I have been trying to find a good used pop-up camper in idaho for the last couple of years. Where I live there dosen't seem to be anything used at all but junk. I have been reading articles on this site for quite awhile and have enjoyed the different postings very much. My question is. Are there any users in my part of the country that have had the same problem? Dealers here are a joke with there prices and craigs list users keep posting popups that don't even exist.
I know this site is based mostly back East just want to know if the same problem is there as well.
Western Colorado isn't exactly your part of the country, but not too far. We too have found purchasing used campers here in the West difficult. But I'd have to say that our problem hasn't necessarily been a lack of quality used campers, but more of finding what we want at a reasonable price.
So my solution was to comb the Internet (eBay, Craigslist, etc.) for campers in the Midwest, where there seem to be lots more available, and often at much better prices. I found what I was looking for at a good price 1,000 miles away in Wisconsin. I wasn't ready to buy a camper from that distance based on digital photos and good faith alone. Instead, I looked for a camper that was located near where my parents live, so that my dad (who's owned a couple of popups in his life) could check it out and give me the full report. He did, gave it the thumbs up, and we bought it. It sat in Wisconsin in a relative's backyard for a couple of months until we could get out there and pick it up.
Sorry for the long post, but I guess my point is, if you don't find anything in your area, don't be afraid to look in other parts of the country. If you know someone who might be able to inspect one in person and give you a knowledgable evaluation, go for it.
I've heard of lots of other people who have good experiences by purchasing campers long-distance. Just follow Ronald Reagan's advice: "Trust, but verify."
In my area of Minnesota, it seems like there is a pop-up on every block (and three boats and at least one 5th wheel, MH, or TT, and maybe a hybrid, plus three snowmobiles and a couple of ATV's, oh, and a wide variety of bicycles). But native Minnesotans (I'm a New England transplant) take their play very seriously. The city I live in (population 14,000) has at least four RV dealers, all sell pop-ups. Where we lived in Massachusetts, there were two dealers near us, and drawing a circle around those two dealers wouold have enclosed 150,000 people.
If your local dealers are so bad, that would explain why nobody wants to part with a used pop-up; getting a new replacement is painful or expensive.
Austin
Hi. It does seem a horribly long way to the midwest. However there are seem to be a good supply of pop ups in Illinois. I am leary of buying on ebay with just photos, etc. If you want a good dealer, Fourwinds RV in Maroa IL (Central Illinois, near Decatur) is a dealer that I'd recommend. They seem to get pop ups that folks are trading in for a TT, etc. You might need to phone them as good used pop ups tend to sell quickly however.
Quote from: erich0521Hi. It does seem a horribly long way to the midwest. However there are seem to be a good supply of pop ups in Illinois. I am leary of buying on ebay with just photos, etc. If you want a good dealer, Fourwinds RV in Maroa IL (Central Illinois, near Decatur) is a dealer that I'd recommend. They seem to get pop ups that folks are trading in for a TT, etc. You might need to phone them as good used pop ups tend to sell quickly however.
Do they have a web site?
Quote from: AustinBostonIn my area of Minnesota, it seems like there is a pop-up on every block (and three boats and at least one 5th wheel, MH, or TT, and maybe a hybrid, plus three snowmobiles and a couple of ATV's, oh, and a wide variety of bicycles). But native Minnesotans (I'm a New England transplant) take their play very seriously. The city I live in (population 14,000) has at least four RV dealers, all sell pop-ups. Where we lived in Massachusetts, there were two dealers near us, and drawing a circle around those two dealers wouold have enclosed 150,000 people.
If your local dealers are so bad, that would explain why nobody wants to part with a used pop-up; getting a new replacement is painful or expensive.
Austin
I am thinking of just fixing one up. I have seen quite a few of those here. Could be fun. I just looked at a 1978 Coleman valley forge that had no tenting what so ever but had potential. Would have bought it for $150.00 but unfortunatly was missing amost all the bunk end parts not sure where I could ever find those on such an old coach. Our camping season is approching hopefully half way through it there will be more options.
