First timer looking to buy used Pop Up

[scappoose]

My family and I are eager to buy a used Pop Up trailer.  We have been tent campers for years but with two young children have decided to give trailer camping a try.

I am hoping for advice on what to look for when deciding on the right trailer for us.  We do not want to spend more than about $3500 on this first one (we want to make sure the Pop Up works for us).

Specifically we have found a couple of nice trailers that are mid-90's in this price range.  What are the specifics I should look at when looking at a trailer that is 10 years old?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

[AustinBoston]

My family and I are eager to buy a used Pop Up trailer.  We have been tent campers for years but with two young children have decided to give trailer camping a try.

I am hoping for advice on what to look for when deciding on the right trailer for us.  We do not want to spend more than about $3500 on this first one (we want to make sure the Pop Up works for us).

Specifically we have found a couple of nice trailers that are mid-90's in this price range.  What are the specifics I should look at when looking at a trailer that is 10 years old?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

First and foremost, make sure it is something you can afford to tow.  A pop-up costing $3,500 that requires you to spend $15,000 on a used tow vehicle isn't a bargain.

Austin

[scappoose]

Thank you for the reply.  The tow vehicle is a 1999 Ford Expedition w/the 5.4L V8.

[hoppy]

It appears that your TV will tow just about any brand and model PU out there.

 Now you need to determine the floor layout, the must "haves", and the options you will like included that meet the needs of your family.  This should include the amount of sleeping and seating areas needed, if you need inside shower / potti facilities, AC, furnace, fridge, water heater, etc. I suggest going to your nearest dealer and seeing all the available options in action.

  Now you are ready to "hit the pavement" and start looking for advertised used units. You can check on line using the RV Trader website, your local grocery store bulletin boards, newspaper classifieds, etc,  just to name a few sources.

  Once you find one that meets your requirements, it's time to inspect it. I recommend using one of the member's website Tim5055. He has a great check list how to inspect a used PU. You can also use the website at NADA to check if the asking price is in line.

  Good luck in your search.

[Kelly]

I recommend using one of the member's website Tim5055. He has a great check list how to inspect a used PU. You can also use the website at NADA to check if the asking price is in line.

  Good luck in your search.

Ditto the above.

Link to Tim's website.
and a
Link to NADA

[OC Campers]

I would have to say, don't buy too small a camper.  If you have 2 small children I wouldn't look at anything smaller than a 10 ft box.  Little ones gererate a lot of "stuff".  A lot of people buy too small a camper and immediately turn around and want a larger one.   We have 3 kids and at times our 12 ft Coleman Westlake is too small.    A couple of options that were must haves for us was a cassette potty, refridgerator  and hot water heater.   Everything else was a "nice to have".  With kids the potty was a must for me!
 
Good luck with your search.
 
Jacqui

[dee106]

what state are you in?
 hot weather u need a/c,
  cooler weather furnance, or if you are going to use it in the cooler months,
 with two children you might look into a built in potty /shower or just pick up a port-a-potty,
 
 the more you want in the pu or hybrid the more it will cost,
 
  also u have to think about how much you are going to use it. the more times you use it the more you will want in it.

[scappoose]

I live in Wasington State so A/C would probably be nice but definitely not a need.

[Camping Coxes]

Now you are ready to "hit the pavement" and start looking for advertised used units. You can check on line using the RV Trader website, your local grocery store bulletin boards, newspaper classifieds, etc, just to name a few sources.

Don't forget the classified here on Pop-Up Times.  That's how I sold my last trailer, and so many people are upgrading to hybrids in the off season that it's a good time to buy one.

[scappoose]

I have been looking through the classifieds here but not having much luck finding one closeby (Washington or Oregon),

[lman2b]

We just bought our first p/u and took our first trip this weekend. We decided we wanted to spend $3k, it was unrealistic for us, we wanted a 2000 or newer and these things seem to really hold their value b/c that was an impossible deal to find! We looked at a bunch of p/us in the area, dealers and private and that helped us to figure out what we were looking for. We also noticed that when it was advertised as in great condition etc. that was definitely not our opinion. I tried to buy on ebay until I realized I needed to personally inspect each one! We went by the nada value, but most sellers seem to overinflate their p/u and expect to be paid for all the "extras" that nada doesn't consider. We ended up paying twice what we originally planned for, but it is so nice and in such great condition it was worth it!

I have a 3 yo and a 1 yo. We ended up buying a 2002 coleman utah, we paid the extra figuring it would last us for a good 10 yrs at least. We were worried that buying in the 90s would mean it wouldn't last as long, although these seem to just keep on going! Anyway, we bought a slide out dinette which was great! I moved the table out and let the kids play like crazy, it was very windy and it was nice for dh and I to each lay on the ends in the beds and let the kids run around and jump like crazy! I took the portable little potty I have from home for my 3 yo, I plan to buy a real one to put in the camper at some point. I hate going out at night!!! THe bathrooms are nasty and dark, I'd rather have my own! The heater was an absolute must for us, it was freezing outside! The fridge was a maybe, it was either too cold or not cold at all, we couldn't regulate it. We had our cooler so the sink wasn't much use. the sink was awesome and very nice to have. The outside stove was great (ours has an outside and an inside). I used the inside this morning to boil water for coffee and hot chocolate, that was nice to have right there. Having the big bunks was great, but much more space to heat! A heated bunk would have been so nice to have! We have a suburban, towing was easy as yours will be also.

We don't have a shower, I can't imagine wanting to take a shower in those little spots, if I had a shower I'd really want a big rv! We do have an outdoor shower, didn't try it but I can imagine it will be nice in the future with the kids all dirty! The storage space was wonderful (we have tons) and it was really nice, although our suburban certainly holds a lot of what he have. We tried to put up the awning, it was too windy, will do that next time but the screen room was really needed this weekend, we just didn't get it put up. THe kids were not very happy this weekend! Our campsite had no shade so we wished we could have put it up!! A crank up was no big deal at all, is super easy. We have a bunch of lights in ours, it ate up the battery though, I need to ask in a separate post about that to the "experts" out there!

I don't know if I'm any help. I just know we really did our homework, really looked around, and had the attitude that it was not something we absolutely had to have, but something we wanted, and something we were willing to wait for the right deal for. We got it! We found a family with a p/u that was in perfect condition and they were desperate to sell, we were there to help them  Good luck!

[scappoose]

Thank you for the advice.  We actually found and made an offer on a trailer this weekend.  It is a 2000 Coleman Sedona that has been used less than 10 times.  It really looks brand new.  I think we ended up getting a good deal as we paid $3200.  

The Sedona is not a huge trailer by any means (15 ft closed, 22 or 23 open) but we are thinking it will be great for the two young kids.

Thank you all for your recommendations!  Anybody out there have a Sedona?