Anyone know anything about these kinds of campers? I know we had one when I was a kid. My wife and i are planning a summer road trip (I know gas $$.. good timing, Andy) but, hey, you only live once.
So we looked into renting a small RV, but for the money it seems like you could pick up a fairly nice pop up. (2500-3k) Use it for the trip and sell it again on craigslist. I'm weighing the pros and cons and thought I'd turn to my surveyor family, since I know we all have opinions on everything!!
Let er rip!
Andy
I don't know about popups, but I've had a small "hard side" camper for nearly 10 years now and we love it. I don't know how far you're planning to travel but before you buy one be sure to have the wheels, tires, bearings abd electrical checked out before you start. We've pulled ours as far south as you and as far north as Myrtle Beach. Your pickup should have no problem towing a decent sized pop up but your gas mileage will decrease significantly (I'm assuming a tow weight of 2500-3000 lbs.). The reason we din't go with a pop up is that my wife wanted to be sure we had our own bathroom. Most campgrounds have easily accessible (close) bathroom facilities and lots of them have water, power and cable TV hookups. Florida has some really good State campgrounds. E'mail me and I'll give some good places.
The "Other" Andy
Andy
We had one for years when I was a kid, lots of cheap travel. Not a bad setup. Hot though. The newer ones are pretty nice, ac and everything. Bring along a big tarp to use as a shade and extra rain protection if you do end up with a used one.
Safe travels!
My parents had one of those, they loved it. My brother has it now.
It weighs 1500lbs.
Easy to tow with any mid-size or above car.
It has brakes but the trailer is too light for them, I always just turned the brake sensitivity to nothing when I towed it.
Over the years I've owned a couple. The great thing about them is the portability and ease of towing. Plus you can strap a canoe, bicyles, lawn chairs, etc on top if so inclined. I never had one with a furnace or air conditioner but I know most of the newer ones have them. Some even have toilets & sinks. I just used a typical propane tent heater, or opened the windows, and cooked on my coleman stove accordingly.
The main drawbacks are that you have to deal with the setup & take down, which a 1/2 hr or so. And always packing and unpacking things. Plus if you keep it long, the canvas is subject to mildew, bugs, mice, so you have to set them up in your yard periodically to air it out. Oh yea, and it's just another thing you need to park in your yard and keep license plates/insurance on.
I wouldn't hesitate with your buy it now, sell it when done plan. I also think your price range is realistic, but the newer ones can get pricey. Sound like a good plan though. Have fun and safe travels.
Brakes
Check your state laws but I believe a single axle does not require trailer brakes. If you do need trailer brakes you'll have to have a brake controller installed. Most newer trucks come prewired so it shouldn't be too expensive. We carry a propane stove and grill along, even though ours has a full kitchen. Everything tastes better cooked outside. Some popups come with a roll out canopy which sure is nice if you can't find a shaded spot or if its raining. Camping is a blast and your children will remember the fun of being out with "the folks". One of the first things you'll learn is how to back a trailer, no big deal but it takes some practice.
Andy
Brakes
I just remember my Dad telling me 1500 lbs and above required brakes. I had a brake controller in my car. They either did nothing or locked up. It wasn't really a big deal, the car could stop it fine.
It has a stove/sink/ice box in between the beds and a stand-up shower. It also has a separate stove outside with the roll out canopy.
I agree, it's better to cook outside. Cooking inside would fill it with food aroma.
It also has a dinette on the inside which can be a small bed.
also bring a big carpenters level so you can level it when you park it.
> also bring a big carpenters level so you can level it when you park it.
There ya go again, thinking like a surveyor. If ya can't get it within 0.04', then just call it good & have another beer to help you sleep.
Hint: Always keep your head on the uphill side. If transversely oriented, keep momma on the uphill side so she'll roll onto you and help keep you awake......:-P
watch out Wayne, I might just "pincushion" your trailer setup.
In the middle of the night Wayne is awoken by the clank-clank-clank of the jack leveling his trailer. He investigates and finds another surveyor "correcting" his mistakes.
> In the middle of the night Wayne is awoken by the clank-clank-clank of the jack leveling his trailer. He investigates and finds another surveyor "correcting" his mistakes.
...and just like the Motel 6...We'll leave the light on for ya...and coffee in the morning.
But while you're pincushioning things, don't be troubled by the constant shifting of said pop-up. At least until we go back to sleep. Remember that we ain't building a bridge, we're making waves.
😉
well, the missus found one for us to go look at. that was quick!
oh you mean "if this rig's a rockin', don't come a knockin!"?
:good:
:beer:
That's larger than the one my folks had.
The only downside of them is everything has to be down low (no eye level cabinets) so the beds can slide in and the roof can drop.
Look at the roof carefully, they can be a source of trouble.
yes, bigger than the one my folks had as well. Coleman had some issues with the roofs that were taken care of the year before this model. But will be checking it out for sure.. I like the idea of a pop up instead of a small RV. might just keep it for a few trips too. we did rent one once when the kids were little, and enjoyed it. and I told my wife if we are at each others throats after our trip, I could go live in the driveway for a while!
nice
Something to be said about buying from original owners. Sure looks well kept. Plus they have their yard tools all neatly aligned in the garage, which indicates an OCD neatnick kind of persona (which I'm not). Good people to buy things from for the most part, but usually won't bargain - which they indicated.
Nicer, bigger, and newer than anything I've ever owned. Then again I never paid that much for any of my trailers. Just remember that all those fancy appliances for comfort are all prone to fixing, and usually at the worst possible time. And you won't be pulling that with anything other than a truck or bigger SUV. Plus, isn't Orlando a long way from Sanibel.
Have fun. Buying toys is always an adventure, eh
nice
FUnny, the garage pic was one of the first things I looked at too. got an 09 dodge ram laramie, so I think I can pull that! and yes, O town is a few hours away, but I like to get off this rock once in while too. i told the lady we were coming and she said ok, I won't sell it until you decide. my gut tells me she isn't going to pull a fast one.
google turned up a few others.. same year and make for more money. it's not a whole lot more than renting a small RV, and we already know we both like pop ups. so worst case we sell it for a loss, but still pay less than renting. Oh, I see they aren't "pop ups" anymore, they like to be called "tent campers".
nice
looks nice to me. seems to be well taken care of.
some of our best trips as a kid were in dad's jayco popup.
