Pop Up Trailer Advice?

[Java]

After freezing our butts off at Peru Creek the other night my wife and I are finally both on the same page about a pop up! :) I've never owned one before, I don't knowanything. IDK if I need brakes, how big is too big / small is too small, what options are good and what aren't, and what I should expect to spend. I'd like to keep it under $2000, but I'm willing to go higher for something nice. I don't mind a bit of a project, but I don't want to get into frame repairs or water damage, I'd rather work more and make a payment than save a little money and have something else to wrench on. Is there anything I should look out for? typical problems? Basically I don't know squat about pop ups, I'm starting my CL search tonight, any advice at all would be helpful. I'm limited by my Jeep- I've been looking for a v8 WJ for a while but I can't find anything, so I guess my LJ can tow like an XJ, same 4.0, about the same wheelbase... Thanks!!

[4Runninfun]

Where are you planning on taking your camper once acquired? Just a campground? Easy/med/hard trails? How often do you and your wife camp now/ in the future?

My first suggestion would be to go to a camper show and walk around a bunch and see what does and doesn't appeal to you.

[The StRanger]

After freezing our butts off at Peru Creek.

Sounds more like a " not a 0 deg bag " thing !

[ExplorerTom]

Buy mine!

i have no idea what it weighs. It's a Jayco series 10- which means the box (the floor area) is 10 feet long. If I had to guess, it weighs about 2000 lbs. it doesn't have brakes. On one end is either a double or full sized matress and the other end has a king size. Plus you can turn the table area into at least another spot for someone (maybe 2 if hey are small). It has a furnace but I've never had it on- haven't looked into why it doesn't work. We typically camp at state parks that have electricity hook ups and just run a small space heater. The canvas is all in pretty good shape. Has an awning. And there's a storage area up front for stuff.

We've barely used it and I don't see us using it much in the future- we had one dog and now we have 2. 2 adults, 2 kids and 2 dogs..... You can put a lot of stuff in the trailer and use it as a pack mule, but with 2 dogs, nearly everything would have to go in there. Paying $30 per month to store something we don't use......

Im serious about selling it. I was hoping to get more than $2000 out of it though. If you're interested, let me know.

[Tom]

Sounds more like a " not a 0 deg bag " thing !My thoughts too. That and camping near the river. Coldest air runs downhill just like water. Sleeping pads or air mattresses. Pads are warmer.

[The StRanger]

My thoughts too. That and camping near the river. Coldest air runs downhill just like water. Sleeping pads or air mattresses. Pads are warmer.

Pine Bow's !!

[The StRanger]

I like to cut two lower branch's of a pine tree and set the tent (little two man) under the pine on the needles.
Soft, warm & dry !

[Java]

it wasn't the sleeping bag, we have bags, memory foam pillows, fleece blankets and down comforters... it was the wet tent, the going outside to pee, getting off the floor, the wet everything in the morning and the cold air. We have air mattresses and all that, it's just time to get out of the tent. I've wanted one for a while, and as long as my wife is onboard I'm pulling the trigger while the pulling is good! :) Tom, that sounds like a nice pop up, can you PM me anything at all you can think of about it, like the year, options, a price, maybe a picture or a link to something similar? Also, where do you have it stored? $30.00 a month is pretty reasonable, maybe I'll just leave it there...

[The StRanger]

it wasn't the sleeping bag, we have bags, memory foam pillows, fleece blankets and down comforters... it was the wet tent, the going outside to pee, getting off the floor, the wet everything in the morning and the cold air. We have air mattresses and all that, it's just time to get out of the tent. I've wanted one for a while, and as long as my wife is onboard I'm pulling the trigger while the pulling is good! :) Tom, that sounds like a nice pop up, can you PM me anything at all you can think of about it, like the year, options, a price, maybe a picture or a link to something similar? Also, where do you have it stored? $30.00 a month is pretty reasonable, maybe I'll just leave it there...

I dont blame ya. If I had a trailer Id use the Hell out of it.. but
Most of my camping is with the Scouts. What we camp is on our back !!!
And I would hate to drag a trailer up a 14er !

