Going camping next weekend!

[Joe Rampino]

Well, we've never towed anything with the Sport Trac, so we're starting out small with a pop-up camper that we're renting next weekend. The axle weight is 1240 lbs, & the tongue weight is 135 lbs. I have a Class III hitch.



Any advice from the towing experts out there?





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[WXMotorSports DecalsPartsAccs]

Pretty light. You won't notice it back there...LOL.

 

[EddieS'04]

Like SST said, it is so light you might need to look in the mirror.To see if it is still there..:lol:

 

[Jacob Dryer]

Totally agree with the other two.. My toy trailer is 1500 empty, and I load it down with 2 motorcycles and all the goodies.. Empty it's like it isn't even there.

 

[Tom Schindler]

Are you renting an Aliner?



They tow great. We took one to Florida. Pulled it 85+ MPH and still got over 18 MPG. Towed absolutly fantastic. Do not worry yourself.



I do not know of any other members here that have towed as much weight as I have and as many different trailers as I have. Pop-up, Aliner, 3 different boats, utility trailer, ATV trailer, and car hauling. The most is 8000 LBS and the tongue was so heavy, I actually bent the Ford hitch.



Aliners tow great. You will have a blast.





Tom

 

[Steven D]

I tow my two 3-seater waverunners on a dual trailer, almost 2,000lbs total weight, it tows like a champ with only class II trailer. That's the reason I traded in my ranger for the trac, because of towing. You'll have no problem towing that camper. Have fun camping.

 

[Christopher Gordineer]

I just went camping this weekend! We love to camp and tow a Pop Up behind the Trac. It is about 3000 Lbs fully loaded with all the goodies, (kayaks, bicycles, etc.) and have to look back occasionally to make sure it is still there.





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[Joe Rampino]

Caymen,

Yes it's an Aliner. They rent them at the local airbase where I'm a resevist. I'm looking forward to the adventure. The Aliner sets up pretty quick. The website says "20 seconds" to set up, but that's probably a little optimistic. From everyone's comments, it looks like it will be an easy tow.

Now if anyone has tips for backing up.......:blink:

 

[Tom Schindler]

20 seconds is conserative. Seriously. Very quick to set up.



You also will be the talk of the campground. Everyone will know who you are.





Tom

 

[Aaron Yarbough]

Rampo, in regards to backing up....the key is practice. My suggestion is to go to a large open parking lot (Wal*Mart, shopping mall, etc.) and practice backing. Start by backing in a straight line and then practice backing the trailer into turns as if you are trying to back into a parking space.

 

[Tom Schindler]

To add to what Lil Red has said, place your hand on the bottom of the steering wheel when backing up. To torn the trailer to the left, move your hand to the left. When your trailer is in the direction you want it to go, place your hand on the top of wheel to control the tow vehicle.



Once you get the feel of it, it is pretty simple.





Tom

 

[Darrel Chaney01]

I just saw an episode of "Top Gear" where the three guys went camping. If you can find it, watch it and DON'T do as they did. The one that did the backing up must not have practiced and backed over the tent portion of one camper. An other of the guys caught the camper on fire and pretty much burned it down. The show ended with them towing the bottom of the camper with the metal frame above, everything else was burned out. These guys might know cars, but they have no clue about camping and should not own or rent a camper. It was like watch an urban redneck going camping.:lol:

I have a 63 Chevy short wheel base step van that my father converted to a camper in the early 60's. It is still in pretty good shape even though I haven't had it on the road since 82. The back doors were removed an replaced with the slat type windows. It has a couch on either side with a table between that lowers to make a bed. It also has a 2 burner stove, ice box and a sink. One of these days I will have back on the road. I have only one problem. I have to loose at least 50 lbs. to fit behind the steering wheel. It was only used for short trips, like taking the boat to Kentucky Lake.

 

[Gerald Pierce]

I used to own a Coleman popup (~3800lbs loaded). Being a typical Coleman, it had the axle pretty close to mid trailer to keep the tongue weight managable for those that want to tow them with minivans and it was very subjective to sway. I tried just about every loading configuration I could and would still get a little, so I added a friction sway bar to the tongue. Never had another issue.



You will not know that A-liner is behind you.



Awesome campers, I would like to get one now that all the kids are grown, but mama wants a hardside TT. Since she pays all the bills, I guess she will get what she wants. If mama ain't happy, ain't no one happy.