I bought a new Jayco 1206 pop-up last year. I love this thing. It has the slide-out dinette which makes for a lot more room. I also have the hard-wall shower and toilet. I suppose that if you're going to use it in a campground with facilities then the shower/toilet are pretty much useless. I use mine for hunting camp, though, and that indoor shower is freakin' awesome! Especially in colder weather. Mine does have a gray water tank. I can do without the cassette toilet because there are easier options in the woods. :D As far as setting it up goes, once it's level (which you have to do with any camper) I can have it completely set up in 15-20 minutes and that includes the shower and awning. Of course, the new key-fob remotes for raising and lowering them speed it up quite a bit. I'll admit that a regular camper would have benefits, but the ease of transport and storage make it better suited for me personally.
I also would recommend a small travel trailer over a pop-up. Like others have said, you have to take everything out of them and its a lot more work to go camping with a pop-up. Camping is one of those things that you will not do much of if it turns into work. Keep it simple and get a decent used TT. AC and bathroom is really a nice luxury to have. Especially with kids during the middle of the night. Good luck!
Thanks, guys. I will be sure not to show this thread to the wife. No reasons to get her wanting a bigger camper:D The allure of the pop-up is the small space it takes up for storage, and the entry level cost. We're also starting to save for land or a second home (this one is/was supposed to be a starter home), so while we have the money to spend, we want to do this conservatively. It sounds like the newer ones (i.e. remote activated) make setup easier, but then the costs outweigh a used tow behind. I haven't even priced those yet.
I'm sure she already knows bigger is better but she has learned to deal with smaller:D Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
My parents had a pop up when I was younger and we only had it one season before they upgraded to a travel trailer. They ended up only spending a little bit more when they traded it in and have been using that camper for almost 10 years now. I'd suggest skipping the pop up stage if you'll camp often as have the vehicle capable of pulling it Sent from iPhone
Beware of the hybrid pop-ups. I have one. 4 other people I work with have them, all different makes. They all leak water. Look at the design of the front end. Very hard to keep water out over time. All 5 of us have rotten floors. Its very common. I will never get one again. They leak when they are closed up, not when being used.
I'm in the 'get a hard side trailer' camp. I had little use for the AC but I liked having a bathroom and shower. I had a 30' Jayco so it had what was almost a real bathroom. I used it for mostly for deer camp where there were no other facilities available. I've stayed in pop-ups and they're not bad... but I don't usually camp just for camping's sake... so any flat surface to sleep on was acceptable. I dislike that older pop ups smell like mold. It's the canvas... it just can't help it. If you wanted to buy a used camper, Utah is the place to go. (go look at www.KSL.com classifieds!) I think every other person must own a camper/trailer of some sort. Mostly fifth wheels. Every weekend, the parade of trucks pulling campers with another trailer full of atvs, jetskis or a boat behind that it amazing. This is not just The Land of The Sun... but The Land of The Toys too. My next trailer might be a Jumping Jack. Seems like it would be good for some hunting/trapping excursions where I'd need an atv. I just need to get an atv. And a dirtbike. And a horse. And another job. :D
I only have a Tacoma with the 4.0 and a 4Runner also with the 4.0. My Tacoma has the towing package with the transmission cooler, larger alternator, etc, and has a tow rating (in theory) of 6500lbs, but I would never tow that much that often. The 4rRunner is even less at 4700lbs. I'm NOT buying anything new to tow this with, lol:D
http://www.rvbg.com/Articles/Default.aspx?id=1970173 Tt come less than 4000 lbs You can get a nice used one at a real reasonable price. If you need help I'll bring my Chevy over to haul your truck and camper
My camper is around 10,400 lbs. Its older and heavier than the new ones. :what: My chevy, even though it's rated at around 9000 lbs has no issues with power, but the suspension does get a little soft. Weight distribution hitch helps with that. I do have a chip coming that will add around 30 hp and 30 ft lb torque as well as give me better mpg. If I decide to do any traveling with it, I will need to stuffeb the suspension. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
Good to know. Like I said. Complete newb when it comes to RVs. No help needed, though. I like my odds:D
Here you go. My truck is gas. http://www.gfchips.com/chevroletsilveradoc1500.aspx Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I317 using Tapatalk 2
