new here - LOADS of questions

[nunlef]

Hi, I am a prospective pop up owner, and i have way too many questions for anyone I know personally. This site seems to have a lot of people with an abundance of knowledge, so I'm just going to ask them here.
We are a family of 5 (2yo, 4yo, 7yo) plus 1 dog (and one coming this winter - hopefully). We have tent and cabin camped over the last couple of years, and are now ready to spend a little money to get our own rv.
1. we would like to deal with a specific local dealer (brother in law has bought 2 5th wheels there, parents have had diesel pusher serviced there) - but they only sell Coleman. I now believe Coleman makes a good pop up, but, well, I need a second opinion.

2.  My husband wants the Niagara, I want whatever has a slide and cheaper. Is there a real benefit of the high-walled version?

3.  How would one clean a "cassette potti". The niagara has black water storage, and a hose, but I understand the less expensive models just sort of have a bucket you need to dump. Is it very hard for a complete moron?

Thanks so much, I tend to overanalyze - yes- but I can't help it.
Heather

[Hoagie]

Hi Heather, and

Welcome to PUT!!

 I can't answer your specific questions about PUPs cuz we decided to go with a hybrid. But prior to buying our trailer we were looking specifically at high walled PUPs and had narrowed it down to the Niagara and a similar model from Starcraft. The highwalls main advantage in my opinion was you don't need to "flip and fold" the sink and counter. This, again in my opinion, left you with more storage and less hassle.

The Starcraft we looked at did not have a holding tank; the cassette toilet has a removable holding tank that slides out from underneath the bowl. You carry this to the dump station and pour it out. (This was one of the features that convince my DW we needed to go with the hybrid and the built-in holding tanks.)

Anyway, hope this helps. Feel free to ask any and all questions. Everyone here is pretty darn friendly and very helpful.

[4Campers]

Welcome to Pop Up Times.
As far as the high wall, it allows more storage in the cabinets. For the size family you have, sounds like you need it. A porta-potty is easy to dump, and you can actually dump it in the restroom if the dump station is way backed up. But a built in black water tank means waiting in line to dump, but that is an easy job too. You'll have more holding capability with the built in tank. Again with a large family that sounds like a good thing. As much as the whole family won't be in the pup during most of the day, more space is better for night time and rainy days. Plus the family is growing too, so plan for the future with space requirements. One thing is for sure, you will have many good memories and lots of fun.

[tlhdoc]

First I would like to welcome you to PUT and to the world of popup camping.  Ask away.  Remember the only "stupid" question is the question not asked.

1. we would like to deal with a specific local dealer (brother in law has bought 2 5th wheels there, parents have had diesel pusher serviced there) - but they only sell Coleman. I now believe Coleman makes a good pop up, but, well, I need a second opinion.

A new company took ownership of the "Coleman" campers last summer.  The only bad thing I have heard about them is that they are now very, very, slow on shipping parts.  I had to wait about a month for a new dust camp for my axle.  A good dealer is more important than the brand of camper you buy.  Any trailer can have problems, have a good dealer there to fix it is very important.

2.  My husband wants the Niagara, I want whatever has a slide and cheaper. Is there a real benefit of the high-walled version?

The high wall campers have more storage and less to take down, fold over, etc. when poping up and down.  They also tend to have more stuff built into them, oven, microwave, stereo, etc.

3.  How would one clean a "cassette potti". The niagara has black water storage, and a hose, but I understand the less expensive models just sort of have a bucket you need to dump. Is it very hard for a complete moron?

The cassette potti is very easy to clean.  You pull the cassette out of its compartment, take it to the dumpstation, bathroom, pit toilet, or where ever  you are going to dump it.  Unscrew the cap, push the air valve button and pour the contents out.  Rinse once or twice and put it back in the toilet.  I LOVE my cassette.  I like that I don't have to tow the trailer, or drain the black tank into a portable tote and then take that to the dumpstation and dump the portable tote.  If you don't have a built in grey water tank (sink and shower water) you need a container to catch your grey water.  Most people use some type of plastic tote.  You don't have to buy the expensive totes made for grey water.  Many people have converted other containers into grey water totes.

[AustinBoston]

Can I respond with a question - what do you intend to tow with?  This can make a huge difference in what you should buy.

Austin

[Stella]

and where do you intend to store it, keep it.

we have a pop up. with a slide,  two adults, and three kids  20, 17 and 14.
and a little dog too.

we are fine with the pop up. it's set up in 30 minutes and  taken down in 30 as well.  it's not as difficult as it seems.

it's all about what works for you.  not what works for me, or for jane, or for john either.  make a list what your needs are and go from there.

[MotherNature]

Welcome to PUT!

I agree with AustinBoston - see what your TV can handle and take it from there.    Do you feel comfortable maxing out your TV capacity (maybe you intend to replace the vehicle soon?) or do you want to use the TV at a lesser capacity for a longer period of time?

As far as other issues, I can't advise - I still am in the 'honeymoon' period that comes after years sleeping in a tent (even though it's been a few years).  Good luck with whatever you decide!

[PattieAM]

Your tow vehicle's towing capacity will determine the weight of the unit you can safely tow and stop.

The Niagara is a very nice popup with all the amenities and weighs about 4,000 lbs.  (add in the weight of all of your passengers as well as the fur-kids and luggage/equipment).

The high wall models are nice in that they allow for storage in permanent cabinetry, as well as having 'residential height' counters (back saver).

I have an 06 Niagara and love it.  The potty/shower is great, as is the glide out dinette (which gives additional floor space).

[nunlef]

thanks so much for your answers. all the comments have helped my husband and me a lot.

We have a 2008 Buick Enclave with a towing capacity of about 4,500lbs. Although we tend not to keep our vehicles long, I really love this one, and want to have it at least another year. SO, we can rule out all but 2 ultralight TT - and can rule those out based on the 40K+ price tags.

That leaves us with the PUP option. We are "elbow room" kind of people, and the niagara is the biggest one that comes in under/at our towing range.

We have access to a number of storage places, all of our family either 1. has land or 2. owns perm sites at near-ish campgrounds. That won't determine what we need, but I do like the idea of keeping it in the garage. But we can fit anything under 9-10' tall and 26' long, so any pup should work out.

Now, should we go all out with a new one or pay cash for one a few years old, hmmm....

[Tiffany]

I agree with you that Coleman makes a good pop up.  So do Viking, Starcraft, Palomino, and all the other companies.  In my opinion, the only difference between the different companies is the names they give their models.  Most pups have the same kinds of floorplans, features and equipment (swing or rigid galley, inside or outside showers, convertible dinette/beds).

As to buying used or new, my husband and I bought a used pup off Craigslist.  The unit was campsite ready the day we bought it, no major problems like a rotten floor or bad canvas.  Between camping trips we fix up some minor things (new hinges on the cabinets, new sink faucet, stuff like that.)  But we were VERY happy to have saved a few thousand dollars by buying used.

Good luck with your purchase; you'll have loads of quality fun with your family in whatever you buy!