pop up trailer durability???

[sleeoffroad]

A lot of people are confussed how those set up. Here is a short clip to show how fast it goes.
http://www.sleeoffroad.com/video/setup_kingkamper.wmv

After it is open, it is a matter of moving the hoops out a little to tension the tent and that is it.

 

[Grouseman]

http://www.outbackkamping.com/

Guys,

Check this site out............ Seems pretty reasonable, but I'm sure they are not built like more expensive models though. They look quite tough enough for me and the price seems almost reasonable.

SS

 

[chukarhiker]

I have a Starcraft 11RT.

It's supposed to be built for off-road use -- like the Evolution that Rusty referred to...but I'm not sure yet how well it would do at high speed over hundreds of miles of rough, bumpy roads.

The trailer is still relatively new to me, so I'm not sure how much rattling it can take.

Just got back from Idaho for the Chukar opening with our Starcraft 11RT (less than 2 years old).

I am not impressed at all with the interior which is put together with staples and is pulling apart in several places. The fold up table over the "can" totally pulled loose.

Also they did not allow for an extra inch in play on the propane tank hoses which resulted in one of the hoses damaging the regulator (make sure you disconect the tank hoses before any offroad travel or get longer hoses).

Given we did travel for 4 hours offroad each way to the camping spot but I took it as easy as I could. I have had 3 pop-ups and the interior on the 11RT is not made any better than the others (if as well made).

I do like the 15" wheels and heavier axle tho and the fact that I can put my Honda Rubicon Quad on the rack. I will be doing the repairs and some beefing up this weekend for the trip to Oregon for the opening next week.

Jim

 

[BPMOU]

Jim,

What kind of temps did you incounter, and more importantly how was the hunting. I am looking at this option down the road for hunting and camping with the wife. We have three labs, two that I hunt with and tent camping is getting old.

 

[spressomon]

Just got back from Idaho for the Chukar opening with our Starcraft 11RT (less than 2 years old).

I am not impressed at all with the interior which is put together with staples and is pulling apart in several places. The fold up table over the "can" totally pulled loose.

Also they did not allow for an extra inch in play on the propane tank hoses which resulted in one of the hoses damaging the regulator (make sure you disconect the tank hoses before any offroad travel or get longer hoses).

Given we did travel for 4 hours offroad each way to the camping spot but I took it as easy as I could. I have had 3 pop-ups and the interior on the 11RT is not made any better than the others (if as well made).

I do like the 15" wheels and heavier axle tho and the fact that I can put my Honda Rubicon Quad on the rack. I will be doing the repairs and some beefing up this weekend for the trip to Oregon for the opening next week.

Jim

Jim,
How's the bird populations up there this year?

 

[chukarhiker]

Jim,
How's the bird populations up there this year?

There are about the same number of groups but there are less birds per group (of course they are even more wily than the norm). Very few "quail size" small birds (like we have encountered in previous years in Idaho). We did well but had to work harder than before.

Just posted on your new trailer--what a beaut! I am going to Denio for the Ore. opener next week by myself (the week camping/hunting/fishing in Idaho was the last for the wife until the motel hunting season starts) would like to see you; your GWP AND your trailer up there if you can make it.

Jim

 

[spressomon]

There are about the same number of groups but there are less birds per group (of course they are even more wily than the norm). Very few "quail size" small birds (like we have encountered in previous years in Idaho). We did well but had to work harder than before.

Just posted on your new trailer--what a beaut! I am going to Denio for the Ore. opener next week by myself (the week camping/hunting/fishing in Idaho was the last for the wife until the motel hunting season starts) would like to see you; your GWP AND your trailer up there if you can make it.

Jim

We're going to be south of Denio for the Nevada opener...throw a few flies and scout for a couple days then try to find 'em. I wish I had time to open in Oregon...love hunting up there. Do you know about the killer fresh crab feed in McDermitt? We went for the first annual one last December expecting what you would think of "fresh Dungeness Crab" in a place like McDermitt...but HOLY WOW...they flew it in fresh...cooked them properly and then put them on ice. I'm on the mailing list for the next one: DON"T MISS IT (assuming you like fresh crab)!

 

[chukarhiker]

We're going to be south of Denio for the Nevada opener...throw a few flies and scout for a couple days then try to find 'em. I wish I had time to open in Oregon...love hunting up there. Do you know about the killer fresh crab feed in McDermitt? We went for the first annual one last December expecting what you would think of "fresh Dungeness Crab" in a place like McDermitt...but HOLY WOW...they flew it in fresh...cooked them properly and then put them on ice. I'm on the mailing list for the next one: DON"T MISS IT (assuming you like fresh crab)!

I do like Crab! I have spent quite a few nights at the Mcdermitt Motel but never was there at the right time I guess. I assume the feed is at the Say When? Let me know when you get the date.

You should do well in the area you are going. Here is the NDOW forcast:
http://www.ndow.org/about/news/pr/092106_chukar_forecast.shtm
Have fun!
Jim

 

[chukarhiker]

Jim,

What kind of temps did you incounter, and more importantly how was the hunting. I am looking at this option down the road for hunting and camping with the wife. We have three labs, two that I hunt with and tent camping is getting old.

