New to Pop-Ups & Forum

[AZPopper]

Hello All,

As the subject says, I'm new to both pop-up campers and this forum. I live in Gilbert, AZ, a SE suburb of Phoenix, and just bought my first pop-up, an '05 Fleetwood Colonial CP. I just moved to AZ from northern VA last summer and had always tent camped before. However, I wasn't so sure I wanted to be sleeping on the ground in AZ with all the creepy crawlies , plus I wanted something I could keep reasonably packed and ready to go. Anyhow, I dithered for almost a year and finally made the plunge last month.

We (boyfriend, dog - best camping buddy in the world, & I) have taken the camper out for 2 weekend trials so far and I love it. We are going to Houston-Mesa campground in Payson over the Labor Day weekend -- our first drycamping trip.

I'm looking forward to chatting with some locals on here and learning all the good places to go. I can't put a tow vehicle in my signature, unfortunately, as my Grand Cherokee was totalled 2 weeks ago and I'm in the process of deciding what to buy to replace it. Any suggestions??

--Deborah
Gilbert, AZ
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

[tjy355]

Hello Deborah,

Welcome to the forum and welcome to Arizona!

There are a lot of places to camp in this state for sure!!

Good luck with your new vehicle search, I know what I sure would like to have (F250 SD CrewCab 4x4 Diesel... ??!!!  LOL - maybe someday).


Tom

[azmondays]

Hi Deborah,

Welcome to AZ and Popup camping!!!
We just upgraded a couple of months ago from a Taos to the '05 Fleetwood Colonial CP and we love it!  And............my husband and I (and our two dogs)  will also be at Houston-Mesa over Labor Day weekend ---- small world, huh?
 

Darren & Cyndi
Chandler, AZ
 '05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

[AZPopper]

Hello Deborah,
 
Welcome to the forum and welcome to Arizona!
 
There are a lot of places to camp in this state for sure!!
 
Good luck with your new vehicle search, I know what I sure would like to have (F250 SD CrewCab 4x4 Diesel... ??!!! LOL - maybe someday).
 
Tom

Thanks for the welcome, Tom. F250 huh? I love the Ford trucks. However, I think I'll have to settle for something a little less pricey. I'm seriously thinking about just getting another Grand Cherokee. Also considering an Explorer. I'm looking at used (or "previously owned" as they say these days LOL!), anywhere from 1 - 3 yrs old. I'd rather someone else take the first year hit in the wallet. I've been in Alaska for the past week and a half, so can't start looking in person after I get home on Sunday. And, oh yeah, get the insurance check. Details, details....

[AZPopper]

Hi Deborah,
 
Welcome to AZ and Popup camping!!!
We just upgraded a couple of months ago from a Taos to the '05 Fleetwood Colonial CP and we love it! And............my husband and I (and our two dogs) will also be at Houston-Mesa over Labor Day weekend ---- small world, huh?

 
Darren & Cyndi
Chandler, AZ
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

Hi Darren & Cyndi!
 
Wow, it really is a small world! Same camper and same campground at the same time! LOL! I'll be sure to look for another Colonial CP. We'll have my boyfriend's Ford truck as tow vehicle I'm sure, since I *seriously* doubt I can get home (I'm in AK until Sunday), get a check from the insurance company, and find a car before next Friday.
 
As far as the Taos goes, that is actually the camper I went to the dealership to buy. I had decided I would just take it one step up from a tent and see how that went. Well, when I saw the Colonial CP, it was all over, and I just said "that's it." I haven't regretted it for a minute and really like the camper. Do you have any suggestions as far as modifications or storage ideas?

[azmondays]

Hi Darren & Cyndi!
 
Wow, it really is a small world! Same camper and same campground at the same time! LOL! I'll be sure to look for another Colonial CP. We'll have my boyfriend's Ford truck as tow vehicle I'm sure, since I *seriously* doubt I can get home (I'm in AK until Sunday), get a check from the insurance company, and find a car before next Friday.
 
