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Pop up camper questions
10/2/2011 6:18:25 PM
About to purchase my first pop up camper. What should I look for in a used model ?
10/2/2011 6:23:20 PM
Be realistic in the size you want and need, they come in all kinds of sizes but most have the same features. Just make sure everything works. If you find one you really like and are serious about, have the owner run you thru the operation of EVERYTHING, including how to lower and raise it, turn on the electronics, stoves, heaters, a/c.
Look for water damage inside, torn / weathered canvas and netting.
Look at the chasis (frame) for any damage, unusual rust or anything that looks "off"
When it comes to used RVs, I feel its a BUYERS market, you should be able to set a reasonable price, if someone wont budge, move on. Its costing them to keep it, its taking up space for them to store it, those that want to get rid of an RV usually want to do it as soon as possible to either get out of the game or move on to something bigger and better.
Make sure you get one rated for your tow vehicle, some popups can actually be heavy.
Look for water damage inside, torn / weathered canvas and netting.
Look at the chasis (frame) for any damage, unusual rust or anything that looks "off"
When it comes to used RVs, I feel its a BUYERS market, you should be able to set a reasonable price, if someone wont budge, move on. Its costing them to keep it, its taking up space for them to store it, those that want to get rid of an RV usually want to do it as soon as possible to either get out of the game or move on to something bigger and better.
Make sure you get one rated for your tow vehicle, some popups can actually be heavy.
10/2/2011 7:34:45 PM
Water damage around the walls roof and floor. The lift system functions as should and the canvas is not rotted. I just sold a 2002 Flagstaff 620ST. I like the pups.
I still have a few accessories...Plug in Combo lights. BAL leveler
A great resource forum is popup portal . com
I still have a few accessories...Plug in Combo lights. BAL leveler
A great resource forum is popup portal . com
10/2/2011 8:41:32 PM
The first post kinda nailed it. Popup portal is a good one, but some of the folks are not that smart. I bought one last year and over doubled my money the next summer. Paid for the sales taxes on the new one.
10/2/2011 8:53:14 PM
IF it has a black water and gray water tanks - make sure they are intact.. and the plumbing works..
you also want to check the fresh water tank for issues.
Side Note - Plan on getting new tires for just about anything you buy, for the peace of mind - trailer tires can go BOOM at any time..
I would also check to make sure any propane stuff works..
Brian
you also want to check the fresh water tank for issues.
Side Note - Plan on getting new tires for just about anything you buy, for the peace of mind - trailer tires can go BOOM at any time..
I would also check to make sure any propane stuff works..
Brian
10/3/2011 1:42:36 PM
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
10/3/2011 2:24:28 PM
Originally Posted By nowgrn4:
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Lots of reasons people choose pop ups over hardsides, Some, its a matter of storage, can put a pop up on garage or in backyard and cover it up, takes up less space. Some other reasons is towing capacity, a double axle trailer will need a truck, OP might only have a small car.
I agree that popups take time to setup and offer less security than a hardside.
If I were to buy a hardside it would be a toyhauler, get the best of both worlds.
I chose to build my own camper.
10/3/2011 2:50:18 PM
Originally Posted By nowgrn4:
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
if it takes them that long to set it up there not doing it right. with my wife helping we can have it up in 15 mins. by myself its 20 mins. ours stays really warm in the winter. the heater works great. its been out in the snow with no problems. it would be nice to have a bathroom but we just use the camp bathroom or the woods. for the size they sleep a lot more people and seam more open. a hard side the same size would not come close to holding the same amount of people.
stuck
10/3/2011 2:52:03 PM
when buying one used make sure it goes up and down right. when going up/down it stays level. also make sure the door hooks in pretty easy. then the stuff said above. there great for familys. we sleep 6 in ours with room for another kid or two.
stuck
stuck
10/3/2011 10:16:43 PM
Originally Posted By nowgrn4:
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
We have a popup and from the time I level it and have the top up, beds out, and a/c on is right at 10 minutes. We have a flushable toilet, and a shower (even one outside too). At the end of June in Omaha, the a/c never was turned past low cool. I can comfortably sleep six and tow it with a minivan. Ill agree that putting it up wet kinda sucks but the ease of towing and storing makes it that much better.
10/4/2011 3:06:15 AM
Are you talking about a pop up truck camper like Palomino or Fourwheel Camper? Or do you mean a pop up tent trailer like Coleman? If you mean a pop up truck camper I've owned a FWC for a few years and can probably answer any specific questions you may have. There's not a great deal of problems with them as they are aluminum framed with a minimum of wood used in their construction. When taken care of they will last for many years. I don't have any experience with the pop up tent trailers.
10/4/2011 10:23:12 AM
How many families have upgraded to a hard side or motor home from a canvas pop-up? I can think of several just in our circle of friends. How many families have gone from a hard side or motor home to a canvas pop-up? For the life of me I can't think of one.
With so many good entry level units on the market at distress pricing because of the economy. Skipping the whole pop-up compromise is just something you might consider.
There is nothing wrong with pop-ups but there are many other affordable options.
With so many good entry level units on the market at distress pricing because of the economy. Skipping the whole pop-up compromise is just something you might consider.
There is nothing wrong with pop-ups but there are many other affordable options.
10/4/2011 11:24:10 AM
Originally Posted By sgtb:
About to purchase my first pop up camper. What should I look for in a used model ?
About to purchase my first pop up camper. What should I look for in a used model ?
We had a pop-up, let just say it open harder then it should of.
Still only took 15 plus minute. This was a stripped down camper.
No heater,used a kerosene heater, no toilet, add a porterpot
Some come with good heaters and air. Easy to tow.
Cost to buy and up keep low as well.
If you can afford one, look at a Hi-low. Not cheap!
You do not see may for sale.
Poeple who own one do not sale them very often.
When they do they are not cheap but sale fast!
Good luck! We want picture of what ever you buy!
PITA45
10/4/2011 6:23:39 PM
Originally Posted By nowgrn4:
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Please skip the pop-up phase and go with a good used dual axle ultralight right out of the box. We camp with a couple with a pop-up and after 3 years they have had enough and are looking for a hardside. It takes at least an hour and a half to set up the thing, if they have to pack up and it's wet they have to wait for a sunny day to open it back up and let the canvas dry out. Tiny fridge, fresh, gray and black water tanks, casette toilet and no insulation in really hot or cold weather will get old fast.
Craig's list is full of deals right now. You can get a great little hardside for the same money as a pop-up. Look for a rig with big dinette(converts to Queen bed)Up front and a folding queen bed in the back that folds up for a big storage area with a "Garage" door. Store all your outside tables, chairs, grill, carpet and other gear in the garage then set up camp and fold down the queen and you are done.
Thank me later.
Totally depends on your situation. We've had a Coleman pop-up since my twins were about a 14 months old in April of '02. Its in great shape, and we use it regularly (well, not this summer, but that's a different story!) We've had about two camp-outs where I was pissed at the wife for not springing for AC, and I've never been cold in it, even in temps down near freezing.
Yep, fridge is pretty small, and we've got a portable, cassette toilet, but you can get them w/ built in bathrooms.
From the time I find my camp site until the time I'm stringing up the lights on the awning is about 30 min while working by myself. As long as the kids don't get in the way, that time is very consistant.
That said, my kids are getting bigger (10yo twins and a 6yo), and I've had a big enough truck since '03, so next year we'll probably look for a hard side.
Good luck!
K
