OT-pop-up campers

[rjmayes34]

Hello all
so over the great holiday weekned we went camping at hamlien beach and loved it. First time for our 10 month old and he loved it!!

So, moral of the story is were gonna get a used pop up camper(been checking craigslist)
We want a simple one. One with a booth table set up and the wrap around couch also. Sink, stove, and frigde, i dont wanna mess with the ice chests some come with!!. Awaning with screen room.
I dont really want a toilet or shower in their(more to care for, and would rather have the U shaped couch instead) A heater would be nice for the chilly nights.
And whebn fully loaded under 3500 so my suv can still tow it!! I like the hybrids but dont wanna spend that much on our first one, in the future we can upgrade when we need to.

Any tips to look for when searching? How to spot a lemon?? i will check the underside of it, the cables and canvass.
Any thing else to check?
Anyone have one for sale?
thanks for any tips!!!
Hope you all enjoyed your long weekend!!!

 

[Gary Majchrzak]

I love camping

I love camping

as my family grew up we progressed from tent to pop up. I spent many weekends camping at Hamlin Beach. F loop is my favorite. My pop up was a Viking and there's a specific forum for Viking pop up camper info. There's probably similar forums for other brands.
When growing up my parents took us camping almost every weekend. I've been to a LOT of campgrounds in western NY.
Kids grow up quick. Best advice I can give you is spend quality time with them and camping is one way to do it. Camp, camp, camp.
When looking at used campers make sure to lift the cushions and check for water stains which would indicate a leak. Make sure all elecrical works... including signals, tailights etc.
One thing our pop up had that I never thought we be such a lifesaver was air conditioning. You might want to consider it. I didn't really consider camping with AC "really camping" but nowadays I don't think I'd go without it.
PS: I have some campgrounds you HAVE to check out as your kid gets older... and they grow quick!

 

[Conesus_Kid]

We have a pop-up camper and have been using one for over 12 years. Ditto what Gary said about camping with kids. Good stuff.

Personally, I wouldn't waste your time with a screen for the awning. There isn't much space under there. We set up our camp kitchen, coolers and coat rack under there. We'd be lucky to fit two folding chairs under there with our gear!

Check for dry rot on the canvas and give the cushions a good sniff test. Mice will often get into campers over the winter. Be sure to bring a flashlight and check every nook and cranny/storage area for signs of mice.

Keep your eyes open on Craigslist, but you'll likely get a better deal in the Fall if you can hold out that long.

 

[TomBONAIRE]

We camped with the kids for over 15 years with a Sunlight pop-up. I agree that a screened awning was not that useful, but the furnace really came in handy, especially to help dry things out when we got damp. It also gave us great opportunities to fall camp------an awesome time to visit the state parks. We're very fortunate that there are so many great state parks in NY, each special in their own way.

 

[kelso1980]

My tip: gorilla tape works GREAT on patching up little holes. We have a very old pop up that had a mouse problem one winter. It's not pretty, but bone dry inside!

 

[block head]

Parents had a skanky pop up growing up, step parents had a decent one. I hated them both. We have 14' x16 canvas wall tent. We think its the cats ***. Good cots,and a woodstove make it comfortable year round. I set mine up in 15 minutes when sober. 30 minutes with a few adult beverages on board. Our stove has a hot water tank which is really nice. About a G for the set up. Plus it allows you to utilize tent sites. Our tent maker sold a bunch to monks in Colorado. They live in them year round. With a good fire, i can make it uncomfortably hot in winter. Trailers are kind of a pain to tow and store IMO. Pop ups feel like cramped motels or trailer parks. A tent screams camping. My days of sleeping on the ground,with cold leaky pup tents are over.