Good morning, campers! Opinion needed...

[notsosnowwhite]

I need opinions from experienced campers. We are considering buying a 1996 Jayco popup camper. It's not in the best of shape, but it certainly is functional and can be repaired. Needs new wheels, air conditioner doesn't work, a few holes, etc... The reason we are even considering this is that the owners are only asking $1200. (We feel we could talk them down a bit.)

We only tent camp and have wanted to upgrade, but really have very little experience and family/friends are not "camp" people. We also have to consider that we would only be able to tow this with our Sienna mini-van and I'm not sure this is even possible.

So, what do you think? Is the low price worth the hassle?

 

[clkelley]

We also have to consider that we would only be able to tow this with our Sienna mini-van and I'm not sure this is even possible.

That's the first thing you need to check. Find out the towing capacities of your van, then find out how much that thing weighs.

 

[BRDof3]

Second that advice! You need to get the weight of the pop-up when FULLY LOADED (or Jayco's gross vehicle weight rating for it). Then get the tow rating, gross combined vehicle weight rating, and rear gear ratio for your van.

Then come back here with all that info, and you can get the towing gurus on this forum into a fine lather working out your towing capabilities. This is the minimum info they'll need.

 

[Live4FW]

A quick check shows most Sienna vans have a 3500 lb towing capacity as long as it has the towing package. There doesn't seem to be optional gear ratios so that should not be a problem For example, the tow package for the Honda Odyssey consists of a special wiring harness, receiver hitch, power steering cooler, transmission cooler, and an additional air dam. All these parts can be added for around 1K.

Not sure which year yours is. You can get some basic ratings here.

http://www.trailmanor.com/WebDocs/Camping-Towing/tow-vehicles.html

 

[Tigger1966]

You mentioned holes. If these are in the canvas and a patch job will make you happy OK but I overheard our parts guy quote a price of $800 TO $1300 for new canvas on a popup today. You may want to get a price on the things it needs before jumping in.

 

[Tigger0624]

JMO- and we just upgraded this year from tenting to a used pop-up- but I would get (worse case) estimates of what the repairs would cost then add a little to that just to be safe- see what you are at price wise then and compare to pop ups that are for sale in that price range as well...

the most major things are the canvas, roof, frame and crank/lift system. Also- check under the beds and in storage areas for water damage.

We are running into a leaking roof issue with ours- but I am hoping that it is just the seal around the AC.

Before we got the pop up- I thought- anything will be better than being in a tent- but within one trip you'll find yourself chanting "I wish (fill in the blank) were fixed/different"

I havent a clue as far as towing- I'll leave those questions to the more capable members... Good Luck!

 

[Tiggntaz]

JMO- and we just upgraded this year from tenting to a used pop-up- but I would get (worse case) estimates of what the repairs would cost then add a little to that just to be safe- see what you are at price wise then and compare to pop ups that are for sale in that price range as well...

the most major things are the canvas, roof, frame and crank/lift system. Also- check under the beds and in storage areas for water damage.

We are running into a leaking roof issue with ours- but I am hoping that it is just the seal around the AC.

Before we got the pop up- I thought- anything will be better than being in a tent- but within one trip you'll find yourself chanting "I wish (fill in the blank) were fixed/different"

I havent a clue as far as towing- I'll leave those questions to the more capable members... Good Luck!

Just rember a "a camper is a whole in the water you throw money into."

Sorry that is a boat not a camper. Take way that water and they are about the same.

 

[stacktester]

Even if you could talk them down I think that's a lot of work to do. I bought a 99 Jayco 12' from another member on here 2 months ago for 2k and it didn't need anything. What I'm saying is, there are a lot of good pups out there that don't need a ton of work and were well taken care of. IMO, once something get's that bad it's always going to need something. Look on Craigslist and get the one you want.

 

[Gatordad]

I think a Cadillac is better than a Lincoln.... oh, it's not random opinions.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

....I bought a 99 Jayco 12' from another member on here 2 months ago for 2k and it didn't need anything.

Damn.....you got that for 2 grand???? You need to take me to school for some "haggling" lessons!!! I would be sitting in it right now for that price!!!


Ive been craigslisting and ebaying and local classifieds-ing 2 or 3 times a day for the last couple of weeks......hold out for what you'll be proud to own.Thats not to say dont expect to have to do a few small "improvement" projects...but Ive been trying to picture me & my family sitting in one while a storm is rolling through....do we look miserable crammed into this dark grungy little canvas box? Or are we smiling and loving the sound of the rain as it hits the canvas? When your family comes over to see your new purchase...are you gonna be spending the entire time telling them whats gonna be fixed by the next time they come see it, or are you gonna be busy telling them they cant camp with you in your coolnew camper...that they have to go get their own?

Theres some really GOOD DEALS out there...but ya gotta be patient, sometimes. You can buy whats available in your price range right now...then 2 weeks from now see the ONE YOU WISH YOU WOULD HAVE WAITED FOR!!

Just my random worthless opinions.

 

[Live4FW]

OP, here is a link to a thread about towing with the Sienna on Rv.net

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/22759525.cfm

I would not take everything said in the thread as gospel or fact but it will give you some more info to chew on.

Lots of good info on specific tow vehicle questions there.

 

[notsosnowwhite]

Thank you so much for the insight! I think we're going to hold off, be patient, and sweat it out in our tents for the summer. I appreciate the advice! Happy camping!

 

[disney4dan]

We have a Sienna with the fold-down rear seats. Before we bought our TT for towing behind the truck, we considered a pop-up or Trail Manor to tow behind the van in order to have more comfort while driving, more seats.

We found that the fold-down seating gave the van a body shape that required the trailer hitch and receiver to be very close to the ground, and a lot of people complained that it would bottom out or catch on things when towing.

Good luck and happy hunting!