OT: Can we Talk about Pop-Ups here?

[CottontailCurl]

I've always been a tent-camper, loved it as a kid, love it now. My kids love to camp but my husband had to be talked into it. He said he had enough camping when he went to the field in the Army. I told him it's not really the same, I would be nicer than his 1st SGT when I told him what to do . We decided to buy the bear necessities and camp one season to see if he liked it. He decided he liked it enough, it was a big difference from going to the field (he liked sitting in our chairs after the kids were asleep, holding hands and just listening to nature, looking up at the stars, I'm guessing he didn't get to do that with his 1st SGT!). Although he went along with it, it's not really his cup of tea. He doesn't like the time it takes to set up camp (he's a city boy who likes things done 10 minutes ago). One trip to Cottontail Curl, we pulled up to our campsite at the same time as a pop-up family that was next to us. He watched them as we set up and of course they were finished way before us. He's talked about pop-ups since. I've thought more about it recently and have decided that getting a pop-up would be a compromise that would fit both of us. I'd have the tent-like features of the ends and the ability to hear nature still, he'd have faster set-up and not sleeping on the ground. We are this close <> to taking the plunge and getting a pop-up before we go to FW in July.
So, my questions to those of you who own pop-ups are:
1) What kind of PU do you have and why do you like it?
2) Do you wish you'd bought a different brand of pop-up?
3) Is your PU fairly stable when you're walking around in it? We were at an RV show recently and as I tested out the mattress of one, the kids walked around checking stuff out and the PU was moving side to side a lot.
4) Did you have any problems using the gas equipment (I've never used gas camping equipment, cookstoves and such).

I have other questions but can't remember them right now. Thanks very much for your help!!

 

[Familyofsix]

Last year we went to a hybrid travel trailer. The beds fold out from the trailer and look like a pop up bed. The unit is very stable when set up and set up only takes minutes. I could tow it with a half ton pick up( though I do tow it with a 1 ton chevy 12 passenger van so the kids have plenty of room) because it only weighs in at 4200lbs. We have a bathroom, full kitchen, sofa, dining area and 3 beds that fold out. The one thing I really like about the beds besides being very comfortable is that when its cold outside the mattress has a built in heater.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Last year we went to a hybrid travel trailer. The beds fold out from the trailer and look like a pop up bed. The one thing I really like about the beds besides being very comfortable is that when its cold outside the mattress has a built in heater.

What's the brand of that hybrid? I have to admit, we went to an RV show recently and I made the mistake of going into a hybrid! I fell for it completely and had to keep reminding myself "we want to stay below our tow rate, we want to stay below our tow rate"! If we were able to, I'd definitely go that route. I believe it was the Roo that I saw first and liked the idea of the 3 fold out beds. Then saw the Gulfstream gulf breeze, I think it was, that had white cabinets on the inside that made the trailer seem so much bigger and brighter.

The best mattress we tried out was on a Rockwood Premier (pop-up), the mattress was quilted and padded and felt so good. They are also heated. Hands down, it was the best mattress I tried that day and I found them listed on a dealers web page as an add-on of $80 yesterday. I think that's a pretty good price to update some of those hard as brick mattresses!

 

[luke6417]

we got this camper from my inlaws for virtually nothing. We loved using it. It does have its drawbacks though. No bathroom, small fridge, set-up time, noise, and worst of all trying to take everything down in the rain. For this reason we recently purchased a Jayco Jayfeather 29Y traveltrailer. We love it. It isn't that heavy( it's an ultra-light). We were looking at hybrids and came to the realization that we would be spending about he same we wound up paying for the camper we wanted. I'm not bashing pop-ups. they can be very fun. I just happen to like me new camper better.

 

[cyberdeb]

we got this camper from my inlaws for virtually nothing. We loved using it. It does have its drawbacks though. No bathroom, small fridge, set-up time, noise, and worst of all trying to take everything down in the rain. For this reason we recently purchased a Jayco Jayfeather 29Y traveltrailer. We love it. It isn't that heavy( it's an ultra-light). We were looking at hybrids and came to the realization that we would be spending about he same we wound up paying for the camper we wanted. I'm not bashing pop-ups. they can be very fun. I just happen to like me new camper better.

