I was just curious how old most of your popups are. Mine is 8 years old. We just bought it and it seems a lot newer than 8 years. It's been well taken care of. The folks we purchased it from didn't use it much.
We bought our pop-up new in 2000, and have used it a lot. It has stood up well considering where it's been and how we've used it.
Great poll idea, BTW.
Austin
Also have a '99 Starcraft Venture (1706) that I bought new just after 2000. It was a left over model and exactly the same as a 2000 model, only I saved some serious bucks going with the older unit. For what I do and where I go, it fills the bill perfect. It's snug and dry and off the ground and an easy tow.
The thing I brag about most is how comfortable the bunks are to sleep in. Now, that's mighty important to me, especially when I head out for a long trip and have to lay over a night or two enroute. I don't sleep worth a hoot in a strange bed the first night. So by hauling my bunk around, I'll find some little place not too far off the beaten path and just leave the camper hitched, popup just enough to get me through the night and do some serious sleeping with all my "stuff" around me!
Fly
Quote from: flyfishermanAlso have a '99 Starcraft Venture (1706) that I bought new just after 2000. It was a left over model and exactly the same as a 2000 model, only I saved some serious bucks going with the older unit. For what I do and where I go, it fills the bill perfect. It's snug and dry and off the ground and an easy tow.
The thing I brag about most is how comfortable the bunks are to sleep in. Now, that's mighty important to me, especially when I head out for a long trip and have to lay over a night or two enroute. I don't sleep worth a hoot in a strange bed the first night. So by hauling my bunk around, I'll find some little place not too far off the beaten path and just leave the camper hitched, popup just enough to get me through the night and do some serious sleeping with all my "stuff" around me!
Fly
Hey.....that's a cool idea....I never thought about that :p .
You mean :tent: that you pop up a little and crawl in on the bunk that is still slid in :confused:
HMMMMMMMMM!!! why not??? beats sleeping in the back of the pick up. :sombraro:
OH ya....we bought our 2002 Coleman, used, in 2005.
We got our '99 Sun Valley a year and a half ago from a family that only used it three times. All of the safety tags were still on the window zippers and both stoves(inside and outside) were still unused. We've used it a little more than three times last year- 38 nights, mostly 3 day weekends! And she still looks Great!
1971 here!!!
mines a '73 Starcraft - bought it used in March.
Fly - that brings up a question - I know many WalMarts allow campers to park overnight in their lot - does that include opened PUP's? has anyone tried that when traveling?
if so, how/ when do you do it?
Quote from: ScouterMomFly - that brings up a question - I know many WalMarts allow campers to park overnight in their lot - does that include opened PUP's?
Generally, using a Wal-Mart parking lot overnight requires that you look like you are parking, not camping, so setting up a pop-up would be frowned upon. It is also hit-or-miss. Because of various problems, some communities are banning all-night parking, so even if the local Wal-Mart allowed it, the city might not.
Austin
Quote from:
Fly - that brings up a question - I know many WalMarts allow campers to park overnight in their lot - does that include opened PUP's? has anyone tried that when traveling?
if so, how/ when do you do it?[/QUOTEThe only opened popup I've ever noticed in a Wal-Mart lot was right here a few years back, in our local Wal-Mart parking lot. It was sandwiched between a couple of TT's, like maybe they might be traveling together. But in this area it's quite common to see TT's in a Wal-Mart lot about sundown.
As for me, the only parking lot I've ever set-up in was in the back lot of a huge Cabelas store. They, as a matter of fact, welcome you to spend the night. The stores are so big it'll take a day just to go through them! Anyway, they also have a marevlous snack bar that's opens bright and early that serves up some great breakfast and some exotic sandwichs like bison or smoked elk. Also, they have ultra clean restrooms (which are opened early) and you're likely to see someone shaving or brushing their teeth in the morning, too! Making a fishing trip to Michigan, Cabelas is always figured in for an stop off and if we run out of daylight, it will be an overnighter.
