I would say go for it. I am not scared at ALL to drop the 100 out of OD when the hills start. The motor can handle it and the trannys are tough.
Anyone tow a Fleetwood/Coleman E2 | E3 with their 100?
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Pskhaat
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Scared = $ for MPG and the increased time with the 3 wee ones chanting "are we there yet" pulling barely 35mph up Loveland Pass. I may also drop in the 868s I have on my 80 into the 100 replacing the 864s...or do air bags.
Additionally, the trip for which this camper is to be bought is >5k miles planned.
Additionally, the trip for which this camper is to be bought is >5k miles planned.
Air bags are stupid simple.
Good thread. Thanks. I've been considering moving from a tent to a pup. I tow a 2500-3000# boat/trailer (depending if travel/camping gear is loaded on board) and while my LC tows it fine, I don't want to tow much more than that if I can avoid it. The smaller F/C E1, Jayco Baja 10, and Starcraft RT11 seem to be the logical step. Not only from a weight/towing consideration, but from being able to keep in a 21' garage, being better able to move by hand if needed and of course price.
BTW, I keep overdrive off when towing unless I am in a level grade at a consistent speed (i.e. the highway).
BTW, I keep overdrive off when towing unless I am in a level grade at a consistent speed (i.e. the highway).
I have a 2010 4Runner Trail (V6) and just bought a Coleman E3. We pulled it all over the mountains with the water tanks full which is right around 40 gallons or thereabouts. It had no issues, not to mention I averaged 16.5 mpg overall. I do have rear airbags and a brake controller. The thing is amazing offroad and incredible to camp in. Nothing like having a hot shower and a toilet.
Another Starcraft 10RT owner here. No problems pulling with the 100 (stock), though I will likely throw in airbags before the next trip to correct a mild droop in the rear. Family loves the camper, easy to set up and fits in our garage.
I hate the thought of long hauls with theses dopey 13" tires on mine. I may build a subframe and put a real axle and tires under it. Mine has got to be at max load for these tires and axle.
I have a 2007 E2 that I tow with my '95 FJ80. I work in remote locations where pavement can be 2 hours away. Although I did "unstraighten" the steps once, the E2 has proved to be a very capable and durable trailer for harsh off road conditions. While highway performance isn't comparable to more powerful SUVs or trucks, off road the FJ80 is the best tow vehicle I have used with the E2. I added 2" of lift using OME medium springs to stiffen up the suspension. Inside storage in a tent trailer is limited but the front deck can take much of the overflow. Set-up can be tedious but having a BAL leveler and an 18v drill plus a socket genie makes it much easier. At the end of the day when other folks are sleeping at ground level with the dust and critters I'm truly above it all.
I think you might want to consider an E1. Not the big front deck. We tow ours all over Colorado when we are there. Just got back...Overdrive off unless really flat. The magic speed for me is 55-60. I can get roughly 280 so miles per tank.
After a camping trip to Jacob Lake, AZ last fall with some friends who have an E3, I started looking for an E2/E3. They have a need for a larger trailer, although with just 3 of us, we would consider an E3.
Sitting around the camp fire we decided the LC should have no problem towing an E3. Wished I would have took it for a spin or at least towed it home for them just to see how it towed.
Anyway, if you're interested in mods - check out He Ruide's site.
Sitting around the camp fire we decided the LC should have no problem towing an E3. Wished I would have took it for a spin or at least towed it home for them just to see how it towed.
Anyway, if you're interested in mods - check out He Ruide's site.
New Coleman trailers will be hard to find because the Coleman plant in PA has been closed and the assets sold at auction. Fleetwood bought the Coleman tent trailer line and manufacturing plant a few years ago but after several years of production sold it to FTCA who resumed manufacturing tent trailers again under the Coleman brand. FTCA dropped production of the E2 but continued making the E1 and E3 in the Evolution Series. Coleman/Fleetwood, Jayco and Starcraft all produced a line of good off road capable tent trailers. Many tent trailers see only modest use which makes finding a used one in good shape not too difficult. If you plan to take the trailer off pavement, pay attention to the under carriage, especially the water tank. The water tank in the E2 became larger and lower in 2008 which is one reason I bought a 2007.
