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

[Shahram]

A couple of days ago, I pulled the trigger on a used Viking Saga 2206ST pop-up tent trailer. The PO kept it in immaculate condition, a real pride of ownership thing, plus it was lightweight and...well...to tell the truth, I might have been able to walk away, but my wife felt really comfortable in it, and that's a big part of the reason for buying this thing.

It has a galley, lots of storage, king/queen beds and dinette bed, hot water, furnace, and a/c. The prodigious amount of storage was a selling point as well, as I'd need somewhere to stick a generator and camping gear, plus all the baby's friggin' furniture and what not.

This trailer will probably see 90% of its use at state beaches and campgrounds with full hookups and gift shops. However, I would like to get it to the point where it is "rough-road" capable--no hardcore 'wheeling, but durable enough for desert roads and occasional forays into Baja California for surf trips.

A quick glance underneath the trailer shows that I have my work cut out for me. Although it's got a good amount of clearance already, with a 3,500lb. axle and 14" tires, it will be helped immensely by an SOA conversion. Shock mounts should be a snap to weld, and shock absorbers should make a big difference in handling.

Wires are for the most part unloomed, just hanging willy-nilly all over the place. They will need to be gathered, loomed and tied.

The frame is sturdy, but the sub-floor is made, of all things, with particle-board. I've heard there are legitimate reasons for this, but it's friggin' particle board, how sturdy could it be?

As I said before, this trailer won't see a lot of hardcore 'wheeling. My hope is, with a little basic modification and attention to bolstering durability, I'll have a rough-road capable camper for my family that will be able to reach beyond the campground.

In your opinions, what is the viability of converting these trailers for mild off-road use? What type of mods should be done--frame gussets, SOA, larger axles and springs, larger wheels and tires, shock absorption? What problem or danger areas shoud I be aware of? What are your experiences with this type of conversion?

Thanks.

 

[sirenmoses]

pix, eh? specially of what you know will need 'ruggedizing': the underneath.

 

[FJota]

I recently pick up a trailier as well. I did the soa but it only has 12" tires so I will have to do something about that. I was thinking about some slider bars for under the rear of the trailier. I would also be interested in any pics of moified pop-ups.

 

[Ryan S.]

This is a great thread, I think that many will be interested in it. Myself, I've just startted with the SOA. I like the idea of sliders underneath; that would help protect the plumbing. Maybe even skid plates to prevent the plumbing from getting snagged by a root or fallen tree branch. These things are built cheap. I would reinforce the frame (as mentioned above). My trailer is 1 year old and the bolts on one of the stabilizer jacks al

Most cabinets are really crappy and could use some gussets. The latches are crappy too. Double check and replace or modify the latches as needed to make sure the doors/drawers won't come flying open on the trail or rough road.

As for the particle board floor, if the trailer is not too old, there is a product that is in some trailers that is supposed to be a good floor....so they say. If it is old school particle board, I'd figure on replacing it someday. In the meantime, maybe seal it with a pentrating stain/sealer and keep dirt and mud from collecting and rotting out the wood.

I also like the diamond plate that is on the front of some off the newer campers, for protection from rocks chewing away at the front of the trailer.

The trailer has been great for getting the family out and still having some comforts, and the kids think it is cool. They set up fast too--I've been set up before my car camping buddies. I am glad we have one, but have resigned myself to having to fix the crap that breaks and beef it up a little. The beefing up part has been and will continue to be fun.

 

[jaacina]

One thing that I might recommend. Even though trailer springs can carry a lot of weight, their short length and rigidity seems like they fail on rough roads. I would put longer springs on the trailer. Maybe some cruiser or pickup springs.

