Converting a pop-up tent trailer for off-road use

[shahram]

As I weigh my options for getting the trailer to fit all needs, I am left with a set of compromises.

--I have a price ceiling of about $5,500.
--I have a wife, infant son, and dog who I want to take camping with me.
--I have one parking space for one trailer.
--Must be able to hold together in dirt.
--Must have amenities (galley, two comfy beds, porta-potty, heater, hot water) to make the wife and baby comfortable.
--I'd like a few amenities myself, ie adequate storage for my fuel, water and generator, awning, etc.

After reviewing my options and the needs of my family, I have decided that a "pop-up" trailer, with either hard sides or canvas, is in the works for me. The worst terrain this trailer would see are the rutty dirt roads of Baja California, Death Valley or the Mojave desert, plus a lot of time at state parks and the beach. Basically just weekend use, and couple week-long trips per year.

An "expedition trailer", a la Adventure Trailer or M101 equivalent, is a little too spartan for my family's needs, and I don't intend to hardcore 'wheel with it anyway. The off-road pop-ups like Fleetwood Evolution, Starcraft RT Series, and Jayco Baja are well beyond my price range new, and rare on the used market.

There are quite a few pop-up trailers in great condition on the used market, some just a few years old, barely used, and well within my price range. In your opinions, what is the viability of converting these trailers for mild off-road use? What type of mods should be done--frame gussets, SOA, larger axles and springs, larger wheels and tires, shock absorption? What problem or danger areas shoud I be aware of? What are your experiences with this type of conversion?

Thanks in advance for any and all opinions and info on this matter.

[shahram]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a used 2003 Viking Saga 2206ST. Found one in absolutely immaculate condition nearby. It has a galley, lots of storage, king/queen beds and dinette bed, hot water, furnace, and a/c.

A quick glance underneath the trailer shows that I have my work cut out for me. Although it's got a good amount of clearance already, with a 3,500lb. axle and 14" tires, it will be helped immensely by an SOA conversion. Shock mounts should be a snap to weld, and shock absorbers should make a big difference in handling.

Wires are for the most part unloomed, just hanging willy-nilly all over the place. They will need to be gathered, loomed and tied.

The frame is sturdy, but the sub-floor is made, of all things, with particle-board. I've heard there are legitimate reasons for this, but it's friggin' particle board, how sturdy could it be?

As I said before, this trailer won't see a lot of hardcore 'wheeling. My hope is, with a little basic modification and attention to bolstering durability, I'll have a rough-road capable camper for my family that will be able to reach beyond the campground.

I'll post progress.

[adventureduo]

Congrats! Pics please!

[Skillet]

Sounds like an interesting conversion. I agree with PP, pics are a must.

[chet]

my tent trailer is particle board as well! Our is lifted on 235/75/15 tires. BIG lift blocks to get it up that high! Still has the stupid slipper springs though.

I am going to use that bedliner stuff to coat the bottom of the particle boards or some undercoating. we get too much rain up here to leave it raw. May also glue some blue rigid insulation up there to help with the cold floor. Last fall it was unbearable to step on barefooted!

Our trailer is an older Coleman Colorado with one bunk and no kitchen etc. I prefer to do all cooking outside. We are a one kid one dog family as well.

[Rezarf <><]

Lets see some pics!

Rezarf <><

[shahram]

So here's the old girl. Maiden voyage this last weekend was easy; a trip up to Carpinteria, a crowded suburban beach camp with hookups. Met my family, so my dad and brother could help out with setting up and testing equipment.

Few hitches at first: couple of plumbing leaks (minor), and one of the conduit bed supports crapped out, requiring the crafty use of a picnic table, my Cruiser's jack and some scrap lumber. Those supports definitely need to be re-fabbed in steel. Fridge never got cold. Sink drains super slowly, as there's tons of kinks in the hoses. There's no water heater, so one of those Coleman On Demand water heaters is in order. But the furnace, A/C, water pump, and cranks all worked fine. The porta-potty was great, as I didn't have to wake up to accompany my wife to pee.

