Jeff10236
Annapolis, MD
Full Member
Joined: 12/20/2008
View Profile
 Offline
|
As a teenager we had a pop-up and I loved it. I've been wanting to buy one for myself since my parents sold ours in 1989 about a month before I graduated from high school. I'm finally looking to buy a tow vehicle this year and a camper this spring.
Well, I am a teacher and I plan to use the camper quite heavily during the summers that I don't take a summer job. Summers I do work I may still spend a week or two plus many weekends throughout the year in the camper. However, the summers I do not take a summer job I may take a month or even two to travel the country, or pick one or two places I really want to spend some real time (like the beach) and spend an extended vacation there.
So, that brings me to my question. Many people start with a pop-up and then "graduate" to something bigger. If I'm potentially going to spend as much as 5-8 weeks at a time in the camper, should I buy a pop-up? I am thinking about something nicer, like a highwall, but still, is that enough for that much time at a time? The other options would be to just forget the pop-up and go for a bit more luxury and comfort for my longer trips and get a 20-23' lightweight TT or an 18-21' hybrid to start out with.
If you'd suggest one way for certain vehicles and another for others, I don't yet have the tow vehicle. I can get the vehicle that will work for whatever way I choose for the camper. I have pretty much decided on a 1/4 ton pick-up (I'm single and don't need the passenger space of an SUV) with equipment that will put my towing rating in the 7-9K range.
-BMW 325i
-Cheap 4-season tent
-Will buy a nice spring/summer weight tent this spring
-Starting to seriously shop pop-ups and tow vehicles (targeting for this next camping season)
|
forty4san
Full Time, Some Place
Senior Member
Joined: 08/26/2002
View Profile
Offline
|
We started with a pop up in 1996. I loved it .. a pop up gives you an entire different feeling .. like being in a tent just off the ground. Closer to nature, something you don't get when you are in a hard side. BUT I got tired of wet canvas so we went to a hard side in 2002.
Susan I
2008 McKenzie Starwood 32 FKD TT
Hensley & Prodigy Brake Controller
03 Dodge 3500 Quad HO Diesel DRW 4:10 
Fulltiming, On the road somewhere.
|
shysher
Indiana
Senior Member
Joined: 07/25/2004
View Profile
|
Jeff10236,
The book Popping Up Across America would most likely be a good read for you. The couple who wrote the book document their two lengthy (11-12 months each) trips that they made in their popup camper. I believe you would enjoy reading about their experience and would clarify any questions you might have regarding your own desire.
Sherry
|
Jeff10236
Annapolis, MD
Full Member
Joined: 12/20/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
forty4san wrote:We started with a pop up in 1996. I loved it .. a pop up gives you an entire different feeling .. like being in a tent just off the ground. Closer to nature, something you don't get when you are in a hard side. BUT I got tired of wet canvas so we went to a hard side in 2002.
I agree. I loved the pop-up my parents had when I was a teen. It was almost the best of both worlds- the tent sides allowed you to feel like you were still out there in nature, but being raised off the ground, the solid roof, and sturdy construction (compared to a tent anyway) made it much more comfortable than a tent.
But I'm thinking that some summers I'll be pretty much living in the camper during the summer. In fact, I may even do work-camping some summers (sounds like an interesting option for a teacher), at least as long as I'm single (or if I marry another educator with summers off it may even continue after I'm no longer single).
I'm also going to continue tent camping so I can get the real outdoorsy feeling when I want it even if I got a more luxurious camper.
So, at least the hard sides and "real" bathroom of a hybrid may be a good way to go. It would also still have the tent sides on the bunks and hopefully give some of that outdoors feeling. So, if I do skip the pop-up I think I'm leaning towards a hybrid (unless there is a reason to avoid canvas walls for extended trips). Of course, there would still be wet canvas in this case, so total hard-wall is still a strong consideration.
|
Jeff10236
Annapolis, MD
Full Member
Joined: 12/20/2008
View Profile
Offline
|
shysher wrote:Jeff10236,
The book Popping Up Across America would most likely be a good read for you. The couple who wrote the book document their two lengthy (11-12 months each) trips that they made in their popup camper. I believe you would enjoy reading about their experience and would clarify any questions you might have regarding your own desire.
I checked the link and looked over the website (including the link to the article from their local paper). I may check out the book. Interesting, they are pretty local (I grew up about 45min from Frederick, MD).
|
|
|
Road Ruler
Canada
Senior Member
Joined: 09/11/2003
View Profile
|
Jeff10236 wrote:As a teen my parents had a nice Jayco pop-up and Crown Vic tow vehicle
The Crown Vics can tow just about anything but with modern technology many V6 cars can do the job just as well.
You have so many choices for TV's and trailer combinations. Lets start with the question. What vehicles do you prefer to drive on a daily basis?
Airstreams.... the best towing trailers on the planet!
|
smkettner
Southern California
Senior Member
Joined: 03/21/2005
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
|
We enjoyed our pop up for over five years and I recommend it. Less weight to pull and low profile gives far better mileage. Since you are just starting out it might be better to stick with a smaller and more efficient pop up trailer. Buy used for no more than half list price. This will allow you to sell it without as much cost if you really are looking for something different in a season or two. We bought our like new Coleman (2yo) for $6600 and five years later sold it for $5600 so the cost was minimal.
2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
|
DutchmenSport
Between Anderson, Pendleton, & Lapel, Indiana
Senior Member
Joined: 10/10/2006
View Profile
Offline
|
The nice thing about PUP's over a TT is the fact you can store them in a normal household garage, as long as the PUP is short enough. The down side to a PUP is breaking camp in the rain and wet sides. No fun at all.
What type of trailer you finally get will be driven (literally) by what type of tow vehicle you end up getting. I suggest you purchase the most powerful vehicle you can afford, that has the best towing capacity possible for the money. Then look at options for your trailer.
We pulled a PUP with a Chevy Mini-Van for years. We picked the PUP because the vehicle could comfortably tow it. When we wanted to go to a regular trailer, we had to get a heavier tow vehicle first. We ended up with a Suburban, then got the trailer.
DutchmenSport
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Dually Duramax 6.6L V8 Turbo
Century Truck Cap Commercial /Toolboxes
Northeast Outfitters Canoe
2006 Keystone Springdale Model 263DBL
Weight 4985, Carrying Capacity 2575, Hitch 560, Length 30'
Width 8', Height 10' 6"
|
Rolling Condo
South Carolina
Senior Member
Joined: 11/22/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I grew up in tents then graduated to PUP's then on to TTs. I think alot depends on where you will be camping. Since you've already stated your intent for extended outings. The advantages of moving up to a Hybrid or TT with more storage, larger galley space and larger refer and a larger bathroom speak for themselves. That plus considerations for varying weather conditions should be taken into account.
'90 GMC R2500 7.4L
'90 Avion 34V
Cummins Onan P4300ie
Reese Dual Cam HP
Prodigy
|
aeohio
New Mexico
Full Member
Joined: 09/20/2007
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club
Offline
|
It boils down to personal choice for you. I would suggest going out and looking at a hybrid, pup and a TT. You can then make the choice for yourself. the bottom line is you will be able to do what you want to do with any of the choices you have listed.
2010 Passport UL 290BH
2006 Ford Expedition Limited
|
|
|
