Tell me what's good and bad

[mgbbob]

Hi folks,  I haven't visited here in a while.  I am still considering a pop up.  I have been bouncing back and forth but with the price of gasoline I think I am back.  I would like to find a used unit.  So far, no luck.  I am also concerned that I don't know what I am looking at.  I have heard some Colemans had roof problems.  I don't know much more.  All help appreciated.

Bob

[linda16]

We bought a used 2005 Fleetwood Yuma on ebay...a leap of faith, but we spoke with the dealer (Holiday Shores RV in WI) and found them helpful and honest.  We picked it up in May and it was as advertised - basically new.  We were very pleased.  We also knew exactly which model we wanted.  Visit some dealers and get a sense of the size and floor plan you are interested in. Good luck with your search.

[cyclone]

http://www.title-3.com/

This tells you everything you need to know.  (ok, maybe not everything, but I promise you it's got great info).

[jimlinalf]

ride to the local rv dealers that handle the brands.  They will probably be the trailer type rv dealers.  They may also have some used ones.  No harm in calling at least.  Maybe even go to a nearby rv show and get some ideas.  

Jim

[mgbbob]

We spent a lot of time at the winter RV show.  I am torn by all of the choices.  I think we want to start fairly conservatively.  I do think I want a larger bed on one end.  I am not sure how practicle the shower/bathroom area would be.  Any input would be appreciated.

Bob

[tjy355]

We spent a lot of time at the winter RV show.  I am torn by all of the choices.  I think we want to start fairly conservatively.  I do think I want a larger bed on one end.  I am not sure how practicle the shower/bathroom area would be.  Any input would be appreciated.

Bob

Tell us about your experience.  Do you camp in a tent ?

[mgbbob]

We have done a lot of tent camping in the past.  Our last tent trip was a couple of years ago.  The camp ground we stayed at was not as advertised.  It was in Bennett Springs, MO.  The camp site was next to a highway, rocky, and a bunch of college kids partied all night two nights in a row.

The wife said no more.  We have reconsidered and would like to move up from the tent but we are not sure we are ready for a full size camper or motor home.  A pop up will fit in my driveway or garage.  A pull behind needs a storage yard.

I plan to pull the camper with our 2004 Grand Cherokee.  I would like something that doesn't drive the fuel mileage down very far.  I talked to the RV dealer and he said a pull behing would only loose about 2 MPG.  I am not sure I believe him.  I like the looks of the new hybrids with the tent out sleeping areas.  The additional cost is a factor with them.  The RV dealer said there are problems with the hybrids.  He said they leak.  He said for the same money a pull behind is a better buy.

throom and shower would be nice but I wonder if the cramped condition make the ones in pop us that useful.   With the outdoor portatents for showers, portapotty areas I think part of the issues can be resolved.   We still have a 13 year old at home.  We are both still working and so our trips will be short in nature for the next few years.

We still have all the gear so getting started again should be painless.

Thanks for all the help
Bob

[Kelly]

Wow!  That dealer really wants you in a travel trailer!  I think you'd lose more than 2 mpg towing one.  I lose 1 -2 mpg towing a 2200 lb PU ~ with the frontal area of a TT (travel trailer or pull-behind) you're bound to lose more.

If it were me I'd ask myself one more question before proceeding ... "How do I plan to camp for the next few years?"  In other words ~ will you be camping like you did when you had a tent, so you only really need (or want) a bed up off the ground with few amenities or are you looking to move into more luxury camping.     Maybe you're in the middle ~ I am.

From there you'll get a better idea of where to look.

I love my PU and can't imagine camping in anything else.  It's (fairly) light, tows easily and fits in my garage.  I can see behind me when I drive pretty well.  I like having windows all around me and feeling like I'm still outside when I sleep.  I feel claustrophobic in most TTs/Hybrids ~ even the ones with slides.  I don't want a shower/potty combo in my PU ~ I can't stand the thought of peeing where I eat! ... and the walk to the bathrooms is good exercise.       I cook outside and eat outside whenever possible.  (Have never cooked inside this PU)  I wash my dishes outside.   Slides are just one more thing to go wrong in my book ~ so I didn't want one.  I have 4 kids, so for me 2 dinettes was a must (one to sit at when it's raining out and one to keep as a bed).  I wanted a tent on wheels with a few amenities ~ fridge, furnace and a/c.

These are my preferences ~ figure out yours.  It will help you decide on PU, TT or hybrid and what ameneties you want.

Keep asking questions and checking out the different models.  It will all come together.  

Good luck.[/FONT]

[dthurk]

We have done a lot of tent camping in the past. Our last tent trip was a couple of years ago. The camp ground we stayed at was not as advertised. It was in Bennett Springs, MO. The camp site was next to a highway, rocky, and a bunch of college kids partied all night two nights in a row.
 
The wife said no more. We have reconsidered and would like to move up from the tent but we are not sure we are ready for a full size camper or motor home. A pop up will fit in my driveway or garage. A pull behind needs a storage yard.
 
I plan to pull the camper with our 2004 Grand Cherokee. I would like something that doesn't drive the fuel mileage down very far. I talked to the RV dealer and he said a pull behing would only loose about 2 MPG. I am not sure I believe him. I like the looks of the new hybrids with the tent out sleeping areas. The additional cost is a factor with them. The RV dealer said there are problems with the hybrids. He said they leak. He said for the same money a pull behind is a better buy.
 
throom and shower would be nice but I wonder if the cramped condition make the ones in pop us that useful. With the outdoor portatents for showers, portapotty areas I think part of the issues can be resolved. We still have a 13 year old at home. We are both still working and so our trips will be short in nature for the next few years.
 
We still have all the gear so getting started again should be painless.
 
Thanks for all the help
Bob

RUN, don't walk, to a different dealer.  Don't look back, or you may be turned into a pillar of stone.  Seriously, this guy's giving you incorrect information.  Find someone else.