From Bad to Worse, but a Good Day...

[Elspode]

What sort of minivan and what sort of CL displacement does it sport?

[SteveDallas]

It's a Dodge Grand Caravan and it's got a 3.3L V6 engine. (If that answer doesn't make sense, it's because I didn't understnad the question--cars aren't my strong point!)

[Elspode]

Hmm...well, the 3.3 might be a little light considering that the Grand Caravan is a biggish minivan, and so it has its own weight to consider. Looks like the max tow capacity is 2,000 lbs on that engine size, which is indeed problematic, even with a popup. Mine weighs 1,800 lbs empty, and that isn't much of a margin, I'm afraid...

Time to shop for a new tow vehicle before picking out the perfect camper!

[xoxoxoBruce]

Your pop-up is pretty plush too. There are lighter models, aren't there?

[That Guy]

Originally posted by warch
Our 89 Nissan Sentra just rolled over 150K. Good little car. The body is beginning to rust and fall apart, particularly since moving north, but her heart is strong. We'll see how far she'll take us- just coasting across town now. Bought her used in 1992 with 40K, for $4000 in Wimberley, TX. Good little car.

The Blue Hole!!

[Elspode]

Originally posted by xoxoxoBruce
Your pop-up is pretty plush too. There are lighter models, aren't there?

Mine is a twelve foot box, and it is one of the more nicely appointed popups, but by no means the largest or heaviest. There *are* lighter units around, but lighter almost always means smaller.

The whole reason we went with Coleman over, say, Jayco, was the build quality. There is really just more *there* there, if you know what I mean. Colemans are made by Fleetwood, a builder of mobile and modular homes, and I think some of that solid building ethic carries over to the popup line. The frame on my Sea Pine is pretty massive compared to other units around, the roof supports are heavy duty stainless, and the top is a one-piece molded ABS shell instead of an aluminum multipiece construction. All of that does add some substantial weight.