Does anyone know what to look for in a pop-up?

[monkeybug]

We plan on buying a pop up camper soon. Nothing fancy, just a used one off of craigslist. We plan on buying an older one and updating the cosmetic aspects of it. I know that the canvas is an important thing to look at (that it's free of mold, holes, ect.) but what else?

 

[terri01p]

 

[monkeybug]

If you ask over on the camping board you will get first hand help.

I've owned two pop-up in my lifetime and loved them both. You already know the most important being the canvas. You get one with a leak and you've got problems. I would say tires are very important as is the the lights inside and out.
Our first pop up was an old Jayco and it cleaned up super easy and was a lot of fun. Does it have air conditioner, you'll be suprised how fast that will become a must? Does it have an ice box?
Good luck and enjoy!

Oh thanks! I don't know why I didn't think of asking on the camping board, especially considering the campers maiden voyage will likely be to Fort Wilderness!!
We don't have one picked out yet, we just started seriously looking, but I'm pretty sure an air conditioner and heater will be a must have for us.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We got rid of ours after a tropical store revealed that the wind driven rain saturated and ruined parts of the inside. My friends loved it though, but they had to take a lot of things out and they park it with a tarp over it.

So whatever seals it when closed so that it doesn't experience water damage would be my recommendation. When open, be alert to any smells that indicate there has been any water damage. We didn't have any problems until that Tropical storm, but since it never had a problem in rain before--we didn't open it up until 2 months later and promptly called my friend to see if she wanted it as we didn't buy it for a project. Her husband had fun with restoring it.

When we bought ours, we had to replace the tires (we bought as is) and we had to have something with the wiring fixed so that the tail lights worked properly.

Our propane did not work, so no stove. But we knew that and never did get it fixed. A/C was functional--and though I would have liked a new one, it worked fine in the Florida Heat. Those can be pricey to replace compared to the cost of the whole used camper.

The toilet also leaked, but that was disclosed. Me not wanting to use a camper toilet--kept that off limits to everyone.

You basically want to make sure it is road safe, since it is going on the road and that there isn't a problem with it that will make it get damaged in rain. Then you want to know if all systems are working well and then beyond that, can you tolerate the old decor.

You also want the owner to show you how to open it. Ours had a little process to avoid issues.

On a do-over, I would get one that opens automatically. Cranking it in the heat....well...that is work!

 

[manning]

o this site for a wealth of info

http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/

 

[stevenpensacola]

You'll also want to make sure to check the frame for rust...as well as rotten wood in the floor...also make sure the axle is straight.

http://www.arveeclub.com/forum/

this is really cool pop-up that will never rust or rot:

http://www.livinlite.com/

 

[monkeybug]

o this site for a wealth of info

http://www.trailerlife.com/cforum/

Thanks! I'll check it out.

 

[monkeybug]

You'll also want to make sure to check the frame for rust...as well as rotten wood in the floor...also make sure the axle is straight.

http://www.arveeclub.com/forum/

this is really cool pop-up that will never rust or rot:

http://www.livinlite.com/

Thank you!
Those campers are cool! I wonder if my husband would go for the pink one.

 

[minkydog]

We're in our 2nd pop-up and I have to say, use your nose!~If there is even the mildest hint of mold, RUN! The floors should be sturdy and not give at any point.

The next thing is, know what you NEED and what you merely WANT. When we bought the first one, it was actually our second choice. Why? Because we were so naive that we didn't realize that we were looking at a good deal. We decided to "wait & think about it." Of course, you know how that ended up--somebody walked in and bought it for cash! So the next time we came across a deal, we already knew what we needed(bed layout, no potty, all systems working) and we had the cash in hand. At that time, it was the best camper for us and we realy loved our PUP.

Our newest PUP is a 2007 Fleetwood Niagara. It's one of the bigger ones, with the hard-side bathroom in it. At our stage of life we wanted more amenities, so we had to pay more for it. Still,knowing what we wanted and needed helped us to make a quick decision, and once again we had the cash in hand to make the sale.

Whatever PUP you decide on, make sure you check ALL the systems--don't take their word for it. Check the propane,turn on the stove, turn on the water, the lights, the heater & A/C. Look inside all the compartments for evidence of water or animal droppings(I know, ewww.) Look inside the fridge. Raise and lower the top, put down the stabilizers. Make sure EVERYTHING works, unless you are very handy and look forward to making repairs.

And good luck to you! We have loved both our PUPs. It's a great way to get into RVing.

For more info, try RV.net. They have a great Folding Trailer discussion board, plus other general boards that you might find helpful.

 

[michst8alum]

We have a 2001 Jayco and absolutely love it. 2 things that I am so grateful that ours has: 1 we can access the frig with the top down. On long trips or last minute packing we can put items in the frig without have to pop it up! 2. the separate front storage compartment. It is great to have a place to put the dirty carpet from in front of the door, and the dirty water container and anything else that is too gross to put in to the camper. Everything we need we can keep in the camper. Nothing has to go into the car. I hope this is suggestions that you are looking for.

