newbie has a baja question

[libbylatte]

Okay, first let me say that currently I am still...a PU poser, but hopefully only for a short while!!!  My husband and I went to a local dealer, the only local dealer in our heighborhood to finally purchase our very first pop up!!!  (This decision was made shortly after he dragged me to a remote part of Baja in a 2 person tent from Target and no bathroom in sight...he is soooo lucky I already married him! haha j/k)  But sadly...we could not get the salesman to help us for the life of us..no, we're talking he didn't even step foot out of his office, simply handed us some brochures and said look around.

So I have been lurking around the message boards (I cannot begin to tell you how informative you all are for a first time buyer!!) and thought it only polite to say hello and thanks!  

Oh, and can I ask a question??  My hubby and I do a lot of Baja driving and most of the roads are quite in bad shape (unpaved...rocky. etc)  has anyone had any experience in these conditions?  How does your pop up hold up?  any problems with the tires?

Nice to meet you al, thanks again!
Libby

[D1Boz]

Did you buy a pop-up or looking??? If you are looking, I would look at these models because they have an offroad package on them. They have the offroad tires and setup off the ground pretty good. http://www.starcraftrv.com/2005_starcraft_folding_campers/starcraft_rt_series.html
I haven't taken mine on any trails but I do wheel and I have seen pics of the Baja and it does look rough but fun. Good luck and if you did get one that isn't setup for the rough roads, Take some extra tires and beef up the under carraige.

[beacher]

Ahh, it's lunchtime and your post is making me hungry for broiled lobster!!

Although I have not tried it yet, I may venture South of the Border with my PU at some point.  I have seen PUPs at some of the resorts and private campsites near Rosarito, and after Ensenada.  I have also seen a few at San Felipe.  However, those places are all right off the nice paved main roads or the toll road. The private places even have full hookups!

Most of Baja actually has roads to where you want to get to, albeit some are very neglected.  If you get to some bad roads you just need to go slow over the bumps.  

Unless you are actually going to venture off-road, (WHERE YOU PROBABLY SHOULDN'T BE WITHOUT A GROUP, CURRENT GOVERNMENT PERMITS, AN ESCORT, and EXPLICIT LANDOWNER PERMISSION), any standard PU with a good 4x4 TV should get you where you want to go.

[meriflower1985]

Hi Libby and welcome!!  That is pretty bad out of that dealer.  Hopefully (if you go back there) you will get a more attentive sales person - tell them you're looking at fancy and expensive motorhomes!  Ha!  

Before you go looking at campers and find one that you fall in love with, check your tow vehicle's tow weight rating - you do not want to over that.  There are plenty of posts that talk about the do's and don'ts of towing.

You would need to look at pop ups that are made for off road, they have bigger wheels and higher suspensions and are made for uneven ground.  There are several makes to chose from that I know of, the Starcraft that was mentioned by D1Boz, also Fleetwood Evolution, and Jayco Baja.  I'm sure there's more.

If you can, go to an RV show where they'll have different makes/models that you'll be able to compare.  And as I always say, shopping for a new "toy" is half the fun!  

Nancy

[TroutBum]

I have an RT series Starcraft, and I love it.  I have only had it a couple of months, but have already taken it over some pretty knarly backwoods trails here in SE Idaho.  I would feel comfortable hauling it anywhere I would take my TV (02 Dodge Dakota).  It has a lot of ground clearance, beefy suspension, and full sized tires.  

As for towing on the highway, I lose a couple MPG because it rides higher, the tires drag more, and it simply weighs more than a comparable "on-road" model.  Conversely, the larger tires make it very stable to tow.  I haven't experienced any sway at any point including highway speeds.  I am guessing that the little "frisbee wheels" on a regular pop up cause a bit of towing instability.  I do know that the wheels rotate at fewer RPMs with the big tires, and thus are easier on the bearings.  

I would love to hear back from someone who understands physics on the big vs. small wheels thing.

Just my 2c.  Good luck with finding a pup