What would you do? I know what I would do.

[CajunCamper]

Okay here's the situation. The pop up you have is old and is in need of either replacing it or re-storing it. The RV industry as a whole has moved away from producing folding campers because the market has shrunk and pop ups are just not profitable for them anymore. You want to continue the camping lifestyle that has brought you and your family so much pleasure over the years, but you are now faced with decisions.

What do you do?

Here's what I do. My first choice: I do my best to re-store my existing pop up. My second choice: I look for a used pop up for sale. Third choice: I go back to tent camping.

With all the camping gear I have and all the gear available, I can make myself very comfortable while tent camping.

CajunCamper

[jeezy]

Okay here's the situation. The pop up you have is old and is in need of either replacing it or re-storing it. The RV industry as a whole has moved away from producing folding campers because the market has shrunk and pop ups are just not profitable for them anymore. You want to continue the camping lifestyle that has brought you and your family so much pleasure over the years, but you are now faced with decisions.

What do you do?

Here's what I do. My first choice: I do my best to re-store my existing pop up. My second choice: I look for a used pop up for sale. Third choice: I go back to tent camping.

With all the camping gear I have and all the gear available, I can make myself very comfortable while tent camping.

CajunCamper

At this point, with two small children, constant home improvement projects and a million other things going on, I wouldn't have time for a restoration.  Though under different circumstances that might prove to be a very intriguing option.

I'd have to go with the second option--buying a "new" used one.  

I've done the tent camping thing and really enjoyed it.  I'll still probaby do it now and then as the kids get a little bigger.  But all of those devices and carry-alongs to make tent camping so comforable come so conveniently packed into my popup.

[Shepherd]

If I had the money, I'd buy a brand new unit.  Either last year's model at a great price, or wait till I could get a deal on the '08's.  If I didn't have the money for a new one, but could afford a NTU model in great shape, I'd go that route.  I also don't have time for restoration work (much less the time to teach myself how to do it, then do it.)

The new or NTU unit would give you lots of solid years of camping with out major work needing done, then when the kids are older and you have the time to restore a pop-up, you'd have a more recent model to start work on.  

I think each situation will be different for everyone, making this one of those situations where no answer is off base.

Some would want to restore the existing one because it has those already made memories ingrained in it.

[Old Goat]

I would definitely restore the old popup. I have a big woodworking shop in my back yard where I can do just about anything with wood. I can also do metal work, fiberglassing and spray painting if needed. Restoring a popup would be one of those fun projects for me, and when finished, I would have a much better trailer than I could buy........

[Dee4j]

I'd buy a hybrid  

[austinado16]

Rebuild/restore/refurbish the existing, just like I've done with it already.....and like I do with all the other junk (treasures) that I drag home.  

Option #2 sell it and grab another.

I won't every buy new.  I'd rather let someone else get upside down in depreciation (no offense intended to those who buy new).

[PattieAM]

If I were mechanically inclined, had the tools, money and know-how, I most likely would attempt to restore the unit.

If that weren't an option, I'd consider selling the unit and putting those funds towards the purchase of another popup camper (if any meet my requirements within a decent driving distance).

When I was PUP shopping (former tent camper suffering ill health), there was nothing advertised within 100 miles (used campers), so decided what amenities I had to have and looked at new units and bought new and do not regret it at all.  It was nice having the security of a warranty - not being concerned about something wearing out or needing service.  That first year allowed me to become familiar with my PUP and it's amenities/quirks and any oddities.

[flyfisherman]

Okay here's the situation. The pop up you have is old and is in need of either replacing it or re-storing it. The RV industry as a whole has moved away from producing folding campers because the market has shrunk and pop ups are just not profitable for them anymore. You want to continue the camping lifestyle that has brought you and your family so much pleasure over the years, but you are now faced with decisions.

What do you do?

Here's what I do. My first choice: I do my best to re-store my existing pop up. My second choice: I look for a used pop up for sale. Third choice: I go back to tent camping.

With all the camping gear I have and all the gear available, I can make myself very comfortable while tent camping.

CajunCamper

Well, there's a little trailer manufacturer right down the road aways that makes a small utility trailer, 10' in length and all four sides fold down, I'd get one and  then let the Old Goat do a little customizing for just what I wanted it to do. Would even buy some B.A.L. stabilizers for all four corners, too. Then I'd buy this real canvas tent right here ...

http://www.springbar.com/explore/deluxe_tents/campsite_tent.html


Then when I went out on my little safaris I'd have the option of either setting the tent up on the bed of the trailer or maybe even on the ground. The trailer would also be my pack mule for all the "stuff" I tote with me, plus the carrier of my canoes.

