Pop Up Camper (1 Viewer)

[spressomon]

Once I figured out how to use the sink it was a great feature. The water tank becomes pressurized and you can access 4 different water outlets scattered around the trailer. Also, the interior lighting in the tent was a great feature.

The fold out kitchen was great. It comes with all the utensils, glassses, plates for 6 people. I also like the additional fold out table that is stored quite neatly in the trailer. Like I said it worked out great for us and I would rent one again. Don't think I could pull the trigger on buying one... they are a bit pricey. The adventure trailers look a little more rugged and offroad capable. Are the prices similar?

Let me know if you have any more questions...

cheers,
David...

While certainly not cheap I have not found a trailer designed as well nor constructed as well as the Adventure Trailer. To say it is expensive implies you can find another product with the same specs for less $$$...I haven't found one! Now to say it doesn't fit my budget/pocketbook is another issue.

http://www.adventuretrailers.com/Horizon/Horizonpricesvertical.pdf

 

[alia176]

Sorry guys but these dinky sized adventure type trailers are great for two people and maybe a dog in the bush. But when you toss in a family, then the popups or Aliner seem to be the ticket. If you have to pitch a tent around the camper/trailer, walk on the dirt/mud which is your kitchen, shower in the dirt/mud, then this isn't much of an improvement from a typical tent IMO. Heck, if you have a large enough of a tent, you can do everything inside.

At least with the popups/Aliners/Scamp models, you're much better protected from the elements. We borrowed a friend's Starcraft that was built in the 80s and the fit and finish is great. Sure, the upholstery was out dated but everything worked great and no funky sounds while you're inside.
I can't imagine my dogs having to climb a ladder to get to a roof top type tent (on a roof or top of the trailer), carrying a baby up/down the silly ladder just to go to sleep. The dogs can sleep inside of the 80 but it takes a long time for the 80 to cool down (think hot floor) after a long ass drive.

One bad thing about the popups I don't like is that you can't sleep inside of it when you're in transit from the house to the camping spot. Setting one of these things up in a rest stop/walmart parking lot/side of the road in the dark is a royal PITA. Crank it up, find the prop rods in the midst of your luggage crap, blah, blah.. The Aliner is a real nice option in this case, just pull over and 30 sec later it's done. I might have to look into one of these for us. I also like the 1,000 lb light weight of the Aliners vs the 2,000 lb+ of the popups. I know that the Aliners are flimsy but it's nice to have a light weight trailer behind a 7,000 lbs FZJ80 with 35s, 4.56s and 6,000 lb elevation.
Just some of my random thoughts. Sorry for the long winded note.

Ali

 

[spressomon]

Sorry guys but these dinky sized adventure type trailers are great for two people and maybe a dog in the bush. But when you toss in a family, then the popups or Aliner seem to be the ticket. If you have to pitch a tent around the camper/trailer, walk on the dirt/mud which is your kitchen, shower in the dirt/mud, then this isn't much of an improvement from a typical tent IMO. Heck, if you have a large enough of a tent, you can do everything inside.

At least with the popups/Aliners/Scamp models, you're much better protected from the elements. We borrowed a friend's Starcraft that was built in the 80s and the fit and finish is great. Sure, the upholstery was out dated but everything worked great and no funky sounds while you're inside.
I can't imagine my dogs having to climb a ladder to get to a roof top type tent (on a roof or top of the trailer), carrying a baby up/down the silly ladder just to go to sleep. The dogs can sleep inside of the 80 but it takes a long time for the 80 to cool down (think hot floor) after a long ass drive.

One bad thing about the popups I don't like is that you can't sleep inside of it when you're in transit from the house to the camping spot. Setting one of these things up in a rest stop/walmart parking lot/side of the road in the dark is a royal PITA. Crank it up, find the prop rods in the midst of your luggage crap, blah, blah.. The Aliner is a real nice option in this case, just pull over and 30 sec later it's done. I might have to look into one of these for us. I also like the 1,000 lb light weight of the Aliners vs the 2,000 lb+ of the popups. I know that the Aliners are flimsy but it's nice to have a light weight trailer behind a 7,000 lbs FZJ80 with 35s, 4.56s and 6,000 lb elevation.
Just some of my random thoughts. Sorry for the long winded note.

Ali

Agreed..."application, application, application"!

 

[nakman]

Romer, sorry I'm such a slacker and just noticed this post now... anyway if you decide to go Coleman let me know and I'll give you the name of a dealer in the springs.. I saved $1000 compared to what Kettleson's had mine for (small Tucson) and my neighbor saved $2500 on a larger unit. Go learn about them at I-70 & Kipling but when you're ready to buy drive south for an hour.. it'll be like free gears.

 

[cruiserdawg]

Also, if anyone wants a new Coleman/Fleetwood, give Pecos RV in Tucker, GA a call. From everything I have read on the RV forums, they are the cheapest in the country. I read about one guy that drove all the way from Texas to get one from them. Of course that was before fuel costs went crazy.

