After reading the thread on higher PUP prices (aggravating) and declining sales (sad), I searched the forum for a thread on why we have pop-ups. I didn
Mine is much the same as yours. I'll just add a few more:
FITS IN MY GARAGE :p
I can pull it with my, less than ideal, TV and get 18MPG :D
I love to hear the sounds of the outdoors at night. A lot of that is lost in other RVs.
Oh ya.......I almost forgot to mention............
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IT FITS IN MY GARAGE :D
I agree with all of the above ~ including IT FITS IN MY GARAGE ...
In addition my PU ...
is manageable for a single mom
doesn't cut into the TV gas mileage a whole lot
makes a great clubhouse when we can't camp away from home
forces me to keep it simple when I travel ~ you can't take everything!
let's me take the kids places we may not otherwise be able to afford
and best of all ~ IT'S PAID FOR! :D [/FONT]
You all are so correct! I have never personally met anyone who has regretted buying a pop-up. I want my kids to see the whole country and other parts of the world. This is one vehicle that will help in that. For the price of the larger RV's, I would rather stay in a hotel room.
I don't have a garage!
But I still have a PUP. Camping's fun. PUPing is easier than tenting. PUPing is dryer than tenting. Otherwise, PUPing is like tenting. DW doesn't like creepy crawly things. (DD and I never experienced them in a tent, DW doesn't believe they don't exist.)
:tent: was the way we went for awhile. Then we got a dog, and Yosemite doesn't allow dogs in housekeeping but they do in RVing...so off to look at rentals, and pups have a better sleeping arrangement than other for sleeping us and three children one of which is already adult size.
Then we thought hey, let's check into buying one. Brand new was out of the price range, we just don't have that kind of dinero and a small TT didn't have the sleeping space AT ALL!
We found a great one used and it's just been awesome. It has all the immenities in it - So we are the only ones in our social circle with the smallest thing around them, but inside is comfortable , Hot showers and heater were my big requests.
We fit it nicely in a friends driveway, and because of it's size he said, why don't you just leave it here it's not in my way :D . Good deal all around for us!
And you can't feel it AT ALL behind our TV!
(http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y297/hellodarla/IMG_1614.jpg)
We have always loved the freedom of just throwing our sleeping bags out but we are older now and my wife has difficulty getting up and down on the ground. Our popup, while not offering the flexibility we had before (and being labeled as not camping by our oldest) allows my wife and myself to enjoy still enjoy camping. We still carry very few extras with us (and are quite shocked to hear about the hundreds of pounds of gear some of you take) and are most happy in an out of the way secluded campsite.
But that's the way we like it and there are lots of campsites for lots of folks with lots of different ideas.
Keith, I agree with you on all the reasons why I like a PU.
I especially like the idea of sleeping in a tent without having to sleep on the ground.
Ed C. :sombraro:
After camping for 30 yrs (not including when I was a kid) in a tent. the PUP is great:
gets us off the ground
keeps us dry (already went through a rain storm this yr)
Nothing soggy from dampness
easy to keep things stored in it. only need to load food, bikes and clothes
will keep us cool in summer with a/c
stays warm for spring and fall camping
still feel like we are camping even though we have electric hookup
and for all of the above reasons already posted...
Camping 3 times in April !!!
Happy Camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :-()
Great question. The biggest reasons for me are:
- I love the 360 degree view!! I'm amazed how few windows TTs have.
- I love the whole process of popping them up.
- I do a lot of backpacking so I really appreciate the small luxuries such as (hot!) running water, lights for reading at night, cooking on a real stove and having a comfy place to hang out when it's pouring out.
- The engineer in me loves how they offer so much room and comfort in such a compact and lightweight package. I like figuring out how to make the most efficient use of the space inside.
- I like feeling a light breeze blow through the windows.
- I like that I can still talk to someone inside the camper while I'm outside.
- I like being able to see the beautiful view outside while lying in bed.
- I love that I can pop it in our driveway for our kids and their friends to play in.
- I like that we can tow it with our stationwagon.
I'm sure I could go on...
1) We wanted to step up from tent camping because it is much easier with a toddler (still have the tent, though for when he is a bit older).