Usually for quick overnight stays I already have some places picked in advance, especially ones not too far off the main highway I'm traveling. Here, K.O.A.'s usually are close by; I'm not a great fan of their's, but have used them for quick stays. But they are not always just the only one close by, for example, if your ever traveling I-75 and going through Kentucky and need a stopping off place, you'd be remiss if you did'nt stop and camp at the Kentucky Horse Camp just north of Lexington. It's a primary place for the horse owners to camp for events going on in that area, but anyone can camp there - just don't plan on staying there during the week of the Kentucky Derby or some such event! But it's less than a mile off the expressway, impeccable facilities and not too expensive - think I paid $25.00 on the last visit. You'll see all kinds of horse trailers where the front part is a camper for people. And all around the outer perimeter of the C/G is a wooden white fence and there are usually thoroughbred horses frolicking around. When I'm traveling that way I try and plan an overnighter there and get one of those outer sites so I can set at the picnic table and enjoy the evening meal and watch the horses.
How I found out about the Kentucky Horse Camp is by posting (on this very board, some time ago) that I was traveling that route and was looking for close by layover camp sites and someone passed it along to me.
Fly
2002 Starcraft Gemini. Bought it from the original owner early last year. Still looks brand new, and he was nice enough to do a few mods, such as the AM/FM/CD player with indoor speakers mounted under the gaucho, and a wired box mounted underneath for outdoor speakers. He also installed a brand new Carefree awning, new tires and battery!
04 Utah bought NEW in 06
Hi everyone. I've been searching for a popup owners website when I came along you all.. We purchased a 1968 Scamper last summer. Now I know you all just cringed when I said 1968. It is in pretty good shape. The previous owners stored it in a barn when not in use. We paid $250 for it and made a few repairs and were off! The only major things that need to be done were to patch a few holes in the screens and canvas. The furnace doesn't work but we plan to have it fixed. We replaced the icebox with a small fridge and the cushion covers have a few small holes in it, but other than that it is in good shape.. For my husband and I and our two children 5 and 2, it is perfect...just what we wanted and we couldn't beat the price for a first camper. Hope to talk to more of you soon!
Welcome Chris and Jen W! Don't worry about the age of the pup...if they threw away everything that was 39 or older, I would have been gone loooong time ago!
I'm not going to start a list of things you need to check out on your new pup (wheel bearings) 'cause I'm sure you will find everybody's pretty helpful (wheel bearings). If you're got a question just ask (wheel bearings).
Enjoy! (wheel bearings)
Actually we checked the wheel bearings and there were remarkably in great shape...My dad (a mechanic) said they were really clean. thanks for the warm welcome!
Quote from: SPXTraderWelcome Chris and Jen W! Don't worry about the age of the pup...if they threw away everything that was 39 or older, I would have been gone loooong time ago!
I'm not going to start a list of things you need to check out on your new pup (wheel bearings) 'cause I'm sure you will find everybody's pretty helpful (wheel bearings). If you're got a question just ask (wheel bearings).
Enjoy! (wheel bearings)
We just purchased a used 2002 Taos for 2000.00 it came with air, furnace, microwave, and hotwater tank. Hope that was a good deal but have yet to use it.
My Dads Lionel M-500 is a 1979 model, so it is 28 years old. He bought it new in 1980 for $4,600 when he traded in his old smaller 1977 Loinel camper.
My SE.Woods Adventurer is a 1971 Model, so its 36 years old. I'm the 2nd owner, and got it for free so I'm restoring it to it's former glory.
We have a 1984 Coleman Sun Valley. We got it in 1997 from my father in law. He bought it from a divorcing couple in about 1985 or 1986. So, my wife has really had this camper for about 21+ years now. Everything still works great. The only thing it doesn't have that I wish it did is a battery. I suppose that wouldn't be hard to add though.
Mike
1987 Starcraft Nova, which most of you have watched me rebuilding since purchasing it in Feb. '07. It was a one owner, with a million miles on it, and had been donated to thrift store/food kitchen in Fremont, CA. Found it listed on Craigs List and it was love at first site......rotted roof/missing table and carry-out stove, and all. Paid $250.00
Thanks to all the help on this site, Ebay, Craigslist, StarcraftRV, and the local swapmeet, it's all back to original condition and we love it.
1974 Apache Mesa Solid State Popup (no canvas)
Had this one for 3 years now, did a lot of restoration to it and still some to do, it has been a great camper.
