new used Tent trailer

[jaspion3d]

No AC, just a regular vent to circulate the air.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by jaspion3d

If I get the gas powered inverter generators do I still need the 12v battery? Is 1000w enough to run inside the camper (Fridge, lights, laptop, anything else? )


thanks

jaspion, since the trailer has electric brakes, it's required to have a battery while in transit. The battery powers the emergency breakaway switch, if the trailer becomes detached from the tow vehicle while moving.
It's ALWAYS better to have a battery, even with shore or generator power, since so much is 12v.

[Jayhawker]

Pop up trailers under 2000 pounds are not required to have electric brakes. Our 2005 Flagstaff 205 did not have them.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by Jayhawker

Pop up trailers under 2000 pounds are not required to have electric brakes. Our 2005 Flagstaff 205 did not have them.

The OP stated, in post #27, that the popup has brakes and that he is installing a brake controller in his minivan.

[rsdata]

Back to the mini-van tow vehicle...

Those Grand Caravans always had weak trannys... not sure what year you have or if this is still the case...

also make sure your van is lightly loaded because you are probably limited on payload capacity... should be a yellow sticker on your driver side door stating capacity, and that includes the tongue weight of the camper, all occupants of the Caravan and gear. I would not be surprised if your tongue weight would exceed 350# when packed for camping

[benfox49]

On my Mac 176 the water tank is under the dinnette seat.
Ben

[rockfordroo]

I pulled a 1988 Coleman Sequoia for 20 years with 3 different Dodge Grand Caravans (1987, 1992, 1999). Wife and 2 kids; no dogs. Never had any issues. 3500 lb tow capacity on each van.



I used a 5 gal Barker tank like this one for grey water. Easy to take to the bath house and dump down a toilet.

[Boomerweps]

I've got to mention a lesson I learned with my first TT brake controller. Spend the $100-125 for a decent Prodigy brake controller or similar.
I bought a $50-60 brake controller via eBay, decent brand name. BUT it was a type that used the TIME the signal was applied to keep increasing braking pressure. VERY bad thing if your foot stays on the brakes for long. Lotsa smoke and smell and hot wheels after hills. Thought I had it mis-adjusted. Nope, happened again at the very hilly up & down CG I was at on the way home. Luckily I only had to deglaze my otherwise new brake shoes. No other damage. I found out the slightly higher priced units are called progressive. They have little accelerometers in them and must be oriented in the plane of travel and not angled side to side for them to work. When it senses your brake signal AND deceleration from your TV, it apples braking power. As you slow down with your foot still on the brakes, the controller eases off the brake signal and pressure on your brakes. No more smoke.

You can refill propane normally at Tractor Supply Center, Agway, and similar.

[Scrapper]

jaspion3d
Since I didn't see where a couple of your concerns were addressed.

To quote you in post #18,
"By the way, the canvas is brand new ( it really is) but for me it looks that it was not completed the installation, shouldn't the bottom part of the windows be attached at the lower body of the trailer?"

Yes, but the white portion is probably a weather flap that covers the inner part where it fastens to the side wall with a screw strip or velcro. If this is the case the edge of the white canvas is there to divert rain from the attachment strip.


The other concern is with the furnace from post #28,
"Gas (I already tested, and the stove and fridge worked fine. However the Furnace didn't started and I don't know where should I look too )"

You may have a furnace with a pilot which you have light manually. There are service manuals for Atwood and Suburban furnaces in the forums LIbrary section under Heating and Cooling. You don't mention a water heater which you may or may not have. The manuals for this are under Plumbing, Propane and Water Systems.

It would be helpful if you told us what the model number of your Rockwood popup is as someone may have that same model. The owners manual for your popup will be generic if you can find one online. Your converter, furnace, refrigerator, water heater and water pump have labels with the manufacturers name and model number. Find the labels and write this info in a notepad for future reference.

[jaspion3d]

thanks.

The Rockwood I have is this one, see the sticker:

[jaspion3d]

Which battery should I go for, based on your recommendations?

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by jaspion3d

Which battery should I go for, based on your recommendations?

Attachment 201311

Forget the Optima, not worth the higher price.
If you plan on dry camping or boondocking, get the group 27. If you'll always have hookups, get the group 24.

[1979 750 XS]

We miss our pop-up! (Just not enough to trade in our toy hauler to go back!)

Best advice I saw here: camp in your driveway a couple nights. It can be fun fixing up all the little things you'll find. PUPs are easier than hard-sided trailers.

I recommend getting PUGs (pop-up gizmos). I can't remember the website, but they helped temperature regulation. They're just space blankets cut to securely fit over the bunk ends.

If you get a BAL leveler, glue a quarter in the cup to keep it from wearing out.

For cooler nights, I recommend putting a couple of dollarhstore car-windshield reflectors under each mattress. Surprisingly effective, & you leave them in place.

For awesome ideas, I remember some Canadian guy, (Ozzie?) did great mods to his PUP.

Oh man, have fun with your pop-up!

[Bob414]

The larger the battery Group Size the more capacity it has. It also is BIGGER, and may not fit in the existing battery box. Measure to fit, or be prepared to replace battery box also.

[TerryM]

Originally Posted by jaspion3d

thanks.

The Rockwood I have is this one, see the sticker:

Attachment 201307

That's not a factory tag, just a dealer's tag for identifying the inventory unit. Anything on that tag may or may not be correct - it's just what someone (probably some underpaid lot boy) wrote down.


I second the motion about driveway camping. You will find yourself running back into the house for first one thing and then another. As you do it, write stuff down so you remember what you forgot!


As for batteries, if ALL your camping is plugged into shore power, chances are no battery is necessary. I have an OLD travel trailer that is permanently parked out in the country that is plugged in to the grid 24/7. The battery is at least 20 years old and has probably split wide open from freezing years ago. Everything in the trailer works off shore power.

On the propane tank, it depends entirely on usage and availability of a quick refill. Don't want to run out of gas in the middle of cooking dinner!

[rockfordroo]

Originally Posted by TerryM

That's not a factory tag, just a dealer's tag for identifying the inventory unit. Anything on that tag may or may not be correct - it's just what someone (probably some underpaid lot boy) wrote down.

It DOES have a VIN (assuming it's correct). You can call Rockwood with the VIN and they can tell you what it is.

[Scrapper]

The model number for the popup will be on the side, it may be near the rockwood name or just numbers or both numbers and letters.