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Tracker pulls camper fine

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Offline keith

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Tracker pulls camper fine
« on: January 31, 2010, 08:25:10 PM »
Last November I picked up very used tent trailer type camper.  It is a 1968 Appleby.  I paid very little for it because it needs a new tent.  Unfortunately that will cost $800.   >:(  But then it should be as good as new.  Towing it home behind my Montero Sport it was barely even noticeable.  Since I've never towed anything with a Tracker I was concerned how the Tracker would do with it.  It only weighs around 500 pounds.  I got a Curt brand trailer hitch for the Tracker for Christmas and today I got around to installing it.  Not a terrible job.  The old bolts came out with just a bit of grunt.  What made it somewhat a pain was the new bolts wouldn't go in at the rear because the plastic from the bumper cover was in the way.  My Dremel took care of that problem and I got it all bolted up.  The Tracker pulled the camper very well.  I could hardly tell it was back there.  Power was down slightly but not bad.  I still need to wire the Tracker for lights and rewire the trailers lights.  Looking forward to Zukimelt!





More info on the Appleby campers.
http://incolor.inebraska.com/elassley_bie/appleby/index.html
« Last Edit: January 31, 2010, 08:27:49 PM by keith »

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Offline Bigzook

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #1 on: January 31, 2010, 08:31:39 PM »
Shoot, I pulled over 2000Lbs of boulders with my Sami on a HF trailer. Had to replace the bearings halfway in to the trip, but they were already bad....
Pic of the combo without the rock, I have a f350 now.
« Last Edit: January 31, 2010, 08:35:07 PM by Bigzook »

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Offline ecoast

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2010, 04:56:44 AM »
Wow, $800 to repair or replace?

I might be able to help w/this if you can provide some measurements?
Do you have the old canvas ? I could copy it for you...
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                                                What the hell you lookin' down here for?

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Offline keith

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2010, 05:38:16 AM »
Wow, $800 to repair or replace?

I might be able to help w/this if you can provide some measurements?
Do you have the old canvas ? I could copy it for you...

That is to replace.  I sent you a PM.

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Offline john1974

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2010, 08:40:53 AM »
Ouch 800 you could find another camper... lol
 *Image Removed* [/URL]  *Image Removed* [/URL]

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Offline keith

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2010, 09:00:49 AM »
I hope to find an option for less than $800 but another camper of this small size will likely cost $1000 or more and come with a 20+ year old tent. 

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Offline Jookycola

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2010, 09:50:18 AM »
I once towed a fully packed 1800 lb. U-Haul Trailer from Detroit to Los Angeles behind my 8v 94 tracker and it did awesome.  Cruised 75mph the whole way.  The only bad part was this wicked incline near the California border where i had it in 4th gear, and floored and couldn't get the tracker past 45 mph.
  [/url]

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Offline reb

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2010, 07:49:22 PM »
I'd like to find one like that.  Haven't seen a new model light enough (and affordable) to pull behind my Sport.

I bought an old Apache tent trailer, much like that one, about 22 or 23 years ago.  A new top then cost about $500, but I thought it was worth it.  Pulled it all over Colorado and Arizona behind a Toyota pickup for several years.  Wish I still had it.

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Offline keith

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #8 on: February 02, 2010, 03:43:00 AM »
Keep an eye on Craigslist.  They pop up from time to time.   Also look for a Coleman Colorado.  They are a bit heavier but set up easier.  Basically flip them over and you are nearly done.  I think they are around 800 pounds.

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Offline bentparts

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #9 on: February 02, 2010, 05:04:54 AM »
Great little Camper! I dig those old ones too, they are pretty light and simple. I picked up a 63 Riveria that is simliar, a tent type camper with a NEW tent canvas.  Had to drive to Ohio to pick it up. Only trouble I had was in the mountains of WV and PA, it was a bit slow going uphills. On the flats it's fine, but mine weighs close to 900 fitted out.
« Last Edit: July 15, 2010, 01:07:34 PM by bentparts »
The usual stuff, and 2nd generation Air to liquid intercooled TURBOCHARGER

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Offline beercheck

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #10 on: February 02, 2010, 06:59:56 AM »
Keep an eye on Craigslist.  They pop up from time to time.   Also look for a Coleman Colorado.  They are a bit heavier but set up easier.  Basically flip them over and you are nearly done.  I think they are around 800 pounds.


Huh.  First Google entry:  Coleman Colorado for 650.

http://www.rvclearinghouse.com/index/listings/page4086.htm

You guys are giving me spring fever.
'03 ZR2 2dr Tracker, '02 XL-7 drivetrain and electrcs
XL-7 front coils
1.5" rear coil spacers
Monroe 32316 shocks w/2" extenders
235/70-16 Bridgestone Destination A/Ts on stock XL-7 Alloys RRO Rock Rails (Presently removed, as they rusted to all hell; all the bolts were rusted to dust.  Real nice, RRO...) http://www.trivia-nights.com

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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #11 on: February 02, 2010, 10:37:43 AM »
Shoot, I pulled over 2000Lbs of boulders with my Sami on a HF trailer. Had to replace the bearings halfway in to the trip, but they were already bad....
Pic of the combo without the rock, I have a f350 now.



I think we had that much IN the kick on the ride to Apple Valley and back... so you have any pictures of the Tennessee Hillbilly trip to Wisconsin?

Z
Zukipilot
'92 Liberty Overland Sidekick

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Offline reb

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2010, 11:09:03 AM »
I looked at the Coleman Colorado when it came out.  I didn't care for the suspension--there are no spring shackles on it.  The rear of the springs slip on the frame.  That might not be a problem, but the aesthetics bother me.

Might not turn one down if the opportunity arises.  I would want to put 12" wheels on it and probably raise it some, anyway.

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Offline beercheck

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2010, 11:22:20 AM »
I looked at the Coleman Colorado when it came out.  I didn't care for the suspension--there are no spring shackles on it.  The rear of the springs slip on the frame.  That might not be a problem, but the aesthetics bother me.

Might not turn one down if the opportunity arises.  I would want to put 12" wheels on it and probably raise it some, anyway.


Heh.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=13650&highlight=coleman+colorado



'03 ZR2 2dr Tracker, '02 XL-7 drivetrain and electrcs
XL-7 front coils
1.5" rear coil spacers
Monroe 32316 shocks w/2" extenders
235/70-16 Bridgestone Destination A/Ts on stock XL-7 Alloys RRO Rock Rails (Presently removed, as they rusted to all hell; all the bolts were rusted to dust.  Real nice, RRO...) http://www.trivia-nights.com

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Offline reb

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Re: Tracker pulls camper fine
« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2010, 06:41:05 PM »
Interesting link, Beercheck.  There was a lot of work put into that one.  I think the final weight would put it above what I would want to pull with my zuke, tho.

As I recall, the Apache I had had a minimal frame.  The tongue was bolted to the 3/4" plywood floor.  It wasn't the stoutest built trailer in the country, but I pulled it over some pretty rough trails without any trouble.  The weight would be great for a Suzuki.