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

[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

 

[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. 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