As far as the Taos goes, that is actually the camper I went to the dealership to buy. I had decided I would just take it one step up from a tent and see how that went. Well, when I saw the Colonial CP, it was all over, and I just said "that's it." I haven't regretted it for a minute and really like the camper. Do you have any suggestions as far as modifications or storage ideas?

No mods yet -- except we are looking into adding a shower or privacy curtain around the cassette toilet so I don't have to close ALL the curtains everytime I need to use the "facilities".  The Taos was a great starter pop-up for us, but pretty small and we have no regrets about upgrading to the Colonial as it had everything we wanted -- enough of the extras, etc.

[AZPopper]

No mods yet -- except we are looking into adding a shower or privacy curtain around the cassette toilet so I don't have to close ALL the curtains everytime I need to use the "facilities". The Taos was a great starter pop-up for us, but pretty small and we have no regrets about upgrading to the Colonial as it had everything we wanted -- enough of the extras, etc.

Did you not get a privacy curtain with your camper? I have one that was included in the camper when I bought it that snaps onto the ceiling around the CP. It matches the window curtains. I would suggest you go back to your dealer and tell them you didn't get the curtain. I'm sure it's standard equipment. It certainly is handier than closing all the curtains!
 
This is going to sound weird, I know, but the cassette toilet is my favorite part of the camper. LOL! I had never dealt with a porta-potti of any type before, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to clean and maintain. I was afraid it would be a big gross hassle and figured I probably wouldn't use it except in emergencies, but it's so easy I use it all the time when we're camping. Ahhh, it's the little things in life..... :p

[azmondays]

Did you not get a privacy curtain with your camper? I have one that was included in the camper when I bought it that snaps onto the ceiling around the CP. It matches the window curtains. I would suggest you go back to your dealer and tell them you didn't get the curtain. I'm sure it's standard equipment. It certainly is handier than closing all the curtains!
 
This is going to sound weird, I know, but the cassette toilet is my favorite part of the camper. LOL! I had never dealt with a porta-potti of any type before, and I was so pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to clean and maintain. I was afraid it would be a big gross hassle and figured I probably wouldn't use it except in emergencies, but it's so easy I use it all the time when we're camping. Ahhh, it's the little things in life..... :p

No, we didn't get a privacy curtain!!     Last time we were out, we noticed the snaps on the ceiling and thought it was for a probably for a privacy curtain
-- you can bet I'm calling the dealer tomorrow.  It is such a pain in the **s to close all those curtains.  

And, no, it doesn't sound weird, the cassette toilet is my favorite part too.  WE had a porti-potti in the Taos, but it was kinda hard to take in & out, so it was only used at night, but..................I use my cassette ALL the time too!  

Thanks so much for the info, I plan on calling the dealer tomorrow --- did you get your Colonial from Little Dealer?

Cyndi
Chandler, AZ  :usflag:
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

[AZPopper]

Thanks so much for the info, I plan on calling the dealer tomorrow --- did you get your Colonial from Little Dealer?
 
Cyndi
Chandler, AZ :usflag:
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

Yes, I got mine from Little Dealer. I had been talking to and bugging one of their salesmen, Cordell, since last year when I moved out to AZ. Went out to the dealership, then also saw him at a couple of shows, etc., so when I was ready to buy something, I figured I owed him the business. LOL! Hopefully you won't have a problem getting your privacy curtain. They've been pretty good to deal with so far. The service guy that initially set up and checked out my camper found a *tiny* chip on my stove, and had already ordered a replacement for it before I picked the camper up. It was backordered and I've been out of town a lot, so I haven't had a chance to go get it yet.
 
Did you get a/c on yours? If so, how has it done for you? I've only used mine once, and it didn't seem to cool the camper down like I thought it should. I posted about it in the General forum and have some possible answers (bunk-end covers and voltage fluctuations), but would be interested to know if you're happy with your a/c if you have it.
 
Also, have you camped at Houston-Mesa before? Both times we've taken the camper out we've stayed at Payson Campground & RV Resort (I think that's the name) since it wasn't too far from home, and found Houston-Mesa while driving around town. It looks really nice. We're going to be in the Elk Loop I think? (the RV loop anyway) There were only about 5 reservable spots left when I made the reservations last week.

