Pop up campers

[campermom2]

Need advice from pop up camper owners!!!
Looking for pop up camper. Any info on which type-brand-accessories etc would be greatly appreciated. Tell me what you like about yours-don't like.
Thanks!

 

[dgaston]

We bought a used pop-up from a senior couple who were no longer able to enjoy camping. I think some of the features that are important depend on how you will use the camper. Most pop-ups are very easy to set up. You will want to try to put one up and down to see how this works for you. I think you should pay close attention to how the bedding works. Will you really want to put the table down to make room for children to sleep? We camp in New England, and have found we like a source for heat when it's October. We used a heater maybe one night in FW in Feb 00. I always use the stove outside the trailer, rather than inside. Awnings and a screen room expand your area when you're at the site, and it's buggy or raining. At Disney, we really don't spend much time at the campsite, though.

A great source of info for us is to go to local RV/Camping shows. The prices are great, and you can really see whatever new features are being offered.

Hope this helps a bit

 

[Shakey2001]

Checkout this website and its forum for the best source of info on popup campers:
http://www.popuptimes.com/

 

[Kermit]

I agree that you should go to an RV show and check out Popup Times online. Additionally, you should check the towing capacity of your car. You may not be able to get a popup with a shower or slide out if your towing vehicle can't tow a lot of weight.

We have a 2001 Coleman Niagra and love it. It has a ton of space, and it's easy to set up.

 

[We4mickey]

There are so many differnt type of campers out there .
You have to do research on them all.
Check out popup-times and irv2.com.
They both have good info. Also what will you use to tow your new or used camper with .
Last but not least listen to what every one says but then get what you like. There are people on some of the
forums that just bash mfgs of pop-ups.

 

[DaddyDon]

Do your home work , I have a coleman and we love ours!!!! I have yet to cook inside it YET !Bought a pota potty for my wife and DD Ithink this is a must but in the same breath i also need my A.C. here in the hot south!And i must add the heater kept us warm in dec at DISNEY WORLD when it got 2 27 degrees at x-mas.

 

[DisneyFanGuy]

We decided that we wanted a pop-up 4 years ago. We went to the RV shows in the spring, and visited every dealer in the area looking at the different models. Eventually we decided to purchase a Coleman Utah and we love it. We camp 6 or 7 weekends a summer.

Different manufacturers have different price structures. Dealers usually only offer one brand, so follow your head and not your heart and shop around for awhile.

I have only a few pieces of advice.....(After 3 years of this)

Make sure you get a heater, fridge, and if at all possible...AC. (You will be very happy about the decision later!)
Ensure that you know the towing capacity of your car.
Rent one first and make sure that you are comfortable with the decision.
Used Pop-ups can be found for a fraction of the cost of new.

Buying a pop-up was one of the best decisions that we have made. It's a true family activity, but is a LOT of work! All of my kids have their jobs setting up and taking down camp. My oldest is now 15 and working. We squeezed in a few years of free time before this year by camping together. I highly recommend the pop-up camping experience!

 

[loriandmatt]

We have a 2001 Viking and love it.

The suggestions of checking out RV shows and hitting Popuptimes.com are good. We did both when searching for our camper earlier this year.

some suggestions....

RV shows and dealerships are great for checking out what may very be the bigest element in making a decision (once you have figured out what size you need/can tow of course)....layout! You will be surprised how much they can vary from make to make. some layouts can turn you completely off. I perfer not having a dinette that completely blocks one of the bunks. Just my opinion, but didn't know i had that opinion until i looked at a few models.

Definately look at "newer" used models. We thought that going with new was the only way to go because of the warranty. There is merit to the warranty, but long and short of it...in lower end models there aren't that many advantages. (we only have a 9ft box, no heater - no A/C, no fridge. Not that much stuff to go wrong really - lift system, roof and tenting can be cared for on our own. ) the only exception would be do your homework at popuptimes and know what "no-no's" to look for when considering a used model.
- for example - keep an eye out for roof problems(buckeling - saging) , use your nose, if it smells musty, PASS. (check the inside of the cabinets too!) Ask to set it up and/or take it down. It should do both smoothly.

My last chunk of advise is to remember that RV dealers are a lot like car dealers. I didn't realize this until too late. They have sticker price and then they have the lets make a deal price. BARGIN WITH THEM! I hate that game, but unfortunately it must be played. even if they hit a level where they can't go any lower, they may be able to throw in some costly goodies to make the deal worth it. (screen room, heat, A/C, fridge, camper cover, other accessories.....)

good luck and happy shopping
- lori