It got well below 32 the second night as we had an inch of ice on the bucket outside in the morning but warmed up the rest of the week; had some t-storms on a couple of afternoons. A pop-up is no better insulated than a tent and the built-in heater will not keep you warm if it gets much below 32. We usally take an extra heater if we expect it to be cold--didnt expect it this time and it was cold the one night...the extra sleeping bag and wool army blanket came in handy. For us the pop-up is the only way to go...we did the tent thing for years but will not go back.

See my previous post to Spresso for hunting report. I started hunting birds with a Lab 35 or so years ago and did well. The main thing is to train the Labs not to flush until you are in range.
Jim

 

[spressomon]

I do like Crab! I have spent quite a few nights at the Mcdermitt Motel but never was there at the right time I guess. I assume the feed is at the Say When? Let me know when you get the date.

You should do well in the area you are going. Here is the NDOW forcast:
http://www.ndow.org/about/news/pr/092106_chukar_forecast.shtm
Have fun!
Jim

$25 bucks and all you can eat!!!!! We were there for 2-hours . And it is at the Say When...I'll let you know as soon as I know the date for the 2nd Annual Crab Feed!


I'm gonna get busted here for busting this thread...but have you heard NDOW is rallying the feds to take over all the BLM lands in the State! That would be disastrous!

 

[John E Davies]

thanks everybody for the responses.
it looks like a little preventative maintanence before i go and
fix what ever breaks later. shouldnt be too big a deal right...
cheers,
~herb

Well, I wouldn't be that carefree about hauling ANY kind of trailer to Alaska and back - there just aren't a whole heck of a lot of resources en route if something should happen.

If you don't have the TorFlex axles, it's wise to carry some suspension spares - at a minimum, a set of spring hanger bolts and bushings and a complete leaf spring (preferably a matched pair, of the correct load rating, of course). Also a couple of scraps of PRE-DRILLED 1/8 inch thick x 1 1/2 inch steel angle, bolts and nuts, and a good quality cordless drill (with extra battery) and bits.

With this stuff you can repair a busted spring, or splint a broken frame well enough to get a few hundred miles to a welding shop. Even if you aren't competent enough to do the repair yourself, having the parts along with you enables a mechanically-inclined good samaritan to be useful.

The easy way to carry the springs is to fabricate a mount and just bolt them up underneath the trailer. They will be there when you need them, and they won't be in the way.

Shocks are always a good idea (except for TorFlex) - even the most primitive trailer suspension with limited travel works better with some dampening. Dexter offers kits for most of it's larger axles - that would be the most painless way to go. OTH you could just fabricate up some brackets and bolt up some worn-out car shocks, and that would be better than nothing.

Oh yeah, also a complete wheel bearing set with seal (two sets would be better) , and the tools to replace them. Also the grease. These are mission critical items! Never leave the house on a long trip without them.

Wish I could go on that trip. Good luck and have fun. Once you have the spares picked out and stowed, you won't worry so much about breakdowns.

John Davies
Spokane WA

 

[BPMOU]

Jim,

Thanks for the info, I have been looking at the hybrid campers also. My only concern is hunting in the Dakotas and Kansas and Nebraska during the winter. We might have to go roof top and put in on a trailer. Now, if I could desing a dog trailer that had the expedition aspect, that might be something.

I have hunted behind labs for the better part of my hunting also. I like labs best as I shoot a lot of ducks also. They seem to be good at both.

What type of dogs do you run??

Our oldest is a yellow male that is my wifes dog and he does not hunt. My black female is my hunting dog, she hunts close and is one heck of a bird dog, she is force fetched and could easily run senior hunt tests. My newest pup is 14 weeks old chocolate male who I hope to run field trials with. He'll be force fetched once those puppy teeth are gone and then started on training.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Just got back from Idaho for the Chukar opening with our Starcraft 11RT (less than 2 years old).

I am not impressed at all with the interior which is put together with staples and is pulling apart in several places. The fold up table over the "can" totally pulled loose.

Also they did not allow for an extra inch in play on the propane tank hoses which resulted in one of the hoses damaging the regulator (make sure you disconect the tank hoses before any offroad travel or get longer hoses).

Given we did travel for 4 hours offroad each way to the camping spot but I took it as easy as I could. I have had 3 pop-ups and the interior on the 11RT is not made any better than the others (if as well made).

I do like the 15" wheels and heavier axle tho and the fact that I can put my Honda Rubicon Quad on the rack. I will be doing the repairs and some beefing up this weekend for the trip to Oregon for the opening next week.

Jim

No, the 11RT is not put together all that well in some areas...but based on what I've seen with most tent trailers, I don't know that many are built all that well.

Staples? What the hell were they thinking? My propane tanks like to vibrate loose after just a few miles of off-road travel. I've gotten into the habit of simply removing them. I haven't had a problem with the length of the hoses...but then again...it's no longer an issue for me.

No issues (on mine) with things rattling apart yet....yet, being the operative word here...

 

[e9999]

we bought a new Fleetwood.
Looks as well (or not) made as all the others out there that I saw.
This is not the most impressive quality of construction one could imagine. They are obviously trying to keep the price down. And in fact you get a lot of stuff for the price. But it's not expedition quality. Think Tahoe rather than Cruiser...
I don't think I'd take ours on washboards roads for very long if I have a choice.

added: mine is not the off-road type, it's designed for on-road, tiny tires etc... don't know if the offroad types are much stronger or not

 

[Degnol]

You might PM Romer on this board. He brought a really slick pop-up to Flat Nasty. It is sprung over with some very capable tires on it.

GL

Ed