About to Buy a pop-up

[dcampbell1969]

Well, I've spent 6 months reading posts, looking at pop-ups and comparing, crunching numbers, and running it all through my head.  Went this weekend and signed most of the paperwork and put a small amount down to reserve my price.  I will take delivery in about 3 weeks(waited for several reasons by choice) of my first pop-up and hopefully last(haha) a 2007 Niagara.  My wife and I love camping.  Seems like it always rains on the last day when we pack up, but we still love it.  I am sure we'll love the Niagara.  I figured I'd see if there were any negative thoughts on the Niagara before it's all 100% final.  Size and features are all what we want. Came close to going with the Starcraft Centennial 3608, but felt the price difference was more than made up with the extras and quality.  I am so excited.  We went ahead and booked a short trip for spring break with the kids, and an October trip for just us, and have a few more trips in the works for this year.

[fritz_monroe]

Congrats on your pup.

The only negatives I've seen on the Niagara is about the black water tank.  As long as you go into it knowing that the size of this black water tank can limit your length of stay, then it's a nice trailer.  But if you don't take into account that my family of 4 will fill the cassette potty tank in a 3 day weekend, and we have a strict #1 only rule.  I think the black water tank is 9 gallons, you could easily fill it completely in less than a week.

That said, the people that I've talked to that have gotten a Niagara with the black water tank absolutely love the trailer.  It's very nice and roomy.  If it fits your way of camping, then it's a great camper.

[dcampbell1969]

Thanks

We've discussed that scenario already.  Most of our trips are 3days and 5days, so restricting #2 and using CG facilties when possible should work fine.  

The Blackwater Tank was more of an extra to us, it was other features that really sold us on it.  

Let me ask you this.  The tank is 9 gallons, so if I were to fill it during a long trip, would it be fairly easy to empty it into one of thos 10 gallon roll away containers? Then drive to the dump station.

Not much experience with this stuff being a tent camper forever.  But I have noticed there are a few CG's with direct blackwater hookups.

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new camper!  Many private campgrounds have sewer hookups.  You fill your tank and then dump it into the sewer.  Many people do use the portable tanks to empty their back water tank.  The totes are only supposed to be for grey water and not black water.  What area do you camp in?

[dcampbell1969]

What area do you camp in?

We camp at Elkmont(Smokies) at least once a year, and mostly north georgia state parks.  

Had a fun private campground we loved but the people vanished and the place is still there, just wasting away.(Socemdog Saloon and Chattooga River resort)  

I really want to try St George, Fl even though I hear the sites are small.

[fritz_monroe]

The Blackwater Tank was more of an extra to us, it was other features that really sold us on it.

Well there you go.  You obviously are one of the campers that this camper was designed for.

As for emptying into a tank, I guess you could.  I think I've heard that it's illegal to do this in some places.  But like tlhdoc said, if you go on an extended trip, get a full hookup site.  Then just run your sewer hose to the sewer hookup.  When if gets full, dump it.

[TBee]

Niagara? that's one I've never heard of, who makes it?  I appreciate hearing from campbell as he's completed what I'm now doing . . . studying Pop Ups before making a purchase.  My leanings are towards a small Viking or StarCraft, preferrably a lightly used one.

[fritz_monroe]

The Niagara is one of Fleetwood's High Wall series.  For several years, it has been their "flagship" pup.  Now the Avalon would fill that spot now.  Niagara is a really nice popup.

[dcampbell1969]

Niagara? that's one I've never heard of, who makes it?  I appreciate hearing from campbell as he's completed what I'm now doing . . . studying Pop Ups before making a purchase.  My leanings are towards a small Viking or StarCraft, preferrably a lightly used one.

My only suggestion is to take your time and think it through, then take a break and continue.

[rsm8]

Congratulations on your purchase.  We just purchased the 07 Arcadia and have already taken it out camping.  We have owned two other popups, both Coleman/Fleetwood and we love the Arcadia.  I think it is similar to yours but we have a full sofa/bed instead of the microwave.  We needed the sleeping area as we have 5 kids ages 9-16 and a 6 mo. old.  Our last trailer was a Sun Valley and we upgraded because we decided we wanted a bath/shower and we liked the hard walled bath in the Arcadia.  The weight difference is noticeable but I installed a sway controller and had no trouble towing.  We tow with a Suburban or a Dodge Ram.  If the Niagra floor plan fits your needs then you have made a good choice.  We also looked at other manufacturers.  Namely Starcraft and Jayco.  Both of their highwall series trailers are nice, but the floorplans offered did not provide what we needed.  I can't speak for the quality of other popups, but we had no problems with either of our other two coleman popups.  I hope the same holds true for our new trailer as well.  We have also planned a couple of trips already and are looking forward to many more years of popup camping.  Good luck and enjoy your trailer.