opinions on this pop-up camper

romaniacruiser · 12-01-08, 08:21 PM

I'm looking for a pop-up under $1000 that I can use while camping, don't really care about luxury, just want it to be fuctional and relaible.

I'm seriously considering this one. It has no cables that could break or levers that you have to turn forever on end, because it has the optional "elbow arms" that hold it up.

Heres the info from craigslist and the owner's e-mail (keep in mind the owner is a 58 year old man)

1982 Viking pop-up camper. I installed a 10,000 BTU w/ remote air comditioner in the rear of the camper for the summer heat and it cools well. The canvas needs a little repair but over all she's in pretty good shape. Tires are new and bearings are great. Very lightweight. I just want to replace the money I have invested in it.

Mihai... I know she's 26 years old...(Your mom may just get a little upset with you going out with a lady that much older than you.) She'd make you a nice little camper that would be worth a lot more than what I'm asking for it. If you ever wanted to, there are people that can replace alll of the canvas on it. I highly suspect it would be expensive, but if you like the camper it probably would be worth it.

racedirt1 · 12-02-08, 09:35 AM

Replacement canvas will run around $800 I think, you can try Bear Creek for the canvas - they have a real good reputation in the pop-up camper world.

The real question is why has the canvas been damaged? If they packed it up wet then mold would happen very quickly and more of less destroy it, this would be the best situation. Most likely there has been water intrusion which will do a lot more damage than just the canvas. I would go look at the unit and inspect closely for water damage. Feel the floor and ceiling for soft spots and check in the cabinets as well. If the ceiling has leaked I would not spend more that $200.00 on it because you will have to rebuild the whole ceiling and that is not a small job.

All in all it doesn't seem like a bad little camper but there are a ton of them out there so take your time and you will find a great deal, especially this time of year.

Check out these 2 sites for more info. than you can imagine.

PopUp Explorer - The ultimate pop up camper web site
PopUpPortal.com - The Definitive Source For Pop Up Camper Owners | Home

I am racedirt1 on both of those sites and am also a moderator on pop-up explorer site. Frank Drebin is my moderator name if I can be of any further assistance.

rusty_tlc · 12-02-08, 11:09 AM

Canvas will run $800 to $1000 as mentioned above.
Upgrading to five lug hubs and 13" wheels will run around $400. I just did this on my pop-up, it's a

job and takes around 20 Min per side. Axle flip is a $10 if you weld otherwise $10 plus whatever you get charged for welding. Welding aside the flip is a

job and takes about two hours.

Bear Creek also sells replacement seat covers IIRC. Just in case you want to lose the Brady bunch motif.

Unless there is a lot of water damage the unit would sell for at least $1000 around here and wouldn't last more than a week on CL.