Quote from: mercc350I have been trying to find a good used pop-up camper in idaho for the last couple of years. Where I live there dosen't seem to be anything used at all but junk. I have been reading articles on this site for quite awhile and have enjoyed the different postings very much. My question is. Are there any users in my part of the country that have had the same problem? Dealers here are a joke with there prices and craigs list users keep posting popups that don't even exist.
I know this site is based mostly back East just want to know if the same problem is there as well.
Here is Boise, we didn't have any luck either with finding something used, although in our case we wanted something we could use right away. We didn't think about looking far out of our area or looking online, either.
Ultimately, we decided (partly because of my wife's hesitation about getting something without a warranty and partly because of our lack of familiarity and skill with fixing up a used pop-up) to buy a new Jayco 1007. Boy, are we glad we did! We love the layout, and it sure beats a tent when it rains. Good luck with your search wherever it takes you.
Walt
Is it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.
I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.
When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.
That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.
-Speak
If you could take a trip to Ariznoa,
there is alot of used tent trailers, her is a place i bought mine...
http://www.littledealer.com/specialpages/fleetwoodspec.html (//%22http://www.littledealer.com/specialpages/fleetwoodspec.html%22)
Dean
Quote from: SpeakEasyIs it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.
I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.
When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.
That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.
-Speak
Quote from: Walt HHere is Boise, we didn't have any luck either with finding something used, although in our case we wanted something we could use right away. We didn't think about looking far out of our area or looking online, either.
Ultimately, we decided (partly because of my wife's hesitation about getting something without a warranty and partly because of our lack of familiarity and skill with fixing up a used pop-up) to buy a new Jayco 1007. Boy, are we glad we did! We love the layout, and it sure beats a tent when it rains. Good luck with your search wherever it takes you.
Walt
I thought about just jumping in with a new as well. It's great to see another person from Boise on this site I think your the first one. Did you buy it at 7th Heaven?
I bought used off of Ebay. Mine was 250 miles away -- a day trip for Texans LOL.:D
I searched for one in my general 'area' for about 6 weeks-- daily! When I found one that sounded good/I liked I emailed the person with my phone number & asked them to call me so we could chat. 3 were w/in an hour's drive & I drove out to see them. For one reason or another, they weren't a 'fit' for me.
When I found this one (the day it was posted) -- a Rockwood 1940LTD -- I wrote the seller & asked him to either call me or send me his phone number so I could call him on my dime. He sent his number, we talked for about 45 minutes, & at the end of that time I made arrangements to send him a deposit via Paypal so I could go up the next weekend & look at it. It was as exceptional in person as the pictures looked and I bought it right there. Camped out in it the first night & managed about 35 days camping since last May!
Quote from: mercc350I thought about just jumping in with a new as well. It's great to see another person from Boise on this site I think your the first one. Did you buy it at 7th Heaven?
Sure did. Took it camping several times last summer and noticed a problem with the door frame; it seemed out of alignment. Took it into Seventh Heaven and it turned out someone else had had a similar problem with their Jayco, a problem Seventh Heaven apparently figured out the fix for. They had mine done the same day.
I will say we love the tinted windows on the new Jaycos; we can still enjoy the view without quite as much of the heat in the summer. Seventh Heaven threw in a couple of the bunk-end fan/light combos (run $60-70 each on the web from what I've seen). They even gave me a recommendation on where to get the hitch installed (said they could do the work as well but it would cost more).
I don't know whether we could have gotten a better deal, but the sales people were polite, friendly, and not too high-pressure. So, we're happy. Plus, we got what we wanted. Good luck!
Quote from: SpeakEasyIs it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.
I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.
When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.
That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.
-Speak[/QUOT
I am not looking for an excellent popup just one that is worth fixing up and using.
What I have seen so for is either beyond any repair or newer at a very high price that still is not perfect. Thought about buying new but why spend the money on something that will sit 8 months out of the year I can't justify that. I like tent camping and here in Idaho we have plenty of places to go. But just had a baby and tent camping doesn' t work so well any more with him. If I wan't to camp at all for the next 3 or 4 years I will need some kind of RV, I chose a popup for the storage factor.
