Do people only choose Pop Ups because they have no other choice?

[Kody Wilson]

We have a 1985 Jayco J Series and love it! We pull it with a Toyota Sienna minivan and despite having plenty of room for our whole family of 5, plus dog, we get maybe 1 less miles per gallon. The only thing I would change is maybe switching to a Trailmanor or some other hard sided PUP as we live in Seattle and the canvas is harder to care for in this climate (it rains 9 months out of the year, lol!).

 

[Mark CASTELLANI]

the OP asked..."Do people only choose Pop Ups because they have no other choice?"

ummm...NO... and... can't say we'd ever go to a TT (and, Yes, we can "afford" it)

to give you an insight to our family's attitude, when we got our 1st PUP (the Starflyer) our boys we're disgusted... they accused us, and IT, as "Clampers"

DW's greatest joy is to have the bunk widows open... watch the dying embers of the campfire and being lulled to sleep by the mourns of a Loon on a lake or a Whippoorwill in the trees.

I love to sit in the PUP, back home, and catch a wiff of campfire that lingers in the canvas.

I'm past retirement age... had 2 lower back surgeries and I can still "get it up" (the PUP, that is, LOL) with out any problem.

This IS the PopUpPortal.com, right?

"Why go outdoors just to be indoors?"

Happy Trails!

 

[Steveo4090]

Just my 2 cents …… a lot of us start with tents …….. then the ground gets too hard so we move up to a popup, in our case a small one. Then a bigger one. Then mom wants a bathroom and we move up to a hybrid. Ours is only 17’ and I would move up to little larger one. No TT for us too closed in.

We did the same progression, but as we started with 2 kids camping in a tent, nothing was small along the way. 6 person tent went to a 10 person after 3rd baby and a dog were added to the family. Pop up was a double king. Our current hybrid is a 3 queen. I'd get a quad bunkhouse TT if I could afford one light enough for my TV to tow...but, I'm not interested in buying new again and they're rare as hen's teeth on the used market - at least ones that aren't beat to death, not price like solid gold, and are a reasonable distance away.

 

[nitrohorse]

the OP asked..."Do people only choose Pop Ups because they have no other choice?"

ummm...NO... and... can't say we'd ever go to a TT (and, Yes, we can "afford" it)

to give you an insight to our family's attitude, when we got our 1st PUP (the Starflyer) our boys we're disgusted... they accused us, and IT, as "Clampers"

DW's greatest joy is to have the bunk widows open... watch the dying embers of the campfire and being lulled to sleep by the mourns of a Loon on a lake or a Whippoorwill in the trees.

I love to sit in the PUP, back home, and catch a wiff of campfire that lingers in the canvas.

I'm past retirement age... had 2 lower back surgeries and I can still "get it up" (the PUP, that is, LOL) with out any problem.

This IS the PopUpPortal.com, right?

"Why go outdoors just to be indoors?"

Happy Trails!

I'm going to save you the wear and tear on your back opening the PUP just to sit in it and smell the campfire. Next time you're camping and have a fire going, sit close to the fire and preferably directly in line of the smoke. After an hour or so of marinating downwind, head inside the PUP and take your t-shirt off and place it in a ZipLoc gallon size plastic baggie. This will afford you the ability to enjoy the smell of burnt wood in the comfort of your favorite chair inside your home without contributing to your injured back.

 

[geoffm3]

I actually have a better view to the outside of our travel trailer when I'm sitting in my dinette seat than I had is either popup. The popups had vinyl windows, which even when new weren't the most clear. From my seat, I can see out the larger window to my left, somewhat through the window behind the other seat, assuming my husband isn't sitting there, and through the doorway. The door is open unless weather prohibits that. We changed out the pebbled glass window to a clear/tinted one, so I can see out when the door is closed.
Also, one cannot paint all popups or other RV with the same brush. I've seen both types of campers that are way too claustrophobic and/or dark inside. Our popup when in cod weather mode had covers inside around the bunk ends, so no light unless it was warm enough to drop them during the day. That actually was pretty common in shoulder seasons, because we could need heat and warmth at night, but open the windows during the day. given he temperature swings common where we camp. I've had as much as 80s during the day with lows at freezing at night.

Our hard sided has a lot of windows, but it definitely feels a lot more enclosed than the pop up. We are about to find out how the pop up does on a no-AC boondocking trip, but I expect it will outperform the hard sided for one reason: you can unzip pretty much the whole sides for the best airflow.