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I'm back interested in this thread.. just spent 3 nights in our camper, which was adequate, but we're thinking about how we can haul a couple dirt bikes.. our son has one now, and I want one.. 
so leaning towards an E2, or comparable Starcraft? Did you ever get something?
ps- I manually dropped into 2nd today, then went 45-50mph up Monarch Pass, on the Gunnison side. It was as fast as I wanted to take those corners.. going up to Eisenhower is similar.. still getting passed by the big diesels and little sports cars, but way better than the 80 can do that hill. I don't think the added weight of the E2 is going to make any difference compared to my current camper.. the bikes will, though.
so leaning towards an E2, or comparable Starcraft? Did you ever get something? ps- I manually dropped into 2nd today, then went 45-50mph up Monarch Pass, on the Gunnison side. It was as fast as I wanted to take those corners.. going up to Eisenhower is similar.. still getting passed by the big diesels and little sports cars, but way better than the 80 can do that hill. I don't think the added weight of the E2 is going to make any difference compared to my current camper.. the bikes will, though.
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Yeah, I've looked at those, even considered one before we bought our first popup. https://forum.ih8mud.com/trailer-tech/20887-jumping-jack-trailers.html
It's too much tent, not enough camper, for us at least. We like the heater, and a door that swings, storage cabinets, etc.
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I'm a little late to this thread but will post my information anyway:
I just purchased a used 2009 Coleman Evolution E3 today that I will pull with my 100. I'm going to add airbags to the 100 to help with the tow and it also comes with the level/sway control arms. I just need to get a break controller added (any suggestions?).
Some things I learned about the E3 prior to pulling the trigger on this purchase:
The last few years of production the Evolution series (Coleman or Fleetwood) are known to have some quality control problems (probably a result of disgruntled employees working for Coleman/Fleetwood during the various sales/bankruptcies).
Here are the most common problems:
1) It seems that many of the water lines were installed at the factory with kinks and will eventually fail/clog/leak.
2) The sink drain apparently almost always leaks.
3) The screen door apparently falls down a lot.
4) There is a gap near the dining slide-out that often lets moths/bugs in unless you clog it with a towel or similar.
5) The stereo is known to drain the battery even when turned off and has a bright light that says on even when off (annoying when sleeping)
6) The smoke detector has will give you the low battery beep when you disconnect the house battery (again annoying if you are trying to sleep)
7) Screws and staples have a tendency to come loose
8) The roof on many have leaked causing bubbling on the ceiling
9) Many people have had problems with the electric motor that powers the lifting of the roof being too weak.
So, after all that, "Why?" you may be asking did I still buy one? Well, I think these are all fairly straightforward fixes I can do myself. And, we really like the open layout of the E3, and the useful deck. Here is how I plan on dealing with all those problems.
1) It seems that many of the water lines were installed at the factory with kinks and will eventually fail/clog/leak. I'm going to make a trip to Lowes and get some replacement braided hoses to replace all the current hoses.
2) The sink drain apparently almost always leaks. Lowes replacement again
3) The screen door apparently falls down a lot. Bungee Cord for now?
4) There is a gap near the dining slide-out that often lets moths/bugs in unless you clog it with a towel or similar. Need to see this one in person to devise a fix, I haven't camped in it yet.
5) The stereo is known to drain the battery even when turned off and has a bright light that says on even when off (annoying when sleeping). I'm going to install a kill switch for the stereo
6) The smoke detector has will give you the low battery beep when you disconnect the house battery (again annoying if you are trying to sleep). I'm going to replace with a battery powered smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
7) Screws and staples have a tendency to come loose. I'll tighten these after each trip.
8) The roof on many have leaked causing bubbling on the ceiling. where they meet the roof.This is the big fix. From what I can tell the most effective fix has been to paint the roof with truck bed liner or similar product, and then caulk the areas that protrude. I also plan to store it in a covered parking spot when not in use.
