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Newbie, Help Please....Please??

Started by CamperD, Feb 27, 2006, 09:00 AM

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CamperD

For the past year or so I've been on here occasionally just reading but today I had to join because we're looking at Pop-ups this spring!

Every time I think I've made up my mind on a brand or some such I question the choice so I'm hoping to get some feedback on what our requirements/hopes are and see what those with experience think...

Okay first off, we're going to try to tow with our Pacifica the manufacture recommeded capicity for towing is 3500#. (is this a crazy idea or will we be able to tow with it?)

I'd like to be able to take my daughter off and about this summer without the spouse (job involves lots of travel) and have never towed ANYTHING. Ever. So I'll need advice there....

In that vein I won't have the manpower to open/set up the camper, it could often just be me and the baby.

I'm in the Northeast, rain is frequent during the summer as is lots of humidity. I was thinking an airconditioner might be a good idea.

I grew up camping in a 36ft holiday rambler and got introduced to tent camping as a poor college student....

Now that I'm a new mom myself I want to take my daughter camping from the start and can't afford a giant RV (nor would I want the upkeep, scare of driving it, or that enclosed feeling) and would like to upgrade from my tent with the baby.

Does any body have any thoughts?

Thanks!!!!

Dora

SpeakEasy

Hey, Dora! Welcome! You've come to the right place (one of the right places, anyway.)

A vehicle with a towing capacity of 3500 lb would be considered adequate for many, many popups. There are popups out there that would be too heavy for it, but as long as you know your limits you should be fine. Just don't let a fast-talking salesperson tell you that you can tow "anything." Look through the posts here about towing and you'll see plenty of guidelines.

As far as setting it up yourself, it sure is do-able. The first couple of times it will take a long time, and you may have to go through a learning-curve. But after a while it will be second nature. Go for it!

Towing is another thing you just have to learn. The best thing to do is to find a friend who knows how and have them help you learn. The hardest thing is backing up with the trailer, and you can learn to do that in a big empty parking lot with orange cones or some such thing. The other big thing about towing is to make your turns wider than you would without a trailer because the trailer will cut the turns closer to the curb than your tow vehicle will. With the proper equipment, towing is nothing to be afraid of.

You are in for an exciting new aspect of camping life! Enjoy!

abbear

Hello Dora, and welcome.

The first thing you need to do is go out to the car and get you owners manual and read and understand what it says about towing a trailer.  Does it want a weight distribution hitch?  Do you need a factory tow package to pull 3500 lbs?  

Let's understand what your tow vehicle can and can't do.  If in reading the manual there are terms you don't understand this is the place to ask about them.  We want you and your daughter to be safe and KNOW you are safe and not just because some guy at a website (me) told you you would be.

And if you don't have a factory tow package and need one - that's usually pretty easy to do as an aftermarket thing.  A lot of us have done it, and many of us own or have owned Chrysler products.

So off you go to do your homework.  Take care of this and then we can start talking about size, etc.

Kelly

Quote from: abbearSo off you go to do your homework.  Take care of this and then we can start talking about size, etc.

I'll let the boys talk about size ~ they enjoy it so much more!   :D

Welcome to PUT!  Always room for another camper at the fire.

I can address the part about camping alone with children ... it's definitely do-able and you don't have to be She-Ra to set up camp.  I'm a single mom and this will be my third season camping alone with the kids ~ all 4 of them!  Before that I had only towed a couple times and never backed a camper up.  I'm still no pro at backing, but I can get the trailer into a site and back into my driveway.  I just keep practicing.

If you keep it simple setting up and breaking camp doesn't have to be a lot of work.  I can do both (set up and break camp) faster than some of my friends that have TTs (travel trailers).  It just takes some practice and a little planning ahead.

Two other things I try to do when we camp ... one) camp with a group or another family.  Try to find some people in your area who camp and see if you can join them.  It really helps to have other adults around that can help with the kid(s) when you need a break.  Two) camp near home.  If I'm not going with a group I'll go within an hour or so of home.  That way if it just isn't working we can go home.  Our favorite trip is to a campground about 45 minutes from home right next to the Minnesota Zoo.  We get there Wednesday, spend all day Thursday at the Zoo and come home Friday.

You can learn how to tow and back up a PU ~ with some practice.   If you've tent camped you can handle the rest.  

Good luck and keep us posted.

Cincymouse

When I read your post, the first type of pop up camper I thought of that I would recommend for you is a A-frame Hard-sided one.  See this link:  http://www.chaletrv.com/

This type of camper would be great for a small family.  It would be easy for one person to set-up.  And you'd have the confidence of more protection for yourself and your child (Weather protection, Security, etc.)  

This type of A-Frame camper has been out for awihile, so you might be able to find a used one.  There is another manufacter of these A-Frame pop up campers and I bet someone else could help with this if your interested.  

Trailering a pop-up is pretty easy.  

Let us know what you decided to buy!   :p  

Cheryl in Cincinnati

CamperD

Hi...

Oh I am so happy to be getting advice....

Thanks Speakeasy.. I'll make use of a mall parking lot for sure before I try towing it...

abear.... I'll grab the manual out of the car when the baby gets up from her nap and try to figure out the information....

Kelly... that is good/logical advice about distance from home. I haven't tried the campgrounds near to the house before so it could be an adventure. Did you pick your PU based on how easy it would be to get up and down or?

all this information is wonderful...Anybody else that is up to chiming in, please do!

