Author Topic: Pop-Up vs Travel Trailer (Read 4627 times)

john keyes · « **on:** February 14, 2010, 06:05:40 AM »

Pop-Up:
easier to tow, back up, etc
takes up less space at your house when not in use
more ventilation during the warm months

Travel trailer:
more room, nicer
warmer? during the cold

downside, they both can leak and get funky inside

help me out here guys, I've had a hard time deciding what to get. I just want to use it to take the wife and kids on a couple trips to the lake and for me hunting.
I don't have a dually pick-up, just a 1/2 ton and not a huge yard to store stuff. There is no way I'm paying a storage lot to keep a travel trailer. I do have room for a pop-up.

nodlenor · « **Reply #1 on:** February 14, 2010, 07:14:18 AM »

The decision will have to be yours. I opted for the pop-up (used). The reason being I don't use it very much and didn't want to invest much money. They both have their advantages and disadvantages so you will have to decide how much you want to invest and how often you will be using it, along with the level of comfort you desire.

3006softpoint · « **Reply #2 on:** February 14, 2010, 07:51:37 AM »

Ok here goes we have had a pop 18 years first a starcraft rear entery 1976 model then in the 90s we bought a jayco popup with queen bed! They can be towed with a compact car on up to a dually pickup! They take less space to store and if you resell they sell fast! Down side everything has to be packed on the floor on your hands and knees! Other wise you have to crank it up to pack it! You should crank them up if you leave the camp ground with the canvas wet! Keeps mold and mildew out! look for mold & mildew if buying used! You want a well taken care of popup camper! Now !Self contained camper easy to load, has a restroom usually on board , cost more for full hook on at most camp sites! usually has A/C,kitchen sink,frig! When looking for campers over 20 feet don't assume a half ton truck is all you need! A Bigger truck is better for pulling and stopping & long travels! They both have +s & draw backs! The wierd thing is we pull a popup with are 3/4 ton truck with a long box! The truck box is usually full of camping supplies from grills to wood to bikes and lawn games ,tarps,swim noodles,ect! If we had self contained the previous items could ride in the camper! But we do like are popup! But have enough truck if we wanted a 30 foot self contained! Good luck! Camping is fun & so is looking for campers! Beware of water damage,mold & mildew,leaky holding tanks non working pumps & someone selling you a camper you can,t pull safely! Dale

spruce · « **Reply #3 on:** February 14, 2010, 03:43:19 PM »

I've owned both and generally prefer a pop-up over a travel trailer.

However, I once tried camping during deer season when the nighttime temps were around zero and daytime highs around 20 degrees in a pop-up and it was not very comfortable. We had to go outside and build a campfire when we wanted to get warm! It was equipped with a furnace, but it wasn't anywhere near sufficient for those kind of temps.

mbopp · « **Reply #4 on:** February 14, 2010, 04:49:35 PM »

Leaking travel trailer? You'd better check the roof caulking.
We had a pop up and now a hybrid. Check out:

http://www.popupexplorer.com/

http://www.hybridexplorer.com/forum/index.php and

http://www.rv.net/forum/

Hours of reading on the pros and cons of each. The driving force on our hybrid was the wife's wish for a bathroom and shower. But you can find pop-ups with a slide, toilet, and shower also.

captdave · « **Reply #5 on:** February 18, 2010, 02:53:47 PM »

A few things I've found over the years.
Pop-up - easy to tow,lots of room when set up, takes little space when folded.
have to fold them down carefully when raining to keep things dry.
Trailer - can get a few hours sleep in a rest area or truck stop if needed,
easier to break camp in the rain, bigger to tow in most cases.
That being said we went back to a tent , until retirement, lol

Oldshooter · « **Reply #6 on:** February 18, 2010, 03:17:34 PM »

Can't remember the name of it but there is one make that is the best of both worlds. It travels like a pop up, but you hit a button when you stop and it raises into a full head room trailer. looks like half of a camper on the road, with midget door.