2) I don't have to "fall" in to bed like in the tent
3) It fits in the garage
4) We wanted to make sure our son spends a lot of time outdoors
5) I wanted hot water and a potty without treking to the public bathhouse
6) Price was right for a used pop-up
7) In the area we live in, people spend tons of money on "stuff" for themselves and their children. My hope is that, by camping, we will balance that out some and expose our son to the beauty of nature and the outdoors. I want my son to respect nature.
8) Same reasons as listed above by other folks.
9) Air conditioning in the heat of summer in the southeast. We will be camping MUCH more now than with the tent.
10) Cheap entertainment.
11) Nice and dry in the rain - as proven last Friday night in the pouring down rain. Not a single drip and we were warm, snug, and dry.
Hope everyone has a nice Friday. Spring is in full force here. The azaleas and dogwoods are gorgeous, as well as the other spring flowers.
A
Quote from: jclark- I love the whole process of popping them up.
wow! I thought I was the only one ... it gives me great satisfaction to set up my 'home on wheels' ...
We originally got a pop-up, believe it or not, to save time!
In August 1999, on the way home from a week tent camping in beautiful Prince Edward Island, we began discussing our "Long Trip" - 8 weeks across the country and back. Years earlier, we had discussed getting a pop-up, but nothing came of it but talk.
But the thought of setting up a tent, moving packs, duffels, sleeping bags, etc. to the tent, cooking with a coleman stove, and taking it all down again to move on the the next place two days later, was beginning to loom larger and larger.
I calculated total setup and takedown time as almost a week out of that 8 weeks. I told PJay, "I think we should get a pop-up for the long trip." We've never longed to go back.
One more thing...
We have two 2-car garages, it will just barely fit in either garage, and it's still outside :yikes:
Austin (too much stuff)
We just got our pup this year. I camped a lot as a child and my DW had never camped. After we got married and had our first kid, we decided to go camping because I loved it and want our kids to enjoy the great outdoors. We were in a tent and having a 2 y.o. run around meant that I was setting up everything in the campsite because the DW was busy running after the DS. That ended our camping until last year. We tented again and found having the 7 y.o. keep the 2 y.o. out of trouble didn't really work out that well, and we both ended up watching what they were doing. So that ended up with the DW keeping an eye on the DD. Which left me doing all the set up. We were using a huge family tent and it was not easy setting it up by myself.
Since we had been looking at RVs since we got married, we decided that a pop-up would allow us to get out camping now rather than later, so we got our 2006 Bayside. Only took 1 trip so far, but it was great. I can set it up fully by myself, but my DW is able to help out. It only takes about 20 minutes to get fully set up.
Quote from: fritz_monroeWe were in a tent and having a 2 y.o. run around meant that I was setting up everything in the campsite because the DW was busy running after the DS.
Hmmm - that sounds familiar.:)
Now, I chase the 2 year old while my DH sets up the PUP. Takes less time, though and can easily be done by one person. Then, when it's set up, he plays with the 2 year old DS and I set things up inside. Never could have camped in a tent with a toddler. Exhausting!!
A
2 main reasons why we bought and why we bought new. First reason is we started tent camping with friends a few years ago, 1st year we borrowed a tent, next year we bought our own tent. Friends we went with had a small TT then they upgraded to a larger one, while we still were sleeping on the ground. Yes a bit of envy was there. But the main reason was we have some property up north in the Gladwin Michigan area and until we can afford to build a house and polebarn we wanted to use the property and have easy access to a shower and more impotantly heat and a toilet, without bugging the neighbors .... so buying a new PUP was not a hard decision. This is were we mostly use our PUP along with 2-3 camp ground trips a summer.
Quote from: waveryOh ya.......I almost forgot to mention............
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IT FITS IN MY GARAGE :D
Wayne, I thought for sure you were going to say that it floats. ;)
As a young child, my mom (divorced and supporting a family of four w/o alimony or child support) had a Starcraft PU. It was the only way we could afford to take vacations. Of course, I didn't know that as a child; I just thought it was the coolest thing in the world. Mom gave me memories from those camping trips that I'll treasure forever.
Fast forward to meeting DH 14 years ago. We were :tent: and would go 3 or 4 times each year. Then our now-5 y/o DS came along, and it seemed we never went camping anymore. Tent camping can be hard enough work without having a baby and all his needs to take care of as well. I just couldn't bear the thought of it!