We have a 2002 R-Vision Bantam 22BS hybrid. I absolutely love it!!! We were planning on buying the smaller 19' and while we were waiting for our salesman to get off the phone so we could sign the papers, we walked around the lot and found this one that was a new leftover and it was only $200.00 more. We have so much storage space!! My dh hates it though because he feels it takes him just as long to set it up as a pop up. I do like being able to keep it mostly loaded, having a bathroom, freezer, etc. Dh is looking for a completely enclosed trailer and he has had his eye on the same one you have. I guess we will be buying one in the next year or so.

 

[beagles7278]

Another good source of information would be to check out RV.net/forums. I cannot post the link because I am to new of a member and do not have enough posts, sorry. From the forum page scroll down and they have different forums on all the different types of RV's. I found it to be a valuable resource when I was researching the purchase of my motorhome. The poeple there are more than willing to answer all your questions. Good luck.

 

[Familyofsix]

Ours is a Rockwood Roo 233. Three fold out beds and all the works.
What kind of tow vehicle are you going to use. Our trailer is half ton towable our dealer laughed at us towing with a one ton van .

 

[magicforever]

We have an early 80's model Coleman Newport. We love it. It is the bare minimums when it comes to pop-ups. I still carry my coleman stove. I choose to cook outside the PU. I know that newer models give you a stove that hooks up outside. Basically, we have a glorified tent. That is all we wanted. Something to keep us dry and off the ground. Something that would store all our stuff while we are traveling and while not in use. We have been looking at newer models. They seem so fancy compared to what we have. Oh, what we do have that I could not live without is AC. What a luxuary compared to tent camping. We live in the southeast and it can get HOT and muggy. What models are you looking at?

 

[bama_ed]

I love talking about my pop-up. I grew up camping in tents alot (Scouts, family) and when my kids were young and money was (still) scarce we did a couple tent weekends (only in spring or fall in good weather). DW's idea of roughing it is the Holiday Inn Express so she was not took keen but had to go along because the kids loved it (and I was obviously too imcompetant to watch the kids myself!)

We went the pop-up route for a couple of reasons: lower cost, can store it indoors in the unfinished portion of the basement/garage, still got the "camping" feel to it, and easier/quicker/nicer experience.

As to brands, there are many good ones. I went with a Jayco because there is a dealer locally who has been in business many years and is my source for replacement parts, servicing, advice, etc. Whatever brand you get, look at the Highwall models (I have a Jayco 12HW) which means your countertops are at a level closer to normal, not low to fit in a popped down box.

Get the biggest box (under the roof) you can. I think there are some 14 footers out now, I have a 12 footer, lots of 10s, and the small ones are 8s. Kids grow, you need space for bags, luggage, etc. Also I would HIGHLY recommend a front storage compartment. Make sure you don't exceed your tow vehicle (TV) specs with all the people, luggage, etc.

We got the 12 HW with A/C, stove, oven, microwave, 3 way larger fridge, am/fm/cd, furnace, water heater, and a slideout dinette (gives more space inside, adds a little weight. I could live without the oven but we use it sometimes. Also got a cassette toilet/shower system so DW and DD don't have to leave the camper once they are in their jammies to do #1. (Daddy's rule is only #1 in the camper ). Never used the shower because we only camp at state parks, FW, etc.

I like being able to store it indoors out of the elements to help protect and prolong my "investment". It's 2 years old but already paid for (and has paid for itself nearly) in difference between between room and campground rates. Also we cook and eat in more rather than eating out which is less costly and more healthy. I also like going the the Gulf Coast on vacation and only spending $30 a night versus $200 for a condo .

I understand the hybrid attraction because there is even less set-up. But for me they meant more money, an upgraded TV, and it would have to sit outside. But if I had more money, a bigger TV, I would probably do the hybrid. To me it's still "camping" if you have canvas over your head!

Either way, you DEFINITELY will want to upgrade the mattresses experience. We went with the stock mattress at first, then added 2 inch memoryfoam toppers (our PU has a King and Queen plus the dinette converts to a twin). I also got mattress warmers (like electric blankets but they are fitted like a sheet to go under you on top of the mattress/memory foam. On colder evenings I will run the furnace as needed (Loud but warm air and can go through a lot of propane, I'm told). 30 minutes before bedtime I turn on the mattress warmers, then when turning in I cut off the furnace and the blankets are SO TOASTY!

