Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by Miller88

I bought a popup camper. The idea was to get one that was small enough to tow behind my Focus.

Got 32MPG pulling the Popup empty at freeway speeds (65)

Yes,please,some dimensions would be great for a trailer database,since many of the RV sites are worthless for specific info.Thanks in advance!

[Miller88]

It seems that some of said sites dont like the fact that I am pulling a camper with a Ford Focus. I am supposed to buy a Brodozer-Elite with Max Bro package Platinum Laramie Lariat High Sierra Denali truck to pull my camper.

It is a 1987 Coleman Columbia. Weighs about 830 pounds dry. Focus honestly does not feel it other than on expansion joints. It is not much wider than the car and the top of it is only a few inches higher than the trunk. There isnt too much ofa negative affect on aerodynamics.

I planned to go pick it up with my Jeep but it broke down. Was not expecting the focus to 1) Pull it so well and 2) get good mileage.

[freebeard]

aerohead—if someone is maintaining that database, I just learned about the https://www.google.com/search?q=fiber+stream+trailer

from a post on Go Away Garage

[skyking]

Nice pop up, Miller. We had an 86 coleman, but it was more like 2000 pounds, 12' and had a shower, etc. It was our first venture up off the dirt and we remember it fondly. It was quite a bit wider than yours as well, you would know about the aero drag in a narrower rig.

[Miller88]

It now has a 4'' lift in it. Completely reversible in about an hour.

I lucked out by getting something this small. I was originally going to build a teardrop but I determined that to be too impractical. I love camping but I HATE tents. I'd rather sleep in the vehicle or sleep under the stars in a homemade shelter - have done both - before camping in a tent again. Ugh.

The problem with a teardrop is there is no room to store anything while camping. Plus trying to register it as a homebuilt.

I started to look at Popups. Originally was looking to find something in the 1200-1500 pound range because I didn't realize there were popup campers this small. It fell in my lap.

Interested to see how the focus does pulling it when it is loaded for a camping trip.

There are some weight reduction mods still ready to come. I plan on taking off the LP tank and the stove. The heavy wooden table will be replaced by a plastic one - unless I actually need the 3rd bed, that is - bearings have been repacked before I got it so not a lot of drag there.

The car will be getting airbags for the rear. I think if I were to raise the rear up it would also help a bit with aero. the other issue is the "control blade" rear suspension toes out like crazy when there is a lot of weight on it. It's definitely compressed with the popup attached to it, so I suspect there was a bit of toe-out. I didn't feel any more heat on the inside of the tires

[Hersbird]

As far as registering homebuilts, my idea was to make one a slide in like a pickup bed camper. The trailer would have to be registered but at least in my state, the slide in is free. I was going to use a 20' car hauler in my case and build a big, pop-up teardrop that would winch on and off. Then my plan was foiled by finding a $1000 hi-lo camper that basically did the same thing for the price of just the trailer.

[freebeard]

the other issue is the "control blade" rear suspension toes out like crazy when there is a lot of weight on it. It's definitely compressed with the popup attached to it, so I suspect there was a bit of toe-out. I didn't feel any more heat on the inside of the tires

On a non-tow vehicle, the result of excessive rear toe-out would be squirrely handling, although a trailer in tow might mitigate that. The only people that seek that out are Gymkana racers.

[Miller88]

Originally Posted by freebeard

On a non-tow vehicle, the result of excessive rear toe-out would be squirrely handling, although a trailer in tow might mitigate that. The only people that seek that out are Gymkana racers.

The aggressive rear alignment is what makes the Focii a good handler, even in stock form. This one burnt its rear tires off in short order from having excessive rear toe. It wasn't exceeding any factory specs, but it was right at the edge of it.

[AlexanderB]

That pop up trailer reminds me of my own camping trailer..



Towed behind my Citroën AX..

Like you said, no need for a big 4x4 or a pickup, towing a trailer behind a regular car is the worlds most normal thing over here in Europe.

[T Durden]

Trailers are the way to go!