When Griffin was about 14 months old, DH looked at me and asked if we were ever going to go camping again. Bottom line for me was not with a toddler in a tent. I brought up the PU idea, having had such great times in mom's as a child. DH was resistant at first, but I finally talked him into "just looking" at them. After we walked into the first one, his response was "Hey! These are pretty nice!" I had my PU within a month. ;)
Although we are now starting to think that less set-up time would be nice and have begun thinking about a hybrid, we love our PU. Having the camper has extended our camping season since we can get out of the weather--and we do have weather even here in "sunny" So Cal! We now go camping at least 10 to 12 times each year and have made absolutely marvelous friends from this Web site (meanwhile, we tell our 20 y/o to never meet people in person who you "meet" on the Internet!! :eyecrazy: ) My mom, who will be 80 (!) this year, still loves to go camping and always comes with us--it's the least I can do after all she did for me. We love the time it gives us as a family together away from the chores and routine of being at home, and Griffin LOVES to go camping with his "camping friends." In fact, he's a bit disgruntled if we happen to take a trip w/o any friends joining us! I also love the conveniences that our PU offers, but mostly, I just love the memories that it's creating for Griffin. I hope that he will treasure them like I treasure the ones from when I was a kid.
Quote from: cobbs1Hmmm - that sounds familiar.:)
Now, I chase the 2 year old while my DH sets up the PUP. Takes less time, though and can easily be done by one person. Then, when it's set up, he plays with the 2 year old DS and I set things up inside. Never could have camped in a tent with a toddler. Exhausting!!
A
For us, the kids stay in the TV until I'm unhitched. I don't want to have to worry about them running around while I'm concentrating on backing up. Then I get the put to the point of having the bunk ends and slide out pulled out. DW puts in the shepperd's poles and sets up the inside while I continue on the outside.
The one thing that was nice in the tent is we were able to close off a portion of the tent for the DD to sleep while we were still outside. With the pup, we haven't figured out how to get the DD to sleep while me, DW and DS are still awake. We'll figure it out eventually, but don't have it yet.
For a few years my DW and our two DS's camped with my inlaws, 1st in their Coleman pop up, then their 27 ft TT. The sleeping space was much better in the Coleman. TT's just don't have the sleeping space of a pop up. This was okay for a while, but on our week-long trip to Ocean Lakes CG in Myrtle Beach last year, it was the six of us plus my brother in law, plus the inlaws new dog. The DW and I decided it was time to move out on our own. We figured on going with a tent at first. That is, until a massive afternoon storm came through the CG. Every one in a tent got flooded. Inside their tents was soaked, their clothes, their food, everything. We said "nope, no tent for us, thanks". A month later we came across a good deal in a new looking 12 foot '99 Jayco Eagle. We only got to use it twice last summer, but I doubt we will ever second guess our choice.
I've tent camped my whole life until I was about 45. I started realizing how much work was involved. Also, after a summer campout in florida, the DW and I figured if we wanted to camp in the summer, AC was a must. We bought a small Starcraft PUP and it was great...later got the fever and moved "UP" to a TT.
We now have a 2006 Niagara. The reasons...
1. Has AC and heat.
2. Has shower and potti.
3. Stores in the garage, we can be more spontaneous in camping.
4. Better mileage than pulling a TT.
5. Feels more like camping!
All of the above plus
I can stand up to put my britches on
Quote from: BuzzAll of the above plus
I can stand up to put my britches on
That is sound wisdom, and the best reason yet!!
Wish I had thought of that.
Quote from: BuzzAll of the above plus
I can stand up to put my britches on
HA! Rolling on the floor laughing. Amen.
A
I have camped for years (usually a sleeping bag on the ground with a tarp or bivy sack for protection). I wanted to get the family involved (wife had camped as a child), but with our 2yo, tents were out of the question. We were afraid of her unzipping the tent and off she'd be....I also wanted the "outdoors" feeling of a tent, so that left a pu. So we found a used one at a good price last year. Even took it to Maine as a first outing. Not really a problem for my tow vehicle.