We go more places now we have the pop-up. We go to FW for longer periods (last year was the first time - for a week) and a week this month. We go to the beach more. We go camping when going to our college football games. We go to more towns to do sightseeing/tourist things now. It's my mountain cabin, my beach condo, my timeshare, all those things. We leave the television at home and pop popcorn inthe microwave and play board (not b-o-r-e-d) games, card games, star gaze, roast marshmellows, ride bikes, collect shells, go for walks, all those family things. Our kids are only young once .

I'm rambling now so I'll shut up. Since this is a Disney-related board, I will say we take the pop-up to FW for a week and spend a day or two just enjoying FW, relaxing, going over to the Trading Post, doing the Chip & Dale Campfire and Sing-along. In conclusion, ours is very stable and the gas is no problem. The stove top is piezo-electric (push the button to start the burner). The oven has a pilot light I have to light when using it. The furnace has a thermostat. Never had to switch the fridge to propane but it is push-button also.

Good luck in deciding!

Bama ED

 

[CottontailCurl]

It does have its drawbacks though. No bathroom, small fridge, set-up time, noise, and worst of all trying to take everything down in the rain.

Hey there, what do you mean about noise? That a lot of outside noise filters in or something else? Thanks!

 

[CottontailCurl]

Ours is a Rockwood Roo 233. Three fold out beds and all the works.
What kind of tow vehicle are you going to use. Our trailer is half ton towable our dealer laughed at us towing with a one ton van .

Yep, I believe that's the hybrid I saw online and thought it was a smart idea for people trying to stay on the light side and have more places to sleep. We're only able to tow 3500 lbs so we're sticking with the 2000 range of pop-ups. I can just see your dealer holding on to the back of your trailer as you drove off the lot - come back! buy something biggerrrrrr!

 

[CottontailCurl]

Oh, what we do have that I could not live without is AC. What a luxuary compared to tent camping. We live in the southeast and it can get HOT and muggy. What models are you looking at?

If anyone asked at this forum if you could tent camp in the summer at FW when it's so hot, I would tell them that we have and it didn't bother us (swim then shower before bedtime and not using the tent during the day). But suddenly the prospect of going to FW in July with a pop-up with AC is very exciting.

I love the Jayco Highwall but we're leaning toward the Rockwood Premier series, they have a model with a sofabed on the side so we wouldn't have to set up and take down the table as a bed. Rockwood also has a very beautiful highwall (the Rhino) with white cabinets. It must be a mess to keep clean but it's very pretty.

 

[CottontailCurl]

Hey Bama Ed! Thanks for that, it's an awesome set of details. I'm not going be able to quote and answer everything that reflects how we feel because it would be alot of 'us too!' 'we feel that way too!' Even if we didn't have the weight restriction we'd still go with a pop-up for the reasons you noted (going to store it in the garage to protect the investment, etc.). Our tow vehicle is fairly low to the ground and sorta stream-lined so we wanted to keep that air flow even and hopefully help with gas mileage.

At the RV show the Jayco HW is what my husband fell for. I was sitting at the table, he walked in and said 'this is the one I want'. I feel bad that we're not able to get it since he felt that strongly about it, but they are just too heavy for us. I love the one-cabinet sink feature, it doesn't fold. That's another question I have - the swing down galley that's in most PU's, is that a bother to put up and down? Does it get water inside the PU? (I guess you don't know, though, since you have the all in one cabinet?)

We're hearing you about the larger sized pop-up. Before we were thinking about cheating on our tent we had a chance to step into a pop-up that was probably about 4 1/2 feet when closed. I was standing in front of the sink area when my son stepped in behind me (he's 6' and was about 13). There was no way!! That was the beauty of the RV show, I had the family inside and getting a feeling as to how much space we'd have. The models we're looking at have the storage space in the front. That was a genius addition, IMO.

Thanks very much for your descriptions of the mattress upgrade, furnace info, and stove details. I love the sound of your oven/stovetop, I wonder if that's only going to be available in the model you have?

What you wrote about family life when you camp is why we camp. My kids love the things we do when we camp and when we entertained the thought of not getting a PU and using the payments to go toward hotels; they said they thought hotel rooms were just rooms but camping is an adventure.

I think a Jayco rep will be calling you sometime today to write an ad for them! Last night I dreamt about us at Fort Wilderness in a PU, then there were several pop-ups going back and forth through my dreams. Strange.

There's a book out there about a couple who retired and then travelled around America for 2 years in their pop-up. They did it that way to save money on gas, you can read about them at http://poppingup.com/.

