Good Morning! After a weekend of high winds (gusts of 40+ mph) and LOTS of thunder and lightning, we were thinking that we might upgrade from the tent (which held up very well - only having one corner of the rain fly come undone in a heavy gust of wind) to a PUP. I've been reading the forums for the last two days, but, I have not seen any posts regarding:
How do PUP's do in high winds?
Is rain a problem?
We don't mind being in the tent, actually like it most of the time, but, my husbands back has issues and mine doesn't like being on the air mattress very much. Add in uncooperative weather and we're thinking that an upgrade may be in order.
We have a Ford Escape Hybrid which can tow 1500# (does great with a 10' trailer loaded with about 1200# of hay bales), so we know we can't get a huge PUP, but, there are some smaller ones out there. We have also considered a Little Guy Teardrop, but, want to look for a nice used PUP before spending the $4000+ on a teardrop (can't find one used!).
They do pretty well in high winds. We have had ours out in gusts as high as you mention and had no problems. The tenting can get a bit noisy, but not as bad as in a tent. Rain is not a problem. No worries about rain running in under where you are sleeping and just as waterproof on top as a tent. In fact, moreso probably, due to the fact that you have a hard roof over most of you. If you don't mind a tent, you will LOVE a popup.
If you enjoy the tent, a PUP will be perfect in your eyes! They will do well in those winds and with the rain. There are PUP's out there light enough for your Escape, you just have to look hard!
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
The PUP we had did very well through several heavy wind and rain thunderstorms. Compared to a tent the ability withstand wind is much greater and not quite as noisy. With us rain was never an issue, no leaks whatsoever. While we very much liked tenting, being off the ground, being able to get in and out of the bunks, etc. made the PUP well worth the cost.
SAWilde, As others have mentioned, PUPs do quite well under windy conditions. Depending on the direction of the wind/rain I've open the window to let the wind pass through.
Only two words of cauton... Awnings and Mold. You do have to roll up your awning or make sure that it is very secure or the wind can lift it up and the poles may damage your roof.
Mold is a problem if you fold up the PUP with the canvas wet. The best solution is to open it up the next day or so and let it dry out.
Hope this helps.
Ruide
Fleetwood Evolution E3 - Yellow (DW let me get a Yellow one since she wanted an E3 with a slide out )
Hummer H2 - Black (DW vetoed the Yellow one, but I got two Yellow Hummer Folding Mountain bikes )
Little Guys are nice. I was going to get the Off Road Little Guy called the Rough Rider but it cost 10,000.00 out the door. Pretty expensive for a bed that you tow. A pop-up is more like tent camping than being in an RV or even a Little Guy Tear Drop. I doubt you can get a small half decent used one for very cheap though.
Pups are great! We just upgraded last year, and we love it! We have been through several Missouri thunderstorms with it, many heavy rain storms, and one Ontario thunderstorm. It did great! No leaks, no damage, some noise, but not too bad.
Just be sure to tilt one side of the awning if rain moves through. We learned the hard way, we came back to camp with all of our awning support poles bent under the weight of the rain that collected in the awning canvas.
My back LOVES being off the ground! And, I love going to sleep knowing that I won't be floating in my tent (has happened before).
What you will love most is that most of your things will stay in the pop up, and if you do it right, you can decide last minute to go and only need to pack clothes and food.
Start with a used pop up. You can get a really nice preowned one for not too much money. In a few years, trade up.
Cara
2 Parrotheads and 2 Parakeets
Happily back in Massachusetts
Go where your body and soul want to go. When you have the feeling, then stay with it, and don’t let anyone throw you off --Joseph Campbell
As for getting through storms. our Old Pop Up was set up and we had an EF (Enhanced Fujita scale IIRC) 3 Tornado go two blocks from us, the tenting was still intact all the support poles had come off though. I wouldn't have wanted to be in it at the time but it held up surprisingly well. The tenting was still intact and we could have still used it. Damaged but usable.
Thank you everyone for your responses. We did a little more looking tonight and decided that we're REALLY going to have to look for an ultra lite PUP that's in our price range. I haven't thought of any more questions yet, but, I may come up with more by tomorrow.
Good to know that a PUP could survive an F3 tornado though! I hope I never have to experience that to find out
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