The newbie who missed camping (questions)

[zell_chan]

Hi, I'm new to popups and new to the forums, I hope I'm not duplicating an existing thread somewhere.

I used to go camping the entire time when I was growing up, and It's been a while. I reached the conclusion I just had to start again (if anything to get out of the house for the weekend!).

My grandparents drove motorhomes, but I'm not ready to start somthing that involved. For example, last spring we were a hair from buying an enormous 5th wheel when we recalled we dont have a truck. >.>; Oops.

So I'm starting this endavor on my own and I'm starting to shop, run my budget, and look to see what we have around the house. I've come up with some questions.

First question is, can a station wagon with a V8 pull a popup without serious problems? My mom owns the mercury and I drive a toyota echo. I know my car doesnt even acknolege the idea of tying somthing onto the back and dragging it along.

Second question, Is a used pop-up worth the diffrence compared to a new one? I've been looking at both markets and it seems like a used model is consistantly in thr 3-3.5k range and new are about 4k. If I get a used one will I likely be doing 500 dollars in repair?

Third question is, how safe are popups to tow and to camp in? I'd be going with friends, and we'd be a gaggle of 20 year old college girls with a 100lb golden retriver. ^^; Do popups lock like hard-sided campers or do we need to take the golden's brother too?

Oh yeah, foruth question! Are the trailers very physically demaning to get them all set up, hooked up, etc?

I really cant belive how excited I am to be able to camp again. ^_^
Thanks for the help!

[kwatson51]

First question is, can a station wagon with a V8 pull a popup without serious problems? My mom owns the mercury and I drive a toyota echo. I know my car doesnt even acknolege the idea of tying somthing onto the back and dragging it along.

Hi, and welcome!
The Mercury should do fine, depending on the size of the pop-up.

Second question, Is a used pop-up worth the diffrence compared to a new one? I've been looking at both markets and it seems like a used model is consistantly in thr 3-3.5k range and new are about 4k. If I get a used one will I likely be doing 500 dollars in repair?

To me, it looks like you are not comparing apples to apples...Our PUP cost about $11k new and we bought it used (5 yrs old) for $6k. But it's a big PUP. i have spend some $$ on it, but not because I had to. I like doing "mods" on it, and that has ben the bulk of the $$. Take and experienced PUP owner with you if/when you buy. I did.

Third question is, how safe are popups to tow and to camp in? I'd be going with friends, and we'd be a gaggle of 20 year old college girls with a 100lb golden retriver. ^^; Do popups lock like hard-sided campers or do we need to take the golden's brother too?

Bring your puppy's big brother. Pop-ups are not secure at all. The lock on the door is merely a sign for honest folks that you are not there or do not wish to me disturbed. But then most honest folks would not be trying to open the door anyway.

Oh yeah, foruth question! Are the trailers very physically demaning to get them all set up, hooked up, etc?

I am a guy, 6'1" 200 lbs and can set up our large pop-up alone. However, it doesn't really take that much beef to set up...just a little patience. I usually have my wife to help me. A smaller PUP would be easier. The hardest thing is cranking the top up, but it's really not that hard.

We set up this last weekend in the rain, and that tried my patience. But after we were inside, we both agreed that we were very thankful it was not a regular tent! We love our pop-up!

We wish the best for you!

[wavery]

I agree with Kieth on most points.

My wife and I are 60(ish) and my wife (5'4", 120lbs) can set-up by herself so I don't think that should be a concern. There are several woman in PUT that set-up by themselves. There are a few that camp alone. Most PUs are easy and economical to tow with the right tow vehicle.

We paid about 1/3rd of what the original owner paid for our PU, new in 2002. (new $11.K, 3 yrs old $3.5K). There were a few small problems but nothing major. For the most part, the PU was "Like new" as advertised.

If you are going to buy 2nd hand, it's best to wait until Sept-Feb. Take your time and look at lots of PUs without making snap decisions. Take someone with you that is mechanically inclined (if you're not). Ask the seller to have the camper down when you get there and be prepared to set it up and demonstrate everything on it when you arrive. Make sure that you light the furnace. Turn on the fridge on 12v and propane. Plug it in to house power and make sure that all of the 12v items work, including the lights, water heater, furnace and water pump. Then, unplug from house current and make sure that those same items still work (off of the battery). If the seller is not up to demonstrating all that, I'd say, either steer away or offer far less than the seller's advertised price (to make up for possible defects).

My experience has been that when someone upgrades from a PU to another RV, they just want the PU gone (sooner the better). Prices tend to be quite negotiable on these things if you are a serious buyer with cash in hand and a vehicle that is ready to tow it away.

As for security......I'd just say, don't camp alone. There is safety in numbers and bad people don't usually mess with numbers of people or people that are obviously with a number of other campers. If a bad person wants to get at a single female in a camper, it won't make any difference if it is a hard-side or PU. The doors in the hard-side are easy enough to pop open if a bad person wants to get in. In fact, a PU may be even safer in that scenario because it would be harder for someone to keep you in, to harm you. You can simply exit through the bunk-end. Also your screams would be more easily heard in a PU.

[zell_chan]

*takes all this down into her notes*

Cool, glad to hear I'll be able to get it all set up. ^_^

I'll also watch the markets this winter and see if any lucky deals come up!

My parents think I've lost my mind entierly.

....But I caught them in the pantry cheking the boxes of RV supplies and going to state park pages to make sure nothing's changed. They're getting excited too.

They're also trying to talk me up to a travel trailer, but I've made my mind up, a pop-up is exactly what I want and need. ^___^