Looking To Buy A Camper!

04z71steve · January 18, 2008

well guys judgment day has come and I'm pretty sure I'm ready to buy a camper, I've spent too much time out in the nasty heat and cold in a tent and i think I'm ready to get something along the lines of a pop up or small hardshell with the pop up bump-outs on the end... let me know your experience with campers and all that.. i'm no new guy to camping just looking to get back in the swing of things with a little comfort while i camp! i'm looking to keep the cost down so i am not worried at all if i go used or new.. i'd just like something relatively cheap and in good condition!

heres a pic of the two styles of campers i'm leaning towards gimme your thoughts! and experiences!

thanks in advance! steve!

Zembonez · January 18, 2008

thanks in advance! steve!

I had a Jayco Popup camper a few years back. It was a giant improvement over a tent. You can actually stay warm and dry in it. We didn't have AC in it because I wanted it to still be somewhat "roughing it". Never had any experience with the hard side campers. They are a lot less like camping to me and we like to camp.

Nice thing about a pop up is they tow like they aren't even there and take up very little driveway or garage space.

That's all I can offer you.

04z71steve · January 18, 2008

thanks in advance! steve!

I had a Jayco Popup camper a few years back. It was a giant improvement over a tent. You can actually stay warm and dry in it. We didn't have AC in it because I wanted it to still be somewhat "roughing it". Never had any experience with the hard side campers. They are a lot less like camping to me and we like to camp.

Nice thing about a pop up is they tow like they aren't even there and take up very little driveway or garage space.

That's all I can offer you.

thanks! yeah i am leaning farther towards the pop up rather then the hard shell for those two reasons... storage and tow-ability... i like the fact that i could pull it with little or no loss in mpg whatsoever... i would store it in my garage most likely from spring to summer... just because it would be easier on the wallet for storage and because it would help because it would be right there for the weekend getaway trips...

thanks again! and keep em comin!

steve

Zembonez · January 18, 2008

thanks in advance! steve!

I had a Jayco Popup camper a few years back. It was a giant improvement over a tent. You can actually stay warm and dry in it. We didn't have AC in it because I wanted it to still be somewhat "roughing it". Never had any experience with the hard side campers. They are a lot less like camping to me and we like to camp.

Nice thing about a pop up is they tow like they aren't even there and take up very little driveway or garage space.

That's all I can offer you.

thanks! yeah i am leaning farther towards the pop up rather then the hard shell for those two reasons... storage and tow-ability... i like the fact that i could pull it with little or no loss in mpg whatsoever... i would store it in my garage most likely from spring to summer... just because it would be easier on the wallet for storage and because it would help because it would be right there for the weekend getaway trips...

thanks again! and keep em comin!

steve

I sold mine because I didn't have room to store it plus my boat... and I couldn't tow both at the same time anyway. I still miss having it. Maybe one day I'll find me another one.

conrad1995 · January 19, 2008

If you just want to move out of the tent, pop-up is good. Family had a pop-up growing up, and it just wasn't worth the hassles. First of all, you want out of the tent in the rain, fine and dandy, but with a pop-up you gotta worry just as much about drying the tenting after a rain, before you store it. Fold it wet, go home open it up, dry it out. It was just too much extra work. May be fine for you depending on when and where you want to use it. We do that with our tents, but have a laundry line and fan in the garage for just such an occassion.

Went with the hybrid like you show on the bottom. Best of both worlds with a couple of advantages including weight. Don't have to open the tent end to use it, if you know you won't have time to dry it out before your trip is over, fold it up before it rains. sofa, dinette sleeping is still better than tent sleeping if tent sleeping bothers you that much. If you want to pull over and make some lunch the kitchen is there.

I may have just been too anal about keeping the tenting dry on the pop-up and am on the hybrid, but it's too expensive to repair it when it mildews or worse! Additionally if your staying at camp grounds, habituated wild life can be more of an issue with a pop-top or a hybrid. Animals adapt easily and know where to look! Easy enough to prevent, but easier with a solid wall, and a little less risk even if you have stored foods appropriately.

And most importantly for me. A REAL HOLDING TANK! Not having to mess with wheely grey water, and casette black water is a luxury! Granted you have neither with a tent, so weigh the option for you!

All that being said, my boys and I prefer back-packing and sleeping in a tent. Especially spring, winter and fall. Nothing can compare to waking up warm and toasty in a sleeping bag covered with frost or snow or in a warm toasty sleeping bag with the tent covered with ice or snow. The woods are empty in the off season. The day-hikers and tourists stay home, and the playground is ours!

To them it's about enjoying the great out doors! Wife thinks we are lunatics, but will stay in the camper, so it's worth it just for that, meanwhile, she's just as happy if not more to see the guys off and stay home herself!

Just some food for thought. Good Luck whichever route you take!

04z71steve · January 19, 2008

i get what your sayin! the only reason i want the camper is because i camp... and frequently and its annoying loading up the truck and the tent and all that garbage.. it'd be nice to load up the food fill it with water and go... plug it in pop it out and be done... level it off and be ready to go... its not a hastle to get the the tent all set up and the awnings and all of that with tenting its just the whole 7 bins of stuff u have to bring with if ur gonna stay for a week and a half... its so annoying when u go somewhere and tent for a week and it rains for 4 days and ur stuck in the car or under an awning... it'd be nice to have a place to put a tv or a fridge and have ac in the summer... i'm not really sure i'm sure my dad will chip in and i'll get somethin nice.. i already have 2 boats... a 23 foot sylvan and a 18 foot tracker fishing boat... so a third storage feel and insurance fee might get up there but i'm not worried... all i'm worried about is getting all 3 of them to where i wanna stay for the weekend!

thanks for all your input guys it helps a ton! keep it coming

steve

04z71steve · January 19, 2008

found a great deal on a 12' pop up.. ac two pane tanks, battery, heat, awning, new tires... 3 years old... for 340o$... great deal i'm going to look on monday hopefully i'll be bringin it home with me as well! gotta check with insurance tho.. not really sure what insurance would run for a pop up? any ideas?

steve

General Lee 01 · January 20, 2008

Airstream! Only way to go!

