Pop up camper questions!

eggman918

Adventurer
Thank you,we are very happy with it it's not quite finished yet but we can use it now and finish it over time.I started the trailer then the motor it the truck gave out and I did the Cummins swap
so now I am back to the trailer,I have wanted an Alaskan camper since I was a kid and got lucky when we found this one we bought it from the grandson of the original owner he uesd it once a
year since '58 to go deer hunting se it has had very little use in the last 55 years.
 

TheThom

Adventurer
Ok thanks man I found a 1985 Coleman for 550 obo on Craigslist that has no canvas is that something to stay away from?

Honestly, I think it would be reasonable to expect a new canvas. How many pieces of fabric last 30 years? That's a good price, but just add in ~$800 for a new canvas to your budget. You should be able to get him to come down. If everything else is pristine (which it won't be, that might be OK). But at the end of the day only you can make the call. For $500 + new canvas you could have a pop up with a great canvas for $1300.

The work sink will be the walls and floor. If you're planning a frame-up rebuild it won't matter. If you're not, then inspect that wood on the floor and roof VERY well. I was NOT planning a frame up rebuild, but once I got into it, it was a rotted piece of garbage.

This link has a more extensive version of my rebuild

If it's on CL or other on-line site I'm happy to look and add my 2 cents. I was completely clueless. Everything I have learned, I learned AFTER buying my camper by tearing it down and researching builds.
 

Longtallsally

Adventurer
We've got a Fleetwood Evolution E1 (a pic was already posted). Love it. Tows well behind our JKUR and carries a motorcycle up front. The frame is fully boxed as well. We've only done fire roads thus far with it, but no intention of anything harder.

Personally I think unless you have the time and patience, get one of those- in all my research the Fleetwood ones were the best made and used ones can be had for close to your budget if you look.
 

Corbet

Observer
I've got a Starcraft 10R/T. Its would do what your describing. I picked it up used well within your budget. Mine is not equipped with AC but you could add that.

Personally unless you want another project I'd just search out something that will work for you right away. Modifying an older trailer can get old fast. There could be much more work than just adding larger springs/tires. Like you I needed to keep the wife happy and for me another large project was not going to accomplish that. I have not done any modifications to it yet but that starts next week. #1 will be a Max Coupler.
 

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bearman512

Adventurer
I highly recommend the Starcraft RT series or the Jayco Baja's.
Done a bunch of research when I bought my 08 Starcraft RT10, it was the only one with 2x6 box tubing both tongue and frame, and the Baja had the 4" box fram with 6" boxed tongue.
The Starcraft also cam with a 35 gal water tank that was up and out of the way of anything above the axle.
I just sold mine for 6K but I'm sure if you are patient you will find a 05-07 for 5K in great shape.
 

TheThom

Adventurer
That camper looks OK. Other tricky parts can be the lift system and bed slideout hardware. Look for hidden signs of water damage. Especially in the roof corners and floor corners.

Canvas Replacements is a pretty nice outfit (even though they aren't the best canvas folks). Other sites source parts from them. They are also good folks and helpful if you give them a call. I'm sure if you called and said you were looking at an 85 Coleman and you were worried about part availability, they would be happy to talk to you. Like I said, they've been great and they have a 100% satisfaction guarantee.

But I have to warn you, lift system and bed slideout parts very specific and expensive. If those 2 things work in this camper is could save you about a grand in restoration.

If you're thinking of rebuilding, then you should check out Pop Up Portal. Nobody knows more about lift systems, slideouts, leveling, etc than them. However, most folks there have never camped on anything more than a cement pad. That's why I spend most of my time here.

Coleman was smart and integrated the lift arms into the main frame (unlike Starcraft where the lift arms all punched through the floor).

Also, you should be able to get him to come down on the price. I'd say $300 is a can't miss and $400 is reasonable, I might still do $500 if everything is in working order. You're basically buying the frame and hardware.

Also, a frame up rebuild takes a LONG time and adds up. If a good E1 falls into your lap you should consider it. I haven't seen any in your budget, but it's worth a look. My original intent was to redo the inside and maybe bigger wheels, but when I realized it was rotted I knew that what I wanted, nobody sold. So I'm slowly building it.
 

TheThom

Adventurer
This one's in Indiana, but looks like it's in great shape

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Fleetwood-Evolution-Off-Road-Pop-Up-Camper-/271190848627?pt=RVs_Campers&hash=item3f243bf473#ht_2142wt_1163

To put perspective on it, I'm probably Almost $4K into mine and I've been working over a year.

Either way, look on ebay, look on craigslist, talk to the Coleman guy. IF you want to build something the Coleman's a good platform. If you want to use something this summer, then maybe think about one of the others.
 

Thegtwyo86

New member
From what I am finding out. I'm probably going to get something like the Starcraft or evolution.i have way to many projects going on at the moment and just getting something I can get in an use seems more appealing to me right now and if I get something I don't have to worry about means I can put more time and money into my jeep. I really appreciate all the input from you guys. another thing I have found out is that there is a good group of guys on the sight. Thanks again!!
 

TheThom

Adventurer
Sounds like a wise choice. For me, I needed a project/hobby. But there are times I wish I could just go already!

Good luck! Post back with what you end up with
 
I have a 2006 evolution E1 and think its a great trailer. I also have a Sierra 4x4 trailer and have a maggiolina airland on it as well. Was going to sell the 4x4 trailer due to heavy workload and not being able to use it. Fast forward a little, work is peaking, have a baby but still want to camp on the weekends. So I decided to get a fleet wood e1. Looked at the baja and others but the get too heavy above the e2 size for my preference. My only complaint is the stock tires, I had a blow out (2 yrs old, low miles, and always properly inflated). I replaced with the same size BFG A/T which surprisingly was stocked at SAMs club. Other than that it is really nice and roomy.

Here are the mods I did:
Group 24 to 27. The battery tray is 7 bucks at Walmart. The batteries are very close in price. So bigger is better.
Foil backed bubble mat (lowes) which I put under the beds for insulation
Red LED exterior light. Replaced all other interior lights with LED.
Ditched the cheesy side mount BBQ and decided to make a 54x16 table which hooks into the same channel as the grill.
Added satellite radio
Added portable solar charging. ( charge controller in pelican case and cannon plug connectors. 140w solar panel stores on dinette bed. I set up the panel and plug the harness into the pelican case and battery box. This allows me to use the solar panel on my jeep or my 4x4 trailer.)
Added terminal strip for power accessories like 12v outlets and a 500w ac inverter.
12v computer fan on the fridge heat exchanger. Makes a 110% difference in the performance of the 3way fridge.
Battery disconnect switch.


Mods for my 2009 xterra which I tow with
Firestone airbags
Airlift compressor with gauge
Tekonsha brake controler

The xterra pulls it fine in the mountains and on the highway. I average about 14 to 16 mpg depending on conditions. I have taken it off road many times for boondocking. It's very solidly built. If you look at the frame it is far more stout than 99% of the traditional pop up tent trailers.

If you want a little smaller you can try the fleet wood cobalt. My friend built a simple square fame, removed the leaf spring hardware, mounted it to the square frame and then mounted the trailer on top of that. Basically created a spacer which lifted it so it could use 31" bfg at tires. Also added a max coupler. It took a weekend to modify.
 

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