Anyone own a camper - or likes camping?

[ama223]

DH & I are considering getting a pop-up camper. We live in NY, so camping isn't something we would do year-round, but we could definitely do it at least 6-7 months of the year.

What are the things you love about having a camper? Do you use it as much as you thought you would?

My concers are that once the boys are older, sports or other committments would prevent us from using it as often as we would like..

Any other pros/cons to campers?

 

[kmccain]

You might want to try posting on the Disney Camping thread. There are a lot of nice people over there with good information.

Good Luck!

We love camping!

 

[MandM-Mom]

We had a camper when our girls were younger, we had a pop up and loved it, but 2 years ago we sold it because we were not using it anymore and now we miss it terrible. We didn't have time because my oldest plays soccer in the fall and Softball in the spring and early summer and it only left about 7 weekends out of the year for us to use it. I would love to have it back and just use it those 7-8 weekends we made a terrible mistake selling it!!!

 

[mrudman]

We bought a hybrid travel trailer last summer, and absolutely love it! We're in Ohio, so it's only going to able to be used about 7 months out of each year..

It's been so much fun so far though... have only taken "weekend" type trips with it.. only been about 2 hrs away, but we're working up to bigger trips slowly, lol.

Dd's love it though, and I love the peace I get when we're there of knowing I don't have to do anything other than sit around a fire if i don't want to.

 

[PattySwind]

We camped in a pop-up when I was a kid. My ex dh and I owned a 5th wheel trailer that we went to Florida and Nascar races with. After having that I don't know if I'd be crazy about a pop-up. I guess it's better than a tent.

 

[kaweb]

We have a "Scamp"--a small, fiberglass trailer. We can pull it easily w/ our minivan, and (we did briefly have a pop-up) the best part is that we stay dry in rain and don't have to put it up to dry out when we return from a trip.

We've had it about 6 years, since our kids were 6 and 3, and though we don't get out as often as we'd like (we live in MN, so Nov.-April are not optimal for camping unless you like winter camping and have extra gear) we absolutely love it!

We've done several week long stints, including a couple in MN state parks (which have electric but not water hook ups), and we have a membership at a campground about an hour away from our house that we go to whenever we have a free weekend. I love the chance for us to get away as a family, being "unplugged" and the feeling of being close to nature. Our camper is so small we don't spend a lot of time in it, besides sleeping, so we eat, play and hang out outdoors. The kids love the outdoors, the freedom--they get to run around and have more freedom at campgrounds, it seems--and the release from everyday rules.

If you have any specific questions, feel free to ask or PM me, but I wish you luck and say "go for it!"

 

[okeydokey]

We own a pop up now and we love it. Of course this was a huge step up from tent camping that we did for years, even when our kids were infants.

We camp maybe 3 to 5 times a year so we do consider it worth our investment. We got a used pop up for a great price though.

One day after the kids are grown I want to move up to an actual RV so I can stay in comfort at Ft. Wilderness! We just did a 5 night trip with the kids and the dog and I think my limit is 5 nights.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I agree with PP, maybe think of a smaller camper. We bought a pop up last year (off craigslist). It was a great little pop up, but not for me... again better than a tent but not by much! We sold it this year and got a 25' with a bathroom so we have that. We got a local river lot, parked it there for the summer and have used it a lot. We don't have a vehicle to tow something so large unless we borrow FIL's so we don't go anywhere else with it yet. Hopefully in 3-4 yrs we'll take it to Niagra Falls, and I'd love to take it to the beach camping somewhere.
Which ever type of camper you decide on, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'd say go cheaper and get a used one, but that of course depends on your situation. I'm not one for paying for new

 

[momof2gr8kids]

We our pop up! We can only camp 5 months of the year max (Northern Ontario). It's so peacful and relaxing when you're camping. No schedules, no phones, no tv, etc. I like the pop up because I can tow it myself and set everything up myself if dh is working. Before that we had tents, and it was getting to be a real pain!

We are lucky that we have a couple of campgrounds within 1/2 an hour from home, so even if the kids are older and have activities, we could drive back into town for something. With dh's shift work, he can come and go from one of the closer campgrounds too.