January 20, 2008

I didn't like my pop-up because condensation would build up on the inside walls of the fabric and run down. I bought a used 29' Alumalite for just under $2k and haven't looked back. A 29 footer would probably be too big for you since you're looking for something that will store well. Make sure everything works!

Chestah · January 20, 2008

I am looking for a used pop up trailer as well. Tired of waking up wet and sad.

04z71steve · January 20, 2008

I didn't like my pop-up because condensation would build up on the inside walls of the fabric and run down. I bought a used 29' Alumalite for just under $2k and haven't looked back. A 29 footer would probably be too big for you since you're looking for something that will store well. Make sure everything works!

thanks for the advice! seems like no matter wat i buy i always overlook something so this time shes getting a full look-over head to toe!

I am looking for a used pop up trailer as well. Tired of waking up wet and sad.

haha i know this feeling all to well! this past summer we went camping for 7 days... rained 3 out of the seven... ALL DAY LONG... DOWNPOUR! we had hung some stuff up on a clothes line and bye the time we woke up in the morning the rain had soaked the stuff so badly that the rope had it dipping in the mudd!

Zembonez · January 21, 2008

I never had any of the problems mentioned with my popup. In fact, I owned it for 4 years and sold it in mint condition for almost 80% of what I paid for it. I wish a car could do that! Ours had a screen room that attached to the front with an awning. That was a great option.

Good luck with that one you are looking at.

C & A s Dad · January 21, 2008

We camped about 5 years in a 1992 Pop Up that I bought used for 2,200. We had a blast with it and are now in a 30 ft Camper.

Cons to Pop Up:

1) As mentioned, if it really rains, your stuff could get wet and you have to worry about putting it up wet.

2) No bathroom in ours. You are at the mercy of the campground's facility

3) Storage space is very limited so most of your stuff ends up in your vehicle. For a family of 4 spending a week in it, this can be tricky.

4) Set up and tear down is a little time consuming

Pros to Pop Up:

1) Tows so easy

2) You can move it around by hand if you are on flat ground.

3) Cost and resale value. We used ours a lot in 5 years and I actually made a little money on it when I sold it. Buy a used one, keep it in good shape and you can come out of it easily.

Cons to full size camper:

1) Cost

2) You need a real truck to tow it and it is certainly not as worry free and easy to tow as a pop up

Pros to a full size camper:

1) Space and a bathroom is nice to have even though you are "supposed to be camping".

2) Everything can be packed in the camper. Things like bathroom supplies and clothes can be left in the camper year round. Buy perishable groceries when you are ready to go and take off.

3) If it rains, no worry. Nothing other than an awning to dry out when you get home.

4) Set up and tear down is less time consuming.

I would not take a million dollars for the 5 years we used the Pop up but I also like the camper. If you do buy a pop up, I would suggest finding one with the storage unit in the front. Mine did not have this and I feel it would have really helped.

Good Luck.

2000DV4.8 · January 21, 2008

This was my friend's camper...

04z71steve · January 22, 2008

We camped about 5 years in a 1992 Pop Up that I bought used for 2,200. We had a blast with it and are now in a 30 ft Camper.

Cons to Pop Up:

1) As mentioned, if it really rains, your stuff could get wet and you have to worry about putting it up wet.

2) No bathroom in ours. You are at the mercy of the campground's facility

3) Storage space is very limited so most of your stuff ends up in your vehicle. For a family of 4 spending a week in it, this can be tricky.

4) Set up and tear down is a little time consuming

Pros to Pop Up:

1) Tows so easy

2) You can move it around by hand if you are on flat ground.

3) Cost and resale value. We used ours a lot in 5 years and I actually made a little money on it when I sold it. Buy a used one, keep it in good shape and you can come out of it easily.

Cons to full size camper:

1) Cost

2) You need a real truck to tow it and it is certainly not as worry free and easy to tow as a pop up

Pros to a full size camper:

1) Space and a bathroom is nice to have even though you are "supposed to be camping".

2) Everything can be packed in the camper. Things like bathroom supplies and clothes can be left in the camper year round. Buy perishable groceries when you are ready to go and take off.

3) If it rains, no worry. Nothing other than an awning to dry out when you get home.

4) Set up and tear down is less time consuming.

I would not take a million dollars for the 5 years we used the Pop up but I also like the camper. If you do buy a pop up, I would suggest finding one with the storage unit in the front. Mine did not have this and I feel it would have really helped.

Good Luck.

thanks for the tips! i appreciate it.. i'm kind of in the middle right now going back and fourth on what i can and cant really afford... the pop up i found is ideal... great shape... all the goodies, ac. awning. storage upfront. fridge. stove. 2 pane tanks. a batter. low battery warning system. rip/tear free awning and sides... so we'll see its all still in the workings!

thanks again for the advice!

steve