| Author |
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Mike D1
| | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 11:28 am: | 
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Yes, my wife wants a tent trailer, so what do I get? She wants a 10ft box so it will have e-breaks, that is all I know. Any ideas? |
BW
| | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 04:21 pm: |
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Are you talking something like a pop-up or something smaller? |
Mike D1
| | Posted on Sunday, June 30, 2002 - 11:54 pm: |
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A pop up with a GVW of around 2000 pounds. |
Phillip Miller (Owlfamilymaine)
| | Posted on Monday, July 01, 2002 - 05:59 am: |
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Some advice - first look on the usenet newsgroups - there is a great discussion forum for popup (tent) campers .. I think it is alt.rv.popup or something close... Google groups will find it easily.
2nd, you need to make sure that if you are towing over a certain weight (I think it is 1500lbs in a stock Disco I) that you have electric brakes. Electric brakes are also required in some states, so check with your manual and your state highway department (AAA, if you are a member, publishes a list of all states and I'm sure that there is something online too).
3rd, tent campers are great! I have had mine for 3 years now. Up until now, I've always towed it with my F-150, but this year I'm going to try pullling it with the disco. As with towing anything, you have to be careful - uphill, passing.
Towing puts a load on the transmission; make sure that you have not got any issues with your •••••• cooler or the fluids in the transmission.
Final advice - DO NOT tow at, or anywhere close to manufacturer stated capacity. 80% plus another 5% for every 1000 ft. above sea level you plan to go is a good rule of thumb.
As far as manufacturer goes - you need to find one that will work for you. Quality of construction is normally roughly similar. Coleman make a big deal about their Sunbrella fabric and their single piece ABS roof, but other companies have things which are equally good (IMO) and much more inexpensive. I have a Palomino (made by Vanguard industries). Other top brands are Jayco and Viking.
Good luck with whatever choices you make. |
Mike D1
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 01:39 am: |
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Thanks, that is a big help. I told my wife if we get this for her I get a rooftop tent for my off road trips. I think the pop up will work for the kids. |
Mike B.
| | Posted on Tuesday, July 02, 2002 - 08:45 pm: |
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My humble suggestion would be to skip the roof-top tent for off-roading trips. It puts a lot of weight up high (so forget playing on the rocks) and it adds about 1.5 feet to the overall height (so forget about trails in the woods).
So, what kind of off-roading trip is left? Beats me! However, a roof-top tent is very cool for many other tips of outdoor trips (say fishing in remote regions, camping with friends, etc.) where you will be basically parking your Disco at the campsite.
My current favorite (read CHEAP) method is to rent one of the small u-haul trailers (about $9.00 per day) and throw all of my gear in the back. It pulls easily and I have plenty of room to bring all the comforts of home (even room to carry extra set of MTs for off-roading). The only gear that ends up inside the Disco is the cooler, some clothes, and my son's toys. Better yet, the Disco handles like a dream without all of the extra weight up on the roof (read the wife will actually drive it so I can sleep on the way!).
Thanks,
Mike B. |
Mike D1
| | Posted on Thursday, July 04, 2002 - 01:48 am: |
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Yes Mike, I think a trailer and a Disco are a great combo. Here is mine; http://www.discoweb.org/hollister7/hollister56.jpg
I just picked up our new Santa Fe by Coleman today. It looks a bit deluxe to me but my wife loves it. |
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