Advice please!!!!!!

[mercc350]

I have been trying to find a good used pop-up camper in idaho for the last couple of years. Where I live there dosen't seem to be anything used at all but junk. I have been reading articles on this site for quite awhile and have enjoyed the different postings very much. My question is. Are there any users in my part of the country that have had the same problem? Dealers here are a joke with there prices and craigs list users keep posting popups that don't even exist.

I know this site is based mostly back East just want to know if the same problem is there as well.

[mountainrev]

Western Colorado isn't exactly your part of the country, but not too far.  We too have found purchasing used campers here in the West difficult.  But I'd have to say that our problem hasn't necessarily been a lack of quality used campers, but more of finding what we want at a reasonable price.

So my solution was to comb the Internet (eBay, Craigslist, etc.) for campers in the Midwest, where there seem to be lots more available, and often at much better prices.  I found what I was looking for at a good price 1,000 miles away in Wisconsin.  I wasn't ready to buy a camper from that distance based on digital photos and good faith alone.  Instead, I looked for a camper that was located near where my parents live, so that my dad (who's owned a couple of popups in his life) could check it out and give me the full report.  He did, gave it the thumbs up, and we bought it.  It sat in Wisconsin in a relative's backyard for a couple of months until we could get out there and pick it up.

Sorry for the long post, but I guess my point is, if you don't find anything in your area, don't be afraid to look in other parts of the country.  If you know someone who might be able to inspect one in person and give you a knowledgable evaluation, go for it.  

I've heard of lots of other people who have good experiences by purchasing campers long-distance.  Just follow Ronald Reagan's advice:  "Trust, but verify."

[AustinBoston]

In my area of Minnesota, it seems like there is a pop-up on every block (and three boats and at least one 5th wheel, MH, or TT, and maybe a hybrid, plus three snowmobiles and a couple of ATV's, oh, and a wide variety of bicycles).  But native Minnesotans (I'm a New England transplant) take their play very seriously.  The city I live in (population 14,000) has at least four RV dealers, all sell pop-ups.  Where we lived in Massachusetts, there were two dealers near us, and drawing a circle around those two dealers wouold have enclosed 150,000 people.

If your local dealers are so bad, that would explain why nobody wants to part with a used pop-up; getting a new replacement is painful or expensive.

Austin

[erich0521]

Hi. It does seem a horribly long way to the midwest.  However there are seem to be a good supply of pop ups in Illinois.  I am leary of buying on ebay with just photos, etc.  If you want a good dealer, Fourwinds RV in Maroa IL (Central Illinois, near Decatur) is a dealer that I'd recommend.  They seem to get pop ups that folks are trading in for a TT, etc.  You might need to phone them as good used pop ups tend to sell quickly however.

[mercc350]

Hi. It does seem a horribly long way to the midwest.  However there are seem to be a good supply of pop ups in Illinois.  I am leary of buying on ebay with just photos, etc.  If you want a good dealer, Fourwinds RV in Maroa IL (Central Illinois, near Decatur) is a dealer that I'd recommend.  They seem to get pop ups that folks are trading in for a TT, etc.  You might need to phone them as good used pop ups tend to sell quickly however.

Do they have a web site?

[mercc350]

In my area of Minnesota, it seems like there is a pop-up on every block (and three boats and at least one 5th wheel, MH, or TT, and maybe a hybrid, plus three snowmobiles and a couple of ATV's, oh, and a wide variety of bicycles).  But native Minnesotans (I'm a New England transplant) take their play very seriously.  The city I live in (population 14,000) has at least four RV dealers, all sell pop-ups.  Where we lived in Massachusetts, there were two dealers near us, and drawing a circle around those two dealers wouold have enclosed 150,000 people.

If your local dealers are so bad, that would explain why nobody wants to part with a used pop-up; getting a new replacement is painful or expensive.

Austin

I am thinking of just fixing one up. I have seen quite a few of those here. Could be fun. I just looked at a 1978 Coleman valley forge that had no tenting what so ever but had potential. Would have bought it for $150.00 but unfortunatly was missing amost all the bunk end parts not sure where I could ever find those on such an old coach. Our camping season is approching hopefully half way through it there will be more options.

[Walt H]

I have been trying to find a good used pop-up camper in idaho for the last couple of years. Where I live there dosen't seem to be anything used at all but junk. I have been reading articles on this site for quite awhile and have enjoyed the different postings very much. My question is. Are there any users in my part of the country that have had the same problem? Dealers here are a joke with there prices and craigs list users keep posting popups that don't even exist.

I know this site is based mostly back East just want to know if the same problem is there as well.

Here is Boise, we didn't have any luck either with finding something used, although in our case we wanted something we could use right away. We didn't think about looking far out of our area or looking online, either.

Ultimately, we decided (partly because of my wife's hesitation about getting something without a warranty and partly because of our lack of familiarity and skill with fixing up a used pop-up) to buy a new Jayco 1007. Boy, are we glad we did! We love the layout, and it sure beats a tent when it rains. Good luck with your search wherever it takes you.

Walt

[SpeakEasy]

Is it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.

I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.

When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.

That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.

-Speak

[wavemaker]

If you could take a trip to Ariznoa,
 
there is alot of used tent trailers, her is a place i bought mine...
 
http://www.littledealer.com/specialpages/fleetwoodspec.html
 
Dean
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Is it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.
 
I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.
 
When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.
 
That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.
 
-Speak

[mercc350]

Here is Boise, we didn't have any luck either with finding something used, although in our case we wanted something we could use right away. We didn't think about looking far out of our area or looking online, either.