[ExplorerTom]

And I would hate to drag a trailer up a 14er !

Thats what the scouts are for!.............

[ExplorerTom]

Paul, I'll collect some pics and send them your way tomorrow. Oddly, I don't have much. And i have it stored south of Littleton off Hwy 85- bit of a haul for you.

[Chris]

Even with a popup you'll have wet canvas over you Paul, as I do with our hybrid. If I was you I'd check out Tom's as it sounds pretty good if the price is good.

[Java]

Sam, some of the best experiences of my youth were in the boy scouts in New York, I consider it Colorado training! I still have the manual. :)

[The StRanger]

Yup. They keep me young !

[Brad]

We got ours for $600. Only a 8' box with no frills (at least when we bought it). I preferred that as it keeps the weight down. We have modified it to have solar power, 110v inverter and a 12v system to run led lights and other accessories. We also grabbed a mr buddy heater and a porta potty that has its own tent setup for outside. We love it and will never sell it just because it is great for winter camping. You are welcome to check ours out this weekend if you need ideas or just want to see our setup.

My favorite site for advice and info:
http://www.popupportal.com/

If you get a nice plain one you can mod it to fit your needs. :thumb:

Poncha creek, another great boondocking site.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/Poncha%20Creek/IMG_0936.jpg

Boondocking at 10k feet by billings lake October. We were nice and toasty with the heater all night. We were all alone, it was wonderful.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/eba2fa92.jpg

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/b1b9191c.jpg
LED nite lights, draw so little amps we leave them on all night.
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/bd9c91a6.jpg

with everything stowed:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/IMG_0792.jpg

Inverter and solar charge controller:
http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c112/flipswitch/5a933735.jpg

[xaza]

Hey Tom I live of off 85 just north of Littleton and would be willing to look at heater for you. Have never worked on a camper heater and would enjoy the opportunity to try and learn. Or if Paul buys it the same offer would stand. No charge to look, just want to learn.

[zukrider]

I too have the same desires. Just not the financial backing at the moment.

[ExplorerTom]

Paul,

I sent you a PM.

That popupportal is probably a terrific resource. There are tons of simple things you can do to improve on a trailer. Brad's is a great example- although I hope the roof mounted AC unit was there when he bought it (I don't camp when and where it's hot enough to need AC). When I bought it, I had similar thoughts of doing things to it, but it just never panned out that way.

Cliff- I may take you up on that offer.

[ColoJeeper]

I have a pop-up and love it, however would strongly suggest that before you spend the money to buy one, that you borrow or rent one, and go camping in it a couple of times. This will give you a clear idea of the usage, setup and towing, and help you decide if you want to invest in one.

I have a trailer with a 10' box on it, and it does have brakes, though I haven't used them yet, as I haven't wired the brake controller into my JK yet. I have towed it to Yellowstone, and the Blackhills, as well as Moab a couple of times and have found that the JK tows it without any real problems. JK has the 3.8 V6 in it and 4.10 gears in the axles. I can do the passes at 55, but do have to drop it into 4th gear and rev it up a little bit (jeep is a 6 speed stick shift). Round trip towing to Moab I get an average of 13 mpg towing the trailer. I do work at conserving weight, and don't fill the water tank until I get where I am going if possible, and usually wait to buy food and fill the coolers until I get close to my destination.

[Squshiee1]

After 4 popups all i can say is palomino with a built in electric heater or furnace whatever they are.

We have a palomino and we just keep 2 propane heaters going all night long. we have been doing it that way for 8 years with no issues.

But the built in heaters a really nice!

[Java]

Brad- I'd love to see your setup, I'm looking for something about that size so I can take it on easy trails. Cliff, that's a great offer, thank you! Check out this ad, read the text... judging from the pics I believe it. http://denver.craigslist.org/rvs/4057519228.html

[Rick]

what a tool


read the text

[Patrolman]

Yeah, what a character.

[ExplorerTom]

He also sells meth! Hahahahaha! From what I know from Breaking Bad, looks too small to cook in.....

i sent it to my Littleton cop buddy.

