WTW wrote: ...how long and difficult is it, Is set up easier or harder than a basic tent (approz 15min. with bedding)? thanks Tomm
Tomm, remember, with a pop up you aren't just setting up your bedroom (as with a tent). For an accurate time comparison, you'd have to factor in all peripherals you use tent camping. Dining fly, camp kitchen, etc.
Also, an overnight stay versus a multiple-day outing is a factor, too. I rarely use my EZ Up and outdoor kitchen for a one nighter, so set up is quicker. Unrolling the awning should rain suddenly appear is mucho faster than putting up a dining fly at the last minute.
Teach
Wright and Penny
Tundra 4X4
Starcraft 2107
"Remember to keep it simple. You can't get away from it all if you take it all with you."
I guess we're slow. It takes us around 1/2 hour to set up and get the beds made. Of course we use sheets and blankets, not just throwing down some sleeping bags, so making the bed can take some time. But that time also includes getting the trailer properly situated and leveled (we don't often stay where there's a level parking pad), which can take us 10 minutes or more in some boondocking locations. And of course we have to get the litter box ready for the cats!
But when compared to a tent, it's so much more cushy in the PUP, esp. during stormy weather or when we camp in the fall and the days are short. We also tried the hybrid route for four years, and we're so much happier being back in a PUP.
PUP is much easier, faster, and dryer. We've done both in the past and while the PUP is not much of a step up from the tent. You are off the ground and as mentioned before once the PUP is done the majority of your site is set-up. You can also set-up the PUP in the rain and keep the inside drier than the tent.
There are of course other factors than set-up such as length of camping season; it's longer in a heated PUP. As while as remoteness; tent can go to more remote locations.
Just curious why move down a class and not just find a new hybrid or TT that better fits your needs?
DW and ME
2009 Silverado 2500HD Crew Cab 4.10 axle
Line-X and Fold-a-Cover
I solo, and with setting up, it might take me an hour - popup gizmos on bunk ends, glide out, awning/add-a-room, raising the roof, ridgepoles or shepards poles to bunks and glide out, connecting water, sewer and electric, turning on the propane, lighting the stove to purge the air, then lighting the water heater.
Having a partner and established routine makes it much faster and easier.
With our Chalet, 12 seconds to have the top,sides latched in place. Then another 2 minutes to set the cupboards in place and 2 minutes for chairs our front and open the first brown bubbly out of the fridge, and the camera to take a pic of the neat area..
So what is the 20 minutes? Even with leveling we usually do not have 10 minutes set up time.
Cheers
Chuck
Just looking at my options for rv/camping We are happy, very happy with our Hybrid, but am only camping 5/6 times a year, thus wish to down size and put some $$'s into other things. But still wish to camp with some comfort. I realize time is not a factor in camping but I do most of the set up and wish to be informed to what I would have to look forward to? Thanks for the many good replies...
Work/live Lakeland
Fish/play Port Charlotte
Two little girls and mom + me
Aerolite Hybrid 25QB
janechucknicodemus wrote: So what is the 20 minutes? Even with leveling we usually do not have 10 minutes set up time.
Camp in some of the boondocking locations we do, and leveling alone will take 10 minutes if you don't want blood going to your head all night!
Besides the few minutes it takes to raise the top and extend the beds and pull the slideout, we've got beds to make, the table to set up, the stove to ready for cooking, the cookware and dishes to get out, the spice rack to get out, the awning to unfurl and stake down, the grill set up, the bathroom walls set up, the clothing bags laid out, etc. etc. Yeah, we get a little carried away, but we like our comforts and our space. (We'd never fit in a Chalet.)
OP: when you're comparing setting up a PUP to a tent, remember that the 15 minutes you talk about is just for your sleeping arrangements. If you do any cooking, you're always dragging the stove, dishes, food, etc. in and out of the car or wherever. As I mentioned before, we also had a hybrid for four years. I would say the PUP takes around five more minutes than our hybrid did.
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