We just downsized this past fall. We had a 33' class A and bought an old pup a few years back as a project. After a horrible weekend in the old pup my husband went looking at used units. Found a 2007 that he fell in love with, brought me out to see it and I fell in love too. Now the 33 footer is up for sale. The pup has 2 king beds, heat, ac, lots of storage, awning, cassette toilet and a slide for the dinette. This thing actually has more space inside than the big rig (storage is just a trick). We already have an F150 so a tow vehicle was not an issue. The only thing I wish this has was the electronic lift system, but we are still young so hand cranking is not much of an issue (yet).
2007 Fleetwood Utah PUP
Me (Pam)
John (husband)
Ian
Ben
Quincy (spoiled rotten Jack Russell)
Chloe (very lucky rescue furkid)
Spike (Iguana eating all the strawberries he can on the other end of the rainbow)
I certainly do miss the ease of towing that the PUP provides.
That said, four campers? Might want to pick up a 'shower tent'. The PUP will probably have an outside shower as well. Put a portapot in the shower tent. No odors to share, privacy, etc... NOT for Bear country maybe, but they never bothered us during the time we used an old Coleman 8' box PUP. It had nothing but a 2burner a sink and a couch. Twin on one end Queen on the other. If a couple and 2 kids can't find a way in that.... oh well. Kids will soon discover 'other' interests soon anyway. After that's over they'll want to 'borrow' your rig, and leave you at home anyway.
You tall. The Viking is/was 6"s wider than the Coleman back when. Don't know if it's still true or not.
Feeling broke? Find a clean used one that's not been used in the last 10 years. Good to go. Make the seller SHOW you how it all works, then work it yourself, to make sure it does. Look a zippers, plastic in windows, hook and loop fasteners.
By the way, an inside/outside stove is nice but not mandatory. A regular 2 burner will do the job almost as well and leave you with 4 burners total.
We used a grill, a 2 burner, and a lantern on a distribution pole with great success. Didn't cook inside much except for coffee in the morning to take the chill off.
I've seen old PUPs sell for less than $1500, in great condition, so don't give up the idea. We run a 28' 'C' at the moment, but I still miss the PUP for going down the road. Seeing as I fish mostly by myself these days I'll probably add a TC PUP to the arsenal soon.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
Chemgoddess1 wrote: We just downsized this past fall. We had a 33' class A and bought an old pup a few years back as a project. After a horrible weekend in the old pup my husband went looking at used units. Found a 2007 that he fell in love with, brought me out to see it and I fell in love too. Now the 33 footer is up for sale. The pup has 2 king beds, heat, ac, lots of storage, awning, cassette toilet and a slide for the dinette. This thing actually has more space inside than the big rig (storage is just a trick). We already have an F150 so a tow vehicle was not an issue. The only thing I wish this has was the electronic lift system, but we are still young so hand cranking is not much of an issue (yet).
Get a spare crank, cut it off to fit an 18volt drill. ...It's power now. Set the 'torque' down to where it just doesn't slip under normal load. That way if you screw up, and don't release a latch it won't destroy the lift mechanism. Don't ask me how I know about the 'screw up' part.
Been thinking about your same issue. Started with a PUP 6-7 years ago. Now had a 20' TT, its nice, we like it.
But will admit I really miss our PUP, just about changed last year.
I have also thought about about getting an older smaller 1969 TT to gut and start over with. I'm a wood worker, tinker type of person could be fun to do over. I would ditch any shower and toilet for a porti-potty. I also think the older TT are not as tall, it may fit under my 8' garage door!
We have an 2007 Fleetwood Niagara and we have a shower & a flush toilet. We flipped our axels so we can go just about any where from paved camp grounds to dry camping in the woods.
We are thinking of going the opposite of you we are looking into a 5th wheel.
Good Luck
We are downsizing from a 27'BH and getting a pup. Not sure exactly what yet but this is the plan. My wife got a new job 2 years and we have not been able to go camping much. It just seemed to much of a pain to go get the camper from storage and load it up. The thought is if we have a pup we can keep it in the garage and hook up and go. I have already sold my F-250 and have my Jeep to tow with which is also the other reason for the pup. We off-road and it will be nice to take the pup and camp in it when we go on off-roading trips. Should be fun!
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