[ExplorerTom]

One thing I don't like about pop ups is the set up. More than once we've arrived at the campsite and it's dinner time. Kids are hungry. My kids are at the age where they are no help and my wife only helps once she has operating room inside the trailer (roof up and beds out). Or it's raining.

We talked about getting a travel trailer instead to save on setup time.


But then with these fire bans that are almost clockwork...... It sucks to go camping with no campfires. Once it gets dark there's nothing to do and it limits your cooking options (although last time I camped I cooked everything on the stove). It sucks. I camped almost every weekend as a kid.

[Chris]

We compromised with a hybrid for the same reasons in addition to us getting older and less enthusiastic and able to do all the hand-cranking required. Setup time is much less, we have the amenities of the travel trailer but still have the popup type beds so it still feels like we're sleeping outside. Since Paul's still a strong young buck a popup would be ideal.

[Squshiee1]

They pop up much quicker than a tent, and you can put them away nicely every time!

[ExplorerTom]

Joe (zukrider) had his tent setup quick. I turned my head and when I looked back it was setup and he was putting cots and sleeping bags in it.

[xaza]

I can get my tent out of bag and set up in less than 1 minute

[zukrider]

They pop up much quicker than a tent, and you can put them away nicely every time!





Joe (zukrider) had his tent setup quick. I turned my head and when I looked back it was setup and he was putting cots and sleeping bags in it.



Challenge Accepted!

[xaza]

lol, do you have an instant set up tent also? I love mine, takes longer to air up mattress and make bed.

[zukrider]

I want a tailer pop up for base camp and winter camping mostly. but ill keep the tent we have now. and ill always be looking for other camp options. i fully plan to own a CVT RTT. i like options!

BUT, the pop up will be as small as possible. ideally, it would be a queen/single, and as short as that allows. narrow as well. must have a water setup, a stove, and a furnace. nothing else though. i plan to make my own frame for it and put it on matching size tire/rim combo. will have 4 adjusting feet to stabilize. the frame will leave a platform front and rear for gear. fuel cans. water cans. chainsaw. box for chairs and stuff. and a rear swingout with a smoker on it! for the better form of camp eating!

[zukrider]

@ Cliff. Yes. a Coleman 10 man. it is a literal 10 minutes, up, in, beer in hand, camp chair under me!

[xaza]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=BkPQqBJzYJI

[Brad]

AC was there, we decided to leave that and the factory installed 110 system in case we want to pull into a RV place and plug in. Can't run the AC off solar, requires too much juice.

[Java]

I have the 6 person one, it's awesome. Great sale right now on Amazon, 116.00 with free shipping. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004E4ERHA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbENsepd2vA

[ExplorerTom]

I have a 6-8 person Coleman tent that is NOT instant up. And it's HEAVY!

Joe, what does your instant tent weigh? Roughly.

[zukrider]

if i had to guess, 55 lbs.

EDIT: the link below is an older version, but darn similar, @34.2 lbs.

http://www.target.com/p/coleman-10-person-instant-cabin-tent/-/A-14347921



here is the typical price, we picked it up for $199 at the Coleman Outlet in CRock. Love that place! Its huge, bulky, heavy!!!!!!ETC..... but its fast, roomy and worth every penny.

[zukrider]

i really want something like this

http://images.craigslist.org/00F0F_iHxqY0y0pq4_600x450.jpg

i love the overall small and light design to it. put this on wheeling based frame with YJ springs. add a platform up front for fuel cans and a storage box. Done!

[Java]

saw that popup on CL, I like it but IMO it looks overpriced for what it is. It would be a perfect platform if he comes down on the $$. The coleman 8 person tent actually has 3 sizes you can get it it- Walmart exclusively has the 13'x9', and on amazon you can get it in 14'x8' or 14/x10'. Scroll down on this page http://www.amazon.com/Coleman-14x10-Foot-Person-Instant/dp/B003QUT9OE/ref=pd_sbs_sg_2/188-7094343-7002656 and there is a chart with links, shows the 4, 6 and 8 person tents / specs.