Lowrange2
Adventurer
I'm hesitant to post this here since this isn't exactly an extreme expedition build but perhaps one day it'll turn into one.
So, I just picked up a 1987 Starcraft Astrolite. I traded an old non-running ATV for this camper so I'm off to a good start. This isn't my first Pup but it will be the first one that I've really made any modifications to so this should be a learning experience. Hopefully, you guys can teach me something.
I love camping. My wife enjoys camping and I'm trying to keep the kids interested in it as well. I have 3 daughters (Pray for me), 12yo, 9yo and 5 months old. We're all small folks so we fit in this camper quite well.
I had a larger Pup but I've been wanting a smaller one primarily so my Jeep could pull it easier through the mountains. I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee that I'll be towing it with. We've always camped in state or private parks that have full power hook-ups and bath houses but I'd really like to be able to camp without those things. I'm hoping to modify this camper so that we maintain some of these amenities so I can keep the family happy. Ya know, "If she (all of them) ain't happy - You ain't happy."
I sold the old bigger Pup so I have some cash to spend on the new one.
Primary modifications on the list include:
Lift - I'll primarily be on paved highways and dirt roads but I needed the camper to have some ground clearance to sit level behind my Jeep and be able to drive through a deep pot hole if I needed it too.
Stabilize - It didn't come with any stabilizers so I ordered the swing down type stabs. More on those when they arrive.
Insulation - We tend to camper more in cooler weather so I need to keep the Pup warm. PUGs top and bunk liners are on order. I also intend to add foam pad under the mattresses and reflectix in the main large side windows during the cold weather.
Flooring - The floor is solid but has some ugly outdated linoleum on it. I'll be changing that.
Canvas - It needs a patch or two. The shock cord passage has rips and is missing the grommets. I'll repair that as best as possible.
Shepard Poles - need to be either replaced or repaired. The J part is bent.
Eventually, I want the works for boondocking...
Battery system, on-board water, propane system, bathroom, etc. It currently has none of this.
Plus lots more but now I'm tired of typing.
Here's what it looked like when I got it:
My rule: Camp in it before you change anything. I made a long list while camping 2 weeks after I got it.
TV with bone stock camper behind it. This picture doesn't do much justice for how angled it was sitting behind the Jeep. The tongue was 8 inches higher than the bumper while on stock suspension and tires.
First line of business was to make it sit level behind the Jeep. I did that yesterday.
Made some simple 4" spacers out of 2x4x.25 steel tube. Drilled some holes in it, bolted it up and put some 4.8 x 12 wheels and tires on it. I paid way too much for the wheels and tires (I think) but it's all I could find on Sunday. I found these at Tractor Supply for $160 for the set. Did I overpay? Can I find these cheaper? If so, I'll return these and order different ones. I'd rather have 5.30 x 12 anyway. We'll say these wheel are temporary for moving around the yard and mocking up.
Pulled the axle out:
Pulled out my 40 year old band saw that belonged to my great grandfather.
Measured and drilled some pilot holes.
Drilled bigger holes, hung them up and painted it black.
The next morning I bolted it all under the Pup. It appears that someone in the past had added a 1" lift? Maybe. Sorta hard to tell. If that angle wasn't there then the axle wouldn't have been able to bolt up. Perhaps the axle isn't original. I don't know.
Baby tires w/ 4" lift.
21" tall tires.
Sits level behind the Jeep now. It might actually be about an inch tall now but it's not loaded in this picture so it should settle down a bit once it's loaded.
Set-up with the lift. (Ignore the baby foot.)
Painted the flares. Don't know why. Just thought it needed it.
And that's a wrap for the day.
I also went around and snugged up all the screws that had started backing out over the years. That tightened up a lot of stuff.
I should be getting the Stabs in the mail today so perhaps I won't be too slack about updating this thread.
Any ideas for me?
Thanks for looking.
Andy.
So, I just picked up a 1987 Starcraft Astrolite. I traded an old non-running ATV for this camper so I'm off to a good start. This isn't my first Pup but it will be the first one that I've really made any modifications to so this should be a learning experience. Hopefully, you guys can teach me something.
I love camping. My wife enjoys camping and I'm trying to keep the kids interested in it as well. I have 3 daughters (Pray for me), 12yo, 9yo and 5 months old. We're all small folks so we fit in this camper quite well.
I had a larger Pup but I've been wanting a smaller one primarily so my Jeep could pull it easier through the mountains. I have a 1999 Jeep Cherokee that I'll be towing it with. We've always camped in state or private parks that have full power hook-ups and bath houses but I'd really like to be able to camp without those things. I'm hoping to modify this camper so that we maintain some of these amenities so I can keep the family happy. Ya know, "If she (all of them) ain't happy - You ain't happy."
I sold the old bigger Pup so I have some cash to spend on the new one.
Primary modifications on the list include:
Lift - I'll primarily be on paved highways and dirt roads but I needed the camper to have some ground clearance to sit level behind my Jeep and be able to drive through a deep pot hole if I needed it too.
Stabilize - It didn't come with any stabilizers so I ordered the swing down type stabs. More on those when they arrive.
Insulation - We tend to camper more in cooler weather so I need to keep the Pup warm. PUGs top and bunk liners are on order. I also intend to add foam pad under the mattresses and reflectix in the main large side windows during the cold weather.
Flooring - The floor is solid but has some ugly outdated linoleum on it. I'll be changing that.
Canvas - It needs a patch or two. The shock cord passage has rips and is missing the grommets. I'll repair that as best as possible.
Shepard Poles - need to be either replaced or repaired. The J part is bent.
Eventually, I want the works for boondocking...
Battery system, on-board water, propane system, bathroom, etc. It currently has none of this.
Plus lots more but now I'm tired of typing.
Here's what it looked like when I got it:
My rule: Camp in it before you change anything. I made a long list while camping 2 weeks after I got it.
TV with bone stock camper behind it. This picture doesn't do much justice for how angled it was sitting behind the Jeep. The tongue was 8 inches higher than the bumper while on stock suspension and tires.
First line of business was to make it sit level behind the Jeep. I did that yesterday.
Made some simple 4" spacers out of 2x4x.25 steel tube. Drilled some holes in it, bolted it up and put some 4.8 x 12 wheels and tires on it. I paid way too much for the wheels and tires (I think) but it's all I could find on Sunday. I found these at Tractor Supply for $160 for the set. Did I overpay? Can I find these cheaper? If so, I'll return these and order different ones. I'd rather have 5.30 x 12 anyway. We'll say these wheel are temporary for moving around the yard and mocking up.
Pulled the axle out:
Pulled out my 40 year old band saw that belonged to my great grandfather.
Measured and drilled some pilot holes.
Drilled bigger holes, hung them up and painted it black.
The next morning I bolted it all under the Pup. It appears that someone in the past had added a 1" lift? Maybe. Sorta hard to tell. If that angle wasn't there then the axle wouldn't have been able to bolt up. Perhaps the axle isn't original. I don't know.
Baby tires w/ 4" lift.
21" tall tires.
Sits level behind the Jeep now. It might actually be about an inch tall now but it's not loaded in this picture so it should settle down a bit once it's loaded.
Set-up with the lift. (Ignore the baby foot.)
Painted the flares. Don't know why. Just thought it needed it.
And that's a wrap for the day.
I also went around and snugged up all the screws that had started backing out over the years. That tightened up a lot of stuff.
I should be getting the Stabs in the mail today so perhaps I won't be too slack about updating this thread.
Any ideas for me?
Thanks for looking.
Andy.