 

[John E Davies]

Preventing the interior from shaking itself to death should be top priority - these rigs were never designed to go off pavement. Consider upgrading to a TorFlex rubber axle - it should really help calm things down, and you won't need shocks.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[VETTE60]

i have a palomino and it was lifted for that purpose. the po did it using box tubing and it was a snap, but this model has torsion style suspension, so it was only 1 short piece of tube. prolly a bit easier than a leaf sprung model. my suggestion is to get a set of fold down steps to attatch/weld to get in and out, cause it was a long way down. you could also put an extendable tongue on it for better towing while wheeling, and even a pintle swap out adapter.

 

[El Cazador]

Have y'all seen the Fleetwood Evolution pop-up? Or better yet, know anyone who has one? Supposedly built for offroad use. Just wonder if the advertising hype has any basis in fact.
Vic
Redlands, CA.

 

[valkyrie610]

Have y'all seen the Fleetwood Evolution pop-up? Or better yet, know anyone who has one? Supposedly built for offroad use. Just wonder if the advertising hype has any basis in fact.
Vic
Redlands, CA.

Nope.

Just a pop-up with large tires and flimsy diamond plate accents. The higher clearance is helpful, but it's not an all terrain, off-road expedition camper.

Nonetheless, I like it. The ability to take a good shower, use a private bathroom and take a nap in the AC has saved my marriage.

 

[re_guderian]

Nope.

Just a pop-up with large tires and flimsy diamond plate accents. The higher clearance is helpful, but it's not an all terrain, off-road expedition camper.

Nonetheless, I like it. The ability to take a good shower, use a private bathroom and take a nap in the AC has saved my marriage.

Are you towing it with your 80? If so, are you supercharged? I'm thinking of a Jayco Baja, but I'm stock engine, stock gears on 33's, and worried about power to pull up hills (which is any direction I want to go out of Phoenix).

 

[valkyrie610]

Nope, not supercharged. FJ80 (3FE), 4.88's on 33's.

Did fine, you could feel it on steep hills though. I have foolishly sold it.

<kicks self in ass again>

 

[ginericLC]

I'm working on mine right now. I can tell you that you do not want to SOA it with the factory springs. Mine cracked within a few hundred miles and I never even took it off road.

 

[nakman]

Any idea why they cracked? I've only had mine on one trip after the SOA last summer, but will be dragging this to Moab in a few weeks. 2004 Coleman Tucson, smallest camper Coleman makes. Came with tiny little tires/rims, but after the SOA I was able to fit 14" rims with 195 75's.

 

[nakman]

The suspension does not flex. Or if it does, not much. If you think about the physics going on in the simplest of terms, the torsion is always going to find the path of least resistance.. so instead of "flexing out" your camper its tongue will just twist on the ball. I think it would be wise to consider upgrading the ball setup over stock, particularly if like me you bought one of the cheaper (least durable) campers. Another guy in the club did this last year, results are pretty sweet here's his thread: http://www.risingsun4x4club.org/forum2/showthread.php?t=1696

the second consideration is what you're going to do with the "lunar lander" corner supports. Once you flip the springs everything is 4" taller, and those things don't work no mo.. I'm still trying to decide what to do here, either lower the stock supports with blocks, or try to lengthen them somehow. Aftermarket jacks are like $70 each... ouch. When camping last year I managed to find the right combination of rocks, which worked ok, but not ideal. In the back yard you can see (above) that I just use scraps of wood & brick pavers. I'll probably just bring some wood to Moab if I don't get to this in time... trying to keep the weight down so no pavers or cinder blocks, though they do work pretty sweet in the back yard.

 

[Romer]

I have the Jayco Baja 10Z and am very happy with it. I haven't really taken it off road except for shrine pass and that was a lot of rattling at the speed I was going. I also took it on the road into Flat nasty to the camp site, but thats not too bad. The only issue I have had was with the sink on that trip, it folds over when stowed and is held together by staples which came out. I simply used good as nails around the whole seam and then put it back together and that works great.

It does ride better with the shocks. I elected to get the unit without the bathroom or shower. Can't see sitting in the popup going to the bathroom. I bought a shower tent and can use it for a portapotty or for a shower. Then you just throw away the poo bags and don't have to worry about cleaning anything. I bought a hot water shower system.