Thanks again for all the information you gave us!

 

[terri01p]

If you like tent camping , I know you'll like a pop-up. We went from a tent to a jayco pop-up and that was so much fun ( we now have a tt ) but I remember our pop-up well...I love jayco they are solid. You just have to work out your system for setting up, after doing it for a while you can get very fast with it and everyone knows what they are going to do. The only reason we went to a tt was because as we got older we really needed a bathroom inside , The hybrids are great ( if you can afford one, they are pricey ).

 

[TheGreatGonzo]

That's another question I have - the swing down galley that's in most PU's, is that a bother to put up and down? Does it get water inside the PU?

I have a 93 Coleman Cape Cod. Coleman uses a "fold level" system, which allows you to lower the upper counter with the stove and sink while keeping it level. That keeps everything in the cabinet and drawers from getting messed up. It also has one-piece hard wall sides with large sliding windows, which are nice. The roof section is about 6" taller to accommodate the solid sidewalls folding down on top of one another, which allows for a higher ceiling height. I also have most of the amenities like A/C, furnace etc. It has an indoor 3-burner stove and a portable 2-burner camp stove, which can hang outdoors on the side of the camper by the front door under the awning or be used on a picnic table.

 

[akamom]

1) What kind of PU do you have and why do you like it?
**2005 Fleetwood Destiny Sea Pine

2) Do you wish you'd bought a different brand of pop-up?
**Nope, we love it!

3) Is your PU fairly stable when you're walking around in it? We were at an RV show recently and as I tested out the mattress of one, the kids walked around checking stuff out and the PU was moving side to side a lot.
**The reason it was moving side to side because they probably didn't have the corner supports down. My PUP doesn't move when were in it.

4) Did you have any problems using the gas equipment (I've never used gas camping equipment, cookstoves and such).
**I've never had any issues with my store, just turn on the gas tank, the gas to the stove, and use a lighter to light! I also have a furnace in mine and it keeps us toasty.

 

[proudmomof4]

We have a 2006 Fleetwood Utah and we love it. it has 2 king bunk ends, a slideout dinette which turns into a double bed and a sofa which turns into a twin bed. There is lots of storage as it has the front storage trunk as well as cabinets under the sofa and under the dinette benches too.

When we originally bought it, we also had to stay at 3500 lbs or less because of our TV. I agree with what others have said about set up, our first time it took us a while and then the second time we had it all set up in less than 30 minutes, while the third time we must have been brain dead because it took a long time, but we are learning lessons each time.

I have 4 sons aged 21, 18, 14 and 10, we went in June and we all fit very snugly but comfortably (granted we did not eat inside because the dinette was a bed). On our last trip it was just me, DH and the 14 and 10 yo and we stayed in the camper quite a bit and were never in each others way.

I personally have not had any issues with water from the galley as it stays level at all times, however, the rain was an issue only because it rained buckets on our last night in December and we had to dry all the canvas with towels before we could fold up and leave.

Keep going to those RV shows and find something you all really like, take the whole family and get everyone inside and see how comfortable you'll feel.

Good luck!

 

[luke6417]

Hey there, what do you mean about noise? That a lot of outside noise filters in or something else? Thanks!

Yeah outside noise. In this regard it is bascially still a glorified tent.

 

[hebbynan]

Up until last November, we had a 1997 Camplite by Damon. It had 2 queen slide outs and a dining area slide out. It also had a toilet/shower combo. We liked it and it served it's purpose, but it was starting to get too old. The canvas was starting to leak over the one bed and when DH went to winterize it, the cable broke and the top fell down while he was putting it up. That said, we are now the proud owners of a brand new Jay Feather 21' TT. I will not miss the noise level. A pop up is not sound proof. You can hear everything....and like wise for other campers. Most of them never appreciated a screaming baby at 2 am waiting for a feeding. But now that the boys are older, we can't wait to use the new trailer for the first time. Believe it or not, the TT doesn't weigh too much more than the pop up did. But I enjoyed it while we had it.

 

[shawnandjeff]

Hi everyone! We just got a 2007 Starcraft Centennial pop-up and just got back from Fort Wilderness! Everything was great! We love the pop-up pretty much for all the same reasons as Bama Ed said! You still feel like you're camping and we can store it in the garage too! It was our first time at FW too and that was just awesome!!!!