Thank you for your input on what they really are though I agree. But there is always hope I guess.
Quote from: mercc350I am not looking for an excellent popup just one that is worth fixing up and using.
What I have seen so for is either beyond any repair or newer at a very high price that still is not perfect. Thought about buying new but why spend the money on something that will sit 8 months out of the year I can't justify that. I like tent camping and here in Idaho we have plenty of places to go. But just had a baby and tent camping doesn' t work so well any more with him. If I wan't to camp at all for the next 3 or 4 years I will need some kind of RV, I chose a popup for the storage factor.
Thank you for your input on what they really are though I agree. But there is always hope I guess.
If it's going to sit eight months out of the year because of your schedule, that's one thing. But if you're thinking you won't be able to use it two-thirds of the time because of the weather, you're mistaken.
We just did a weekend in Hells Canyon and hope to camp a lot between now and perhaps the end of October, anyway, and maybe into November. You'd be amazed how well a little heater can warm up a PU, and those off-season times might be the perfect time to visit places that would be too hot during the summer (Bruneau Dunes and Craters of the Moon come to mind).
Having said all that, I think the key for you will be patience and flexibility. If you can hold out, you'll likely be able to find what you want. (I'm occasionally a bit of an optimist.) We had a miserable tent camping experience last Memorial Day weekend, so our patience was very limited. In addition, we're both getting older and a little less flexible physically. :)
Ultimately, we decided if we didn't buy very soon, we'd give up on camping altogether. So we decided to take the plunge and buy new. Despite the cost, we've had no regrets, and it has made camping enjoyable again, even for our autistic son, who likes having a table to draw at and a bed/space of his own.
mercc350, check KSL.com here in Salt Lake. There are several listed all of the time, and many right now. Just click the classifieds link and do a search for tent trailer, folding camper, pop up camper, folding trailer, etc. There are 106 adds right now if you type in tent trailer. We have been looking casually for a used upgrade, and have looked at a few over the last couple of weeks. Condition has been varied, as well as "quality" of owners. we have not found what we want, not because there ave been no choices, but because we are being pretty precise about what we want especially since we like what we have right now, and want to pay cash for whatever we buy. Good luck, and I hope you can find what you are looking for, as Puping is great.
Quote from: jakelawmercc350, check KSL.com here in Salt Lake. There are several listed all of the time, and many right now. Just click the classifieds link and do a search for tent trailer, folding camper, pop up camper, folding trailer, etc. There are 106 adds right now if you type in tent trailer. We have been looking casually for a used upgrade, and have looked at a few over the last couple of weeks. Condition has been varied, as well as "quality" of owners. we have not found what we want, not because there ave been no choices, but because we are being pretty precise about what we want especially since we like what we have right now, and want to pay cash for whatever we buy. Good luck, and I hope you can find what you are looking for, as Puping is great.
I will check it out. As far as being specific on the price I can afford your right. I am wanting to find something in the $2500.00 range for a popup that can get my through for a year but worth putting money into after that or around $1000.00 or less for one that needs work before use. I know " hard to find". I definetly see it now.
Quote from: Walt HIf it's going to sit eight months out of the year because of your schedule, that's one thing. But if you're thinking you won't be able to use it two-thirds of the time because of the weather, you're mistaken.
We just did a weekend in Hells Canyon and hope to camp a lot between now and perhaps the end of October, anyway, and maybe into November. You'd be amazed how well a little heater can warm up a PU, and those off-season times might be the perfect time to visit places that would be too hot during the summer (Bruneau Dunes and Craters of the Moon come to mind).
Having said all that, I think the key for you will be patience and flexibility. If you can hold out, you'll likely be able to find what you want. (I'm occasionally a bit of an optimist.) We had a miserable tent camping experience last Memorial Day weekend, so our patience was very limited. In addition, we're both getting older and a little less flexible physically. :)
Ultimately, we decided if we didn't buy very soon, we'd give up on camping altogether. So we decided to take the plunge and buy new. Despite the cost, we've had no regrets, and it has made camping enjoyable again, even for our autistic son, who likes having a table to draw at and a bed/space of his own.