We bought a 2002 Coleman Niagara in June 2004 that was used about 13-months (and maybe about 3 weekends during that time) by a couple that kept it in emmaculate condition - or I should say the husband did. The wife did not like the popup because the bathroom did not have a lav sink in it - she had to walk across the trailer to the kitchen sink - and we all know how far away that is??? Anyway, we got the good fortune of obtaining this popup at about $5,000 less than book value. We are planning to upgrade this fall or early spring 2008 into a 16-foot Fleetwood one of the Highside models. Popup camping is great - now if we can just find some decent campgrounds in PA.
We are in one right now - has everything you could possibly want - except space. I feel like we are in high-rise city with all this enormous Class A rigs that are close to 50 or 60-feet and must be 10-feet in the air. We literally can not see any of the park - just our loud beer-drinking next door neighbors! It is too bad that we have gotten such negative feedback on starting a new RV resort.
Mines a 2007 fleetwood graphite bougt new
We bought a 2002 Coleman Niagara in 2004 from a couple that had used it maybe 13 months and the wife decided she did not like the sink in relationship to the bathroom.
We are close to wanting to upgrade into a Highlander, but with Fleetwood casting their popup's off to the side - now saying they are not money-makers - we are holding off to see where the dust settles - then we will decided to upgrade or not.
We were very fortunate - the previous owners "threw in" a lot of extra's that we may not have purchased but glad we have had the use of these past 4 summers. Those silver/orange solar panels that you can clip onto your canvass areas - they really work and love the drop in temp by 20 degrees in the summer heat.
With the winter maintenance, our popup realy has shown no wear&tear. Love the whole concept of still being able to camp, but with a few luxuries that we need - plus the dog loves the A/C.
Going to pick up my new to me Apache Silver Eagle this weekend.
It's a 1965 so looks like I will have the oldest on this thread :tent:
We purchased a used 2008 Starcraft 2409 this summer. Previous owner used it 3 times, his wifed loved camping so much (unexpectedly) that they immediately upgraded to a travel trailer and I got one heck of a deal. ;)
We are new to the group, it took a while to find a group like yours. We own a 1950's Heilite trailer. I am trying to determine the exact year, but these trailers are rare and it is hard to find any information on them I will post a picture once I have figured that feature out.
Deb n Jon
Quote from: Deb n JonWe are new to the group, it took a while to find a group like yours. We own a 1950's Heilite trailer. I am trying to determine the exact year, but these trailers are rare and it is hard to find any information on them I will post a picture once I have figured that feature out.
Deb n Jon
AMAZING, did not realize that anything would last 58 years in the way of a popup - will definetly be interested to see the photo when you have uploaded to this website.
It amazes me when anyone has the patience and ability to renew something like this. We have a 2002 Coleman Niagara Popup and we are already talking upgrade to a Highlander Avalon model so that we do not have to fold the kitchen area to the floor, plus you can light the hot water heater from the inside of the popup.
Buying brand new - this will be a first for us - we have usually bought used just to "try it out" but since a popup is the comfort zone we appreciate, we are going to go whole hog with a brand new popup and maybe keep it for fifty years???
Ours is an 88 and we got it for $500. We have had it almost a year now and we are in love with it. For an old girl she is holding up pretty well.
I have a 1970 Starcraft Master 6 -that I bought 11 months ago.
I am the second owner the previous owners bought her 38 years ago and traveled across the US. They both were 80 years old when they sold it to me and two weeks prior to selling the trailer they went to Yosemite National Park. I paid $500 for her and she is still taking me where I want to go- :#
We bought a 1974 Apache Royal 3 years ago for less than $1000. After looking into it, ours is in great shape for a 34 year old camper!
We just traded a 10 year old Rockwood that we had for almost exactly a year for the Flagstaff MAC BR23SC that is been sitting in the drive way for just barely over 24 hours as of this posting. Can't go camping untill next weekend and its DRIVING ME NUTS! :eyecrazy:
We purchased a Fleetwood E3, brand new, last June 07. It's actually a 2008 model. We can't use it enough. We have always been avid campers (tenters) but the tent trips were getting fewer and farther between. :(
As we're late into our second camping season with our E3, we've been out about 20 times. :) It most likely would have been 2 times if we were still tenters. We've got a trip planned for the weekend after Labor Day and hope to do several more before we put her away, including Thanksgiving weekend.
Although we payed a bit more going new, we feel like we're getting our money's worth so far. :sombraro: