more questions about options/add-ons

[lman2b]

I'm not sure if I said that right but here goes. First of all, thank you so much for all the responses on my other post, we are excited to get into this and looking forward to it. Our friends have a pop up, we are buying one, and our other set of friends are very impulsive and we know we can get them to buy one too, so it will be a great time!

We think we are getting a fleetwood/coleman cheyenne, we think we are going to get a great deal on it.

It does not have a potty, I have 2 little girls, but I have a little portable type potty for them already. But if I want to buy a bunch of stuff for this, where do I go to buy it?

I might be looking for a potty. Can you buy the add-on screen room?  Can you add on a shower system? Where can you get good deals on all the little extras like vanity mirror etc.? I'm just wondering, I'm not planning on spending a fortune, but it would be nice to add a few little things if possible. I don't know if there is a site that has really great deals, or where you would look for these things.

Again thanks so much, I can't wait to find out that we will have one!

[4campinfoxes]

Many Wal-Mart stores have a decent camping section where you can find a lot of this stuff.  Target also has some of it.  And their prices aren't too bad.  I thikn we might have ordered our porta-potty from Camping World because I liked the brand better than the one I saw at my local stores.

I may be wrong but the add on screen room typically should be bought from whomever you bought the awning from so it matches up.  So, if it comes through the dealer, check with them.  But if it's a Carefree or similar brand awning you can get add-on room anywhere those awnings are sold.  We just have a stand-alone screen room.

Sharon

[bmbkamp]

Just some random thoughts...
 
 After 10 years of tent camping, we bought our first PU last month.  We went on our first trip about 2 weeks ago and had a great time.
 
 Even though you are buying used, check out your local dealers anyway.  Chances are you will be going there for a repair sometime, and it will be good to know a place you are comfortable with.  Plus, you can compare the layouts and see if that used one is really the right one for your family.
 
 We bought ours based mostly on layout.  There's a dealer within walking distance of my house, but I ended up buying at another place because we didn't like the models (or the heavy sales pitch) at the closer place.
 
 Because we were tent campers, we're used to walking to the bathrooms, so an on-board potty wasn't a big concern for us.  Lots of people on this board swear by them, however.  But for us, we thought it would be like sleeping in our bathroom, and we couldn't get that thought out of our minds.  And it was another thing to maintain, too.
 
 Before our trip, I went to the dealer to get chocks & levelers.  After I bought them, I saw our local WalMart had the same stuff for much less.  A quick smack to the head for me.  I'll always check out WalMart first from now on.
 
 Keep in mind that all those little extras add up, both in price and the time it takes to set up and maintain.  Even thought I'm a newbie like you, it seems there's little right and wrong here - just do what you're comfortable with and always stay safe.  You may want to hold off on most of the extras until you have a trip or two under your belt.
 
 Good luck and have fun.
 
 Bob

[lman2b]

Well back to square one. My husband believes that the guy he was going to buy the p/u from was trying to scam us. He said it would be delivered to our door but wanted us to send the entier amount to a third party (the delivery guy) and it was all kind of funny, that third party had no telephone and the guy we were buyign from claimed he had no phone and we had to communicate through email. It seemed shady, my husband confronted him and he hasn't responded since. SO we will begin looking again. We have to drive north on sunday so we plan to stop by the dealer to see what they have and to check out the floorplans in person.

Thanks so much for all the great responses, it really does help!

[brainpause]

Well back to square one. My husband believes that the guy he was going to buy the p/u from was trying to scam us. He said it would be delivered to our door but wanted us to send the entier amount to a third party (the delivery guy) and it was all kind of funny, that third party had no telephone and the guy we were buyign from claimed he had no phone and we had to communicate through email. It seemed shady, my husband confronted him and he hasn't responded since. SO we will begin looking again. We have to drive north on sunday so we plan to stop by the dealer to see what they have and to check out the floorplans in person.

Thanks so much for all the great responses, it really does help!

Very smart on you and your husband's part. You were FOR SURE about to be out some money.

Larry

[lushy]

Glad to hear you did not get scammed. Be careful with who you deal with. Unfortunately there are some real scumbags out there.  :Z   ALWAYS see the PU in person first to check everything out like the roof, lift system, canvas, frame, etc. BEFORE any money changes hands. If you have any friends/family that are experienced camper people ask them to check it out with you. I've learn alot from my camper friends (and PUT too!).

If it's too good to be true.........then it is.  Good luck with the PU hunt.  :U

[Kelly]

Because we were tent campers, we're used to walking to the bathrooms, so an on-board potty wasn't a big concern for us.  Lots of people on this board swear by them, however.  But for us, we thought it would be like sleeping in our bathroom, and we couldn't get that thought out of our minds.  And it was another thing to maintain, too.

****
 
Keep in mind that all those little extras add up, both in price and the time it takes to set up and maintain.  Even thought I'm a newbie like you, it seems there's little right and wrong here - just do what you're comfortable with and always stay safe.  You may want to hold off on most of the extras until you have a trip or two under your belt.
 

Sounds like we camp alike, Bob.  

I catch a lot of grief for camping by myself with 4 kids and without an on-board potty.  I don't for much the same reasons Bob doesn't.  My youngest was one the first time we went camping ~ she's a pro now at five!

Lots of good advice here.  I like to keep everything simple ~ that way I can focus on being with the kids and enjoying the local sights.  I'm sure a lot of it comes from the tenting background.

I'm glad you didn't get scammed either.  I bought my PU sight unseen.  However a few people I know and trust had seen it and I knew I was getting a great deal.  It has been better than I hoped for.

Good luck in your hunt.  Your PU is out there waiting for you ....

[lman2b]

thanks for the encouragement!

Okay I have to ask this question, I'm sorry in advance if it seems crude to ask this..... Is the "potty" something for adults or only used for kids? Meaning, do adults not want anything to do with it, even though they "can" use it? I have a little potty I take with for my soon to be 3 yr old and plan to use with my 1 yr old too, so it works great for traveling with.  So if the p/u potty is mainly used for kids, then its not necessary for us at all. But honestly, in all the times I've camped since I was younger, I really don't like the bathroom part. I've been looking at the potty addition to the p/u as something to make me happy, even if just for #1. Is that unrealistic, will I not like to use it anyway? Is it hard to clean? How do you clean it? I'm not a big fan of outhouses or the woods and thought this might be nice for me personally.

I hate to ask these questions but I guess I better figure it out before i buy! Thanks in advance, this site is really great!

[lushy]

Very good questions! Personally, we all use the "potty" (kids, wife, me). My wife feels the same as you about using the outhouses and CG bathrooms, so she uses the potty in the PU most of the time. We do still utilize the CG bathrooms. Depending on the CG, most bathrooms have been decent but there are still some out there less desirable. Don't be fooled about having a potty in your PU though. In general, the potty is extra work, but I personally don't find it difficult to maintain or clean. It all depends on what type of potty you have and whether the little extra work is worth it for you. There are cleaners, deodorants, etc. out there specially made for camper toilets/tanks to help you out. Check out the Thetford website, I think they may have some info for you.

We have 2 children also and when my youngest has to "go"...she has to "go" RIGHT NOW!!  :yikes:  Sometime the CG bathrooms are a little far away. We used the small childrens training toilet too for traveling (great idea) but my kids are 8 and 5 now.

Good luck with your decision! I hope this helped you!

[Tim5055]

thanks for the encouragement!

Okay I have to ask this question, I'm sorry in advance if it seems crude to ask this..... Is the "potty" something for adults or only used for kids? Meaning, do adults not want anything to do with it, even though they "can" use it? I have a little potty I take with for my soon to be 3 yr old and plan to use with my 1 yr old too, so it works great for traveling with.  So if the p/u potty is mainly used for kids, then its not necessary for us at all. But honestly, in all the times I've camped since I was younger, I really don't like the bathroom part. I've been looking at the potty addition to the p/u as something to make me happy, even if just for #1. Is that unrealistic, will I not like to use it anyway? Is it hard to clean? How do you clean it? I'm not a big fan of outhouses or the woods and thought this might be nice for me personally.

I hate to ask these questions but I guess I better figure it out before i buy! Thanks in advance, this site is really great!

Before we got the Niagara, we used a porta potti in both the Santa Fe as well as our tent.

Check out my Porta Potti - Cassette Toilet Web Page for pictures and information.

While you are thinking about the pop up, check out my Frequently Asked Questions Web Page

For the last one, check out Purchasing a Used Pop-Up-Camper

Good luck in your search

[SkipP]

Well back to square one. My husband believes that the guy he was going to buy the p/u from was trying to scam us. He said it would be delivered to our door but wanted us to send the entier amount to a third party (the delivery guy) and it was all kind of funny, that third party had no telephone and the guy we were buyign from claimed he had no phone and we had to communicate through email. It seemed shady, my husband confronted him and he hasn't responded since. SO we will begin looking again. We have to drive north on sunday so we plan to stop by the dealer to see what they have and to check out the floorplans in person.
 
Thanks so much for all the great responses, it really does help!

I'm thinking your husband was dead-on. This sounds like a variation of a scam thats been going around for a while. Most likely, the $$$ would have gone overseas where the chances of seeing it again would be all but impossible.
 
Haven't read this anywhere but it seems to me one way to protect ones self would be to request a scan or copy of the title from the seller.
 
Good luck and keep searching!

[tlhdoc]

We have used a porta potty in the past and have a cassette potty now.  I wouldn't have a camper without one or the other.  They are for anyone.  We use the campground bathrooms depending on the weather, time of day, distance from out campsite and the condition of the bathrooms.  Either the cassette or the porta potty are easy to use/clean/empty.  You add the deodorant/digester chemical to the black water tank (waste tank).  Fill the fresh water tank and then use the toilet.  When it gets full or the end of your trip, you just take the black water tank to the dump station (or into a bathroom) and dump the toilet.  Rinse the tank and put it back where it started.  I use Clorox wipes to clean the upper section of the potty and wipe it with Protect All after every couple of trips.  Don't be afraid to use a cassette or porta potty.

[PLJ]

Happy to see you avoided being scammed.

we have the Cheyenne. We tried the add a room a couple of times and didn't like it. We ended up just buying a screen room that was on sale and we set that up over the picnic tables that you find at the camp site.

We have 3 kids. We tend to use the port a pottie for night time use only if any one wakes up. Bathrooms have always been ok. If you are worried about cleanliness take some baby wipes with you and wipe the seat down.

Basically once you start camping you'll soon discover what is important for you to use to make your stay more pleasant and stress free. You'll see what other people are using and most people are happy to talk to you about what works for them etc.

We bought our PU from the RV show in Minneapolis. It was a demo model so we got a good deal and the dealer threw in a whole bunch of extras such as the screen room, vanity mirror, bunk end lights, port a potti, fitted sheets and bike racks.