Need Recommendations for PopUp Campers

[currin20fan]

I am doing some research on Pop Up Campers.  The family wants to do some camping.  Our biggest hobby is fishing and nascar.  We are looking for a Pop Up Camper with heat & air and hard sides and top.  Is there such a thing and if so, who makes them.  Any assistance/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

[dee106]

I am doing some research on Pop Up Campers. The family wants to do some camping. Our biggest hobby is fishing and nascar. We are looking for a Pop Up Camper with heat & air and hard sides and top. Is there such a thing and if so, who makes them. Any assistance/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

they are called hybrids! or expandables travel trailer, all the companies have them, coleman/ fleetwood, jayco, starcraft, forester/roo,kz, all have nice ones.
 
 i have a starcraft one with a slide out which are great for space.
 
 checkout the hybrid forum

[wavery]

If you are not interested in a high profile vehicle, like the hybrid, you may want to look at these:

http://www.aliner.com/
http://www.chaletrv.com/home.html

There are also Hi-Lo trailers on the market. They are full sized, hard-sided travel trailers that lower to about half hight for towing:
http://www.hilotrailer.com/

There are other hard-sided PUs out there also. I just can't think of them right now. I'm sure someone will come along soon.

[currin20fan]

If you are not interested in a high profile vehicle, like the hybrid, you may want to look at these:

http://www.aliner.com/
http://www.chaletrv.com/home.html

There are also Hi-Lo trailers on the market. They are full sized, hard-sided travel trailers that lower to about half hight for towing:
http://www.hilotrailer.com/

There are other hard-sided PUs out there also. I just can't think of them right now. I'm sure someone will come along soon.

THANKS! I'll check out these websites.  It gives me a place to start!

[wavery]

Palomino makes a "Hard side" camper as well.
http://www.palominorv.com/palomino/site/default.asp?page=product&model=mustangxl

I'm just curious. Why do you want a "hard side" PU?

[currin20fan]

Palomino makes a "Hard side" camper as well.
http://www.palominorv.com/palomino/site/default.asp?page=product&model=mustangxl

I'm just curious. Why do you want a "hard side" PU?

 :eyecrazy:
I thought we would like it better than canvas.

[wavery]

:eyecrazy:
I thought we would like it better than canvas.

You might want to check out all PUs before making your decision. Don't discount the "Canvas sided" PUs until you've explored them.

The fact is, all PUs have canvas bunk ends (except the "A" shaped ones) and that is where most of the canvas is. The sides of the PU are mostly window & door. The windows are plastic and the doors are typically aluminum. Almost all PUs have hard tops for a solid roof over your head.

As far as security goes, if you have canvas bunk ends, it is easy to get into the camper. Although, I don't remember ever hearing of any problem with intruders in PUs (that doesn't mean that there hasn't been some).

I have never owned a "Hard side" PU but my brother did:
http://www.palominorv.com/palomino/site/default.asp?page=product&model=mustangxl
I went camping with him a few times. My experience was that it was a hassle to set up and the trailer was heavier than mine. Also, the windows were quite small.

The feeling in my Coleman canvas side trailer is much more open. I like that, you may not. The Aliners and Chalets are all hard sided but they appear to be a lot smaller than the traditional PU. If you are only 2 people, they may be fine. We tend to bring kids along sometimes and I feel that they may get a bit cramped. Although, I have never actually been in one.

Good luck in your search .

[fritz_monroe]

Just to add another hard sided trailer to the mix, TrailManor makes a hard sided camper that folds down to a low profile trailer.

As has already been pointed out, you should take a look at everything that's available.  We were looking at all different kinds of campers before we got our Fleetwood Bayside.

But before you seriously start looking, you need to determine what you can actually tow.  That doesn't mean what the car manufacturer says you can tow, but what you can tow in a real world situation, loaded with the family and all your camping gear.

Good luck in your search.