don’t because I throw them in the back of the pickup for us, but if you use a correctly supported bike rack for the trailer, there isn’t a problem. I think the Coleman rack is a particular version of the Yakima line. : Any other Coleman (or other) popup owners out there with any other good : advice? See the Folding Trailer FAQ, rec.outdoors.rv-travel newsgroup (already posted for this month). If you need a copy, let me know. Wes Fujii KC7MFT | Weekend Camper Boise, Idaho | "Wishing for more weekends in the year"
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > (Sorry if this is a duplicate – I think the first got ate.) > Hi, all! Well, we finally took the plunge and bought a pop-up. The tent > was fine for 2 adults, but 3 small kids later, it just doesn’t cut it > anymore. We just purchased a Coleman Key West, after doing a lot of looking > around. It was a little more than the others, but after seeing some of the > junk that was being sold, I firmly believe that you get what you pay > for in campers. I feel confident that the Coleman will last our family for > years. > Since I don’t have any experience pulling a trailer, I’m looking for > hints/advice on the current setup: > 1989 Dodge 250 Van (full size) with a new 318 V-8 engine (no other > mechanical upgrades) > Class 3 hitch, receiver, 2" ball. > Coleman Key West popup – 7′3" x 19′ x 55" closed, 2129 GVW, 182 hitch weight. > (I’m still surprised how big this thing is, even closed > The Key West comes standard with electric brakes. Considering the above, > should I go ahead and install a brake controller on the van? Most of our > camping will be done in the south, with an occasional (bi-annually?) mountain > trip to the Carolinas. I’ve heard that electric brakes can help fight > swaying from crosswind/trucks (which you get a lot of in a full size van, > anyway). Any recommendations on type of controller? And is this something > I can install myself? (Handyness rating 1-10=7.5 > What about a transmission cooler? > Anybody had any experience hauling bikes on top of a popup? > Any other Coleman (or other) popup owners out there with any other good > advice? > =====
Hi, Lloyd… We’ve had a Coleman tent trailer since way back when they were still Colemans! As far as breaks are concerned, first check your state’s rules; you may have a legal need for them. Even if you don’t, they can be a real lifesaver in an emergency. Just think of that trailer as more than a ton added to the weight of your van, trying to stop in a real hurry! The brakes won’t do anything for swaying, but the trailer shouldn’t do much of that, anyway, because it’s so low. As far as type of controller is concerned, do *not* try to save money, here. Get the best you can. If your van’s brakes will allow you to tap into the hydraulics, that’s usually a more positively controlled system than the inertial/all electric. If you have anti-lock brakes, then usually you have to use the inertial controller. A tranny cooler shouldn’t be needed unless you plan on a bunch of hill driving. On the other hand, they hardly ever hurt, and can be a very good investment. A piece of advice that could be worth a *lot* more than you paid for it: WEIGH THAT TRAILER! Weigh it empty, and weigh it loaded for traveling. Make sure that tongue weight is in the proper range, and make double sure the trailer isn’t overloaded, -> ESPECIALLY IF YOU DECIDE TO FOREGO THE BRAKES!!<- Also, be sure to carry a lug wrench that will fit the trailer tires. Chances are the one that came with your van won’t fit. ALso make sure you can jack the trailer up somehow to change a flat; this may mean buying a new (used?) scissors jack. Carry a hose especially for water hookups; shorten one so that you don’t carry 25′ of hose, when about 8′ will do just fine for most uses. Get an extension cord, a *GOOD* one, 12 guage, three wire. Don’t settle for a 14 or (gasp!) a 16 guage cord! It will cost a few $ more, but will last forever, and will carry the current. This is not something to scrimp on. Later, if you use any campgrounds, you will find a need for at least one power plug converter. Keep this in mind when you find that some (older) campgrounds will have 35 or 50 amp power sockets, and you don’t have a plug to fit. Most campgrounds will sell these, bit the local hardware store will sell you the same thing, for half the cost. Try a local camping trip, as a "shakedown". You will probably find that little things will make future trips much nicer. Things like pieces of plywood to put under the corner jacks, to keep them from digging into the ground; something to put under the door that serves as a step, to take some of the stress off the straps; an alarm clock that runs off batteries. I’m sure you will find more, that will make your trips more pleasant. Gee, is that enough?? Go have fun!! — ASCIi User Group – http://www.starlink.com:80/~ascii User groups: More info than you can shake a CD at! Try one near you!