9) Many people have had problems with the electric motor that powers the lifting of the roof being too weak. People who occasionally grease the lift and legs report that this problem goes away
I'm not going to be able to give it the maiden voyage until the first weekend in December, but I'll try to remember to post an update after that.
Here is an article on the Coleman E3 from 4Wheel Drive Magazine
Here are some of the photos from that article:
I just purchased a used 2009 Coleman Evolution E3 today that I will pull with my 100. I'm going to add airbags to the 100 to help with the tow and it also comes with the level/sway control arms. I just need to get a break controller added (any suggestions?).
Some things I learned about the E3 prior to pulling the trigger on this purchase:
The last few years of production the Evolution series (Coleman or Fleetwood) are known to have some quality control problems (probably a result of disgruntled employees working for Coleman/Fleetwood during the various sales/bankruptcies).
Here are the most common problems:
1) It seems that many of the water lines were installed at the factory with kinks and will eventually fail/clog/leak.
2) The sink drain apparently almost always leaks.
3) The screen door apparently falls down a lot.
4) There is a gap near the dining slide-out that often lets moths/bugs in unless you clog it with a towel or similar.
5) The stereo is known to drain the battery even when turned off and has a bright light that says on even when off (annoying when sleeping)
6) The smoke detector has will give you the low battery beep when you disconnect the house battery (again annoying if you are trying to sleep)
7) Screws and staples have a tendency to come loose
8) The roof on many have leaked causing bubbling on the ceiling
9) Many people have had problems with the electric motor that powers the lifting of the roof being too weak.
So, after all that, "Why?" you may be asking did I still buy one? Well, I think these are all fairly straightforward fixes I can do myself. And, we really like the open layout of the E3, and the useful deck. Here is how I plan on dealing with all those problems.
1) It seems that many of the water lines were installed at the factory with kinks and will eventually fail/clog/leak. I'm going to make a trip to Lowes and get some replacement braided hoses to replace all the current hoses.
2) The sink drain apparently almost always leaks. Lowes replacement again
3) The screen door apparently falls down a lot. Bungee Cord for now?
4) There is a gap near the dining slide-out that often lets moths/bugs in unless you clog it with a towel or similar. Need to see this one in person to devise a fix, I haven't camped in it yet.
5) The stereo is known to drain the battery even when turned off and has a bright light that says on even when off (annoying when sleeping). I'm going to install a kill switch for the stereo
6) The smoke detector has will give you the low battery beep when you disconnect the house battery (again annoying if you are trying to sleep). I'm going to replace with a battery powered smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
7) Screws and staples have a tendency to come loose. I'll tighten these after each trip.
8) The roof on many have leaked causing bubbling on the ceiling. where they meet the roof.This is the big fix. From what I can tell the most effective fix has been to paint the roof with truck bed liner or similar product, and then caulk the areas that protrude. I also plan to store it in a covered parking spot when not in use.
9) Many people have had problems with the electric motor that powers the lifting of the roof being too weak. People who occasionally grease the lift and legs report that this problem goes away
I'm not going to be able to give it the maiden voyage until the first weekend in December, but I'll try to remember to post an update after that.
Here is an article on the Coleman E3 from 4Wheel Drive Magazine
Here are some of the photos from that article:
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I have a Coleman Bayside (a little over 3000lb loaded). I tow this with my 99. I have YET to install a brake controller, and I towed it 1400 miles (approx) in the summer. I am getting a brake controller for obvious reasons however the 100 handles it without a sweat. Even in the passes, it's pretty good, I do have to gear down to 3rd (overdrive off) most of the time, and even 2nd on the very steep passes (I have a 4spd auto) however I'm impressed overall. I averaged about 11mpg towing from Calgary, AB to Abbotsford, BC, which I think is pretty good seeing as I'm through the mountains and I have my truck totally full and the trailer full. It's a 10000lb pkg in GCW.
