We currently own a Hybrid travel trailer(2001 Jayco Kiwi 23B) that we tow with my full-sized 3/4 ton van. We have two young children(almost 2,and almost 6 year old boys),and this Jayco seems to be falling apart more,and more rapidly,and the leaks are more than I want to tackle right now. We are thinking about getting a new camper(or maybe a nice used unit),and I remember back to our first camper,a 1996 Jayco Eagle 10. I remember the popup being really easy to tow,but it was a cheap unit without a fridge,or any of the nice things our hybrid has now. I remember the build quality wasn't great on the interior,but the canvas held up well over the 5 years we owned it,and I don't remember it leaking. We looked at a Rockwood High-wall pop-up today,and it seemed nice,but I worry that the quality will be poor,and with the slide-out,shower/toilet combo it may be a bad choice. I like the high walls,lighter weight,and lower profile compared to a full sized unit like we have,but will it work with two kids,and hold up over time? Is my thought on easier towing correct,or is that just a perception thing? Any opinions on these pop-ups with bathrooms,and or other models would be greatly appreciated. My wife just needs a bathroom,and I don't care either way,because I would rather just stay at a hotel with adult sized things,and real fixtures.
You might want to look at TrailManor; www.trailmanor.com. They are well built, very popular, hard to find used ones, and have a really good owners forum.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
I am trying to talk myself out of a camper. I really don't enjoy all the work that goes into camping for a vacation. I want to relax,and it never seems to be relaxing for me. I worry for the whole week before about towing this giant thing,and if I am going to forget something that we NEED. Then we get there,and it is an hour or so getting things set up,and such before you can start to cool off. The whole time I am towing I have whit knuckles(aside from when I towed with my old 92 Cummins diesel pickup),and then it is the whole process in reverse going home,and unpacking the whole thing,and opening it up if it packed up in the rain. What a hassle!! My wife,and kids love it though,so therefore we will be camping forever.
How do the slide-outs hold up on pop-ups? I would like to avoid the slide-out,but it sure does make it roomy.
Mazdax605 wrote: I am trying to talk myself out of a camper. I really don't enjoy all the work that goes into camping for a vacation. I want to relax,and it never seems to be relaxing for me. I worry for the whole week before about towing this giant thing,and if I am going to forget something that we NEED. Then we get there,and it is an hour or so getting things set up,and such before you can start to cool off.
As the former owner of a PUP, IMHO you would not want to go back...that's what we hated most about PUP camping is the set up and take down takes forever, especially when it's hot or rainy, etc.
At least with the hi-lo that might be less work? Never owned one so I don't know. If the towing weren't an issue for you I'd say a small camper and lose the canvas all together.
Well we looked at a 23' enclosed light-weight travel trailer the other day,and it was nice. It had no slide-outs,and no canvas,but my wife is leary of the size with the kids. I am leary of the new one being like the old one with leaks galore due to similar construction I believe with fiberglass,and seams on the roof. I wish there were a lightweight unit that wasn't built with balsa wood. I like the idea of NO canvas,and maybe that is the way we will go. Less slideouts,and such means less chances for leaking. I like the idea of a motorhome,but they are pricey,and have their own issues.
As a parent of three, I would not go with a smaller enclosed trailer, no slide. There are always those rainy days with the kiddos when the lack of room will drive you back to the RV dealer. I speak from experience. We have both a huge motorhome and a pup. It is a lot less work to set up camp with the motorhome (plug in, push a button for the slide, one to level, and another for the awning). However, we have more fun in our PUP! We had a no frills one, but traded it in as it was just too tiny for the five of us, plus dogs. We bought our highwall used so we could get the amenities for much less. The power lift saves a lot of energy and having the attached support bars on the Fleetwood is helpful too. Have everyone pitch in and help and the set up and take down is much more enjoyable. Even the little ones can set up the camp chairs or lug stuff back into the house when you return. Plus, remember with camping you can afford to get away with the family much more than if you had to pay for a hotel and meals. The memories you make and the relationship your children will make with nature are worth all that work.
Happy Camping!
2009 Starcraft Star Stream ss22rbh
2005 Dodge Durango Limited
2003 Dodge Ram with Thule rack system
5 bikes
3 kayaks
1 Bayliner 185
1 Mini Australian Shepherd
3 kids
2 Tired, But Happy Camping Parents!
I do not have info on the Rockwood so the only thing I can say is do your research and check out each brand, what is has to offer? quality? layout? Then decide from there. I enjoy my PUP, I don't find it hard to set up or take down, when I see my DD's smile along with all those memories we create it makes it all worth. We have a 12 ft. with slide and front storage box. We have plenty of room. After having the slide and front storage I would not buy with out. Good luck in your decision.
I have looked and compared. I love my HW pup! We went from a smaller pup and were in the market for a TT or hybrid, my wife did not desire to give up her King size bed. So we bought the Hemlock, haven't regretted a thing, sure it's a little work. We timed ourself once, 1 hour from park entrance to chair.
Offline