 

[Mark CASTELLANI]

I'm going to save you the wear and tear on your back opening the PUP just to sit in it and smell the campfire. Next time you're camping and have a fire going, sit close to the fire and preferably directly in line of the smoke. After an hour or so of marinating downwind, head inside the PUP and take your t-shirt off and place it in a ZipLoc gallon size plastic baggie. This will afford you the ability to enjoy the smell of burnt wood in the comfort of your favorite chair inside your home without contributing to your injured back.

@nitrohorse don't think I haven't thought about doing JUST that LOL

DW even bought me this, once....

Outlaw The Mountain Hideout Natural Body Wash

says "SMELLS OF PINE TREES, PINE CONES, CAMPFIRE, AND DAMP EARTH. The smell of mountains = the scent of freedom. So get some bonified freedom all over yourself."...

No, it DIDN'T.... bummer

"ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby... ain't nothin like the REAL THING...:

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

Happy Trails!

 

[teh603]

So what I don't get about the OP is the idea that there are "no other choices." 99.9% of the campers I see when i drive by an RV dealership, are big hard- shell gooseneck jobs. It's like you have to actively seek out pups instead of hard shells.

 

[Mark CASTELLANI]

So what I don't get about the OP is the idea that there are "no other choices." 99.9% of the campers I see when i drive by an RV dealership, are big hard- shell gooseneck jobs. It's like you have to actively seek out pups instead of hard shells.

@teh603 ... we just back from a trip to Lancaster, PA.... probably passed, at LEAST, 5 or 6 RV Dealers... only saw one [1] PUP in their lots

I just got an invite from the Dealer we bought our 1st PUP from:

"Hi Mark, Sheila here from the Concierge Office of [redacted] and Tiffin Motorhomes! I have a VIP Guest pass set aside for you to the Hershey RV show. Simply, let us know what day and approximate time you plan to arrive at the show. We will meet you at the gate,give you your pass, pay your admission fee and give you a golf cart ride to get the show started! Speak soon! Reply HELP for help. Reply STOP to unsubscribe. Msg&Data Rates May Apply"

Have you seen the Tiffin line-up?... YIKES!

Happy Trails!

 

[geoffm3]

@teh603

Have you seen the Tiffin line-up?... YIKES!

Happy Trails!

Even if I wanted to (or could), I can't imagine ever buying something where the tires alone would cost me $2000 to replace.

 

[Cody B]

So for me, I needed a ToyHauler(we ride/race dirtbikes). I have owed smaller ToyHaulers, large 5th wheel Toyhaulers, and Large V-nose trailers. I just purchased my 2019 SomerSet Evolution E3 Off-road with a front deck. I have the truck to pull a "regular" toy hauler and could have purchased a smaller Toyhauler for the same $$ I got my SomerSet for. So here are my reasons:

1-Super easy to pull and only drops my gas millage by 3-5 MPG.
2-Wife would be to scared to pull a tall trailer, she will be fine with our pup as she can see behind it.
3-Storage is much easier as it can fit in my garage or my shop(both out the weather)
4-When we camp, we like the outside feeling. A hard side just doesnt feel like camping to me.
5-My pup has 2 RV king beds, 2 "twin" beds, a toilet, indoor and outdoor shower, refrigerator, AC/Heat, stove top for emergency indoor cooking, and as I mentioned a deck for dirtbikes. If I wanted a hard side Toyhauler with all these features, I would have to pay double the price and may need a 2500 truck to pull it. Also, would need to find a place to store it. Although I can afford all this, its just not worth it to me.

This is my first pup, but the family seems to like it a lot. I would never pull my larger hard side campers for more than 7 hours even with my F-250. I feel like I would be good with pulling my Pup for 15plus and not be too stressed.

 

[nitrohorse]

@nitrohorse don't think I haven't thought about doing JUST that LOL

DW even bought me this, once....

Outlaw The Mountain Hideout Natural Body Wash

says "SMELLS OF PINE TREES, PINE CONES, CAMPFIRE, AND DAMP EARTH. The smell of mountains = the scent of freedom. So get some bonified freedom all over yourself."...

No, it DIDN'T.... bummer

"ain't nothin' like the real thing, baby... ain't nothin like the REAL THING...:

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing

Happy Trails!

I agree, nothing like sitting in front of a campfire. Enjoy...

