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toxic_shock |
Pop-up survival
May 11 2012, 12:50 AM EDT
So ol' Toxic bought a 1992 Viking pop-up last month. Came across a deal on Facebook again. I'm standing in the seller's driveway, telling my girlfriend about all the fun camping trips we can take, but you know what I was really thinking.... how can I outfit this thing for zombie survival??!!No, really, I don't need to use up brainpower on trying to fortify a pop up camper. I would, however, like any tips that other pop-up owners or campers may want to provide. Other than getting drunk and passing out in a tent for one night once a year, I haven't been camping in a long time. Right now I am contemplating pulling the decrepit stove out of the camper. Its kinda beat up and I'm not sure I trust the old propane tubing and fittings. I'm thinking of buying a decent propane campstove that I can use outside or inside the camper in a pinch. It doesn't need to be real large or fancy. Does anyone here have a favorite campstove? Do you find this valuable? |
Redrighthand |
1. RE: Pop-up survival
May 11 2012, 3:29 AM EDT
I'd be looking at refrigeration. Depending on how long you intend to camp at a site without power, either a 3 way (gas, 12v, mains) or a straight 12v *compressor* fridge/freezer are a good way to go. If you got for the latter, you'll also need an auxiliary (deep cycle) battery, and appropriate switching or automatic isolator to prevent running your starter battery down. If you want to drive any country roads (especially unsealed ones) then a good pair of long distance driving lights is a good safety investment, too. Make sure you can close the curtains or whatever for when you want privacy, too. Do you find this valuable? |
Zee-Man |
2. RE: Pop-up survival
May 11 2012, 7:57 AM EDT
Check out the gun vaults and supply vaults that are in the UEV threads.Do you find this valuable? |
WaterBoy75 |
3. RE: Pop-up survival
May 12 2012, 12:29 PM EDT
I have a pop-up that me and the family use to camp regularly. Toss the stove especially if it's one with an oven, you can use the room for storage and just use a camping stove. Other suggestions: Under the seats there is probably extra storage that you can put plastic tubs or buckets of supplies in along with the few cabinets. Toss in a folding shovel or short handle shovel Axe for fire wood and protection Small gun safe under a seat bench, to store your valuables, electronics, guns and ammo when your not around the trailer (hiking, fishing, and etc.), I have a small safe screwed down under one of my benches because I always take a gun or two and extra money with me and I use it for our deer camp. Several five gallon water cans laid on the floor between the benches and held by a ratchet strap. These can be placed out side if the space is needed later. I can fit four wide and five deep with two high making forty five gallon cans or two hundred gallons of water plus quite a few cases of bottled water. Rear trailer bumper flags, so you can keep track of the trailer while driving and backing it up. You can put plastic tubs on the floor, then when you get where your going, with only two people you can put the tubs on one bed extension while you sleep on the other, to balance the trailer out. Four trailer jacks (available at WalMart), or you will rock all over especially when it's SEXY TIME. Store some extra cloths and towels in the trailer, you never know when you will need them. By now you have filled the entire trailer. 1 out of 1 found this valuable. Do you? |
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Redrighthand |
4. RE: Pop-up survival
May 12 2012, 9:33 PM EDT
Of course, a bumper sticker that says "When she's a rockin', don't bother knockin' " is cheaper than stands. :)Good post. Do you find this valuable? |
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toxic_shock |
5. RE: Pop-up survival
May 13 2012, 10:10 PM EDT
Waterboy75 has excellent advice. Definitely going to pick up an axe, a folding shovel, and look into mounting a safe.Today was another camper work day. I replaced the wiring connectors on my truck and the trailer, and now I've got signals and brake lights, but still no running lights. Need to determine if my problem is the truck or the trailer before I continue. We also went through everything that came with the camper. The thing basically ready to camp, with tons of camping goodies, including more dishes and cookware than I had at my last apartment. We dumped some of it to save on space and weight. I went through the first aid kit and pulled out all the expired stuff. Also added a tote of towels and blankets, and a smaller tote of paper towels, toilet paper, foil and plastic bags. Put a case of water under the seats as well. For now, our cooking is going to be done by a small charcoal grill outside, and if we need to cook inside, I packed my single burner butane stove. I figure if I can't learn to run a charcoal grill, I'm not much of a zombie survivalist. Got to get some longer safety chains and a new wheel for the camper jack.. I also need to hunt up some boards for leveling the thing if need be. Anything else that you normally wouldn't think of that I should consider adding? Do you find this valuable? |
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WaterBoy75 |
6. RE: Pop-up survival
May 13 2012, 10:32 PM EDT
The main reason for the jacks is to keep the trailer from becoming a sea saw. A little weight in the back will lift the front off of the ground. The running lights work off of the tail lights, so if you get your tail lights on the trailer they should work, unless you have a short. They sell the wheels for the jacks at WalMart for around $15. I'd also pick up a gallon of water treatment for the canvas, to protect against links when its raining. Did you get a spare tire? If not I would look at a couple of junk yards, I always see them there when I go scrounging for parts for what ever project I come up with. Do you find this valuable? |
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toxic_shock |
7. RE: Pop-up survival
May 13 2012, 10:46 PM EDT
I've got a spare, but I need to remember to add air to it. I have the jacks and some waterproofing spray too, just waiting for a nice couple days to leave it up so it will dry.As far as the lights go, if I determine the problem is the truck, I'm going to try replacing the ground on my truck for the trailer lighting. A bad ground can cause all kinds of weird things, and this one is nothing but rust. If the problem is the trailer, I start tracing wires. Do you find this valuable? |
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Zee-Man |
8. RE: Pop-up survival
May 13 2012, 11:35 PM EDT
The problem could be in the wire harness/connector. Running lights may have their own pin. I wouldn't expect the ground to be a problem if some lights are working. That shows that the ground or common connection is continuous.But, it has been a while since I worked on trailer wiring. Do you find this valuable? |
StrykerPez |
9. RE: Pop-up survival
May 14 2012, 4:01 PM EDT
If you've got any electrical questions let me know. I've got a specialist cert in automotive electrical systems.
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