I've definitely got a ton of work to do in order to get this thing up to speed, even for on-road adventures. I'll need to take it camping a few more times in civilization and conduct all necessary preventative measures and repairs before I even think of taking it on even the mildest dirt roads. I can't emphasize enough how crappily these things are put together, but for what I spent on it, I can't complain. My brother spent $20k on his toy-hauler, and was fixing leaks and separated body panels all weekend; his best friend has a $35k fifth-wheel and the bumper fell off on the road, not to mention numerous electrical shorts and popped fuses.

I spoke with another guy who had a Fleetwood pop-up. I pointed out the numerous issues I was having, and he pointed to a 4x4 Sportmobile van and said "That guy's rear tire carrier fell off at Pismo, and his solar system hasn't worked in a week. He spent $80,000. My Fleetwood has a problem every time we go out--I carry a bunch of tools and spares, liquid nails, duct tape, written instructions detailing things I've re-worked or fixed, and lots of patience. RV maintenance requires zen thinking." He added that before a trip, I should print a list of all the nearest RV supply houses in the area of my destination. "You'll get to know those people by name."

Bottom line is I still had a great time. And it sure was nice when things got chilly to crank up that furnace and not worry about the baby being too cold. Changing clothes standing upright, plenty of privacy, and some damned comfy beds. I think I could get used to it...once I work out the inner turmoil.

Oh God...what have I gotten myself into?
http://i124.photobucket.com/albums/p35/shahram359/IMG_0661.jpg

[jgolden]

Sounds like a fun project:Wow1: , keep posting pics and info

[Funrover]

I am curious how you have come along.. I am currently building my pop up to go off road on hard trails!

[BBsound]

How about an update????
:truck:

[Dave]

I'd be interested in hearing any updates as well. I'm about to start my own project like this. :peepwall:

[Funrover]

I'd be interested in hearing any updates as well. I'm about to start my own project like this. :peepwall:


LOL They there are a few of us doing this..LOL

[Curtis in Texas]

I had a Jayco 1207 that I used for 8 years and got my money out of it with interest. I pulled it behind my 4X4 Rodeo everywhere. Many back road camping places where you'd never even see another camper.
I love that thing. Even though the roof leaked it in the corners when stored, it never gave me any other problems. The A/C would freeze you out! It was great to sleep in with the GF and guests. I loved being able to wheel, Mountain bike, kayack or rock climb all day and then come in and take a hot shower before cooking up dinner. Having a private personal bathroom was a big plus too!
I buiilt a rack on top to carry my mountain bikes and kayacks.
Changed out the tires for some taller ones and reset the torsion axle for more clearance. Added a few bottom deflectors to keep rocks from tearing up the under plumbing. But, that was about all.
I did drive a tree branch through the side once in a backing accident. (GF's fault) but the thing served me well for all those years.
If I had to do it over, I wouldn't have sold it. Maybe would have considered remaking the side walls out of steel square tubing instead of wood.
But, the Pop Up tent trailer makes a great base platform for some light wheeling/ camping.
All my friends who would be camping with us were always jealous of us setting around the campfire eating hot meals, sleeping in warm soft beds, all clean and sipping on chilled wine. They were roughing it in tents, sleeping on 1" matteresses and cold hot dogs.

Enjoy the time out with the Family and don't worry about how much money you didn't spend. Heck, take a portable TV with a DVD player and live like a king.
It only cost a little more to go first class, you just can't stay as long. :)

You'll find it's weak spots the more you use it and can improve it as you go.

Curtis

[Maximus Ram]

Congrats on the PoP Up......we picked up a hard side 1991 Rockwood just before the end of season last year. I found alot of useful info over n RV.net. Their forum has a section just for Tent Trailers. And I believe that the frige takes about 24 hrs to get anywhere near cold onthese Tent Trailer things.....when you start it up, things being cold already really helps in the process.
:safari-rig:

[oldcj5guy]

I have always told customers to throw a cold six pack or a milk jug full of ice in their RV fridge a day or so before they head out and to fire it up on 110v or 12v with the shore cord plugged in. If you throw a room temp six pack in there it will take forever to get cold.

[ntsqd]

I've started plugging my ARB fridge into shore power & set it to max. So far my best was a couple hours before leaving, but as it gets to be part of the routine I expect that time to increase. Even at only a couple hours it made a notable difference.

[shahram]

Well, plans for this project have definitely fallen through, for now at least. We've spent a lot of time in the trailer, and it has served its purpose well as a surf base camp in campgrounds. My wife and I have enjoyed it immensely, as we've spent almost a month, collectively in the last year. I've put a few bucks into it, but it's been reliable.

