« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2 3 4   Go Down

Author Topic: Camping trailers  (Read 10620 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline CG6468

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11493
  • Reputation: +540/-210
Camping trailers
« on: February 06, 2012, 11:36:44 AM »
Does anyone here have one of those A-Frame camping trailers?
Logged
Illinois, south of the gun controllers in Chi town

Offline Wineslob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14441
  • Reputation: +780/-193
  • Sucking the life out of Liberty
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2012, 12:21:05 PM »
Nope, got a pop-up tent trailer. The saying for boats "a hole in the water into which you throw money" applies here too.
Logged
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Rugnuts

  • (not a carpet layer)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1157
  • Reputation: +61/-15
  • (ಠ ›ಠ)
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2012, 12:42:40 PM »
i am about to buy an older class c motorhome. it will be our first camper. no more tenting it now with the kid here.

Logged

Offline CG6468

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11493
  • Reputation: +540/-210
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #3 on: February 06, 2012, 02:07:36 PM »
We have a 1998 Starcraft popup that I bought from the widow of the owner in 2002. It was never used, garage kept, and I paid $4000 for it.

But the cranking up and down has gotten old. The A-Frames go up in under 1 minute. Most of them come with a heater and an A/C, sometimes with a heat pump that does both.

Hard Side Take Down and Set Up
Logged
Illinois, south of the gun controllers in Chi town

Offline CG6468

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11493
  • Reputation: +540/-210
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #4 on: February 06, 2012, 02:10:58 PM »
Quote from: Wineslob on February 06, 2012, 12:21:05 PM
Nope, got a pop-up tent trailer. The saying for boats "a hole in the water into which you throw money" applies here too.

Not here. Just minimum maintence (greased wheel bearings [not necessary now; I installed those sealed boat trailer axle buddy caps) and some light oiling of moving parts.
Logged
Illinois, south of the gun controllers in Chi town

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #5 on: February 06, 2012, 02:19:19 PM »
There is a car dealer here that has a few interesting streamlined-styled GM motorhomes I would love to have.

http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/The_GMC_MotorHome

Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline CG6468

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11493
  • Reputation: +540/-210
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2012, 03:03:24 PM »
Can't afford a motor home. Too big for us, anyway, and we.d have to tow a car to get around. Not for us, but to each his or her own!
Logged
Illinois, south of the gun controllers in Chi town

Offline NHSparky

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24431
  • Reputation: +1278/-617
  • Where are you going? I was gonna make espresso!
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2012, 03:11:22 PM »
If and when we can ever afford it, I'd like to try to get a small trailer (18-22 foot range) that goes less than 4500 lbs, as my Jeep only goes up to 5000 lbs on the tow package.
Logged
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2012, 03:25:20 PM »
Quote from: chris_ on February 06, 2012, 02:19:19 PM
There is a car dealer here that has a few interesting streamlined-styled GM motorhomes I would love to have.

http://history.gmheritagecenter.com/wiki/index.php/The_GMC_MotorHome



:drool: 

There are other sites with those restored and for sale. 
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2012, 03:30:55 PM »
Quote from: zeitgeist on February 06, 2012, 03:25:20 PM
:drool: 

There are other sites with those restored and for sale. 
That same dealer has a pristine :rofl: Chevrolet Monza coupe for sale. 
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline LC EFA

  • Hickus Australianus
  • In Memoriam
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4527
  • Reputation: +414/-33
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2012, 03:41:35 PM »
I know a few people with offroad camper trailers - things very similar to these .

Personally I hate towing a trailer so I don't own one.

They're a great idea though, and if you're travelling to remote places with family they're a godsend.
Logged

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2012, 03:47:10 PM »
Quote from: Rugnuts on February 06, 2012, 12:42:40 PM
i am about to buy an older class c motorhome. it will be our first camper. no more tenting it now with the kid here.



I had a great 24' C for years. It was a one owner which I bought on sight after an exhaustive search ( there is a lot of junk out there be careful and inspect everything, write it down ).  Kept it for ten years before selling it.  Two years ago I finally began another search, this time for a diesel pusher ( I wanted to be under 35' with no slides).  Ended up with a 30' 250hp Cat with reasonable ( 90k ) mileage, incredible documentation, dealership maintained.  The first year I owned it I rented a vehicle at the sites ( rental companies will pick up and drop off).  This year I will be towing a car.  

When we had the C I always took a bike or two for campground use and we would tag unless we were going a long way.

