First time on this forum-We're thinking of buying a used popup

[traces7]

We rented one last summer and really enjoyed it. It's just me, my DH and our 7 year old DD. This is a smaller popup (an 8 ft box I think). A 1999 Viking and it's in pretty good shape and in our price range! We'd be able to pay cash for it. We saw it tonight (the dealership wasn't open) and we're going back tomorrow to ask questions and check it out more. Anyone have any advice for us? I'm so excited, now if I can just talk DH into driving down to WDW and camping there (maybe one day!) We live in Wisconsin, so it's quite a drive!

 

[kimmikayb]

Just make sure to pop it up and check it all out. Good luck!

 

[poohbearwithme]

Go to www.popupexplorer.com, http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/listings/forum/25.cfm, www.popuptimes.com. Look around ask questions. You may even find someone with the same popup. Another helpful site is in http://www.title-3.com/. These are sites devoted to popups.

 

[corve77t]

I have read viking is a good popup camper. If the price is in the range of other popups , buy it. I have a jayco, and traveled from Missouri to Disney and it was great.

 

[kmccain]

I don't know a lot about Pop-ups but we have had a few TT. I know the first thing DH looks for is signs of leaks. If it leaks or has leaked it could be problems.

My DIL have one and they had a lot of problems getting the air conditioner not to leak so they took it off. Not sure if you want one without one to use in Florida!

Best of Luck!

You will have a lot of fun in your new camper! Hope it is what you want!

 

[tim5055]

Well, this is a new one for me; usually at teh DIS I am sending people to my FW web site

Check out my web page Purchasing a Used Pop-Up-Camper.

As I state there, the first thing you need to do is find out the towing limits of your tow vehicle. There is no reason to fall in love with a pop up that you could never tow.

 

[dizneydiva2005]

My hubby bought a new 8 ft pop up a few years back. I was not happy. We normally stay in a cabin with mousekeeping. and I was not willing to stay in a 8 ft box, with no bathroom and 3 kids. He begged and so on... didn't work though, I put it in the paper 4 sale, informed him when he got home from work. I did feel guilty, his expression was so sad. Oh well, I made money off the deal and hubby learned a lesson not to buy items without me saying OK.
Well, he didn't learn his lesson really~ he went out and bought 2 horses with out me knowing. that man!
Why can't he go out and buy a big ol diamond for me and surprise me?

 

[Tickla]

I do not know anything about buying a camper, but my husband and 3 kids drove to FW last Dec. from Minnesota. We drive to Charleston, SC 2 times a year, and FW was definately harder and longer--it;s not too much longer in miles, but instead of clipping small sections of states, we had to drive through some big states from top to bottom ( Il. ,TN., GA-through Atlanta) so it seemed longer, so just be sure to stop and STRETCH and especially REST--we drove straight through because we wanted to get to DW as fast as we could, so we only had quick naps at rest areas. It would be way better to stop and sleep the night somewhere . It;s all worth it though when you finally make it there!!

 

[YellowXterra]

My advice is to buy your second camper first. I know what I am talking about. I bought 3 pop up campers in 18 months till we got the right one.

 

[Tissa]

We just bought our second one a few months ago and love it(the first one was stolen). Just make sure the canvas is in good shape and everything works like it is supposed to. I would advise setting it up and taking it down before you buy it.

We were supposed to go on a 3 day camping trip over memorial day but plans fell through so I just opened it up in the driveway and the kids and I camped in it there. I wonder how long I can thrill the kids with that? Sure would save money

 

[OK GRUMPY]

Our first camper was a Jayco Pop Up. We had alot of fun with it. I would try and set it up beacuse I've heard that some are easier then others. Make sure your tow vehicle can tow it. Look for water damage, make sure canvas is in good shap and everything works. Good Luck.

 

[We4mickey]

As everyone else has stated, pop it up yourselves and ask questions along the way if you see something doesn't seem right. Turn everything on and make sure it works.

I don't know where you are in Wisconsin, but we have made this trip many, many times. It is a haul, but worth every second to camp at FW. Good Luck!

 

[laceemouse]

We just bought our second one a few months ago and love it(the first one was stolen). Just make sure the canvas is in good shape and everything works like it is supposed to. I would advise setting it up and taking it down before you buy it.

We were supposed to go on a 3 day camping trip over memorial day but plans fell through so I just opened it up in the driveway and the kids and I camped in it there. I wonder how long I can thrill the kids with that? Sure would save money

HAHAHA!!!!
My youngest is 8, might still work with her! I think for the other three that time is long gone!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

Well, I'm 49 years old and the camper is in the driveway. Guess where I sleep on the weekends?

 

[cookiebrito]

When I started out I wanted to buy a pop-up. We quickly found out that a pop-up was not the best idea living in South Fl. Even with A/C it was warm in the unit during the day. Instead we purchased a TT. I am very happy with our purchase. There are not many pop-up dealers in South Florida so I was better off buying a TT. The difference between the two units was about $3,000. Good Luck on your purchase! Check out the Fleetwoods, they are really nice.

The best thing about the pop-ups is that you do not have to have a big truck. A van or suv can tow it with ease.

 

[T. Lynn]

My parents gave us their pop-up a couple of years ago. It was great at first and then we got tired of it.

* Ours didn't have an A/C - definately needed some days

* I hated waiting for DH to set it up - seemed like it took forever. It didn't but when your on vacation, we wanted a lot less work. Also, DD and I just wanted to get stuff ready inside and the waiting seemed forever.

* Everytime I wanted to take the blankets out to wash them, we'd have to pop it up and down or leave it up for awhile till everything was done. We go camping twice a year (April & August). In July, I like to take inventory on what we need to replace inside (paper plates, cups, etc). Once again, had to have DH pop it up for me to go inside and then he was so busy it would stay up for so long until he had time to put it back down.

On our last trip in April, the main cable broke and the roof came falling down. That was the last straw. Thank god we had other friends camping with us. Everyone lifted an end and put the safety brackets in so we could use it. Now we have to spend $350 to have someone fix it or try and do it ourselves. This past weekend we purchased a travel trailer (see link below) so we may still keep the pop-up for the men to use on their fishing trip.

It's nice as a starter but if you think you may want to upgrade, just start looking. We got really lucky on our find.


Disney thread on our purchase