 

[monkeybug]

We're in our 2nd pop-up and I have to say, use your nose!~If there is even the mildest hint of mold, RUN! The floors should be sturdy and not give at any point.

The next thing is, know what you NEED and what you merely WANT. When we bought the first one, it was actually our second choice. Why? Because we were so naive that we didn't realize that we were looking at a good deal. We decided to "wait & think about it." Of course, you know how that ended up--somebody walked in and bought it for cash! So the next time we came across a deal, we already knew what we needed(bed layout, no potty, all systems working) and we had the cash in hand. At that time, it was the best camper for us and we realy loved our PUP.

Our newest PUP is a 2007 Fleetwood Niagara. It's one of the bigger ones, with the hard-side bathroom in it. At our stage of life we wanted more amenities, so we had to pay more for it. Still,knowing what we wanted and needed helped us to make a quick decision, and once again we had the cash in hand to make the sale.

Whatever PUP you decide on, make sure you check ALL the systems--don't take their word for it. Check the propane,turn on the stove, turn on the water, the lights, the heater & A/C. Look inside all the compartments for evidence of water or animal droppings(I know, ewww.) Look inside the fridge. Raise and lower the top, put down the stabilizers. Make sure EVERYTHING works, unless you are very handy and look forward to making repairs.

And good luck to you! We have loved both our PUPs. It's a great way to get into RVing.

For more info, try RV.net. They have a great Folding Trailer discussion board, plus other general boards that you might find helpful.

Thank you! I guess it's like having a house inspection, only in this case we are the inspectors! I will make sure my husband looks into all the things you mentioned. I don't know if I want a bathroom or not. I know with three little kids it would come in handy, but I hate how they are just right there in the middle of the camper.

We have a 2001 Jayco and absolutely love it. 2 things that I am so grateful that ours has: 1 we can access the frig with the top down. On long trips or last minute packing we can put items in the frig without have to pop it up! 2. the separate front storage compartment. It is great to have a place to put the dirty carpet from in front of the door, and the dirty water container and anything else that is too gross to put in to the camper. Everything we need we can keep in the camper. Nothing has to go into the car. I hope this is suggestions that you are looking for.

Yes exactly the kind of suggestions I am looking for! Access to the fridge while on the road is a huge plus, and one I wouldn't have thought of.
Thank you!

 

[manning]

. I don't know if I want a bathroom or not. I know with three little kids it would come in handy, but I hate how they are just right there in the middle of the camper.

Just hum loudly

 

[minkydog]

. I don't know if I want a bathroom or not. I know with three little kids it would come in handy, but I hate how they are just right there in the middle of the camper.

Which is exactly why we opted *not* to have a bathroom in our first one. Our kids were old enough to go to the bath house, probably about 6,8,and 13. They would have been MORTIFIED to hear someone pee peeing inside the camper! Now that it's just mainly the two of us, with Christian sometimes, the bathroom isn't a problem. DD17 still won't use it, but it's very convenient for Christian. And it really comes in handy at night--you now how us old people are, gotta get up in the middle of the night.

 

[AboutTheMouse]

We just bought our second used pop up, a 2007 Fleetwood Arcadia a few months ago. And we still own our older Coleman Niagara, which we love but will sell come spring. What we primarily looked for is this:
1. Floorplan - did we have enough beds? How much storage space did we have / need? We spent significant time looking at all brands and layouts to figure out what we needed, what we wanted, and what didn't really matter.
2. Check everything. Look at the roof and the floor for signs of water. Look around the seal between the roof and the box to make sure it seals properly so you don't get water intrusion while driving.
3. Check all the systems - make sure the heater works. Same for the water pump, water system, air conditioner, toilet, water heater refrigerator, stove, battery, electricity, etc.
4. Inspect the canvas for tears, holes, etc. New canvas is about $1,000 - you can order it but this will figure into your price if you find a popup with rotting canvas.
5. Check the tires / wheel bearings / tail lights. You need to make sure it is road worthy. Same for the braking system if it has one.

The biggest thing to look for when buying a popup is making sure that you can tow it safely with your vehicle. Pull out your owners' manual and check the numbers. Don't go over your vehicle's tow rating - it is for your safety and the safety of others on the road. I've seen too many accidents that make me very aware of abiding by tow ratings and tire pressures and using safety chains, sway control, etc. I know that one member on here had a bad accident a while back (maybe Minkydog??) while towing. Do your homework to make sure your family is safe.

Another good resource for all things popups is www.popupexplorer.com. They have many forums with all kinds of posts on everything popups. The members seem to be very friendly and have a lot of good information. I have also seen checklists for things to look at when buying used (or even new). Personally, I have found used is much better - some really great deals on units that haven't seen much use. Sometimes people buy rvs and then don't use them more than once or twice a year. In many cases, they are in "like new" condition for 30% or more less than new.

Have fun and see you on the road.