Starting small in the RV world...

[mr.wilson]

Hey, I am looking to start some caming with the family. We are thinking about a Pop-up trailer just to get our feet wet, muddy, dirty. Does anyone have any thoughts on who makes a good pop up or what to look for in either a good used or a new model.



Thanks in advance.

 

[Prairie Dog]

The best by far IMO is Coleman. Check out their stainless steele HW and lift mechanism.



Scotty

 

[opjohnny]

We have had both Coleman and Starcraft. If I could make one camper using the best qualities from both I would be a wealthy person. I love the stepper door and how the poles stay attached to the bed of the C. I like the torflex axel and canvas and trunk of the S better. Weight is not a problem so I would try to find a high sided model with a slide. You have to be careful of the ABS roof on the C. Some of them were a problem.

 

[Jim Smith]

skip the pop up and go for light weight trailer with some ammenities, like a tioilet , shower, hot water, heat, a/c ,bed and bunks for the kids. Its a lot nicer to not have to worry about the rain, cold etc. . When on the road at a rest stop, open the door and walk in have lunch or eat outside if the weather is nice.

 

[mr.wilson]

I am leaning toward the pop up only for the economy of the whole outfit. Then if for some reason the family is not as in to it as I, then I won't feel bad about selling a cleaper popup trailer.

 

[JKinney]

I am leaning toward the pop up only for the economy of the whole outfit. Then if for some reason the family is not as in to it as I, then I won't feel bad about selling a cleaper popup trailer.

Start looking but keep your eyes open, You may find that you can purchase a camper for the same price as a popup. Ive talked to popup owners in campgrounds and many have paid a fortune for something that amounts to nothing.



And walmart parking lots dont allow popups :-laf

 

[SSage]

Start looking but keep your eyes open, You may find that you can purchase a camper for the same price as a popup. Ive talked to popup owners in campgrounds and many have paid a fortune for something that amounts to nothing.



And walmart parking lots dont allow popups :-laf

I second the above, pop ups suck after the honeymoon is over. You can't use them at rest stops like a travel trailer, the cost when new compares to hard side travel trailers. The pop up won't give you much privacy, you may not like hearing every noise in the campground... . Oh, when it rains... The point of a RV is having the shower, stove, AC, dry bed, the protection from the weather the option to winter camp in comfort...



If I needed a pop up, I would go with a highlow, Aliner, Chalet etc. .

 

[GCordrey]

Pop ups

I have a starcraft pop up, and use the heck out of it. I personally like the canvas material, seems to be rubber impregnated. Very durable. One thought: If you don't like the rain noise or the fact that your neighbors are gonna know you snore, go with a small travel trailer. On my camper, the only options I got were the awning(which blew off going up I75 from Dale Hollow) and a roof a/c.

 

[Diesel&Donuts]

Some of our best memories camping was with a popup. Was able to hand push it around to get it in just the right spot. But we only camped a couple times a year. After 2 yrs went to a TT for the reasons stated above. I've seen some nice pop ups that have the slide etc but they cost as much as some TT. If you want to start out w/popup to see if you like camping, go used.

Harold

 

[klenger]

If I was starting out small, I get me one of these:



http://www.northwoodmfg.com/2007/FOX_215R.htm



#ad

 

[opjohnny]

That fox is more then a popup! That's a heck of a nice trailer. If storage is a problem you can put most popups in the garage. I would go used since you don't know if the family will take to camping. Can't argue because everyone here has good points. In the rain you would wish for a hard sided camper.

 

[AMink]

Another option is to check for used trailers. They lose value faster than Hillary shreds paperwork. You can get into a use travel trailer for thousands less than new. If you're going to be pulling with your truck, weight won't be an issue. Now is not the best time to buy new, as it's coming up to "the season". However, this is the time when folks trade or sell their older ones for newer ones.



Trailers are a lot like boats. There are a lot of them that don't get used much and are in very good condition. Good luck! Oh yeah, if you take a loan on it and it's fully contained, it's a write off as a second home AND you have somewhere to put company. :-laf

 

[PKozlowski]

When I was a kid we had a popup. Had a blast!

Now my family and I have a 5th wheel. More comfortable but has

it's draw backs. Every thing has it's pros and cons. The main thing is go

get out and get camping!

I could go one and on about the good vs bad like the popup would leak in the rain

or it's harder to park the 5th wheel and it doesn't fit everywhere.

But in the end we're camping.

I do agree with have a shower and a bath room though.

Oh, and don't be afraid to look at used ones. They already have

the bugs worked out of them.

 

[Miner49er]

I've got both ( coleman pop up and 24' TT). I use the pop up for hunting and fishing. It will keep the guys and dogs warm and dry and it gets into tight spaces.

The TT is for the wife and grand kids... believe me, if you start your wife camping in a pop up, you'll probably end up selling it... The trailer will give her privacy and some personal aminities, ( things you won't find in a pop up). I guess they are worth it-the wives that is.

Oh yea... and what the others say...

 

[JMetzger]

You might look at a HI-LO. I have never had one but everyone I talk to like them & can pull with a smaller tow vehicle. Web site is www.hilotrailer.com

 

[RJOL]

When I was a kid, we use to tent camp every summer (5 boys plus mom and dad) and we thought it was great. After I got married I took the wife tent camping a couple of times and she really didn't like it (rain, mud, cold, etc. ). After we had kids, the trailer was the only way to go. Maybe a tent trailer would have worked, but my brother had one and it was just not as comfortable as a trailer.



You could rent a small motorhome, or trailer (if anyone does that) and try it for you family. If you don't want to do that, try looking for a used trailer. I think if you do a good job of looking for a used one you could pick one up pretty reasonable and try it for a summer or two. If your family doesn't like it, sell it. JMHO...

 

[Foil Freak 1211]

My first RV was a Coleman pop-up. Bought it used, kept it for two years before moving up. I know there is a lot less to go wrong with a pop-up, so it may not be a fair comparison, but that was by far the best quality RV I have had. Buying used, I also missed the depreciation - sold it for the same amount I bought it for. There are advantages and disadvantages to both. If you think you will go a lot, the pop-up can be a lot of work - a lot like a tent where nothing has a permanent place. But it was a great way for us to get into a RV.



If you truly aren't sure if camping is for you, why not try to rent something? I know that there are places that rent pop-ups, as well as motor homes. I've even seen a few small travel trailers with RVAmerica signs on them.

 

[mr.wilson]

We have done a little tent camping and always have a good time. We have not been in a few year due to LIFE... I am thinking it is time to get out again but with some modern conveniences. I wish the budget would allow a TT, I may have to look a little closer and see what is out there for about the same price.



I knew someone would have an opinion.



Thanks,

 

[DCaswell]

If you want to camp and stay married at the same time I would definitely look at a used TT. If you are not sure what you are looking at or for there are TD members in your area that would be glad to help. Prices will be going up in March as spring gets here.

 

[mr.wilson]

That is the great part of the whole deal. It was my wife idea so if anything goes wrong or she is not happy well then maybe the upgrade would not be a hard sell. I would almost prefer a TT but think the PU would be fun just to get away for the weekend. I think the other selling point for her was our neighbors are also getting a PU and they have kids the same age as ours. This would give us people we know and playdates for the kids.



Not too change gears but what Travel Trailers are recommended, for comparison sakes.