best pop up brands

[TBee]

I'm looking to buy a small, basic pop-up but can't find unbiased ratings such as Consumer Reports.  I rented a Palamino last week and found it very poor in quality.   I'v been told StarCraft is one of the better brands.  Looking for people with practical experience, not a "slick Willy" salesman.

[AustinBoston]

You didn't tell us what model of Palomino, and you didn't tell us what you mean by "poor quality."  But generally, I'd have to say if you think the Palomino line is poor quality, then you'd better stay away from pop-ups altogether.

Pop-ups are built to be light weight (even though today's pop-ups are a lot heavier than 25 years ago).  They are packed with features (even though the manufacturers are trying to keep the price down).  And they have to be durable enough to bounce down the deteriorating highways of the USA.  For this reason, they are all sort of "slapped together."  Most of us are quite happy with our pop-ups.

The prevailing wisdom here is find a dealer you like, and choose from that brand of pop-up.  While the quality does vary, all manufacturers stand by their product and (at least during the warranty period) will make it right.  It's the dealer that you will have to deal with to get this done.

But if you don't like the Palomino's quality, I doubt you'll like anybody else either.

Austin

[garym053]

What AB said!

Also keep in mind that quality sometimes varies from Pop-up to Pop-up even within the same Mfg and Model! The old saying about never buying a car amde on a Monday, etc.

I just bought a new 2006 Starcraft 2404, after my 1999 Jayco Qwest 10 was rear ended and totaled. I posted a comparison of the two in the Product reviews. And while the review may sound a little harshly critical of the Starcraft. We really do prefer it over the Jayco. More Room, more modern, bigger tires, EZ Lube Bearings, etc.

I'd suggest renting a few different brands and models to see what your opinion is of them before spending the money. Like AB said, our first concern was finding a dealer and a salesperson that we liked and trusted, then finding a floor plan that we liked, after that Brand, Price, etc followed.
Good luck!

[fiveaday1975]

For what it's worth, my wife and i are new to popups, bought a Starcraft 2601 and are very pleased with it. Camped a number times this summer and found that it very satisfacotrily met our needs. Good luck.

[CampDirt]

Don't forget RV shows in your area.  It's well worth the entrance fee to walk through, sit in, try out, touch all kinds of RV's, including pop-ups.  The dealers and manufacturers are there to answer questions, from floor plans to technical stuff.  Make sure you know what your vehicle can tow (weight).  Once you get a bagful of info from the manufacturers at the RV shows, as everyone has said, find a good dealer who's knowledgable and friendly.  Show him what you liked and didn't like.  Take your time, eventually the right one will come along.

[Dog]

everyone here gave you good advice,first go to a dealer,if the dealer want to run a credit check on you first(like one I went to in CT)go to another dealer,you will not get good service there,,,all pop-ups you look at make sure you open-close and open them a few times to see what ones your comfortable with,may seem like alot of work but well worth it,remember you'll git stuck packin down in the rain,I have 5 times this year,I'm hopin this weekend it doesn't rain on us,or snow,,,,,,,good luck

[shellcjt]

I am suprised at how thin the wood/panels that are used now in the pop up.  Maybe that is what makes it so light weight and easy for me to pull around by hand.
I just sold my 1992 Coleman American Grandview and purchased something smaller and easier for me too handle.  I got the Fleetwood Taos.  I really like it anyway despite the thinner wood that was used.  I also noticed the bunk bed padding is thinner than my old coleman.
Hopefully it holds up just as well - we'll see.
Good luck on finding a camper.

Shelly
:morning:

[shellcjt]

everyone here gave you good advice,first go to a dealer,if the dealer want to run a credit check on you first(like one I went to in CT)go to another dealer,you will not get good service there,,,all pop-ups you look at make sure you open-close and open them a few times to see what ones your comfortable with,may seem like alot of work but well worth it,remember you'll git stuck packin down in the rain,I have 5 times this year,I'm hopin this weekend it doesn't rain on us,or snow,,,,,,,good luck

Hey I just had to reply to this:
I bought a tarp to cover my whole camper, even with the bunk ends out.  I put that thing over my camper if I think it's gonna be a drop of rain.  I park my camper (my campground timeshare membership place) a hour away from where I actually live so I never never want to put my pop-up away wet or damp and my canvas is in awesome shape NO mold or damage of any kind - my other camper 1992 coleman grandview
Just an idea - in case you get tired of packing it away wet....tarps dry in 10 - 15 minutes.