When I was looking the one salesman tried to talk me into a TT and asked how used to "Roughing" it I was...I told him sleeping bag on ground. He responded "Oh this will be like the Mariott for you then"...He was right! :)
By the way, I am new to this forum and was wandering what's up with the "D" as in DH (I figure that the H is for husband)?
Quote from: fdtdBy the way, I am new to this forum and was wandering what's up with the "D" as in DH (I figure that the H is for husband)?
My understanding is "Dear Husband" or "Darling Wife", "Dear Son" etc.
...and Welcome to the forum!
>>I can stand up to put my britches on<<
An obvious former tenter, small tent also...
It is nice, isn't it.
Quote from: kwatson51My understanding is "Dear Husband" or "Darling Wife", "Dear Son" etc.
...and Welcome to the forum!
thanks, that explains alot
I take my recreation seriously. I recently started realizing how much effort it took to go camping, loading the car, setting up the tent, setting up camp, and then everything in the reverse order. By the time the car was unloaded at the end of the weekend, I was BEAT!
I started thinking about how to minimize the work and maximize the fun and came to the conclusion that if I didn't spend so much time loading and unloading the car, I could spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. I then started thinking about the reality of setting up camp in the dark and realized that it would be much easier to set up a PU in the dark as compared with setting up a tent. Last weekend, we took less than an hour to load the coolers and clothes into the car, go to the storage facility (we live in a condo with no garage) and be on the road. This was our first 'quick getaway'. We arrived at camp and leisurely set up the PU and had dinner cooking well sooner than we would have if we had the tent. The process of camping has suddenly become much more relaxing for a longer period of time. It is so much easier to drop off the camper with 80% of our gear loaded into it and then unload the coolers and clothes when we return home. Took 30 minutes to fully unpack.
We also have gotten to get more nights camping in March and April than we did all year last year! DW loves the furnace, the ability to keep our home away from home more clean, and to have a potty in the camper for those late night and early morning pit stops. I like being able to sit in a comfortable seat while I eat at the table or just relax at the end of the day. The cheapskate in me forces me to use that 'investment' often, so I now am compelled to camp more often, plus it is so much easier to camp.
Quote from: DoubleDI take my recreation seriously. I recently started realizing how much effort it took to go camping, loading the car, setting up the tent, setting up camp, and then everything in the reverse order. By the time the car was unloaded at the end of the weekend, I was BEAT!
I started thinking about how to minimize the work and maximize the fun and came to the conclusion that if I didn't spend so much time loading and unloading the car, I could spend more time enjoying the great outdoors. I then started thinking about the reality of setting up camp in the dark and realized that it would be much easier to set up a PU in the dark as compared with setting up a tent. Last weekend, we took less than an hour to load the coolers and clothes into the car, go to the storage facility (we live in a condo with no garage) and be on the road. This was our first 'quick getaway'. We arrived at camp and leisurely set up the PU and had dinner cooking well sooner than we would have if we had the tent. The process of camping has suddenly become much more relaxing for a longer period of time. It is so much easier to drop off the camper with 80% of our gear loaded into it and then unload the coolers and clothes when we return home. Took 30 minutes to fully unpack.
We also have gotten to get more nights camping in March and April than we did all year last year! DW loves the furnace, the ability to keep our home away from home more clean, and to have a potty in the camper for those late night and early morning pit stops. I like being able to sit in a comfortable seat while I eat at the table or just relax at the end of the day. The cheapskate in me forces me to use that 'investment' often, so I now am compelled to camp more often, plus it is so much easier to camp.
Ya....all that stuff too but..................did I mention...............
I CAN PARK IT IN THE GARAGE
....................:D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ........ :D ...............
most of the reasons posted already. But I wanted my kids to know what it's like to go on vacation and enjoy family time together, enjoy a campfire, walking in the woods, seeing, smelling and experiencing nature. These days kids and parents don't know how to "slow down" and LIVE! They now know that you CAN have FUN without electricity!
plus it's cheaper then buying a cabin by the lake :)
Quote from: waveryYa....all that stuff too but..................did I mention...............
I CAN PARK IT IN THE GARAGE
....................:D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ....... :D ........ :D ...............
Mine stays in the backyard to keep my buddies boat company. The 2 car garage is full of TV, bicycling, camping, climbing, diving, & windsurfing gear.
