Oh so Manual and automatic is referring to the cranking up the roof... makes sense now...
My unit has a DC motor to crank up the roof. Been working just fine since 2008... It also has a manual port to crank is case the motor fails or your battery runs down. My roof also has the safety bars that goes in place on oposite end corners to take the strain off the raise cables.
Of course if the cable breaks there is no way to lift the top...
I will say the roof went up alot easier before the air conditioner was put on top after I added that option when buying it.
My DC Motor has the auto-reset circuit breaker installed so you wont have to worry about a blown fuse when you way back in the woods with no spare fuse.
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
Given that you're shooting for 700 miles/day, I'm guessing that you're just looking to haul around a comfy bed and a kitchen ?
For your vehicle, a teardrop might be the best fit. It won't stick above your car's roof, there's no real setup involved (open the galley hatch), and it will certainly meet your desired weight limit.
There are a few manufacturers in the US building new ones if you don't want to restore or build one.
A TearDrop hadn't even crossed my mind. But why not? I've not owned one, or even slept in one for that matter, as I always wanted 2 beds. A rig of this ilk for me would be for fishing and my DW doesn't go on fishing trips. Since I don't normally fish with someone I'd sleep with. I need/want 2 beds. Maybe I should.... well never mind......
But yes there was a car lot here that was selling a brand of new ones. The roof was only about 5' or so. Salesman said they pulled like they weren't even there. I guess I can almost believe that, since I used t think of my 8' box Coleman that way.
Since I don't like to cook inside too much, I should probably look a a TearDrop instead of a TC this time. AS most of my fishing friends are now retired and bring their own campers.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
Excellent, sounds like some good feedback. I'm leaning more and more towards the PUP, just because it sounds like they're more comfortable to drive with. Been looking at some used ones on CL. Will keep everyone updated if I buy one!
wklose99 wrote: Excellent, sounds like some good feedback. I'm leaning more and more towards the PUP, just because it sounds like they're more comfortable to drive with. Been looking at some used ones on CL. Will keep everyone updated if I buy one!
Thanks!
Just don't let anyone talk you into the big ones, unless you're going to change Tow Vehicles. Although you can probably get by with it, you'll like 1000#s way better than 2500#s, following behind. There are several hundred reasons the big ones have brakes and the 8'ers don't.
wklose99 wrote: Excellent, sounds like some good feedback. I'm leaning more and more towards the PUP, just because it sounds like they're more comfortable to drive with. Been looking at some used ones on CL. Will keep everyone updated if I buy one!
Thanks!
Just don't let anyone talk you into the big ones, unless you're going to change Tow Vehicles. Although you can probably get by with it, you'll like 1000#s way better than 2500#s, following behind. There are several hundred reasons the big ones have brakes and the 8'ers don't.
This is what I've encountered when shopping. I'm thinking small PUP as a replacement for or alternative to my tent, for a night or two out at the lake. Haul it out of the garage when I have the whim.
Sales people start showing me 12 footers with "full" bathrooms (I'm sure the commissions are better) and arguing resale values. Rather than go into a PUP that size, I can get out the motorhome I already have, and I can buy at least five years worth of gas to move it around for what they want for a big luxury PUP. And I would have to buy a bigger truck to pull that PUP.
OP doesn't already have the motorhome as an alternative, but some of the issues are the same.
When we had our pup we made a trek like you are describing. At the time we had 3 snot-gobblers and 2 fur-kids. As ours was on the large side for a pup, 2004 Niagara, we had the luxury of carrying everything in the rig in the cabinet and bench storage. With the 2 king size beds even the sleeping bags and quilts could stay on them folded down... We used a drill for the top and stabilizers and, if memory serves me, we could be popped up ready to cook in just south of 20 minutes. Not including the awning.
The key was 5S. A place for everything and everything in its place. We didn't have bins in the aisle but just a cooler just inside the door. It actually took me longer to unpop than it did to popup... I agree with the poster that uses an EZ shade. If is was still in a pup I would buy one. The bag awning was nothing short of a pita. I wanted a Colorado awning but dang are they proud of them and I read here that it might put too much stress on the pup lid.... Hope your search goes well.....
2003 GMC Sierra 2500HD CC/LB 2WD 8.1L
2006 Laredo 26BH
do you already have tow equipment installed? if not take it to the dealer and have them install a factory setup on it. they are much better than the aftermarket universal and you wont have the whole wiring harness torn up with sctch locks. dont let anyone talk you into an old style unpowered converter for the lights, that mistake is expensive to fix as the module that runs the taillamps cannot handle the extra draw of any trailer.
2000 K3500 CCLB DRW 6.5 TURBO
2009 Cougar 320 SRX
2007 atlas 24 auto hauler
1987 GMC origional low miles
bighomey99 wrote: takes me 7min flat to unpack/setup my 83 starcraft starflyer..
BS
I say BS also.
It used to take the two of us at least 8 minutes to setup our 1985 Coleman Newport.
I haven't timed the setup of our 2009 Santa Fe but I bet it is less than 15 minutes.
Setup is unhooking from TV, rotate to level side to side, level front to back with wheel jack, crank up top, crank down stabilizers, deploy bunk ends, move stove/sink cabinet and install door. Walk to bathrooms to wash hands.
I do not include the extars in setup such as awning, tiki lights, chairs, tables, outside carpet or anything else some may do when staying at one spot for extended periods.
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