Home

   Log in or Register



Insurance Quotes
forums Campsite Search Comp Directory tips virtual brochure Profile
Tent and Awning Reviews Competitions Caravans and Motorhomes For Sale Shopping Diary Advent Calendar

Advertisement

Message Forums

Welcome Guest Register Login Search The Forum Posts Since Last Visit
 Reception - All Forums
  Trailer Tents and Folding Campers
Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email  Printer Friendly Version Print
Subject Topic: Looking for help, Pop Up Campers
Page:  1  2 Post Reply Post New Topic
17/7/2009 at 3:25pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: 2005 Viking Saga 1906ST
View Tom C-S's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tom C-S Reply   Quote Tom C-S Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2003

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   112

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

My entire camper weight went from 780 KG to 880 KG. The largest problem that I still have to fight with is the tongue weight went from 85 Kg to 120 Kg and that was empty. The design and style of the American PU is thought to be used with an American Pick Up (ie. Ford F250, Dodge Ram, Chevrolet "whatever") which has a capacity for up to 3500KG and a tongue weight of 250KG. I have to counter balance my configuration so that the tongue weight doesn't exceed 95KG. Quite a problem.. I've also built (am having built) a bike rack for the back end for this exact purpose.

-------------
Proud owner of a
2005 VIKING Saga 1906ST European


17/7/2009 at 6:58pm
 Location: Canvey Island
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro & Toyota Landcruiser Co
View Island Ranger's Profile View Profile   Reply to Island Ranger Reply   Quote Island Ranger Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2006

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   50

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Design wise the americans don't pay much attention to detail & just think of different layouts, hence some handle really badly on the road, the newer models have to have anti sway mechanisms but the older models were better.

My seapine for the year had the heaviest nose weight, I only found out after I bought it, serves me right?.  If you work on basic principles that the trailer has a nose weight of between 7 & 10% of the GVW (gross vehicle weight) so 1300kgs = max 130kgs nose weight but this goes out of the window when you convert the original nose weight of say 70kgs + UK hitch weight of 30kgs + weight of new metal plates & extension of the A frame for better towing = 115kgs + (you have to match hitch carrying capacity to the overal weight of the trailer) but I had to fit in my transformer weighing 26kgs which I put in behind the wheel, balanced out at 95kgs

I still have to find space inside to carry the battery which will make it better.  But having said all this the coleman handled like a dream behind my Mitsi Pajero (nose weight 100 to 125kgs approx).  The old US hook up cable weighed a ton figuratively speaking so I did a lot weighing of things ike eighing if I cut something off & the same when adding things & I had the fitters moving the hitch bck & forth until I got the balance right, I did away with the US jockey wheel as it was too puny & had the one supplied with the delta coupling.

 



-------------
Terry


17/7/2009 at 9:27pm
 Location: None Entered
 Outfit: 2005 Viking Saga 1906ST
View Tom C-S's Profile View Profile   Reply to Tom C-S Reply   Quote Tom C-S Quote  
Joined: 04/9/2003

Silver Member
Silver Member

Forum Posts:   112

Site Reviews Total: 2
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Terry,

The hitch on my unit, along with the brakes, came in at a total of over 300Kg. They set the jockey wheel on the side of the A frame after extension and I almost broke the thing in half when the unit sat in wet ground over night. Stupid on both sides... I have moved the wheel to the middle and purchased a stronger one. The whole system has been very trying and to think I even thought of opening a dealership to sell PU's in Germany. That would have really been a nightmare. There is a Fleetwood/Coleman dealership in Holland, but for a new model "converted" they want 15,000€ without anything inside. These units are set on Alko frames (the old hitch was cut off and the entire unit set on an ALKO frame, then the 220/12VDC converter set in, the lighting and wiring redone for normal EU standard 7 pin connection, and done. So far, with purchase and conversion, I've payed under 10K€, but that is alot of blood sweating.

-------------
Proud owner of a
2005 VIKING Saga 1906ST European


17/7/2009 at 9:59pm
 Location: Canvey Island
 Outfit: Sprite Quattro & Toyota Landcruiser Co
View Island Ranger's Profile View Profile   Reply to Island Ranger Reply   Quote Island Ranger Quote  
Joined: 11/6/2006

Standard Member
Standard Member

Forum Posts:   50

Site Reviews Total: 1
Site Reviews 2024: 0  
Site Reviews 2023: 0  
Site Reviews 2022: 0  
Site Reviews 2021: 0  
Site Reviews 2020: 0  
Site Reviews 2019: 0  
Site Reviews 2018: 0  
Site Nights 2024: 0
Site Nights 2023: 0
Site Nights 2022: 0
Site Nights 2021: 0
Site Nights 2020: 0
Site Nights 2019: 0
Site Nights 2018: 0

Well it looks like I have not done so bad then but spending money on an older model is not so benefical but the project had to be finished otherwise it would ve meant walking away although I had already spent money on the purhase.

If one did come up again I would bargain harder on a bifg reduction knowing the costs now involved on conversion.  At the end of the day I had to follow the dream, I always finish what I start, even if it has cost me in the region of £3600 but then it is something that knowone else has got in the UK (well bar one).



-------------
Terry



In order to post a reply you will need to register, or if already registered please log in here

  Prev       Next

Jump To Page:  1  2

Quick Links - All Forums - Trailer Tents and Folding Campers - Top of Page

Printer Friendly Version Printable version      Share   Post on X / Twitter  Share on Facebook  Email


Latest News, Discounts and Competitions  see all...














6758 Visitors online !

Free UKCampsite.co.uk Window Sticker  -  Recommend to Friend  -  Add a Missing Campsite

[Message Forums]  [Caravan Sites & Camping]  [Company Listings]  [Features / Advice]  [Virtual Brochure]  [Shop!]
[Reception]  [Competitions]  [Caravans & Motorhomes For Sale]  [Event Diary]  [Contact Us]  [Tent Reviews



Please note we are not responsible for the content of external sites & any reviews represent the author's personal view only. Please report any error here. You may view our privacy and cookie policy and terms and conditions here. All copyrights & other intellectual property rights in the design and content of this web site are reserved to the UKCampsite.co.uk © 1999 - 2024


Advertisement


Advertisement


UKCampsite.co.uk
2024 Advent Calendar


Advent Calendar

24 Daily Prizes PLUS a Christmas Day Star Prize worth £999

Request a Reminder