I am with everyone on all the great reasons to have a pup. Is great way to get away for a bicycling, camping, climbing, diving, or windsurfing weekend and stay on the cheap. You are still part of outdoors, but a little better set up should conditions go south. And with amenities like hot water and ac you can smooth out some of the rougher spots in roughing it. I still enjoy a backpacking weekend, there are places the pup won't take me, but if am going to camping in a place I can drive into anyway, or when focus is on activities rather than wilderness experience the pup totally rocks.
In 27 years of camping, we have only been rain free 7 times. :shock: We are total weather jinx- we are rain makers. :lol: We bought our first PUP because we were tired of waking up with the air mattress having gone flat during the night, winds blowing our tent down during the night and subsequently sleeping in the car and peeing outside. Poison ivy on your rear end is no laughing matter. :)
This is the reason we bought a 2nd PUP. You can do it in a tent but the sand sucks.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/edhodge/Katesfile573.jpg)
Like most, we started out tent camping as kids, then married, did very little camping with 2 babies, started again when they were preschoolers, then decided we wanted to sleep off the ground, have camp that is easier to set up. First popup used 98 smallest dutchman duck. We were in heaven. Camped approximately 12 weekends that year. Next year found a used 1999 Dutchmen top of the line popup. Had hot water, shower and potty (extremely convenient for those middle of the night when kids wake up...) and awesome storage. After 4 years, 2 cross country trips, and approximately 60 nights in it, we wanted something easier to setup. Were due for a new TV anyway. Still needd something to fit in the garage. So saved pennies and now have a 2006 Starcraft Centennial 3608. Are heading out in a month for another cross country trip out west, this one a lot of one nighters. DH bought a cordless 24V drill and a socket genie and it is a cinch to popup. Have tried this new one 13 nights so far and like the amenities. Next year plan a month trip to Alaska. don't know of anyone who has done that in a popup but we'll keep checking the forums.
AND IT FITS IN THE GARAGE!!!
DWJxn
DHJxn
DSJxn age 10
DDJxn age 9
2006 Starcraft Centenial 3608
TV 2006 Dodge Ram Quad Cab Pickup
Quote from: jxn4Next year plan a month trip to Alaska. don't know of anyone who has done that in a popup but we'll keep checking the forums.
AND IT FITS IN THE GARAGE!!!
Mine fits in the garage too ;)
I was in the Black Hills 4 years ago and met a family from Michigan who were on their way back home. They had been living out of their pu for approximately 4 months, including a trip to Alaska. IIRC it was a mom, daughter and granddaughter who did the trip together. They were only at the campground one night so I didn't really get a chance to talk to them much.
I think when I finally make the trek I might opt for something without canvas ... an ALiner or Chalet maybe. Although my camping buddy sez we're going in a bus. We'll see ...
I was in the Black Hills 4 years ago and met a family from Michigan who were on their way back home. They had been living out of their pu for approximately 4 months, including a trip to Alaska. IIRC it was a mom, daughter and granddaughter who did the trip together. They were only at the campground one night so I didn't really get a chance to talk to them much.
I think when I finally make the trek I might opt for something without canvas ... an ALiner or Chalet maybe. Although my camping buddy sez we're going in a bus. We'll see
Thank you for sharing the info. Glad to know there are others who have done Alaska by pu. We are only going a month, 4 months sounds like a really long time. I'd love to see their pics! We stayed in the Black Hills 3 years ago. hope you enjoyed as much as we did.
Thank you
Mary Jo (jxn4 mom)
not sure what happened, any way posted below....
It fits in my garage, is easy to push if I have to move it by hand, has a toilet and shower, makes for a nice get away with out having to spend a ton of money, i can see the cars behind me, kids think its great!!!
We have our Niagara because after 6 years of working every single night of the year and not being able to camp or vacation, all dh and I wanted was to be able to get out and enjoy all we missed. So once we could we bought our pu and truck and couldn't be happier!
Plus when I was growing up, We did the tent thing for a long time then my parents got a tent trailer (dad worked for Fleetwood) And we loved it (94 Cheyenne Coleman by Fleetwood!) So dh never had been camping so now I think we are doing it right he he! :D