My needs are changing, though, and I've gotten more into stripping down the amount of gear I take on off-road trips. Fuel is getting too expensive to tow, and most of the time, it will be either me and friends, or me and my young son. I'm re-embracing the tent...and all the simplicity that comes with it.

As a campground base, the tent trailer is great, but my wife has been complaining that it gets a bit drafty in there, and my son gets cold easily. Setup and takedown times are about twenty minutes, and we can't easily stock the trailer before leaving, so we end up filling the truck with stuff and towing the trailer empty. We'd also like to be able to stop and eat lunch or take a break in the trailer, without having to lift the tent, and extend the beds. We'd also like a shower/toilet combo. We're currently looking at hard-sided trailers, with no canvas, or hybrid trailers with canvas beds.

As an "entry-level" trailer, the tent trailer was a great decision and investment. I didn't realize how much I'd get into camping at campgrounds, but being able to run an hour north to Carpinteria, and camp on the beach, within walking distance of some of my favorite restaurants and brewery, then be able to come "home" and sit back by the fire, listen to the waves, or watch DVDs with my kid...and all for about $50 a weekend, it's hard to pass up. And frankly, a little more insulation, sound-proofing, room, and storage sounds kinda tempting.

[LandCruiserPhil]

Congrats on the PoP Up......we picked up a hard side 1991 Rockwood just before the end of season last year. I found alot of useful info over n RV.net. Their forum has a section just for Tent Trailers. And I believe that the frige takes about 24 hrs to get anywhere near cold onthese Tent Trailer things.....when you start it up, things being cold already really helps in the process.
:safari-rig:

I have always told customers to throw a cold six pack or a milk jug full of ice in their RV fridge a day or so before they head out and to fire it up on 110v or 12v with the shore cord plugged in. If you throw a room temp six pack in there it will take forever to get cold.

Check out the frig mod on the pop up forum. I recently did the mod and on a recent test I got 40degree frig temp in 1 1/2 hours with 75 degree ambient. On our trip down to Mexico this past weekend I had to turn the temp down because everything froze. Something that never occurred before the mod.

2003 Jayco 10X - lifted, dual batteries, frig mod:D

[ntsqd]

shahram, maybe a tear drop trailer as a compromise between the set-up hassle and a tent? Am sympathetic to the fuel costs.

Phil, what's this fridge mod? Have you a link?

[LandCruiserPhil]

shahram, maybe a tear drop trailer as a compromise between the set-up hassle and a tent? Am sympathetic to the fuel costs.

Phil, what's this fridge mod? Have you a link?

Sorry no links to the mod but there is a lot of info on the mod at the popup forum (http://www.popupportal.com). The mod consist of baffles between the upper and lower compartments and the addition of PC fans to circulate fresh air directly over the coil. I went with two fans switched separately and was amazed how well it works.

[IllianaXJ]

As a campground base, the tent trailer is great, but my wife has been complaining that it gets a bit drafty in there, and my son gets cold easily. Setup and takedown times are about twenty minutes, and we can't easily stock the trailer before leaving, so we end up filling the truck with stuff and towing the trailer empty. We'd also like to be able to stop and eat lunch or take a break in the trailer, without having to lift the tent, and extend the beds. We'd also like a shower/toilet combo. We're currently looking at hard-sided trailers, with no canvas, or hybrid trailers with canvas beds.

As an "entry-level" trailer, the tent trailer was a great decision and investment. I didn't realize how much I'd get into camping at campgrounds, but being able to run an hour north to Carpinteria, and camp on the beach, within walking distance of some of my favorite restaurants and brewery, then be able to come "home" and sit back by the fire, listen to the waves, or watch DVDs with my kid...and all for about $50 a weekend, it's hard to pass up. And frankly, a little more insulation, sound-proofing, room, and storage sounds kinda tempting.

I agree with you. As much as I would love an AT or similar, our popup has served us well the last few years. Now that we're going to have 3 small children in the family, a popup (especially our tiny Coleman) isn't going to work out so well anymore. We're looking into trading our popup for a hardside or hybrid. I'm sure when the kids are grown we will revert back to a AT or Kamparoo, but for now we're campground people.

You're not the only one :D