Toy hauler conversion

Post by **HIX** » Tue Mar 03, 2015 6:54 pm

Any of you guys used these people in the springs to make a popup more suitable for dispersed camping? http://toyhaulerconversions.com I am looking at picking up a decent used pup and was going to do a th conversion on it but with three young kids its looking like I wont have the time to do it myself

Post by **Jesus_man** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 3:13 am

No, but it'd be interesting to see what the price is. I know there was a recent thread on CO4x4 about this and I wonder if you couldn't get a better deal asking one of the off-road fab shops to do it for you. I cannot find that thread for the life of me!

It seems like they address the main issues. Ground Clearance being a big one. But I might be inclined to make it a tandem axle at the same time. That should smooth out the ride and help preserve the camper, and also make it more stable to pull. The issue I see with this is the increase in tongue weight, which may be too much for most 1/2ton trucks or lighter.

Looking again at their pricing page, I don't like those style of couplers as they are prone to failure. I'd ask for a bull-dog style.

Post by **JGZ** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:13 am

A buddy of mine has done a few of these.Call Brian at lil B's custom fab.303-475-1035.He's in Englewood.

Post by **HIX** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 7:43 am

HIX wrote:Any of you guys used these people in the springs to make a popup more suitable for dispersed camping? http://toyhaulerconversions.com I am looking at picking up a decent used pup and was going to do a th conversion on it but with three young kids its looking like I wont have the time to do it myself

The basic package is 1100. It adds 330lbs to the weight 110lbs increased tongue weight

Post by **HIX** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 8:03 am

Since the most I would be putting on the deck is bikes and other debris then the tongue weight for my pop up should be around 350 so I can easily tow it with expedition, fronttier or on rare occasions the bronco Since it has a brake controller.

People say you can't tow with an early bronco... But if a RAV4, bronco 2, explorer sport and an Isuzu amigo can tow 3500 pounds my v8 zf5 donkey can too once I get the front discs put on.

Post by **Kinder** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 10:43 am

I tow a lot with BSD (not a fair comparison) and Bubba Smurf. They both do really well if you keep in mind correct tongue weight and run a brake controller.

Post by **Gunnibronco** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 12:27 pm

HIX wrote:People say you can't tow with an early bronco... But if a RAV4, bronco 2, explorer sport and an Isuzu amigo can tow 3500 pounds my v8 zf5 donkey can too once I get the front discs put on.

I towed my 'home' converted pop-up to Moab last year. I'm not sure of the weight. I think I remember the lady at the DMV saying it was under 2100#. That would have been the original weight, and I'm sure the conversion added a bit.

It was fine on the highway, even ok at 75mph. The canyon just west of Gunnison on HWY 50 was sorta scary. The whole drive was stressful, I'm not sure I'd drive it that far again.

Post by **Kinder** » Wed Mar 04, 2015 4:37 pm

My little Starcraft from the 70's tows well, but it's not lifted, just flipped the axle and went up to the next tire size.

Edit - I forgot that I had a motorcycle carrier between it and the bronco, I'm sure it helped stabilize it having the trailer axle back a bit further.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1425512812.645341.jpg

Post by **hockeydad4-22** » Fri Mar 06, 2015 9:23 am

kinder wrote:My little Starcraft from the 70's tows well, but it's not lifted, just flipped the axle and went up to the next tire size.

Edit - I forgot that I had a motorcycle carrier between it and the bronco, I'm sure it helped stabilize it having the trailer axle back a bit further.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1425512812.645341.jpg

That is such a deceiving picture. At first glance it looks like TFBs rig is sitting level. Then you notice the front tires are in the gutter and the rears are on the driveway (rear springs compressed), then you put a lovely young lady in front of the rear wheels to hide that fact.

Post by **HIX** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 10:13 am

Decided just to do a spring over for now. Still need to buy bigger wheels and tires but it should get me thru

Post by **mickphatmac** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 11:02 am

Nice job! Looks great.
I did the same to mine, Springs over axles, bigger wheels and tires....

FYI, you'll either need to make, or haul some blocks or something to accommodate the extra height when you put the leveling arms down at all 4 corners,
Same thing for the front tongue jack,
Bought a Double fold up step since it was too high for the wife and kiddos,
Also, I had to add about a foot to the awning poles or it was too short and the door rubbed it!
Larger wheels had to have a 3" aluminum spacer on both sides due to back spacing. - Not Cheap!
(also welded bigger spare tire carrier to the bumper so the larger spare wouldn't tear through the plywood/plastic in the rear!)

All in all, a simple project that just kept on giving ;)

Post by **HIX** » Mon Mar 16, 2015 4:24 pm

Here it is with a 205/75/15 instead of the stock 185/80/13

Post by **Jesus_man** » Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:58 am

Looks good!

www.ColoradoClassicBroncos.com