at first we liked the pop-up too. sat in one talking to the guy who owned it at the point in hatteras in a thunder storm & changed our minds .since we use ours for fishing the hard side won out just because of the weather factor ......
liked the low profile & lower weight of the pop-up;disliked the fabric walls pulsing in the wind & having to raise & lower it to 'follow the fish'
derf
ford '01 250, 4x4, 5.3, sb, cc
ranchos , helig rear swaybar,air bags
'05 lance 845
'go fish....'
-POPUPS
-generally lighter in weight
-less wind resistance
-great in low clearance back country areas
-HARDSIDE
-always ready to use
-probably warmer in more extreme conditions
-quieter
When we started our search almost two years ago, we thought we would want a popup. We ended up with the hardside for the reasons above. No takedown in the rain, quick potty breaks very difficult if not impossible in some popup models, etc.
A lot of people have popups and just love them. I'm sure they will jump in with their reasons.
I've never had a "popup" truck camper, but I have had 2 popup trailers, and have moved to a hard sided truck camper.
I'm certain that the lower profile and weight of a popup would make it easier on gas and easier on the truck. It might be the only reasonable alternative on some 1/2-ton series trucks.
However, IMHO these advantages would be outweighed by the convenience of amenities like a 'real' bathroom - even if it's a wet bath, larger holding tanks, more storage, no setup time, better reefer, etc.
I think popups still have a place for the occasional user, but we use ours almost every weekend and for frequent trips during the year ranging from 1 week to 6 weeks. I won't be going back to any kind of popup any time soon.
Can you use the the camper without having to raise the roof? I realize the sleeping area over the cab would not be available but how about the kitchen and dining area?
You can but usability will vary between brands. Some have tubing type bars that fold in when the top is down. This can further impact on space available. I know on some that you cannot use the toilet with the top down.
On the other hand, if you are 3 feet tall or enjoy tight spaces, no problem.
My reasons for hard side vs. Pop-ups.
Looked at friends pop-up's and the condensation on the soft side's was a pain in temp's below 50. Fabric sides are still like a tent - mositure.Saw him replace the sides at a cost of $1500 when they split on a 30 degree night - two and a half years into ownership. Condensation,condensation,condensation - Hated the door 1/2 or 3/4 height- figured I'd probably kill my self some night leaving or entering. About the only use he could easily make of it with the top down was to sit in the dinette, and walk on his knees. A real thrill when your 50-ish and have bad knees. His always smelt like mildew. Fabric doesn't sound to great when it rips,cracks,pops going up or not on a cold night - if it goes up at all. His fits easily in the garage on his truck - mine no such luck. But, mine isn't waiting to have the sides replaced for the second time in 7 years - so it doesn't matter.His second set of sides he blames on a camping trip at 10-20ยบ they cracked after first setup - and he couldn't stay warm the previous week courtesy of the soft sides.
My reason for buying my hard side - would have to be not having to setup, walking through normal doorway,able to use the pot,kitchen,bed,without needing to walk on my knees. The only condensation - I get is around the windows in cool temp's and that dissappears with window or skylight open. His you brush against the fabric on a late night call and it will wake you up. I like comfort and if I want the heat on - by gosh I want heat, the furnace will keep me warm regardless of the outside temperature.
'99 Dodge Diesel QC SB SRW 4X4 BioDiesel 26 mpg / 22mpg fossil diesel with or w/o camper
'03 Lance Lite 815 ext.cab
64W Solar Panel, Elec. Jacks, Happi-Jacks,Air-lifts,Oven,etc.
53 lb. Dutch Shepherd (bullock cruncher) K9 Retired.
Wife and semi human OEM
If you plan to do more "traveling" rather than "camping" the advantage goes to a hard side. As mentioned, the lack of setup is a major advantage when you just want to pull over for a rest, lunch, bathroom break, etc.
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