Dee · « **Reply #7 on:** February 18, 2010, 03:41:31 PM »

I've had cab-over campers, bumper hitch travel trailers, 5th wheel travel trailers, pop-up campers, tents, and have a tent, a tarp, and a cot, that when opens has a mini-tent that folds out at the same time. I liked the cab-over camper on my special order 4 wheel drive the best for travel, the 5th wheel was the most comfortable, but we used and enjoyed the pop-up the most.
As far as heat, with good ventilation, go to Tractor Supply and buy a butane catalytic heater (five gallon propane size). It will run you out of that pop-up or even tent on the coldest day. Night time is for sleepin bags, and sleepin anyway.

Swamp Rat · « **Reply #8 on:** February 18, 2010, 03:44:22 PM »

You don't have to "set up" a TT, but pitching a pop up in the rain would suck! That said I have never had a pop up and use a tarp and hammock when I go solo.

Last year I got a 20'TT because I have two girls and my wife and they are note fond of catholes. My trailer weighs in at 3400# and loaded with water(50gal) food and gear ready to go for 5 it tips the scale around 4600, well under the 5500 tow capacity of my 2000 Exploder. The trailer has 4wheel electric brakes and I put a Prodige controler in. For towing I installed a Hidden Hitch class3 and use a load leveling reciver. I will definatly not be hauling long distance or up the Rockies behind it but for local camping and fishing and getting my crew out in the woods it serves it's purpose.

It has a gas range, oven, furnace, water heater and fridge(3way) also eveything runs off 12v. There is several 120v outlets and A/C for when it is hooked to "shore power" and when plugged in there is a built in charger for the batteries. It has a queen bed in back and two single bunks and a full head with small tub/shower. When uncle sugar gives me back my money he took out of my paycheck I plan on investing in a solar system for extended boondocking. I have been looking for a while to get the equip I wanted at a good price in the end I paid $1000 for it.

I do plan on getting an older deisel pickup but that has more to do with moving my family around and milage than pulling the trailer, but it will definatly improve out range.

scootrd · « **Reply #9 on:** February 18, 2010, 04:09:58 PM »

picked up a small TT a few years ago , Outback 21RS , Love it. Easy to tow , 15 minute setup , Underbelly is insulated for cold weather. Only 22 feet long, yet great layout and can sleep 6 comfortably.

Ram72 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 19, 2010, 01:52:16 AM »

we started out in a pop-up, went to a 21ft TT. I love all the storage, and alot of stuff can be left in the camper a season long. Our's has two fold out beds, plus the table bed. It's also alot nicer when you have to setup in the rain. But whatever you choose, camping is alot of fun.

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #11 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:11:17 AM »

We have had pop-up campers for 25yrs. This is what we prefer for now. Our 2000 Coleman ( Utah ) is 28ft when open. 2 king size beds, a slide out and front storage. We like the openness of a pop-up.
Our waterfront camp site in Downeast Maine cannot be used by a travel trailer ( door on wrong side ). With the pop-up, I dig a small hole for the camper right tire, I back in, then spin the our camper 180 degrees and "Wa-La" beautiful waterfront view.
Worst thing with a pop-up is the set up & take down time & when it's raining well that's another story.
With a travel trailer you just throw things into the storage, hitch-up & go.
Our kids always remember our camping trips with them. Now they have travel-trailers and camp with their kids.
Whatever you decide just go camping.

45-70.gov · « **Reply #12 on:** February 19, 2010, 05:31:56 AM »

i would get the absolute smallest travel trailer
well almost...gander mountain has one tooooooo small

like posted earlier ...get tired pull into a rest area for a quick nap

get to you destination......no one last set up chor before you sleep

added storage....un-available to pop-up when its popped down

added storage at home when not traveling

fewer moving parts ....do pop-up last very long?

ShooterSATX · « **Reply #13 on:** April 08, 2010, 07:24:01 AM »

Chiming in from Baghdad...

A little late to add, but here goes anyway. I grew up in a cab-over, conversion van and tents. When I bought my Camper, I was looking for something that had everything my wife and kids could need. But it had to be something that I could take anywhere. Since I am an avid fisherman/hunter/outdoorsman, I opted for the Pop-Up.

