Pop Up Recommendations?

[wgee]

My wife and I are looking to buy our first pop up.  Probably 5 to 10 years old, 10' box, fridge, heater, and awning.  There are like a million manufacturers out there.  This may be a loaded question, but can someone point me to a couple of manufacturers that are supposed to be of better quality versus others?  Right now, I may look at Coleman, Starcraft, and Coachman.  Any insight would be appreciated...

[IBCAR18]

My wife and I are looking to buy our first pop up.  Probably 5 to 10 years old, 10' box, fridge, heater, and awning.  There are like a million manufacturers out there.  This may be a loaded question, but can someone point me to a couple of manufacturers that are supposed to be of better quality versus others?  Right now, I may look at Coleman, Starcraft, and Coachman.  Any insight would be appreciated...

wgee, we bought a 2001 Coleman Bayside Elite and love it.  2 King beds, 1 full bed, galley kitchen, sofa, outdoor shower, air condition, awning, indoor and outdoor stoves, lots of storage, etc.... LOVE IT!!!  Good luck on selecting yours.

[frieker]

My wife and I are looking to buy our first pop up.  Probably 5 to 10 years old, 10' box, fridge, heater, and awning.  There are like a million manufacturers out there.  This may be a loaded question, but can someone point me to a couple of manufacturers that are supposed to be of better quality versus others?  Right now, I may look at Coleman, Starcraft, and Coachman.  Any insight would be appreciated...

I am no expert on PU's as I just purchased my first one.  I bought a used 2000 Jayco Eagle 10' box, fridge, heater, awning (w/screen room.)   It was about $4500.  I bought it from a dealer so the cleaned it all up, replaced a couple of tires, repacked the bearings, etc....  I also received an orientation on how to put it up, put it down and use the appliances.  

Couple of things to share from my experience:  
 - I viewed several different PU's.  They are all slightly different.  There were features of the Jayco that I just liked better then the rest of them.  They were all nice and could meet my requirements and some were even cheaper.  I just went with the one that I liked overall the most.  
 - My reasons for picking the Jayco Eagle - This PU came with a screened in porch which wasn't a requirement but I thought was nice.  I liked the layout of the two sitting/dining areas.  The lift system is enclosed and I figured that might be a bit better given all the road construction and tar that occurs the same months I would be using the PU.  My PU also has one giganitic window/screen across the side of the camper (opposite to the side with the door.)  I could picture being in a picturesque place in the fall, sipping a cup of coffee and looking out the window in my jammies.  I think that was the one emotional aspect that did it in for me.  And, the price was reasonable in my opinion.  

Good luck.  Go check some out, see what appeals to you and when you do purchase one, you will just be giddy with excitement to use it!  I bought mine and drug it from the dealer straight to a campground.  Talk about a girl excited about her camper.  I am going again in about 2 weeks and I cannot wait!!  I have already planned a trip for Aug and now I am working on Sept.  It is sooo cool and sooo fun.  

Farah

[camper147]

I was looking at the used popups also until I seen that there wasn't much price difference from a  new one... but I personally decided on a new 2006 Rockwood model 1980 with screenroom and I got mine from Tom Raper Rv In Richmond, In for $5100.00  and its loaded with stuff... its a 10' with furnace, 3 way frig, 2 tables., gas grill for outside,screenroom, fan lights for the bunk ends and heated bunk ends, and I was surprised at how easy it was to tow. and the dealer is definately worth the 5 hour drive for me.
I can't say enough good things about this dealer, service,sales. I knew which one I wanted and they gave me a the price that was alot lower then anyhere around here. One dealer wanted about $500.00 mor eand another $500.00 for a screenroom. If anybody is interested I will supply the salesmen name and number
good luck in your search

[wgee]

As of today (07/14/05) we are no longer looking. Found a 1999 Coleman Santa Fe in awesome shape and bought it. This thing looks brand new. We are excited!!!

[hoppy]

Very nice choice.

 Good luck with it, and I hope you enjoy many memorable trips with it.

  BTW.......What options came with it?

[wgee]

Very nice choice.

 Good luck with it, and I hope you enjoy many memorable trips with it.

  BTW.......What options came with it?

The 1999 Santa Fe that we bought has the following:

- 3 way fridge
- heater
- awning
- 1 piece top (which i think is standard on the Grand Tour Series)
- outside high pressure stove
- plus, the previous owner threw in 1) hanging camper caddie clothes holder thingy; 2) hanging vanity mate; 3) porta potti.  That's gotta be a hundred bucks or more if I had to buy brand new (what he gave me seemed like new...).

That's basically it.  No other fancy stuff like a water heater or outside shower or screened in canopy.  We are happy with what we have.  Now we gotta blow some money equiping the thing.

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations and have a great time with the new camper.  My Nevada is a 1999 also.  If you need any of the specs from the 1999 brochure send me an email and I can scan and email you the information.