 

[NorCalDoug]

Also, if anyone wants a new Coleman/Fleetwood, give Pecos RV in Tucker, GA a call. From everything I have read on the RV forums, they are the cheapest in the country. I read about one guy that drove all the way from Texas to get one from them. Of course that was before fuel costs went crazy.

RV Forums?
I'm finding a few -- do you have any favorites? Geez...I can't believe I just wrote that...RV forum. RV? Sounds like something old people do.
I guess I'm old...







It is all about application. Although I really like the tent trailer we just bought, I know that there are quite a few places that I'd like to go, but will not pull the trailer to. In those situations, it would be nice to have something smaller to pull.

Like spressemon said, application, application, application.

Base camp somewhere where I have access via a decent fire road? I'll take the tent trailer. If it's something with many, many miles of rough corregated roads and some short, but somewhat technical trails -- similar to what I did with the group at Death Valley this past year, I wouldn't want to pull something as wide and long as my tent trailer behind me. It would get beat to hell on the roads too. Situations like this call for something like the adventure trailer or one like what David rented.

Given the price of the smaller ones, however, I think a person could build something similar from a military trailer for a lot less...if they're willing to put in their own labor. Now...if the guys selling the smaller ones would be willing to finance the $7k to $10k over 5 years...it might not be too bad...

 

[NuOkie]

Another option for some... I was tired of driving the 40 hundreds of miles and then sleeping on the ground. I decided to get a 3/4 ton truck, slide in camper and tow the 40 behind on a tow dolly. Got a truck used last summer, the camper on e-bay in December and a tow dolly this summer. Now I need to get to an event and try it all out. Have used the camper quite a bit and it works great for the family of 4. No more than that though. I hope to be at Moab next May!

 

[Romer]

This one looks nice:
http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/evolution/default.aspx

Also the Jayco Baja

Thats more than I am willing to spend, but looked like it might a go a little farther than the average camper. Anyone have any experiance on either of these?

 

[NorCalDoug]

This one looks nice:
http://www.fleetwoodrv.com/evolution/default.aspx

Also the Jayco Baja

Thats more than I am willing to spend, but looked like it might a go a little farther than the average camper. Anyone have any experiance on either of these?

Don't forget the e2 by fleetwood/coleman.
It's the same as the evolution, but has the cargo tray in the front. The tray comes in quite handy.

These tent trailers seem to be less expensive east of the mississippi -- must be due to shipping.

There's a retailer in Alabama who quite often sells the baja or the evolution on ebay. If you're patient, you'll see them on there with a no reserve starting bid at $7k. The last one I saw didn't have any bites at that price. If it was closer, I would've bought one of those.


The starcraft 11RT is similar to the baja and the evolution (but with the cargo tray). Aside from some drain pipes that hang a little low, I think it's a great way to go.

 

[rusty_tlc]

RV Forums?
I'm finding a few -- do you have any favorites? Geez...I can't believe I just wrote that...RV forum. RV? Sounds like something old people do.
I guess I'm old...







It is all about application. Although I really like the tent trailer we just bought, I know that there are quite a few places that I'd like to go, but will not pull the trailer to. In those situations, it would be nice to have something smaller to pull.

Like spressemon said, application, application, application.

Base camp somewhere where I have access via a decent fire road? I'll take the tent trailer. If it's something with many, many miles of rough corregated roads and some short, but somewhat technical trails -- similar to what I did with the group at Death Valley this past year, I wouldn't want to pull something as wide and long as my tent trailer behind me. It would get beat to hell on the roads too. Situations like this call for something like the adventure trailer or one like what David rented.

Given the price of the smaller ones, however, I think a person could build something similar from a military trailer for a lot less...if they're willing to put in their own labor. Now...if the guys selling the smaller ones would be willing to finance the $7k to $10k over 5 years...it might not be too bad...

I love Death Valley. I hate not having my 40 down there when we go. We are considering a Class B motor home that will handle pulling the 40 on a trailer.
To me this seems like the best of all worlds.
The perfect class b would be the Sportsmobile But the $$$$ tell me that won't be in the cards.

Edit: Sportsmobile specs

Ford E-350 1 Ton, GVWR 9,500
6.8L V-10 or 6.0L Diesel
Advanced Adapters Atlas II All Gear Driven Transfer Case
Dynatrac Pro-Roc 60 Front Axle
Dana 60 Rear Axle
High Knuckle Front End for Extra Tie Rod Clearance
Extra Heavy Duty Steering Arm
Horizontal Drag Link Eliminates Bump Steer
Spicer 1350 One-Ton Rated Driveline Components
Reverse Shackle leaf spring design
Your choice of Open, Limited Slip, or Locking Differentials

 

[NorCalDoug]

Some options on eBay right now...
Interested in a...
Starcraft 10RT?

or the evolution?

how about a camo'd Baja?

or this ATV Trailer Pop Up?

