Hello Everyone! I am looking to make a roadtrip around the US this summer, about 8000 miles in 5 weeks. I am looking to get a popup camper for me and my GF to do it in, which we would sell afterwards. I am completely new to pop-ups and have only been looking at them for about a week.
I have a few questions. Please keep in mind I will be towing the pop-up with a 4x2 Ford Escape 2003. It doesn’t have a tow package, but I am going to get one installed. This will put the maximum towing up to 3,500lbs, but I would like to keep the trailer weight under 2,900 pounds to avoid hitting the GCWR.
Having said that, I would like to have a few things, and was wondering if it’s possible to keep it under 2,900lbs with these amenities:
- Toilet
- Outdoor shower
- Outdoor stove
- Water heater
- Heater
- Propane fridge
- Electric brakes
I don’t really care about any other amenities; it would just be nice to have these. How common are they on pop-ups, especially around my weight range? The lighter the better, as to improve mileage and not push around my little escape.
Also, do these things usually run off batteries? Are they just for powering lights/simple electrical systems? What is battery life like when running two laptops with lights on? Are there battery meters than indicate when the batteries are dying?
Having said that, I would like to have a few things, and was wondering if it’s possible to keep it under 2,900lbs with these amenities:
- Toilet
- Outdoor shower
- Outdoor stove
- Water heater
- Heater
- Propane fridge
- Electric brakes
I don’t really care about any other amenities; it would just be nice to have these. How common are they on pop-ups, especially around my weight range? The lighter the better, as to improve mileage and not push around my little escape.
Also, do these things usually run off batteries? Are they just for powering lights/simple electrical systems? What is battery life like when running two laptops with lights on? Are there battery meters than indicate when the batteries are dying?
Thanks for the help!
-Will
Yes, it is possible. My 12' Coleman has all those and weighs about 2700 loaded ready to camp. I also did tow it with the sister of the Ford, the Mazda tribute (with tow pkg). It did fine but most of my travels were within 3 hours. Don't know what the 8000 mile entails but watch for steep grades, that would be pushing it. Take a look at rockwood, I think they make a few that would fit.
The Batt is only for the lights. Being 12 volts no laptop or the like will run off of it.
Your answers depend on what type of camping your are planning and where. When we did a cross country trip (two parents and two kids) in the summer we tried to stay to the north (see map). If you are going to go the southern route you might need to add an AC to your requirements. The basics we had were furnace, and three way fridge. If you are going to do a lot of camping in remote areas then you would need a toilet and shower. But, if you are going stay in state or National park campgrounds there should be showers and toilets nearby. If you are staying at KOA and Good Sam Campground then you would have full hookups. Then about electricity, the furnace needs power too, even in the summer you may need it at high elevation if you are going to Yellowstone or Glacier. The fan motor is the biggest draw on the battery. You need to find out how big the battery and calculate the load to determine how long it will last (There are websites that can help you this). You need the right connector to charge the battery while you are driving. What we did for the laptop was get an inverter to recharge it in the car during the day. Also, if you have a smartphone look into tethering.
Cooking we did mostly outside on the stove. We've never used the sink or water tank in the camper so we actually removed it for more storage space. For clothes we got the plastic stacking shelves from Walmart and each person had a drawer. I hope this will get you in the right direction.
One important thing is to do a shake down cruise before you go. Pack everything and go for a long weekend and practice setting up and breaking down several times and see what you do and don't need.
Finally 5 weeks and 8000mi sounds reasonable, we did 10k in 5 weeks and we were hustling. Planning is key.
My Posts are IMHO based on my experiences - PM me Roy and Carolyn
RETIRED DOAF/DON/DOD/CONTR RADIO TECH (42yrs)
K9PHT (Since 1957) 146.52M
2010 F150, 5.4,3:73 Gears,SCab
2008 Starcraft 14RT EU2000i GEN
2005 Flagstaff 8528RESS
POPUP PHOTOs-Pg52-Pg56
will likely be cheaper to rent then buy and resell. You will also have to deal with agravation of buying at a reasonable price and then dealing with trying to sell after.