Dora

CamperD

Cheryl... I didn't even know those existed and I've spent so much time on the interent looking at pop ups..... Have you ever been in one?

Dora

Cincymouse

Yep,  I've been in a few of them.  ;)  I've seen them at RV Shows and at a local dealer.  They are very good quality made campers.  There are several people that have one on this site.  I've seen them alot at campgrounds too, and I've always thought they were cool looking!  :D

I found the link to the other manufacter of these type of campers.  Here it is:

http://aliner.com/


If you posted a message asking for input on A-Frame Campers, I know you'd get some replies.  

Cheryl in Cincinnati
2001 Starcraft 2107

Done Working

Hi Doris.
Welcome. How about renting a PU a couple of times. This will give you a great idea with what's involved.

It really gets difficult when alone with kids. I tried this last year. I took two seven year olds and one four year old, all by my lonesome. All I could say is that I would never do that again without help.(during set up)
If I had someone to help setting up it would have been great. I really needed another person to entertain the kids. They didn

ForestCreature

I'll second the Aframe suggestion :D, but only if you don't plan on extending the family any further.  We find it ideal for our needs, yes it's a small camper but we don't camp to be inside. We have an Aliner.
 
 They are easy to tow, fast set up (yes 30 seconds to pop up..it's true!) & break down. Leveling is the same regardless of pop up type. I had never towed before either till the Aliner....it's not as hard as you think. Set up is easily a 1 person job, I take ours out alone every now and then & a few days before DH joins up with me for the weekend.
 
 Have fun in your search.
 
 
 
 

tlhdoc

Welcome to PUT.  I also camp without my DH, he is not a camper.  I started taking my ds camping when he was two, I went on my own.  If your daughter is not up on her feet yet you can put her in a seat or portable playpen while you set up the camper.  If she is walking around have her help you.  I gave DS simple chores like bringing me the stakes for the awning, putting the leveling jacks under the corners of the trailer, etc.  Things I could have done much quicker by myself, but giving him stuff to do kept him busy and made him feel useful and important.  Doing things together is part of why we camp.  I didn't know anything about PUs when I got my first one.  I went to the new camper dealers in my area and looked at features, options, and brands and then went looking for a used PU that had what I wanted at a price that I could afford.  Ask any questions you might have and the people her will be glad to offer advice.  Have fun camping with your daughter.

 
As far as what you can tow, I would recommend a trailer that weighs less than 3000 pounds loaded.  Good luck and let us know what you decide.:)

Kelly

Quote from: CamperDKelly... that is good/logical advice about distance from home. I haven't tried the campgrounds near to the house before so it could be an adventure. Did you pick your PU based on how easy it would be to get up and down or?

The PU I have now is the second one I've owned ~ the ex kept the first.  We had used that one for two camping seasons and I felt pretty comfortable setting it up.  I took a couple trips with just the kids in that PU, too.

I was more concerned with the weight of it and making sure the floorplan was one that would work for my family as they grew (and grew and grew!)  I'm hoping to keep this one til the last kid leaves home!  I got lucky and heard about one that a PUT member was going to be selling ... right in my price range with the features I considered necessary.

brainpause

Welcome to PUT!

All good advice. Boiled down: You can do it.

As a rule of thumb (but still need to check weights and tow vehicle (TV) capability), you can tow most 10' campers (10' being the length of the box). Some of the 12 footers would be pushing it, but it can be done too. You would be better to stay in the 10 foot and smaller range with your TV.

Before you even ask it, I am going to answer a question: Yes, you will like having a porta potty with a little girl. :) She might want to use the bathroom a couple of times during the night. So, if you get a camper without a built-in cassette potty, get a porta potty.

Larry

Azusateach

Quote from: CincymouseWhen I read your post, the first type of pop up camper I thought of that I would recommend for you is a A-frame Hard-sided one.  See this link:  http://www.chaletrv.com/

This type of camper would be great for a small family.  It would be easy for one person to set-up.  And you'd have the confidence of more protection for yourself and your child (Weather protection, Security, etc.)  

This type of A-Frame camper has been out for awihile, so you might be able to find a used one.  There is another manufacter of these A-Frame pop up campers and I bet someone else could help with this if your interested.  
Cheryl in Cincinnati

Amazingly, I went looking at the A-frame type trailers this weekend.  Had to get it out of my system.  I've got a Rockwood 1950 -- 10' box with shower/toilet & AC & really love it.  The downside is travelling alone & popping up while still hooked up to the TV -- can't be done.  So I thought about both A-liners & Chalets.  Have to say they're WAY over-priced for the size.  Guess they figure they can charge an arm & leg because nobody else has them.  A-liners are "lightly" made (if you catch my drift), and I wouldn't pay that much.  Chalets are a bit more substantial, but for the money you can find something much nicer, and much roomier.

The 2006 Rockwoods apparently come with a motorized lift system, which would help with set up.  As a single, I can do everything myself, and thoroughly enjoy it.  I camp with a group & love it.  Spend the spring looking at all the models you can so you know what's out there.  Stay well under your TV's weight, just to be safe, and you'll still have plenty of options.  Enjoy the process, and keep us posted.  :)

forestwalker

Dw and I like our Chalet.It is easy to set up and tow,and we love the thermal and acoustic insulation.We have found the trailer to be worth more than what we paid for it. Possibly one of these folding trailers would work for you.