The truth of boats and RV's is that they can inhale money in a heart beat.  But if you use care and common sense you can survive most all problems without going in the poor house.

Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2012, 04:30:38 PM »
Quote from: zeitgeist on February 06, 2012, 03:25:20 PM
:drool:  

There are other sites with those restored and for sale.  

Check this one out.  IIRC they had an Olds 454 Front Wheel Drive system and were aluminum and fiberglass construction.  Great for restoration projects.

http://www.gmcmotorhome.com/

ETA one of those towing one of these would be way cool. (and if you hit mega bucks I would love this for a birthday gift)

[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nBplNTQx9CY[/youtube]
« Last Edit: February 06, 2012, 04:39:45 PM by zeitgeist »
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline Chris_

  • Little Lebowski Urban Achiever
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 46845
  • Reputation: +2028/-266
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2012, 04:42:44 PM »
Quote from: zeitgeist on February 06, 2012, 04:30:38 PM
Check this one out.  IIRC they had an Olds 454 Front Wheel Drive system and were aluminum and fiberglass construction.  Great for restoration projects.
Ko-rect.  They were based on the Toronado/Eldorado chassis and powertrain.

http://ateupwithmotor.com/luxury-and-personal-luxury-cars/266-oldsmobile-toronado-gmc-motorhome.html?start=2
Logged
If you want to worship an orange pile of garbage with a reckless disregard for everything, get on down to Arbys & try our loaded curly fries.

Offline JohnnyReb

  • In Memoriam
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32063
  • Reputation: +1997/-134
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2012, 04:53:10 PM »
A relative bought one of the GMC's back in the 70's. It left him on the side of the road a few times in not to many miles. He sold it for what he paid for it in (I think) 1980.

The one he had was nice inside. Had real, solid, walnut woodwork. His wife loved it but hated sitting on the side of the road. He bought a diesel (Holiday Rambler, I think) after that and put close to 200 thousand miles on that one.
Logged
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline NHSparky

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24431
  • Reputation: +1278/-617
  • Where are you going? I was gonna make espresso!
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #15 on: February 06, 2012, 05:08:38 PM »
Zeit...there's a dealer in Chichester called Camping World of NH.  Know anything about it?

Man, you look at the new (and I mean NEW--never rented, never taken off the lot) 2011 models, and they are seriously cutting prices to get rid of them.  Like 30-50 percent off the 2011 list prices.

I like the looks of this one--simple, not too expensive, and probably small enough to be hauled with the Jeep:

Logged
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #16 on: February 06, 2012, 05:32:20 PM »
Quote from: JohnnyReb on February 06, 2012, 04:53:10 PM
A relative bought one of the GMC's back in the 70's. It left him on the side of the road a few times in not to many miles. He sold it for what he paid for it in (I think) 1980.

The one he had was nice inside. Had real, solid, walnut woodwork. His wife loved it but hated sitting on the side of the road. He bought a diesel (Holiday Rambler, I think) after that and put close to 200 thousand miles on that one.

On the plus side most GM dealers could at least get you going.  My C had a 350 Chevy. I met lots of interesting repair people with that too. 

Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #17 on: February 06, 2012, 06:01:44 PM »
Quote from: NHSparky on February 06, 2012, 05:08:38 PM
Zeit...there's a dealer in Chichester called Camping World of NH.  Know anything about it?

Man, you look at the new (and I mean NEW--never rented, never taken off the lot) 2011 models, and they are seriously cutting prices to get rid of them.  Like 30-50 percent off the 2011 list prices.

I like the looks of this one--simple, not too expensive, and probably small enough to be hauled with the Jeep:



Formerly known as Gary's IIRC.  I have shopped them but never bought anything.  Never heard any horror stories. Camping World is a huge franchise IIRC.  I would suspect it is tough for all of the camping places with fuel prices the way they are. There is a lot of truth to the adage if you have to worry about the cost of fuel you probably can't afford the coach, but the truth is fuel is keeping many people out of the market. 

I will say this.  Make sure you match the trailer, hitch, and braking systems before you buy. Just because a vehicle says it has a trailer towing package does not mean it can tow a travel trailer.  Without enough engine, cooling, shocks, brakes, axillary wiring, and, hitch, it can become one of the ten trials of Hercules towing a travel trailer.  Many dealers are notorious for not putting enough emphasis on the tow vehicle.  They sell the trailer and let you figure it out on the road. 