It was real comfortable for a week in Moab last year. I have the NASA foam on top of the mattresses and its great.

I also have a 4000 watt generator bolted to the front deck so I can have my cup of coffee or even use the microwave when in the boonies

 

[nakman]

I need some of that NASA foam.. where did you get that, anyway?

 

[Romer]

I need some of that NASA foam.. where did you get that, anyway?

Sams club or costco. It's the 2" mattress topper. Had to trim it a bit as the PU mattresses are smaller than regular.

 

[Shahram]

So here's the old girl. Maiden voyage this last weekend was easy; a trip up to Carpinteria, a crowded suburban beach camp with hookups. Met my family, so my dad and brother could help out with setting up and testing equipment.

Few hitches at first: couple of plumbing leaks (minor), and one of the conduit bed supports crapped out, requiring the crafty use of a picnic table, my Cruiser's jack and some scrap lumber. Those supports definitely need to be re-fabbed in steel. Fridge never got cold. Sink drains super slowly, as there's tons of kinks in the hoses. There's no water heater, so one of those Coleman On Demand water heaters is in order. But the furnace, A/C, water pump, and cranks all worked fine. The porta-potty was great, as I didn't have to wake up to accompany my wife to pee.

I've definitely got a ton of work to do in order to get this thing up to speed, even for on-road adventures. I'll need to take it camping a few more times in civilization and conduct all necessary preventative measures and repairs before I even think of taking it on even the mildest dirt roads. I can't emphasize enough how crappily these things are put together, but for what I spent on it, I can't complain. My brother spent $20k on his toy-hauler, and was fixing leaks and separated body panels all weekend; his best friend has a $35k fifth-wheel and the bumper fell off on the road, not to mention numerous electrical shorts and popped fuses.

I spoke with another guy who had a Fleetwood pop-up. I pointed out the numerous issues I was having, and he pointed to a 4x4 Sportmobile van and said "That guy's rear tire carrier fell off at Pismo, and his solar system hasn't worked in a week. He spent $80,000. My Fleetwood has a problem every time we go out--I carry a bunch of tools and spares, liquid nails, duct tape, written instructions detailing things I've re-worked or fixed, and lots of patience. RV maintenance requires zen thinking." He added that before a trip, I should print a list of all the nearest RV supply houses in the area of my destination. "You'll get to know those people by name."

Bottom line is I still had a great time. And it sure was nice when things got chilly to crank up that furnace and not worry about the baby being too cold. Changing clothes standing upright, plenty of privacy, and some damned comfy beds. I think I could get used to it...once I work out the inner turmoil.

Oh God...what have I gotten myself into?

 

[valkyrie610]

I can't emphasize enough how crappily these things are put together

Sad, but true.

 

[on the rocks]

I like the idea of this thread as well. I have owned my Starcraft Venture for several years now and it is holding up very well. It is a 97' like the 80 and is holding up just as well. It's a little long but has all the necessities for long trips(shower, toilet, furnace, 3way frig and so on) There aren't many pop-ups I would recommend but this is one I would. The pics show it before the spring over and the axle is shot and wearing tires so a new one is in the works along with disc brakes. I have the spare old LC wheels and was considering putting them on but was concerned of the width and weight. Romer can you pass on the size of rims you are running and the size of the tires and what shocks you went with? I'm also considering extending the front some like yours and moving things around to fit the bike on the front of the trailer and getting it off the back of the cruiser. As you can see I used to like to load things up but have learned to lighten the load some on long trips.
I would start with the spring over and possibly beefing up the frame depending on how stout it is. This made a huge difference. It would be interesting to see what everyone comes up with.
I can tell you it will be cheaper than the ol 80 will be when it comes to adding toys! I guess the first advantage you have over me is your board probably weighs a good 240lbs less than my toy so hauling doesn't seem to be an issue. Unfortunately I have only heard bad things about the fleetwood's so good luck with the new venture!