Since I'm speculating here, too, might even consider a  more economical TV, something that would get me into at least the 30 + MPG range.



Fly

[beacher]

CajunCamper,

You have been here since 2003, how much restoration does your existing PopUp need?

Who cares what the RV industry feels about PopUps?  They have been the black sheep of the RV family for a LONG time!

If anyone is really concerned enough not to buy a Fleetwood Popup because of their recent business situation, there are still plenty of other solid alternatives.  A Starcraft or Jayco are still pretty good.

If I was shopping for a new PopUp I'd wouldn't hesitate to negotiate a for a good deal with a Fleetwood dealer, and use this "turmoil" as a bargaining tool!

A used PopUp is always an option, if you don't mind not having a warranty.




.

[McCampers]

Pop ups aren't going anywhere.  I believe they will get bigger as Americans paychecks continue to shrink with inflation.  Fleetwood really only wants to make buses.  I'd still buy a Fleetwood.  Someone will buy that manufacturing facility and make good pups.  Buy new, pay cash, enjoy your camping.

[MotherNature]

I've thought about this already - I love the PUP that we have (a sea pine) EXCEPT for this particular shade of blue used for the window treatments and cushions.  As soon as they wear out, you can be sure that I am going to replace them with a color more to my liking (with the price of fabric these days, replacing them for aesthetics alone isn't an option).

As far as the rest of the camper, we've already decided that the size and anemities are just perfect for us - I can't imagine that we'd buy another one since this already has all that we need and we're both adequate (note that I said 'adequate' and not 'good' ha ha) fixer-uppers!

I don't ever see us buying a used because of DH's allergies (any trace of dog dander triggers uncontrollable athsma and when we looked at used PUP's,  judging by his breathing it seemed like most people must have taken their pets along with them (and why not, I would too!)).

I agree that money talks and it's hard to find something that isn't all tricked out!  We just recently had to buy a tow vehicle and it was very hard to find a dealer in our area who had what we needed without dvd players, leather heated seats, special finish paint, etc.!  I do need to add that our camper dealership was very receptive to our needs/requests and did have an ample selection of 'low-end' popups.

[BootheBunch]

We love our pop-up....but would not have the time, space, patience to restore it if needed.  And, I couldn't do used, I just have a "thang" about certain things being used by others.  If we couldn't buy another pop-up with all my amenities....we would most likely (sorry) buy a hybrid, I suppose.  Thankfully, our pop-up is only four years young....we have a lot more popping up to do as a family.  

Lisa

[boncrab]

I'd buy a hybrid  

Hmmmmmm.... that's what you call what you camp in...  

[ScouterMom]

I have a 'vintage' camper, and I enjoy restoring it almost as much as camping in it - but it isn't an easy road to choose.  Sometimes the restoration is more work and money than is truly practical - but once you invest so much of yourself into the project, it takes on a life of it's own and becomes more than just a piece of camping equipment.  A restored or heavily modded camper is like a Custom Auto, or a work of art - it becomes an expression of the owner's personality.  and some things just aren't remotely practical to 'fix'.  I would LOVE to have two King size beds and maybe a pull-out - but I literally WOULD have to rebuild and re-canvas the whole camper from the frame up!

I like the hybrids, alot - the ability to get in and out, pack it up etc without having to unfold everything, and still have the canvas bunks so I can sleep hearing the crickets and rain around me!  But going with a hybrid, even if I had no financial limits, would also mean getting a more powerful tow vehicle, and I just can't see that ever happening, unless I win the lottery.  

I also don't think we get to use our PUP as often as I'd like, And unless I had ALOT more time to spend camping, I couldn't justify the purchase of the bigger TV and hybrid for the few time we get to use it.

No, I'll be sticking with a pop up for along, long time.  IF I ever do 'trade-up'  it would only be to a slightly newer, but still used, Pop-up.

Laura

[spicyville1]

I would probably try and keep mine and restore it. It is the big Jayco 1406 and has plenty of "running" room for the kiddos. DW would never go for buying new and I KNOW she would not go for a hybrid. I like them but she just cannot see paying any amount of money to store it since we can barely store the Jayco. She even barks about it being where it is. SOOO that being said I will have to keep my good old Jayco. It really is a nice camper even for 12 years old.