Ultimately, we decided (partly because of my wife's hesitation about getting something without a warranty and partly because of our lack of familiarity and skill with fixing up a used pop-up) to buy a new Jayco 1007. Boy, are we glad we did! We love the layout, and it sure beats a tent when it rains. Good luck with your search wherever it takes you.

Walt

I thought about just jumping in with a new as well. It's great to see another person from Boise on this site I think your the first one. Did you buy it at 7th Heaven?

[happpybooker1]

I bought used off of Ebay. Mine was 250 miles away -- a day trip for Texans LOL.
 
I searched for one in my general 'area' for about 6 weeks-- daily! When I found one that sounded good/I liked I emailed the person with my phone number & asked them to call me so we could chat. 3 were w/in an hour's drive & I drove out to see them. For one reason or another, they weren't a 'fit' for me.
 
When I found this one (the day it was posted) -- a Rockwood 1940LTD -- I wrote the seller & asked him to either call me or send me his phone number so I could call him on my dime. He sent his number, we talked for about 45 minutes, & at the end of that time I made arrangements to send him a deposit via Paypal so I could go up the next weekend & look at it. It was as exceptional in person as the pictures looked and I bought it right there. Camped out in it the first night & managed about 35 days camping since last May!

[Walt H]

I thought about just jumping in with a new as well. It's great to see another person from Boise on this site I think your the first one. Did you buy it at 7th Heaven?

Sure did. Took it camping several times last summer and noticed a problem with the door frame; it seemed out of alignment. Took it into Seventh Heaven and it turned out someone else had had a similar problem with their Jayco, a problem Seventh Heaven apparently figured out the fix for. They had mine done the same day.

I will say we love the tinted windows on the new Jaycos; we can still enjoy the view without quite as much of the heat in the summer. Seventh Heaven threw in a couple of  the bunk-end fan/light combos (run $60-70 each on the web from what I've seen). They even gave me a recommendation on where to get the hitch installed (said they could do the work as well but it would cost more).

I don't know whether we could have gotten a better deal, but the sales people were polite, friendly, and not too high-pressure. So, we're happy. Plus, we got what we wanted. Good luck!

[mercc350]

Is it possible to buy a used popup in excellent shape? Well, I would say it is "possible" but very difficult. These vehicles are built very minimally. They are designed to be as lightweight as possible. They have a lot of moving parts. They take enormous punishment on the road. And most of them sit unused in severe weather for months out of every year. This is a recipe for severe wear-and-tear.

I bought new, and I bought the highest quality unit I could find at the time. I'm very careful in how I use it. Yet every year there are repairs to be made. Frankly I can't think of anything I own or have owned that requires more care.

When I finally decide to sell mine, someone will get a real gem. But most people are not obsessive about maintanance like I am.

That's why I think buying an excellent used popup is going to be very difficult for you.

-Speak[/QUOT

I am not looking for an excellent popup just one that is worth fixing up and using.
What I have seen so for is either beyond any repair or newer at a very high price that still is not perfect. Thought about buying new but why spend the money on something that will sit 8 months out of the year I can't justify that. I like tent camping and here in Idaho we have plenty of places to go. But just had a baby and tent camping doesn' t work so well any more with him. If I wan't to camp at all for the next 3 or 4 years I will need some kind of RV, I chose a popup for the storage factor.

Thank you for your input on what they really are though I agree. But there is always hope I guess.

[Walt H]

I am not looking for an excellent popup just one that is worth fixing up and using.
What I have seen so for is either beyond any repair or newer at a very high price that still is not perfect. Thought about buying new but why spend the money on something that will sit 8 months out of the year I can't justify that. I like tent camping and here in Idaho we have plenty of places to go. But just had a baby and tent camping doesn' t work so well any more with him. If I wan't to camp at all for the next 3 or 4 years I will need some kind of RV, I chose a popup for the storage factor.

Thank you for your input on what they really are though I agree. But there is always hope I guess.

If it's going to sit eight months out of the year because of your schedule, that's one thing. But if you're thinking you won't be able to use it two-thirds of the time because of the weather, you're mistaken.

We just did a weekend in Hells Canyon and hope to camp a lot between now and perhaps the end of October, anyway, and maybe into November. You'd be amazed how well a little heater can warm up a PU, and those off-season times might be the perfect time to visit places that would be too hot during the summer (Bruneau Dunes and Craters of the Moon come to mind).

Having said all that, I think the key for you will be patience and flexibility. If you can hold out, you'll likely be able to find what you want. (I'm occasionally a bit of an optimist.) We had a miserable tent camping experience last Memorial Day weekend, so our patience was very limited. In addition, we're both getting older and a little less flexible physically.

Ultimately, we decided if we didn't buy very soon, we'd give up on camping altogether. So we decided to take the plunge and buy new. Despite the cost, we've had no regrets, and it has made camping enjoyable again, even for our autistic son, who likes having a table to draw at and a bed/space of his own.

[jakelaw]

mercc350, check KSL.com here in Salt Lake.   There are several listed all of the time, and many right now.  Just click the classifieds link and do a search for tent trailer, folding camper, pop up camper, folding trailer, etc.  There are 106 adds right now if you type in tent trailer.  We have been looking casually for a used upgrade, and have looked at a few over the last couple of weeks.  Condition has been varied, as well as "quality" of owners.  we have not found what we want, not because there ave been no choices, but because we are being pretty precise about what we want especially since we like what we have right now, and want to pay cash for whatever we buy.  Good luck, and I hope you can find what you are looking for, as Puping is great.