Can you take a look at this?

[nikkipowell1]

Here is a pop up for sale in our area. Doesn't say much about it. What kinda questions/concerns should I have if we do go look at it? And is the price right?

https://www.comm-choice.coop/services_showdet.php?CAT=5&id=1798

 

[stacktester]

Here is a pop up for sale in our area. Doesn't say much about it. What kinda questions/concerns should I have if we do go look at it? And is the price right?

https://www.comm-choice.coop/services_showdet.php?CAT=5&id=1798

I recently purchased a 1999 Jayco myself and got lucky it was a well kept unit. Without seeing it I thought the price was kinda low actually. There are several people on here that have that model that should be able to help. Make sure to look for any water damage and check the roof out. The canvas should be checked for tears and most importantly mold. If you put one of these up wet it will cause problems. Good luck if you decide to buy it.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I own a pop-up similar to this. We bought it new in the fall of 1999, so ours is a 2000 model. The camper you are looking at is what would have been the top of the line in the Coleman camper series back then.

I copied the photo from the ad so we can look at it here.

I have circled and area that has obviously been patched. The hole is probably just from one of the poles that holds up the roof canvas. Unfortunately, these kinds of accidents happen. If this is the only hole in the canvas, then I wouldn't worry about it. It is not in a place where you would have a lot of water trying to get in anyway.

The arrow I put in the front point to a grate which tells me that this camper was equipped with a hot water heater. The little box that you see on the dinette slide out to the right of the hot water heater is a box that holds a hose and outdoor shower head. I would definitely take a look in both of these hatches to make sure nothing is leaking. I believe these hot water heaters have an element that dissolves over time, so it is probable that the hot water heater doesn't work any more. Not a big deal. I never use mine anyway.

The arrow in the back points to a plastic cover for the spare tire. That plastic cover tells us that this is one of the campers from the Elite series. My guess is that this is the Niagara model. Which means that it also has an inside shower and cassette toilet. These are nice features too.

As Stacktester already said, the big issues are to check the canvas, and make sure it is in good shape. In general, the plastic roofs on these campers last a long time, so there should be no problem with that. I also suggest that you give it the sniff test- if you smell any mold or mildew, then you ought to pass.

You should definitely check the tires. You don't want any problems there. But replacing those is not a major expense.

I think the price is good, if it is in good shape. Is there any chance you can get more photos for us to scrutinize?

TCD

 

[CampingBandit]

Lift up the bunk mattresses and check for evidence of water damage to the bed supports. Make sure all the supports for the bunkends are there, and the tiedown/velcro ends work securely (our friend's son rolled right out of the bunkend because the velcro wasn't secured.) Make sure all the zippers for the window coverings work and the screens are intact.

Check under the sink area for plumbing leaks, if you can get underneath to check out the water tank, make sure it's in decent shape.

Make sure the AC/furnace/fridge works, the exhaust fan works, test everything out.... etc.

Edit: ask them how many miles/trips has it been on. We had a popup for 3 years, bought it used but we only took like 8 trips in it, we traded it in it was still in excellent condition.

I like the OBO offer....you have some room to play here.

 

[cjalphonso]

I would look underneath for excessive rust, lots of salt on the roads up there.

 

[nikkipowell1]

Thanks for all the advice everyone. I emailed her and I am waiting back to see if it has been sold or not. Keep you posted.

 

[mrsscooter]

Don't be shy..........ask to hook up the water and try the faucets/shower heads, etc. Also turn on the heater and try out the a/c...when we were looking at a few used units, no one had a problem with us doing that, except for the ones that KNEW those things didn't work. My husband also had the towing harness on the truck, so he was able to actually hook up to see if all the lights worked as well. Good luck!!!!! Let us know how you make out!

 

[stacktester]

Don't be shy..........ask to hook up the water and try the faucets/shower heads, etc. Also turn on the heater and try out the a/c...when we were looking at a few used units, no one had a problem with us doing that, except for the ones that KNEW those things didn't work. My husband also had the towing harness on the truck, so he was able to actually hook up to see if all the lights worked as well. Good luck!!!!! Let us know how you make out!

I agree. If anybody doesn't want you to look at everything, say have a nice day and walk off. I hope this is a good unit for you.

 

[BradyBz12]

if you smell any mold or mildew, then you ought to pass.

Definitely trust your nose. Any hint of mold/mildew smell is a prime indicator of a leak.

Good luck!

 

[tim5055]

Check out this page on my web site:

Purchasing a Used Pop-Up-Camper

 

[des1954]

Check out this page on my web site:

Purchasing a Used Pop-Up-Camper

Tim - Excellent list!!!

