Thinking about getting a PUP...can I get some input on the brands out there? Coleman, Jayco, Coachman, Viking....we'll be looking at downsizing and buying something about 10 years old and using it pretty much to just 'camp' locally... What brand do you like and why? Or what brand seems to have a lot of "issues"?
DH 1959
ME 1962
2 DS home
1 DS college
1 DD college grad living and working in Omaha
2 DS 2 DDIL 2 grand babies
2000 Dodge Ram Van 1500
1998 Jayco 12 UD ST
Eureka Tent
Before our current PUP, had a 2005 Jayco Hybrid and a 92 Coleman PUP.
skippy102162 wrote: Thinking about getting a PUP...can I get some input on the brands out there? Coleman, Jayco, Coachman, Viking....we'll be looking at downsizing and buying something about 10 years old and using it pretty much to just 'camp' locally... What brand do you like and why? Or what brand seems to have a lot of "issues"?
I looked at a bunch of the POPUP trailers back in 2008 when we was upgrading from tent camping. I would add this was about the time period of the POPUP trailers staring to add more appliances.
After looking at everything for about a month I decided on the heavy weight OFF-ROAD POPUP with the large framing under the trailers, 12-foot box with added front deck for carrying supplies and with 15-inch OFF ROAD tires..
I ended up with the Starcraft 14RT series trailer which was really beefed-up for getting back in the woods right out of the box but also had all of the modern-day appliances added. It was a good choice for us back then and is still going strong today. Still gets that turn of the head from other campers everywhere we pull it.
With added battery banks and on-board systems to support them we can stay out successfully for days on end even a couple of weeks and come back with all batteries re-charged to their 90% charge state. My unit is pretty much self-sustained now with all my added battery "systems".
This is where we would rather camp off-the-power-grid but not too far back in the woods...
photos from google images
Can forward interior photos and other info via email request if you like...
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
Even with a 3 year old pop-up, you need to look more at condition than brand. Search the forum and you'll find lots of info about what to check when looking at a new-to-you popup.
Good luck!
2004 Toyota Tundra SR5 (V8, 4WD, TP, TRD)
2005 Fleetwod Allegance with axle flip
Honeywell 2000i Generator
Me, DW, DS, DD, Dog & Camping Kitty
See this thread for what to look for in a used PUP.
Indeed, brand matters not at 10 years. It's all about condition and what it has that you like/don't like. You will be replacing and repairing something, most likely, or more likely.
So condition becomes the most important thing after "do you like it/does it work for you".
And what you get for $2,500 depends a lot on the local market. I bought my first PUP for $4,500 when it was 2 years old in one part of the country and sold it 4 years later for $5,000 in another part of the country. Location matters, too.
But I would expect a 10 year old PUP to fall in that range, and a decent shape one, at that. You will have to look A LOT.
Excellent info on this thread. I hope to add to the discussion and not derail it as we, too, have been hit by the realization that a pop up tent trailer may be the answer to our expanding family camping needs.
I want a trailer that weighs <=2000lbs, (so I can easily pull it with the AstroLander), costs <= $2500, has a wet bath, and hope to flip the axle and rework the tongue area to include a small toyhauler extension for my enduro and a mtn bike or three. Does that sound reasonable to you PUP veterans?
I'd really like a trailer like RoyB's, but simply not in the budget in this new world economy, and would actually prefer something lighter.
We just went to San Juan Island County Camp Ground last weekend, and I spent the majority of the first day adjusting to campground conditions, (nice place, I just rarely camp in campg grounds near other people, usually in the backcountry), but we have a 1.5 yr old and wife is 6 mo pregnant, so it was a decent experience. (Seeing Orcas swim by on four different occassions always helps).
With a trailer, I can still have the van for my solo backcountry overlanding adventures, yet still comfortably take the family on trips as well. And if I buy right, there won't be a lot of capital sitting around unused most of the year.
* This post was
edited 06/26/12 01:32pm by T.Low *
we upgraded from a tent to a 1988 Jayco pop up in about 2003 or 2004? We paid $1800 for it and it was in excellent condition. We loved it, and took it on many trips near and far. 4 of the grandkids started their camping experience in it. We decided to upgrade in 2008 and bought a new Jayco. I am very impressed with Jayco quality and warrantee and already dreaming about retirement time when we plan to buy a Jayco Hybrid and travel the country. I hope you find what you want and raise those babies "campin' & wimmin" as our kids loved!! Make memories!!
Garry and Julie
2008 Jay Series 1207
Dodge Ram 1500
Looking to Make Memories
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