Need Help Choosing a Pop-Up

[Muddy Ford]

Our family has been tent campers and we are wanting to purchase our first pop-up.  We are extremely excited, but do not know what brand and what model to buy.  I am looking for any advice that you all may have on what brands, features a PU should have, etc.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.  Our TV is a 2007 Chevy Uplander.  We have a Jayco and Palamino dealership within a 20 minute drive of our house.  We also have a Fleetwood and Starcraft dealer within 2 hours of our hometown.  We have been considering a 2008 Jayco 1007 that a dealer has for $7400.00.  Is that a good deal and what are your all's thoughts on the Jayco Jay Series 1007?  Do you all think our Uplander will be able to handle it.  Thanks in advance.

[AZsix]

Can't help you on the model but as far as features go you need to decide what's important for you and where you think you will do most of your camping. We have a toilet and a shower in ours and love them. We don't have a/c (yet we live in AZ, go figure) we don't have an outside shower but would like one. Our pup does not have nor do we bring a microwave. We do have an oven but have yet to use it. (one of these days though) A larger refrig. would be nice but we are ok with the one we have. Some people want to bring as many modern conveniences from home as they can while others want it to be as simple as possible. Give your camping needs some real thought and go from there.

Good luck.

[flyfisherman]

I really do not know anything about the Chevy Uplander, but what I did read someplace (if I recall correctly), it had a tow rating of 2000 lbs?

Your first consideration should be how much weight your vehicle can handle, both towing AND cargo weight within the TV, or rather the combination of the two. This will give you a idea of what you might find available on the market.




Fly

[PattieAM]

Your first consideration will be the tow capacity of your towing vehicle...then, you can make a list of the PUP's within that weight range (don't forget to add to add the weights of your passengers and gear).  Then you can go to the manufacturers websites for the specs, floor plans, amenities listings.

Once you've looked at the specs, etc., go view a few PUPs...lay on the bunks, sit on the potties, fake a shower, fake preparing a meal....and be sure that the PUP floor plan will work for you (think rainy day and everyone inside for hours).

Also try to consider your camping needs/style five years from now - will there be additions to your family?  Kids/friends....different tow vehicle...

Best wishes.

[ksugrad]

Like you we went from tent camping to opop up last year. Did a lot of research on models and looking etc. Like you we had one dealership within 1/2 hour and several others 2 hours distance. We went to dealers and looked at what they had set up. This we found very helpful.

As has been mentioned look at floorplans and options that will meet your needs. Also, the dealear can be an extremely important consideration, since this is where you will need to get warranty work done and hopefully they can answer questions when you have them.

Listen to what others say about thier particular brand of pop up, but also consider that some folks look at them the way some folks look at Chevy and Ford (there are those who would not be caught in the other brand, depending on whether they like Ford or Chevy). Likewise, their are those whose particular manufacturer of camper is what you should buy and do not think any other kind is accepetable. However, if you look at posts on this site or other pop up camper related sites you will see that a variety of pop up campers have been used for many years by those posting.

I believe you can be happy with a Jayco, Fleetwood (recently sold to another company), Starcraft, Palimino, Viking, etc.

Good luck in making you decision.

[groovytimes]

According to Edmunds your Uplander is capable of towing 3500 lbs.  You will want to check your owners manual to make sure.  http://www.edmunds.com/used/2007/chevrolet/uplander/100701007/specs.html

I just bought my first PUP last week and have a small SUV TV.  I have been obsessed with weight for months, so I agree with what has been said above.  

In regards to your question as to whether or not the Uplander can handle the Jayco 1007:  The Jayco site lists the unloaded weight (before options like fridge, awning, furnace, etc) of the 1007 at 1,690.  Based on that I would think that you will have no problem towing with the Uplander, but please check your owners manual first.

As I did my research I found some great free tools for calculating weight.  I found this one to be the best: //www.popupexplorer.com/files/TowingCapacityWorksheet.xls

Have fun.

[Muddy Ford]

WOW!  Thanks for all the information.  I really appreciate and value your all's opinion.  Grooveytimes, you are correct my tv has a towing capacity of 3,500 lbs.  Please keep the great information coming.  This has been really helpful.

[cyclone]

Often what I read is to go with the dealer you feel most comfortable with.  How good is their service department?  I say that with a grain of salt - my Flagstaff was a year old when we got it.  Trade-in or something.  It was a good deal, but I absolutely would NOT return to the dealership.   I didn't even bother to use the coupon for 10% off a purchase in their "store" and have gone to another dealer for service as there was no warranty that required me to go to the place we bought it.  

Floor plan and features would be a determining factor for me.  For example, we prefer not having to crawl over a dinette on either end of the camper to get to the bunk end.  This was a key factor in the floor plan.  The size of the refrigerator is not a big issue for me.  We cook outside and tend to still use coolers more than the frig.  And, we store the camper at my parents' house, so we never pop it up to pack before heading out on a trip.  Food has to go in the cooler, so it usually just stays there.  But, there are only two of us and a dog, so it's easier for us to just throw clothes and coolers in the back of the SUV and go.  A shower was not a priority - no children and we have never camped where there aren't showers available.  I would rather have the extra storage space instead of the shower.  I also love having a storage trunk - great for storing all the stuff that we need for setting up.  

Ours came with an RVQ - it seems that is something that is either loved or hated.  I hated it and would never pay extra for that option on any camper in the future.

As for towing, you should be ok with a 3500 capacity.  We tow with a Tribute that has the same capacity and have no problems pulling a 10 ft. camper.  Have fun shopping!

[Muddy Ford]

Well we are now the proud owner of a 2009 Jayco Jay Series 1207.  The dealer was great to work with, very helpful.  The 1207 we got also came with electric brakes.  Thank you all for all the great information.  I will not hesitate to ask for your all's help in the future.