 

[CampingBandit]

Check out this page on my web site:

Purchasing a Used Pop-Up-Camper

Excellent!

By the way, if there is any kind of "add-a-room" or screen enclosure that attaches to the awning, make sure they show you that too. We never could figure that one out....

 

[Tri-circle-D]

I was going to come back here to mention that the NADA website lists values for used campers. Tim already has a link for that on his page. If this camper is a Coleman Niagara (which is still my best guess based on the one photo), then the price looks pretty fair.

Tim, thanks for that link. I can't think of another thing that you haven't already suggested. Good job!

At this price, if the camper is in good condition, I would definitely go for it! I would bet that you could use it for a year or two, and turn around and sell it for close to what you paid for it, so why not?

TCD

 

[Tri-circle-D]

Excellent!

By the way, if there is any kind of "add-a-room" or screen enclosure that attaches to the awning, make sure they show you that too. We never could figure that one out....

Huh?

I use my add-a-room all the time.

What can't you figure out? What kind of camper do you have? I can probably explain how to set it up pretty easily.

I will say that on my last visit to the Fort, I saw some people with their add a room set up inside out! They had it so the flaps that obviously are supposed to face out, were facing in. But, aside from it being inside out, they had it set up perfectly.

TCD

 

[nikkipowell1]

The pop up got sold, unfortunately not to me. Guess it wasn't meant to be. Thanks for all your input. I will keep all the recommendations so incase we find another, we will have some knowledge.

 

[CampingBandit]

Huh?

I use my add-a-room all the time.

What can't you figure out? What kind of camper do you have? I can probably explain how to set it up pretty easily.

I will say that on my last visit to the Fort, I saw some people with their add a room set up inside out! They had it so the flaps that obviously are supposed to face out, were facing in. But, aside from it being inside out, they had it set up perfectly.

TCD

LOL - If I had been at the fort I would have said that was probably me!

We no longer have the PUP, upgraded last year. We tried 3 times to put it up....first time, flaps in, but it just sort of hung from the awning there were no corner poles for supporting the walls, or any way to anchor it, and if there was a breeze it just blew around. Then the dealer apparently never put the anchor snaps along the bottom of the PUP, so it wouldn't keep much out.... tried again with flaps out, couldn't get the zipper to meet. "Obviously" flaps out? LOL it was so not obvious to us newbie PUP owners at the time....

If you are in the screenroom, and it begins to rain, wouldn't you want the flaps inside for easier closure? And at night, for privacy? rather than have to go out to lower the flaps? ...

Finally tried a third time, flaps in again, and nothing was making sense and we finally gave up. Never tried again...switched to a separate screen tent....I chuckle thinking about us trying to put that darn thing up....we kept cursing our friends who sold us the pup and never showed us how to put it up. No instructions either, and I searched the web at length at the time. So frustrating....I laugh about it now tho.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

LOL - If I had been at the fort I would have said that was probably me!

We no longer have the PUP, upgraded last year. We tried 3 times to put it up....first time, flaps in, but it just sort of hung from the awning there were no corner poles for supporting the walls, or any way to anchor it, and if there was a breeze it just blew around. Then the dealer apparently never put the anchor snaps along the bottom of the PUP, so it wouldn't keep much out.... tried again with flaps out, couldn't get the zipper to meet. "Obviously" flaps out? LOL it was so not obvious to us newbie PUP owners at the time....

If you are in the screenroom, and it begins to rain, wouldn't you want the flaps inside for easier closure? And at night, for privacy? rather than have to go out to lower the flaps? ...

Finally tried a third time, flaps in again, and nothing was making sense and we finally gave up. Never tried again...switched to a separate screen tent....I chuckle thinking about us trying to put that darn thing up....we kept cursing our friends who sold us the pup and never showed us how to put it up. No instructions either, and I searched the web at length at the time. So frustrating....I laugh about it now tho.

Sounds like maybe the Velcro and snaps you needed weren't installed on the existing awning and frame. Also, you need three poles that go horizontally under the existing awning to hold up the main wall of the add-a-room-those poles rest against the pop-up's roof. Sounds like maybe you didn't have those either. I believe I have my written instructions somewhere, but since you don't have the add-a-room, I won't go hunt them down just yet.

TCD

 

[CampingBandit]

TCD, yes we felt at the time we were missing some poles, we asked the prior owners about it but they had no recollection. Oh well.

I appreciate your willingness to assist me though!