Pop-up first timer

[fritz_monroe]

My wife and I are looking at getting a pop-up.  We were looking at the hybrids, but to get the space that we would like, it would be a bit too much for our tow vehicle.  So we are back to our original idea, the good old pop-up.  We are towing with a Jeep Liberty with a 3.7 V-6 and a 5000 lb towing capacity.  So, it looks like we can handle most any of the pop-ups out there.

We will have our 70 lb. mutt, a 7 year old and a 2 year old.  We are interested in the pop ups that have a good amount of floor space, want to make sure that we have enough play room in case we get rained in.  We like the slide out models, but they tend to have a fairly low cargo capacity, I would think this would make us carry everything in the Jeep, right?  With the 26 gallons of water they carry, that's about 220 pounds, and some of these have little over that for cargo.  We need to have a toilet, but after reading a little, seems like a portable potty would be more versitile and easier to dump.  We don't really need a shower in it, but an outdoor shower would be nice to hose down the kids if they get muddy.  We probably won't be camping when it's real cold, but the furnace might be nice to crack the chilly mornings.  I don't know about the air conditioner, is it better to get that installed, or can I install it at some later date if I find I need it?

I've also seen several people mention the dealer's service.  Pop-ups seem to be pretty solid and I wouldn't think there would be all that much that can go bad on them.  What kinds of problems could I run into with these?

Also, is there a listing of the types of stuff a new pop up owner definately has to have before camping for the first time?

Thanks in advance

F_M

[Azusateach]

Welcome!

You'll find lots of opinions and support here.  Most everyone loves their own PU, so a lot of what you decide on depends on your needs.  

You didn't say where you live -- telling us that might give you some info. on dealers in your area.  The way I decided on what I wanted was to attend a large show with lots of different PUs in one place.  That way I could go back & forth between the trailers and compare features.  

One other thing you might want to do is go to a dealer, find someone who's waiting for their trailer, and ask them how they feel about the service department.  Usually someone who's got their trailer in for service will be honest.    

Something I've heard others say that's a good idea is to get everything you want in your trailer -- don't settle for less because most of the time you'll regret it.  I hunted & hunted until I found the right sized trailer with the toilet/shower combo and weight and ... everything that made me happy.

Enjoy the search -- that will make the find that much more enjoyable!

Laura

[wavery]

My wife and I are looking at getting a pop-up.  

I don't know about the air conditioner, is it better to get that installed, or can I install it at some later date if I find I need it?

Thanks in advance

F_M

Air Conditioners are a breeze to install later.  All it takes is a little ingenuity

 Check this one out :p


 

[fritz_monroe]

We are located in Baltimore, MD.  Several dealers in the area, and the RV show coming up in a couple weeks.  We have been looking at RVs for about 10 years, but only serious about buying this year.  I lean towards the mindset of getting everything that we want, but my wife is more along the lines of getting what we know we need.  She's the one that asked me if I thought we needed air conditioning, I just assumed that we'd get it.  She did insist that we not look at anything that doesn't have a furnace.

Speaking of a furnace, I understand they run propane and electric.  I saw people talking about the need for an extra battery, should I get one?  Is there a link that I can get more information about the batteries?

F_M

[Fuzzymike]

. Speaking of a furnace, I understand they run propane and electric.  I saw people talking about the need for an extra battery, should I get one?  Is there a link that I can get more information about the batteries?
F_M

You can use your battery to run your furnace for short periods.  They will drain the battery quite fast if left on for extended periods of time.  I have people putting it on the lowest setting at nightt and getting a couple nites out of the battery.  Some use a dual battery set-up for weekend dry camping.

With the 26 gallons of water they carry, that's about 220 pounds, and some of these have little over that for cargo.  We probably won't be camping when it's real cold, but the furnace might be nice to crack the chilly mornings.  I don't know about the air conditioner, is it better to get that installed, or can I install it at some later date if I find I need it? F_M

[/COLOR]I would recomend filling up your fresh water tank at the park.  No need to carry the extra weight and extra wear and tear on the traler.  The more lbs. the lower you mpg's.

[fritz_monroe]

[/COLOR]I would recomend filling up your fresh water tank at the park.  No need to carry the extra weight and extra wear and tear on the traler.  The more lbs. the lower you mpg's.

Speaking of this, do most people load the trailer up with their clothes, food, coolers, etc for the trip?  Why I'm asking is I'm working on getting the back of the Jeep set up for the dog.  Maybe a platform that allows her to stay back there and still have a little room for some stuff.

Any laws about popping the tent up at rest areas to get at needed supplies?  And a transmission cooler, is this a do it yourself thing or best left to a pro?

F_M

[ForestCreature]

Is there a link that I can get more information about the batteries?
 
 F_M

This is one of the best 12v links out there http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
 Getting a 2nd battery would depend on what type of camping you plan on. Dry camping for 2 nights, a 2nd battery isn't really necessary unless you are running the furnace and have no other means of recharging. They are handy to have on longer trips if you have no generator or solar to recharge.

[fritz_monroe]

This is one of the best 12v links out there http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm
 Getting a 2nd battery would depend on what type of camping you plan on. Dry camping for 2 nights, a 2nd battery isn't really necessary unless you are running the furnace and have no other means of recharging. They are handy to have on longer trips if you have no generator or solar to recharge.

I couldn't get to that link.  Fails for me.  Anyone able to get there?

F_M

[ForestCreature]

I couldn't get to that link.  Fails for me.  Anyone able to get there?
 
 F_M

It works for me, try a copy and paste into the address bar if this one dosen't work
 
 http://bart.ccis.com/home/mnemeth/12volt/12volt.htm

[wavery]

Speaking of this, do most people load the trailer up with their clothes, food, coolers, etc for the trip?  Why I'm asking is I'm working on getting the back of the Jeep set up for the dog.  Maybe a platform that allows her to stay back there and still have a little room for some stuff.