2003 Coleman Carmel(gone
2008 Starcraft Antigua 195CK
2011 Ford Explorer XLT w/ tow package
Sounds like fun! My wife and I did a 6 wk., 10K mile trip last summer with a 10' sante fe, which has the swing level galley, outside stove (used a lot!) no water heater or toilet, got along just fine (but we have been 'pupping for 20yrs.)
Over the 6 wks we moteled it 4 nights. Had lots of time to sit for 2 nights in really nice camps (ie: no schedule). Have towed this pup with the Escape with no problems but upgraded to an Explorer for last summer due to the route we had planned for the Rockies. Nice TV with about the same mileage as the escape(8 vs 6 cyl) but WAY less wear and tear and worries!
Didn't need the water heater or shower though a cassette pooper would have been nice. A lot of extra weight for the Escape!
I too would rent vs buy new and sell. You may just get hooked and not sell though. The other option is buy a good used pup and go from there. Better chance to re-sell and get your money back ... if you buy right!
Mike
* This post was
edited 03/28/12 07:47pm by lazyfarmer *
lazyfarmer wrote: Sounds like fun! My wife and I did a 6 wk., 10K mile trip last summer with a 10' sante fe, which has the swing level galley, outside stove (used a lot!) no water heater or toilet, got along just fine (but we have been 'pupping for 20yrs.)
Over the 6 wks we moteled it 4 nights. Had lots of time to sit for 2 nights in really nice camps (ie: no schedule). Have towed this pup with the Escape with no problems but upgraded to an Explorer for last summer due to the route we had planned for the Rockies. Nice TV with about the same mileage as the escape(8 vs 6 cyl) but WAY less wear and tear and worries!
Didn't need the water heater or shower though a cassette pooper would have been nice. A lot of extra weight for the Escape!
I too would rent vs buy new and sell. You may just get hooked and not sell though. The other option is buy a good used pup and go from there. Better chance to re-sell and get your money back ... if you buy right!
Mike
Yeah it seems like a lot of other people advocate renting, but if I buy it will definitely be a used one off CL.
I have looked in to rentals but haven’t found a lot. Are there any big sites that people use?
As for the toilet, I think it would be way easier if there was at least a small one we could use in the PUP. Would save having to go outside at night. A shower would be nice for those off-site camping nights.
wklose99, this was kinda like my idea of buying a PU, going to Teton/Yellowstone for 2 weeks then reselling. I bought a '96 in April '05 ($2000, 8' box, max 2000lbs). Basic PU with furnace, no fridge, no A/C, no toilet. It came camp ready with pots/pans, electric heater/fan etc. I camped a few times in '05 then headed to WY (late 8/05). I could have easily sold the PU for what I bought it for when I returned, instead I still own/use it. Be prepared to buy 3 tires, lube the bearings, buy battery(s), sales tax, insurance, etc and repairs on the road!
I compared renting to staying in NP cabin and cheap hotels in transit to buying/selling. Buying and reselling was a no brainer once I found a small inexpensive PU.
Smaller is better! Its only for sleeping. Have a great adventure.
For reference, here's a local N.TX 10' rental.
http://www.campers4rent.com/10_Popup/10ftpopup.shtml
Ok, I took a look at the link you put to the rental company, did some quick figures, and came up with $1,985.16 plus tax, for your 5 week rental.
I would most definitely look at buying used and then sell after you get back! I've done it with an ATV three years ago. Bought it for $2500, used it for most of a summer leading to week-long trip in Colorado. Sold it at the end of summer for $2450.
Your mileage will probably vary. If you buy a used one and as long as you don't go $2,000 down off what you paid for it, you're ahead of the game.
Buy used and then sell if you wish. I'll warn you though, you may decide to keep it.
You cannot really add a "tow package" to an existing vehicle. You can add a receiver, brake controller, and transmission cooler but not a tow package. The reason is that a factory tow package may consist of other things like different springs, shocks, brakes, and others. You can improve the towing capability but it doesn't raise the tow rating, you're stuck with the original rating.
Pups come with many amenities including your list. You may find one that fits your needs except the toilet. Our Aliner doesn't have a toilet so we bought a Thetford 365 Porta Potti. We got a super deal at Sears a couple years ago for $59.99 on sale.
You plan sounds like a great adventure. I hope you stick with it and make it happen no matter the cost. It will provide memories for a lifetime.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
Offline
.JPG)
.jpg)
