1990 Coleman Chesapeake -- Have Questions

[mwinterwolf2004]

Hello all ... am new to PU camping and have just purchased a 1990 Coleman Chesapeake. I was able to find an owner's manual for it online, so I'm good to go there, but I have a couple of questions that hopefully someone here will be able to help me with!

The doorstep light, located on the underside of the floor, is burned out and needs to be replaced. How do I get the cover off to see what kind of bulb to put in it ???

Do most of you travel with your awnings attached directly to the PU or do you carry them elsewhere?

Can someone explain to me tongue weight? What, exactly, is the tongue anyway?

I have a 1999 Dodge Durango, 5.9L, V8 and will have no problems towing the PU.

Thanks.

Pat S
Tulsa OK

[hoppy]

First, welcome to the forum.

Question # 1. Can't help ya on this one for certain, but like most lense covers, they either just pry off, or are screwed on.

Question # 2. Yes, the majority of us keep the awning attached to the roof while traveling.

Question # 3. The tongue is that "A" shapped frame member in the front of the PU that the coupler is mounted to. Tongue weight is the weight of the PU as it sits on the hitch of the tow vehicle. The owners manual will go into great detail of the tongue weight's relation with the towing properties. But a simple rule with Coleman PU's is that the tongue weight on the tow vehicle hitch should be somewhere between 10-15 % of the PU's total weight to eliminate sway. You should get the PU weighed and check the Gross Vehicle Weight fully loaded, the Gross Axel Weight when loaded, and the Tongue Weight. The manual should outline the correct procedure to perform these measurements.


Good luck with your PU, and enjoy many exciting and relaxing trips with it.