Thank you for yor reply. Your right 3 months a year is probably not what I would like to do, just thinking in the tent camping mode I guess.
I have always tent camped here in Idaho and like you, I have to either get another means or give it up for the next 3 years. I can't and will not give up camping which I love so much. Can't afford a new one due to medical bills from my son being in NICU for two weeks, even with insurance that bill adds up and I need to live within my means. In my posting below I stated what I can spend an d I believe that is reasonable for what I am looking for. Hopefully I can make it happen.
Regards,
Steve
Quote from: mercc350Thank you for yor reply. Your right 3 months a year is probably not what I would like to do, just thinking in the tent camping mode I guess.
I have always tent camped here in Idaho and like you, I have to either get another means or give it up for the next 3 years. I can't and will not give up camping which I love so much. Can't afford a new one due to medical bills from my son being in NICU for two weeks, even with insurance that bill adds up and I need to live within my means. In my posting below I stated what I can spend an d I believe that is reasonable for what I am looking for. Hopefully I can make it happen.
Regards,
Steve
I understand what you're saying about medical bills; I got hit with $14K not long after we moved to Idaho, and it took six months to get our temporary insurance to agree to pay any of it.
Good luck with your search. I know last year someone I work with was looking at an older Coleman that was being sold for $800. From the pictures, it actually looked fairly decent. So they can be found. Moving to Idaho helped us rediscover the act of camping. Buying our PU helped us rediscover the joys of doing so. You can imagine how great it feels on Sunday afternoon when my son, who used to say he didn't want to go camping, now says "I don't want to leave."
Quote from: mercc350I have been trying to find a good used pop-up camper in idaho for the last couple of years. Where I live there dosen't seem to be anything used at all but junk. I have been reading articles on this site for quite awhile and have enjoyed the different postings very much. My question is. Are there any users in my part of the country that have had the same problem? Dealers here are a joke with there prices and craigs list users keep posting popups that don't even exist.
I know this site is based mostly back East just want to know if the same problem is there as well.
Hi,
I'm in Kaysville, Ut. Where in Idaho are you? I would get on
KSL.comselect Classifieds
select Recreational Vehicles
select Tent Trails; currently there were 107 listings. Some of coarse are already sold.
I bought my 1996 Colman, Shenandoah from here last fall. I did not read the current listings but there might even be some in Idaho.
Good Luck!
Herbie
Quote from: Walt HI understand what you're saying about medical bills; I got hit with $14K not long after we moved to Idaho, and it took six months to get our temporary insurance to agree to pay any of it.
Good luck with your search. I know last year someone I work with was looking at an older Coleman that was being sold for $800. From the pictures, it actually looked fairly decent. So they can be found. Moving to Idaho helped us rediscover the act of camping. Buying our PU helped us rediscover the joys of doing so. You can imagine how great it feels on Sunday afternoon when my son, who used to say he didn't want to go camping, now says "I don't want to leave."[/QUOTE
That is awesome that he likes to camp that much now. Hopefully I will be as fortunate. Thank you again for your replys I really appriciate it.
I you ever come across anything in the catagory I am looking at please shoot me an email at stevenn400@msn.com if it works I would be more than happy to treat your family to dinner with a gift certificate to your favorite restaurant seriously!!!
I don't know how long you have lived in Idaho and how well you know camp grounds and the like. If you come accross an area you want to go and not sure about it feel free to shoot me an email I have probably been there at least once.
Take Care,
Steve
Quote from: HerbieHi,
I'm in Kaysville, Ut. Where in Idaho are you? I would get on KSL.com
select Classifieds
select Recreational Vehicles
select Tent Trails; currently there were 107 listings. Some of coarse are already sold.
I bought my 1996 Colman, Shenandoah from here last fall. I did not read the current listings but there might even be some in Idaho.
Good Luck!
Herbie
Kaysville is very not too far for me. Thank you and what an awesome site!!!!!!!!!