[maromeo]

Welcome Deborah,

It is great to have you on board. We will have to keep you posted for the next outing. We will have to get one going soon.

Take care.
Mary Romeo

[azmondays]

Did you get a/c on yours? If so, how has it done for you? I've only used mine once, and it didn't seem to cool the camper down like I thought it should. I posted about it in the General forum and have some possible answers (bunk-end covers and voltage fluctuations), but would be interested to know if you're happy with your a/c if you have it.
 
Also, have you camped at Houston-Mesa before? Both times we've taken the camper out we've stayed at Payson Campground & RV Resort (I think that's the name) since it wasn't too far from home, and found Houston-Mesa while driving around town. It looks really nice. We're going to be in the Elk Loop I think? (the RV loop anyway) There wrer only about 5 reservable spots left when I made the reservations last week.

No - we did not get the a/c.  In the summer we mostly camp in the mountains (Mogollan Rim, Flagstaff, etc.) - although we have kicked around the idea of getting an a/c one of these days.  

We have not camped at Houston-Mesa before.  Unfortunately, it looks like we may have to cancel our trip -------we have a family situation and will need to stay home that weekend.  We were so looking forward to that trip (sigh), oh well, another time for sure.

Oh! About the privacy curtain.................when I was telling my husband about it, he said "Oh, THAT's what that was for, I thought it was an "extra" or something."  Can you believe it? We had one all along and I didn't even know it -- I still wouldn't know if it weren't for you!!

Cyndi
Chandler, AZ  :usflag:
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

[AZPopper]

Welcome Deborah,
 
It is great to have you on board. We will have to keep you posted for the next outing. We will have to get one going soon.
 
Take care.
Mary Romeo

Thanks, Mary! I'm looking forward to it!

[AZPopper]

No - we did not get the a/c. In the summer we mostly camp in the mountains (Mogollan Rim, Flagstaff, etc.) - although we have kicked around the idea of getting an a/c one of these days.
 
We have not camped at Houston-Mesa before. Unfortunately, it looks like we may have to cancel our trip -------we have a family situation and will need to stay home that weekend. We were so looking forward to that trip (sigh), oh well, another time for sure.
 
Oh! About the privacy curtain.................when I was telling my husband about it, he said "Oh, THAT's what that was for, I thought it was an "extra" or something." Can you believe it? We had one all along and I didn't even know it -- I still wouldn't know if it weren't for you!!
 
Cyndi
Chandler, AZ :usflag:
'05 Fleetwood Colonial CP

Hi Cyndi,
 
I'm glad you found the privacy curtain. Sure makes life easier. LOL!
 
Sorry to hear you won't be camping next weekend. I've had some second thoughts myself. I really should be car shopping, but I really want to go camping!
 
Do you have any good campgrounds to recommend? I was in the Show Low area a few weeks ago and checked our Hawley Lake campground for future reference and it's beautiful. Definitely on my list.

[azmondays]

Do you have any good campgrounds to recommend? I was in the Show Low area a few weeks ago and checked our Hawley Lake campground for future reference and it's beautiful. Definitely on my list.

The only other place we camped at up there is Canyon Point, which was a nice campground.......we've been up to Flagstaff and actually camped up at the Grand Canyon a few times and a couple of time on the river in Parker at Buckskin State Park (mostly in the fall/winter for Buckskin)  :p.  Most recently, we spent a week at So. Carlsbad in California -- what a beautiful place.  Right on the ocean!!   We're going to definitely try to get reservations for next year.    Another place I want to try is Oak Creek Canyon -- but will need to wait until Fall for that one, I think.  I was really anxious to try out Houston-Mesa, hopefully I'll get to try it out soon.  If you go, let me know what you think of it. :sombraro:

Hope you have a great trip!!

Cyndi
Chandler, AZ  :usflag:
'05 Colonial CP

[azmondays]

Hi Deborah --

Just curious if you ended up going to Houston Mesa and if you did what you thought of the campground?

Hope you had a great labor day weekend!