 

[NorCalDoug]

I love Death Valley. I hate not having my 40 down there when we go. We are considering a Class B motor home that will handle pulling the 40 on a trailer.
To me this seems like the best of all worlds.
The perfect class b would be the Sportsmobile But the $$$$ tell me that won't be in the cards.

Edit: Sportsmobile specs

Ford E-350 1 Ton, GVWR 9,500
6.8L V-10 or 6.0L Diesel
Advanced Adapters Atlas II All Gear Driven Transfer Case
Dynatrac Pro-Roc 60 Front Axle
Dana 60 Rear Axle
High Knuckle Front End for Extra Tie Rod Clearance
Extra Heavy Duty Steering Arm
Horizontal Drag Link Eliminates Bump Steer
Spicer 1350 One-Ton Rated Driveline Components
Reverse Shackle leaf spring design
Your choice of Open, Limited Slip, or Locking Differentials

Are any of those toy haulers wide enough or strong enough to carry a 40? That would be nice...
stuff the 40 in one of those -- you'd have the rig and a place to sleep/cook/etc.

 

[e9999]

I know a couple of folks who have one of those sportsmobile and both had major trouble with them

 

[rusty_tlc]

Are any of those toy haulers wide enough or strong enough to carry a 40? That would be nice...
stuff the 40 in one of those -- you'd have the rig and a place to sleep/cook/etc.

Not from what I've seen. They seem to be aimed at the ATV/Jetski crowd. Based on a few years towing a "regular" 22' TT I wouldn't want to tow one with an additional 3500 # inside, at least not with a regular (3/4 ton) truck. Maybe with a one ton or larger, if they are rated for that kind of load.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I know a couple of folks who have one of those sportsmobile and both had major trouble with them

What kind of trouble?

 

[Romer]

I was looking at those ebay pop-ups Doug. Thanks.

Those and the E2 all look like good candidates. Now it's just sit back and wait for a great deal on a used one. I'm in no hurry right now. Have to install the Slee Hitch. Put a gate in my back yard, and tear out some grass to replace with rock to park it. Can't park it on the street and don't want to give up a garage spot.

 

[alia176]

Sportsmobile[/URL] But the $$$$ tell me that won't be in the cards.

My wife and I saw one of these in Truckee during the summer and started to salivate for one of thse. After looking at the price, I'm not salivating any more I wonder how the used market is for one of these things?

 

[spressomon]

FYI: While I was in LA this week we had some time...so we visited Adventure Trailer's 'manufacturing' facility. It is obvious these guys are serious about off-road trailer design and off-road worthiness. They are going to show their latest mods at the off-road show in Sacramento in late January 2006...will be there to see it/them.

 

[e9999]

What kind of trouble?

don't recall, but something like major engine or drivetrain problems leaving the rig incapacitated for a while.

it's a Ford after all, what'd you expect...?

 

[LandCruiserPhil]

A couple of years ago we look at Starcraft and Baja both looked very nice. I liked the Starcraft over the Baja because the exterior popup fabric came in 5 pieces rather then one piece like the Baja. Being new on the market there was no discount or used ones available so before we spent 10K+ on our first popup we decided to go used and see what we wanted out of a popup.

Bought a 1978 Ghetto model from a local mudder about a year ago on the forum. To date we have used it about 20+ days some boondocking it and some at RV parks. Set up time is 10 mins. by myself sometimes less with help. For us we like a split floor plan with seating on both ends and the kitchen in the middle for more room with more then 2 people. We found the beds to be very comfortable and use sheets and blankies rather then sleeping bags. The one way screened window adds privacy during the day and gives you a chance to monitor the little ones while you take advantage of mommy. The heater and stove has also been very nice but we would rather have the space then all the other bling. We had a cassette pottie on our boat and they are a PIA plus your family and neighbors would be happier if you didn’t use it. Plus dumping it is worst then a newborns diaper in the morning. An inside shower is a big waste of space IMO a truck shower works better and with a stream or lake its endless. The frigs are too small IMO and you still need a cooler if you have a family and do day trips. We don’t use the sink either because we found we wasted too much water and was hard to monitor water level on the Ghetto model. The newer popups have a lot more fabric bling that is fixed. Because they are open they get dirty inside we found simple and removable is better for keeping it clean.

Our Ghetto model weighed in dry at 960lbs and tows with little effort. With all of our needs inside the popup I don’t think is much over 1500lbs. With nothing in the tow vehicle makes travel nice. The frame on our older model is very well built compared to some newer models and has withstood some severe dragging with no damage. Washboard roads are hard on the trailer probably more so with small tires. Larger tires and shocks would be a must for most users and if we keep the Ghetto model I will make the upgrade.

All in all the popup has been nice place to keep dry, stay warm, get dressed, eat, cook, drink, and get a good night of sleep without a lot of trouble. Your needs may differ so before you go out and spend 10K you might want to try a Ghetto model to see what works for you and what you really need. No matter what model you choose it beats a tent.