Greetings from a newbie

[AZsix]

I am new to PUP camping and to this forum. After reading through this forum this morning I have already learned a lot and can tell that this forum is going to be very helpful and informative.

A little background. We live in the east valley of Phoenix, AZ, we have four children 10. 8 yr old twins and 5. We recently purchased a 88 Coleman Plantation. We got an absolute steal on it. (Family member of a friend that is overseas and will be for a few years) It has a shower, toilet, stove with oven and only two trips on a new canvas, new tires, new wheels, new axle and new water pump. I did have to do a couple of minor cosmetic things to do but other than that she was ready to go.

I am taking our three boys camping this Saturday to Black Canyon City KOA just north of Phoenix just to break it in before the whole family goes for three nights in Oct to Tucson and Wilcox, AZ.

We had planned on buying a TT in the spring but my wife kept trying to push a PUP on me. I told her that it had to have a toilet so when this came along with a toliet and a shower I had to jump at it especially after hearing the price. My initial thought was keep this a couple of years and then get a hardside but after reading some of the posts on here I wouldn't be surprised to see me stay in a PUP. I can see the advantages of being a little closer to nature with the PUP. Open the curtains and you have a 360 degree view of it. My only concern is that there will be enough room for all of us as the kids get older. For now we plan on just enjoying ourselves with our new PUP.  

I know I will be reading this forum often. It is clear that I can benefit greatly from the experiences (both good and bad) of others.

[GrizzlyTaco]

Welcome aboard AZsix!! Sounds like you got a nice PU there, what size box is it, 8, 10, 12 ft.?  I hope you'll post some pics, everyone here loves checking out New pics. You'll learn alot from this site and the people are very friendly!! Happy Camping.........Ed C. :sombraro:

[AZsix]

Welcome aboard AZsix!! Sounds like you got a nice PU there, what size box is it, 8, 10, 12 ft.?  I hope you'll post some pics, everyone here loves checking out New pics. You'll learn alot from this site and the people are very friendly!! Happy Camping.........Ed C. :sombraro:

It's a 12 ft box. I am 17' 5 1/4" from tongue to rear closed, 28 something open. I will be taking pictures this weekend.

It seems as though people are extremely friendly and helpful on here. I have plenty of questions already and I'm sure I will have more the more we get out in it.

Gary P

[munchkin]

Welcome!

[BuddyBear]

Welcome to PUT and
Congrats on your NTU Plantation, sounds like you
got one heck of a deal on it.  
Great to see another Zonie joining the group and
getting out and enjoying all the wonders this great state
has to offer in a Pop Up with the family.
Your children will love it.. :cool:
Have fun with your new rig.
BB

[maromeo]

Welcome from another Arizonian. Enjoy your maiden voyage this Saturday.  At least you should have some cooler temps by then. Do you have A/C?

Be sure to stop by Rock Springs Cafe and pick up a pie for your weekend. There is plenty of parking on site for your vehicle and PU. They are the best.

http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.htm

Keep us posted on your adventures.

Mary Romeo

[austinado16]

Welcome to the forum and to PUP ownership.  Just grabbed my first ever PUP in Feb. and we love it.

I've got 3 words for you.......Solar Bunk Covers!!!!

Head over to the "Mr. Fixit" forum and look at the thread, "Solar bunk covers out of casualty blankets" for a way to make them on the cheap.  You'll be very glad you did!

Have fun on the maiden voyage, sounds like a nice big PUP!

[harleywolf]

Welcome to the boards!

Funny you mention the 360 degree views and being close to nature. It

[OC Campers]

Welcome AZsix.  We ahave owned our pup for 6 years and still enjoy it a lot.  We have 3 growing kids (6, 12 and 16) and 2 dogs in our pup.  I know what you mean about space issues.  Cassette pottie was a definate must for us too when we bought our popup.  The only think I wish we had was a/c.  
 
One thing we do now for space now that the kids are older is pitch a tent for the older 2 kids.  Makes the camper a lot neater plus we can throw all the duffle bags on the other bunk where my 6 year old sleeps.  Sometimes my 16 year old will just sleep in the bed of the truck.  She thinks that is really cool.
 
Jacqui

[AZsix]

Welcome from another Arizonian. Enjoy your maiden voyage this Saturday.  At least you should have some cooler temps by then. Do you have A/C?

Be sure to stop by Rock Springs Cafe and pick up a pie for your weekend. There is plenty of parking on site for your vehicle and PU. They are the best.

http://www.rockspringscafe.com/pies.htm

Keep us posted on your adventures.

Mary Romeo

We don't have A/C. Three of our neighbors have toy haulers and because they go to the mountains in the summer they say they never use theirs. One said in all the years he has had toy haulers he thinks he may have used the A/C three times. We don't plan on camping where it's hot so I am not too worried about it for now. We can always get it installed if it becomes a problem. I checked the weather for Black Canyon City and the lows were in the upper 50's. My only worry now is that storm (soon to be hurricane) coming our of Mexico that may give us rain. We'll make the best of it whatever happens.

Thanks to all for the welcome. I am glad I found this forum. It's nice to get "tricks of the trade" from those that have and enjoy their PUP's.

[vjm1639]

Welcome! There's nothing more exciting than that first trip out in the new PU!   Hope you enjoy everyone and all the info here as much as we have!  It's a great group.