I wanted something that could go almost anywhere my truck would go. Basically, if I can drive my truck back there, I can bring the camper back too. I have an '06 Fleetwood Williamsburg. It has a King-size bed on each end, slide-out dinette, AC, Heater, 3-burner stove, small fridge and a restroom w/shower.

The wife and I were at the Coast a couple of years back (in Corpus Christi, TX) and got 37" of rain in 9 days. I won't say that I wasn't worried, but we never got a leak and she held up just fine.

I would recommend a small Generator to run the AC at night and keep the battery charged (for lights, fan and water pump) for those warm nights in Texas.

Going on 4 years and we still love it! Gonna put it out on my Ranch when I get home in 3 weeks, where she will stay for while. Gonna be our hunting cabin this winter too!

Just my 2¢

Cheers!

Shooter

Zulu · « **Reply #14 on:** April 09, 2010, 02:03:16 PM »

Bagdad!
Good luck over there.
Fellow Texan.
Zulu

OLDHandgunner · « **Reply #15 on:** April 09, 2010, 03:24:21 PM »

Hey Shooter,

It's never too late for a reply. And I agree about having a small generator along, just in case.

God Speed to all of you troops over there. And get home safe and sound.

OLDHandgunner

teamnelson · « **Reply #16 on:** April 09, 2010, 03:35:22 PM »

+1 Pop Up. Have lived in, camped in most every variation from tarp to RV - including 6 mos. in a 5th wheel when I lost my job (wife, kids, dog ... it was great in some ways!). Buy used.

A trailer can be like a boat, which is a hole in the water you pour money into.

Dee · « **Reply #17 on:** April 09, 2010, 03:42:26 PM »

Buy in the winter time. The thicker the ice, the cheaper the price.

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #18 on:** April 09, 2010, 04:02:35 PM »

Honestly assess how you will use it. A camper is good once you stop, the pop up anytime you are moving. If you are going to be at campgrounds with shower facilities the restroom part is much less important.

Don't just watch the weight the frontal area is a very big deal on a tow vehicle. There is a difference between a towing package and a truck built for towing. Primarily gearing and cubic inches make the driving go better, the wiring harness, tranny coolers, and reciever hitch are the "towing pkg." and can be found on trucks that do a poor job of towing. If you are going the TT route and have any distance or hills ahead, may I suggest 3.73-1 gear ratio. Might I also suggest something in the 5.8 litre and larger engine class.

Our travel involves distance and once at a campsite we only sleep there. The days are long and spent doing anything but sitting around the ol' RV. We now use a tent and are very happy to be rid of a camper, EVERY one of us from an 8yr old to myself. Even the 8yr old recognised what a PITA the camper was.

BBF · « **Reply #19 on:** April 10, 2010, 12:11:31 PM »

We spend almost 5 months in a Pop-Up this winter in FL. One of the coldest years in a long time. Going thru a 20 lb bottle of Propane with an electric heater(1500 watt) every 2 1/2 days was not fun. Neither is crawlin' on your knees to get at anything of yours.

Then the wind !! there isn't much that stabilizes the pop up when popped up

We strapped the fibergass roof to the P/U just to make sure everything was held in place.

While moving, setting that contraption up for the night and bringing it down in the morning, possible wet or at least moist is a total PITA !!

We bought a used 24 foot TT and keeping it down there

If you got a truck big enough( we dont) I think a truck camper is the way to go. You can still pull your boat or toy hauler as well.

Bigeasy · « **Reply #20 on:** April 10, 2010, 12:46:28 PM »

I like a pop up. Easy to tow, especially off road, light, lots of room when opened up, and a great view. A pop up can be used in the cold weather as long as the canvas is in good shape, and you have a heater. The photos below are from a late season northern Maine buck hunt. Teens and twenties all week, the camper stayed a comfortable 60 or so. That camper has seen some cold deer hunts.

I use a slide in camper now, with a pop top. Great hunting rig, it goes anywhere the truck can, and is fast to set up. Great for 2 people, but crowded for a family.

Larry