It is amazing to see the size of pick up campers they will put on 1/2 ton trucks.   I started with a pickup camper on a fully built 3/4 4x4 360CID PowerWagon. )  That sucker drank gas like a sailor drinks 3.2 beer.

For my next adventure I plan on putting a steering damper on the MH.  Amazing the grooving on our nations highways. 

 
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline NHSparky

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24431
  • Reputation: +1278/-617
  • Where are you going? I was gonna make espresso!
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #18 on: February 06, 2012, 06:15:36 PM »
Zeit--The Jeep has the towing package, transmission cooler with Class III package rated at 5000 lbs, and also comes equipped with Trailer Sway Control and electrical already run to a standard plug.
Logged
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline Wineslob

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 14441
  • Reputation: +780/-193
  • Sucking the life out of Liberty
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #19 on: February 07, 2012, 10:10:27 AM »
Quote from: CG6468 on February 06, 2012, 02:10:58 PM
Not here. Just minimum maintence (greased wheel bearings [not necessary now; I installed those sealed boat trailer axle buddy caps) and some light oiling of moving parts.


Your'e lucky. The PO of ours (1988 Starcraft) had so much crap in it, (nice to have but you'll see), that it broke the axle. I was able to fix that but now the sink assembly has fallen apart, the "closet" fell apart (took it out, it sucked anyway) and one of the leveling jacks is.....................jacked up.   :argh:
Logged
“The national budget must be balanced. The public debt must be reduced; the arrogance of the authorities must be moderated and controlled. Payments to foreign governments must be reduced, if the nation doesn't want to go bankrupt. People must again learn to work, instead of living on public assistance.”

        -- Marcus Tullius Cicero, 55 BC (106-43 BC)

The unobtainable is unknown at Zombo.com



"Practice random violence and senseless acts of brutality"

If you want a gender neutral bathroom, go pee in the forest.

Offline Maxiest

  • Chief Interruptor Officer
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 2471
  • Reputation: +155/-101
  • IT Guru - Social Media Wizard - Recovery Advocate
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #20 on: February 07, 2012, 10:35:31 AM »
Logged
"The society that puts equality before freedom will end up with neither; the society that puts freedom before equality will end up with a great measure of both."

"Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program."

"We have a system that increasingly taxes work and subsidizes nonwork."

-Milton Friedman

Offline JohnnyReb

  • In Memoriam
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 32063
  • Reputation: +1997/-134
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #21 on: February 07, 2012, 01:20:26 PM »
In the "Great Depression" people made Hoover carts from car axles....

Before long this will be the "Obama Camper"...

http://www.greenlaunches.com/transport/nofuel-ecofriendly-holidaying-on-bike-camper.php
Logged
“The American people will never knowingly adopt socialism. But, under the name of ‘liberalism’, they will adopt every fragment of the socialist program, until one day America will be a socialist nation, without knowing how it happened.” - Norman Thomas, U.S. Socialist Party presidential candidate 1940, 1944 and 1948

"America is like a healthy body and its resistance is threefold: its patriotism, its morality, and its spiritual life. If we can undermine these three areas, America will collapse from within."  Stalin

Offline zeitgeist

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6194
  • Reputation: +390/-44
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #22 on: February 07, 2012, 01:47:07 PM »
Quote from: JohnnyReb on February 07, 2012, 01:20:26 PM
In the "Great Depression" people made Hoover carts from car axles....

Before long this will be the "Obama Camper"...

http://www.greenlaunches.com/transport/nofuel-ecofriendly-holidaying-on-bike-camper.php

I can see it now, a trail of teardrops pulled by Mini's to Obamaville.   :popcorn:
Logged
< watch this space for coming distractions >

Offline NHSparky

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 24431
  • Reputation: +1278/-617
  • Where are you going? I was gonna make espresso!
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #23 on: February 07, 2012, 02:42:44 PM »
Quote from: zeitgeist on February 07, 2012, 01:47:07 PM
I can see it now, a trail of teardrops pulled by Mini's to Obamaville.   :popcorn:



No way in HELL there's a, "This bike climbed Mount Washington" sticker on it.
Logged
“Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian.”  -Henry Ford

Offline Rugnuts

  • (not a carpet layer)
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1157
  • Reputation: +61/-15
  • (ಠ ›ಠ)
Re: Camping trailers
« Reply #24 on: February 07, 2012, 02:46:35 PM »
wiki needs to upgrade it's photo... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rice_burner
Logged
Pages: [1] 2 3 4   Go Up
« previous next »