backpackster

Odometer at 2500 and third "test" camping outing.

jrtexas

Towing back from Ouray, CO to Fort Worth.

PlasmaJab

Yeah.. Its a wee little one. But still a good 2500lbs or so. But....




Or for my US friends,




Needless to say.. Very pleased.

Simnut

0

Myself, I would have bought a tent trailer also!!! I love the sound of the wind on the canvas (or whatever they use to make 'em now a days). I like the outdoor sounds during the night, even when it's raining. But, my sweet wife got tired (and I did also) of tearing down a wet camp and putting it back up to dry later etc. My back can't handle that any more. Looks good behind the pickup!

PlasmaJab

I can totally understand that aspect of it. This one is a bit tricky to put up, and yes, when wet it is a LOT more work as you have to re-set it all up.

Then there's also the other considerarion of just set-up. It's way nicer to drive in, level and push a couple of pop out buttons (if applicable) and off ya go.. This one.. Well..

Pull in, disconnect and level.
Then undo all the locks for the top.
Raise it up, install the safety bars. Which requires a good amount of muscle.
Pull out the beds and put up the support bars,
Then put the tent supports up.
Then swing the door down from the roof.
Lower the top down on the roof and adjust. (Profanity is needed.)
Do up the 15 miles of velcro to seal the tentage and hide the supports.
Flip up the counter/sink. (Little hard on the back)
Put table together, and stove.
Ready.

Sounds easy but in daylight it takes a good 20-30 minutes to sort this out. At night time, profanity and time increase substantially. And if its raining... Even more so.

And if you're doing long distance run, camping at truckstops is not possible, or safe IMO.

Just thought Id put this up for thought as people going through this thread probably own, or are considering buying. They make it look so EASY in the youtube videos, and it isnt bad, but it is time consuming so thats something to consider. Is it worth the savings/time or is it more viable to get a hardwall travel trailer?

Pugga

iTrader: (1)

That was ultimately what brought me to buy a hard side trailer. Trying to get all of that done with 2 little ones and the dog running around was impossible. Then, in the dead of summer, you get it all torn down and you're drenched with sweat just before a nice, long drive home. I miss the open feeling you get with the pop up but don't miss the setup/tear down one single bit.

chimmike

These are the reasons we went with a small TT (20'). We've had/experienced pop-ups and TT's. Pop ups are great, simple, inexpensive...but can be very inconvenient. Our TT? Last trip we left home after work, drove 6 hours, arrived at the site at 12:30am. I pulled in, plugged in the power and water, turned the a/c on, and we went to bed. That's it. No raising the canvas, pulling out the beds, supports for the beds, etc. Our beds were made, fridge was cold, a/c kicked on fast, and we were asleep. easy.

NOW, our TT cost $16k OTD brand new, ac, full shower, bath, bunks, fridge, etc.

BUT, if you just want to get started, don't know if you'll like camping, don't want to spend a lot............pop up campers are simple and can be had relatively cheap on the used market. It's pretty easy to tell if a pop-up is in bad shape: just look at the canvas. If the canvas is in good shape, the roof is probably fine, and you'll probably get several years' use out of it worry-free. Easy to tow, easy to store.

Rosey17

Yep I have a pop up tent trailer and can relate to the points made in your post. Also when folded down there is only enough storage for about 2 totes on the floor so a lot of gear ends up in the box of the truck.

I probably would be in a hard shelled camper if I didn't have to pay $70/month for storage (just me being cheap - I park the tent trailer in our garage) and also if we went camping more. We only go about twice a year - wifey not big on camping but maybe she would go more with a nicer camper??

EventHorizon

Also living here in bear country it makes it more difficult to camp. Tent trailers are classed as, well, a tent and therefore no food or toiletries allowed in tents. And from time to time some campgrounds ban soft sided units if there's bear activity in the area, this includes hybrids.

Simnut

We had a 1976 Lionel Trailer....and it was hand crank up only. Yea....too much work for this old back now! Made with the old canvas type covering....but dang....worked like a charm once it was up. Works awesome with a couple of kids WHILE camping. As mentioned...taking down a wet tent trailer of that vintage is NO fun. Almost to the point you don't want to get out again. LOL But....we did go camping and at the end of it all......that is what it is ALL about! Right?