 

[Ger]

My wife and I have been tent campers our whole lives...... up until 2 years ago when we used our "European Trip" savings (Covid cancelled that trip) to upgrade to a popup camper. Our popup has been really great with a lot more creature comforts than a tent on the ground has, but I have to say that coming up for our 12th camping trip in two years, we are kind of over all the set up and tear down required for every trip. It takes us a good 90 minutes toe set up and tear down everything (popup, awning, screen porch, outdoor camping kitchen etc etc) and we are less enthused every trip.

This Saturday we are going to look at travel trailers and see what's out there. We want a bigger fridge, a bigger bed, more storage and a rig we can set up a lot BEFORE we leave for a camping trip. As someone once stated on this website "Popups are the gateway drug to travel trailers" and I think we are at that point.

 

[PaulaBrensinger]

We were tent campers to begin with and loved the aesthetics of tent camping. But when hubby started having joint issues and I had to load and unload all the gear mostly alone, I opted for the popup. It's aesthetically close to tent camping but not wanting to Sherpa gear around is big! -

 

[myride]

That's super pretty but I'd lose you in the twisties and you'd never survive a tight track like Little Talladega. There was a double supercharged Viper pushing 1300 hp, 160 mph in the straights, spun out in the hairpins. The MINIs only hit 120 in the straights but kept 90 in the hairpins.

Oh probably...but don't get in my way in the straightaways!....lol

 

[Squirrelbuster]

I chose the pup because of price, easy towing, and back yard storage. After owning it we are done. Royal pain to set up and always shifting things around inside. Something breaks every time I touch the darn thing! Going back to cabin rental after next year especially with fuel prices.

 

[kitphantom]

I chose the pup because of price, easy towing, and back yard storage. After owning it we are done. Royal pain to set up and always shifting things around inside. Something breaks every time I touch the darn thing! Going back to cabin rental after next year especially with fuel prices.

That's too bad. Even as much as we had to shift around in both of our popups, it was still a lot less hauling than when we stayed in a hotel, or even cabins (at KOAs). Plus, with each, the bed has been tailored for my bad back. Add in being able to do our own food, and it works for us, but truly, any type of camping is not for everyone. For those not so inclined, hotels and cabins work well - being miserable in a campground is very sad.

 

[Hilldweller]

And other people have no respect for hotel rooms. Bring a black light sometime. There's jizz everywhere...
At least in my trailer I know where the contamination came from

 

[Patrick w]

Mine was mostly a space concern. And I didn't want a bathroom inside. I did love the a liners but the use of wood really turned me off. I had a slide in that just completely died because it had wood.

 

[SayLaV]

Hi,

Just looking to hear if anyone chooses to use Pop Ups despite being able to get a travel trailer if they wanted. Not everyone has the money and capable tow vehicle to haul a travel trailer, but for those that could if they wanted to, why do you still choose a pop up?

I have never had a camper, either as a kid or adult, and am looking into getting something for our family of 4 and this is something I’ve been wondering.

We LOVE our pop up!! We are a family of 4. Pop ups have soooo many windows for a real outdoor feeling. My kids grew up camping in the pop up because we didn't want to get a big rig to pull a camper. We are now 68 years old and it is getting harder for us to set up by ourselves. They are super easy to set up but bending to secure the pull outs canvas is tough for us. I would suggest an air conditioner if you are in a warmer camping area. We are from Montana and really did not have the need for one.

 

[Al Dec]

Hi,

Just looking to hear if anyone chooses to use Pop Ups despite being able to get a travel trailer if they wanted. Not everyone has the money and capable tow vehicle to haul a travel trailer, but for those that could if they wanted to, why do you still choose a pop up?

I have never had a camper, either as a kid or adult, and am looking into getting something for our family of 4 and this is something I’ve been wondering.

I’ve had both but now our TT is more like glamping than camping. Heat/AC, stove & oven, TV with DishTv and a Roku player, electric fireplace, indoor plumbing, 3-burner stove and oven, solar power, DC compressor refrigerator, comfy full size queen bed, etc.

The one thing I can’t do with the glamper is get into some state parks. But I have a Tahoe (AKA TowHoe) with a max tow package so if I’m solo that works just fine.

Mostly we use the glamper to “Moochdoc” at our kid’s place or one of our other relatives. When there we jump onto their WiFi and stream Netflix.

While I’m up for most any form of camping (Army combat vet) the DW requires a bit more pampering. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy a bit of pampering as well.