Any laws about popping the tent up at rest areas to get at needed supplies?  And a transmission cooler, is this a do it yourself thing or best left to a pro?

F_M

With your vehicle, it would probably be best to carry as much as you can in the vehicle. I've never heard of or can't imagine any laws against popping up in a rest area. I just think that would grow old real quick.

You don't have to mount your 2nd battery (if you choose to get one). You can get very nice plastic carrying cases for them at Walmart for under $10. Just make sure that you put it somewhere where it won't tip over or become a projectile in an accident. The back seat floor seems to work well.

Transmission coolers are relatively easy to install (depending on mechanical ability). Just make sure that you have room to put it in front of your radiator. There are lots of websites with handy tips. As I look at them, most make it seem more complicated then it really is. Of course, every vehicle is different.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=installing+transmission+cooler&btnG=Google+Search

One thing that I always suggest when installing a trans cooler is to change your trans fluid and filter after the installation (if you have more than 25K miles on your vehicle). I don't know the year of your Jeep. It probably has a Mopar transmission. If it does, I highly recommend using ATF4 type trans fluid. If it is a pre 1999, you should have them drain out ALL of the old fluid (this sometimes takes three drains or a flush) and install all new ATF4. If it is a 1999 or newer you may already have ATF4. In that case, you could just get away with topping up the trans fluid if you have less than 50K. However, get the fluid & filter changed at 50K.

ATF4 is a synthetic fluid. It is supposedly good for the life of the vehicle. I don't buy that, especially when towing. It has far superior cooling properties than oil based fluids but it still gets contaminated.

For people that can't use the synthetic trans fluid (which I highly recommend), make sure that you change your fluid every 25K, especially if you do any towing.

[fritz_monroe]

With your vehicle, it would probably be best to carry as much as you can in the vehicle.

I don't know the year of your Jeep. It probably has a Mopar transmission. If it does, I highly recommend using ATF4 type trans fluid.However, get the fluid & filter changed at 50K.

Why do you recommend most stuff in my TV?

It's a 2005 Jeep Liberty with 6,000 miles.  I do know it's synthetic fluid.

F_M

[Hargus]

Welcome to the PU world. There is some great advise here about batteries, dry camping and such. I just wanted to add that you can also go to a campground that has hook ups. I live in the Northeast (Massachusetts) I usually camp in NH or Maine. We traditionally try to avoid full hookups, that would include a sewer hookup and sometimes cable or whatever else is available at that campground. I avoid these because you can end up camping around seasonals or the large RVs, not that I have anything against them. I prefer to camp around people with similar equipment. But I know of some campgrounds that have some nice water & electric sites that are wooded and have activities for the kids as well as a pool and other activities.
 My thoughts on air conditioning from a person living in the Northeast is that it is not needed. Again that is because of where I live. My DW might not agree with me, but there are not that many days in this area that I can see the need for it. You might have a couple of weeks in July maybe August but that's about it. A good fan can help. You might get a little more heat than I do. But you can judge that for yourself.
Good luck.

[wavery]

Why do you recommend most stuff in my TV?

It's a 2005 Jeep Liberty with 6,000 miles.  I do know it's synthetic fluid.

F_M

Mainly, just to stay within the weight limits of the trailer. I seem to hear a certain amount of stories about bent axles and uneven tire wear on these trailers. They are very lightly built and the tolerances appear to be very close.

Having said that, I put most of the weight in my PU because I tow with a 2000 Chrysler Concord. It actually handles the (2700#) trailer extremely well but I don't want to overwhelm the rear weight on the car and have issues with bottoming out. I haven't yet and don't want to.

In your case, you should be able to handle more weight in the vehicle then in the trailer. Just an opinion .

[ForestCreature]

I live in the Northeast
 My thoughts on air conditioning from a person living in the Northeast is that it is not needed. Again that is because of where I live. My DW might not agree with me, but there are not that many days in this area that I can see the need for it. You might have a couple of weeks in July maybe August but that's about it. A good fan can help. You might get a little more heat than I do. But you can judge that for yourself.
 Good luck.

I was the one who did not want the AC in the camper. DH won that one, he wanted it, we got the AC. My thought was that most of our camping is in Northern MI, the real hot days aren't that many.
 
 Now my thoughts are, I'm glad we have the AC. It's been used on quite a few out of state trips, and some hot weekends here in MI. If you plan on traveling south or out west the AC is VERY nice to have. It made a big difference for a good nights sleep when we camped in hot/muggy TN,PA and a hot week in Hocking Hills OH. Plus it adds to resale value and can make selling easier when you are ready to move up.

[wavery]

Why do you recommend most stuff in my TV?

It's a 2005 Jeep Liberty with 6,000 miles.  I do know it's synthetic fluid.

F_M

In your case, I would recommend that you have the Jeep dealer install the trans cooler (if you need one at all). I wouldn't want to risk your warranty by giving them an excuse to deny an engine, cooling system or transmission claim.

Don't get me wrong, the dealer is not "Out to get you". Having been a Service Manager for a large Los Angeles Chevy dealership, I know how it works. If you have a transmission or any related problem, the technician is required to make a note of any aftermarket or customer installed item on the vehicle (like customer installed trans cooler) that could, in any way, be related to the item that he is working on. The warranty clerk then transfers that note to the factory claim.

If the dealership or factory rep has a higher than average warranty claim dollar amount, this will surely trigger a warranty audit. NO Service Manager wants a warranty audit because they are a major disruption in his business not to mention, his life. Therefore, they are quick to deny any warranty claim that could possibly be caused by "Customer neglect", in an effort to keep his warranty $ amount in line.