Pop-up camper question - Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation

Cajun Camper · 09-12-2006, 02:03 PM

I hope this is the right forum. Next year I hope to get into a Pop-up Camper. I'd like to be around the $1,500 range for our purposes. I have towed many a boat and trailer, never owned or used a camper.

Mainly I would like to have something fairly new (+/- 15 years), in good shape, with no leaks or tears in the canvass or netting. An A/C is a must!

That being said, someone told me I can't go into National Parks with a soft-sided camper because of bears or something. True or not, what I'd like to know is are there any "must-knows" about pop-up campers, when selecting one?

For instance ( I am making this up for example),
--Campers after 1985 have safety wiring after a number of campers had fires.
--Campers after 1990 have better canvass and netting
--Campers after 1994 changed the design of the pop-out beds and it's better
--Hard sided campers are required for ( ).
--An oven is a must have
--Avoid ovens, they take up space and inflate the price.

Thanks!

4everfrio · 09-12-2006, 03:43 PM

CC, you sound like most of us, tent camping then a pop-up and finally the full blown travel trailer.
Finding a trailer for 1500 that is in good shape might take some looking.
When looking, go over the unit with a fine tooth comb. Top, bottom, inside and out. Examine the floor, from underside. for any water stains or rotten areas. Pull the drawers out and look inside for water stains on the floor and walls. Check the ceiling for staining, especially around the vent or A/C. Have the water and electricity hooked up and check all appliances. Look for water leaks as well. Have the seller close the unit up. Watch the trailer, when it is closing. See if anything is hanging up or hard to open or close.
After you get a trailer, change the tires and pack the wheel bearing. ( a little prevention goes a long way). When you remove the tires, think of what you might need if you should have a flat while on the road. And, remember to pack it on the next trip.
I hope you find a trailer. Just take your time and shop smart.
~~~~~4everfrio~~~~~

"He was a kodiak lookin' feller about 19 feet tall"

Cajun Camper · 09-12-2006, 03:46 PM

Thanks a lot for the advice. Yes, my dad started off way back when with us tent camping a lot. Then came hunting camps accessed only by boats. Then came the 3/4 size Bounder RV, then the upgrade to the BIG RV (not a pusher, but a big, boxy, nice RV). When that got too big there was the current RV, the 30-something foot Isata.

Me, I would have done a big 5th wheel or bumper with a nice rig to pull. But, we're just getting started with our first house, young son and not sure what direction to go. So, I think pop-up, then bigger, and bigger....

Also, be careful when you get up on that mountain and are watchin' that still... LOL

huachuca · 09-12-2006, 04:51 PM

CC, good advice from 4everfrio. We camp a lot in our National and State Parks and Forests and, as far as I know, the 'no popups' rule applies only to some of our western lands where grizzlies might be encountered.

Not too many of our National Parks have sites with electrical hookups so, if that's where you expect to camp and if AC is a must, you're going to need at least a 2KW generator - a 3KW unit will be required for older or larger AC's. Expect to spend somewhere between a thousand and sixteen fifty for a quiet Honda or Yamaha.

You might also want to visit the popup forum at www.rv.net - Lots of experience on that site.

Good luck in your search - Al

Cajun Camper · 09-12-2006, 05:48 PM

Sorry for any confusion. I have no plans to camp in a national park, I don't even know where one is. I think I was told this in case I bought the pop-up and suddenly was denied in parks.

Thx

happybooker1 · 09-12-2006, 06:02 PM

I own a Pup and the absolute best forum for info like you're looking for (IMHO) is popupexplorer.com. Go there, post your ??'s and in short order you will have TONS of answers/advice, etc. by ones that have been there/done that before!

Oh, and don't forget Ebay. That's where I got my Pup. You can just browse the listings & look at all the pictures if you want also!

rockhill · 09-12-2006, 08:30 PM

You can probably find a decent pop up that some one has traded in. Good time to look is right after the local RV show. Others have pointed out the obivious things to look at. I had a pop up for 10 years before moving up to a larger trailer. Never had an oven in it and still don't. I always cook outside. Keeps grease, heat and odors out of the camper. Mine did not have A/C when I bought it and went several years without one. They can be added utilizing the overhead vent and did not cost all that much as I recall. I had a little 10 foot Jayco and loved it. Loved it enough to buy a Jayco Kiwi travel trailer. I am sure others have their favorites as well. Something to look at is how much carry space you have when it is folded down for travel. Tha space comes in handy for ice chest, food, clothes and the like. Just some thoughts to consider as you go down the decision making path

Cajun Camper · 09-12-2006, 08:36 PM

Thanks! That's great information

Brantime · 12-08-2006, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cajun Camper

Sorry for any confusion. I have no plans to camp in a national park, I don't even know where one is. I think I was told this in case I bought the pop-up and suddenly was denied in parks.

Thx

Greetings!

I purchased an older, okay downright old (1976) Coleman Gettysburg Popup and have been working on it off an on for a year or two! It is in decent shape with a new canvass, newly rebuilt beds and slide rails, and doesn't look bad!!!

We towed this PU to Rocky Mountain National Park in Estes Park, Colorado (over 2,000 miles) and spent 7 nights camping in the National Park...there were many popups, and a lot of tents there! I suppose that Yellowstone and Glazier NP's may have some restrictions due to Grizzlies but most other NP's do not!

We could not ever tell the popup came along! It made no differeance on our gas mileage, and we couldn't even tell it was behind the truck!

We have our discount passes that allow us to camp at all NP/NForrest/Army Corp of Engineers campgrounds at a fraction of the cost. We paid $7 dollars a night while camping in the NP!

If you are interested I can post the link to all National recreation campgrounds in the US...just let me know, lol!

Take care and camp often!