Pop up campers.

[AudiTech]

Does anyone here have any experience with pop up campers? My wife's aunt and uncle had a big plot of land outside of Breckenridge, we're thinking about buying a pop up and just leaving it up there so we have a place to stay on weekend instead of driving back and forth each day.

I'm wondering how they work utility wise, do they have bathrooms/showers? Is so is it a water tank you need to fill and waste tank to drain or do you need active hookups? Do they have electrocity? Ideally we'd have a battery type setup with solar to charge it.

As of now we've never been in one, or seek the inside of one, just kicking around the ideal and thought of ask. Really the only limitation for is the weight, it's gotta be under the 4Runners capacity which I believe is 5K lbs.


If it doesn't have power and utilities I may just go roof rack tent route so it can be setup anywhere I can park regardless of surface

 

[KidVermicious]

Most have electricity to run a couple small lights, they're wired to charge off your alternator as you drive. Most have a propane stove. Ones with water tanks will normally have a little sink and electric pump, but generally not hot water. Some of the bigger ones have a little bathroom closet thing with a porta-a-potty, and the really big ones might have a black water tank and a proper pooper (or as proper as such things can be in a popup), but most don't have anything of the sort. A shower onboard is practically unheard of, those that have them are outside next to the sink.

They're a compromise, great for a family that wants something just a little more than a tent and tows it frequently with a small car or truck. If you're looking for something to leave up there though and be comfortable in on the weekends, I'd look into a larger hard sided trailer. Or buy an old cargo container and make your own...

Living Off The Grid

 

[CXS]

I'd look into a larger hard sided trailer.

Maybe a hybrid? Like a hard-sided but with fold out beds like a popup. Typically have kitchen and bath, heat and a/c. I've had good luck with mine until got slammed by hail.

 

[ndcent]

I have a 2007 Fleetwood E2 pop up camper. You can "boondock" with it, meaning camp without hookups or electric. It has any amenity you'd want, cassette type toilet, hot water tank, 3-way fridge (propane, 120v or 12v), propane furnace, shower, sink, 2 burner stove top, fresh water holding tank. I don't know anything about solar but people do keep the deep cycle batteries charge with panels.

This is a larger off road styled one with a cargo deck at the front for carrying your toys. The aluminum rails pop off and become the loading ramps. They make all kinds of them really. Somerset is the brand currently making the toy hauler ones if you're buying new.

I could tow it with my 4runner fine, it's under 3500lb and has electronic brakes that when manually activated can stop the whole truck, but work in tandem with your vehicles braking it gives it a solid feeling. Good braking is just as important as the tow vehicles ability to haul it.

I've camped comfortably in it down to about 25 degrees out with the propane furnace and a electric blanket.

 

[85straight]

Nice setup ndcent, really like it. My wife and I have been tossing around the idea of getting one. Have you had any issues with maintenance or anything?

Edit:will not be towing one that big in my 1st gen of coarse

 

[ndcent]

Thanks! Honestly I'm a n00b camper wise, never had one growing up although plenty of experience towing motorcycles around and just bought this on a whim late last year so I'm hardly an expert on it...yet.

Maintenance so far has been keeping it clean is all. I did have a high speed blowout of one of the crappy original MT tires, so I put some nice goodyears on it. Laying underneath it on the side of the freeway trying to wrestle an inch thick band of tire wrapped around the axle and between brake drum was an experience.

This one didn't come with AC, although it's wired and has mounts for one. I think I can get a nice one installed for about $500 which I plan to do.

So far I plan to take it with my dad and our two dual sport bikes to a national ama dual sport in KY in early May and I have a "sell out fast" rv spot secured at Nelsonville Music Festival in late May that I plan to use it at. I've never been to some multi day music festival before, don't know what to expect there but it will beat tent camping I know.

 

[HammerHead]

That has a lot more room in it than I thought it would have. Looks nice

 

[85straight]

Thanks! Honestly I'm a n00b camper wise, never had one growing up although plenty of experience towing motorcycles around and just bought this on a whim late last year so I'm hardly an expert on it...yet.

Maintenance so far has been keeping it clean is all. I did have a high speed blowout of one of the crappy original MT tires, so I put some nice goodyears on it. Laying underneath it on the side of the freeway trying to wrestle an inch thick band of tire wrapped around the axle and between brake drum was an experience.

This one didn't come with AC, although it's wired and has mounts for one. I think I can get a nice one installed for about $500 which I plan to do.

So far I plan to take it with my dad and our two dual sport bikes to a national ama dual sport in KY in early May and I have a "sell out fast" rv spot secured at Nelsonville Music Festival in late May that I plan to use it at. I've never been to some multi day music festival before, don't know what to expect there but it will beat tent camping I know.

If you dont mind could you let is know how much you picked that one up for? Ive been searching around where i live for the same/similar model

 

[ndcent]

I paid 6 against a 67 asking price. In my research either was a good deal, seen most similar go in the 8's. Anywho very hard to find secondhand.

 

[85straight]

That is a great deal for where im at. Cheapest model i found was 8.5 up to 11.5

 

[AudiTech]

I have a 2007 Fleetwood E2 pop up camper. You can "boondock" with it, meaning camp without hookups or electric. It has any amenity you'd want, cassette type toilet, hot water tank, 3-way fridge (propane, 120v or 12v), propane furnace, shower, sink, 2 burner stove top, fresh water holding tank. I don't know anything about solar but people do keep the deep cycle batteries charge with panels.

This is a larger off road styled one with a cargo deck at the front for carrying your toys. The aluminum rails pop off and become the loading ramps. They make all kinds of them really. Somerset is the brand currently making the toy hauler ones if you're buying new.

I could tow it with my 4runner fine, it's under 3500lb and has electronic brakes that when manually activated can stop the whole truck, but work in tandem with your vehicles braking it gives it a solid feeling. Good braking is just as important as the tow vehicles ability to haul it.

I've camped comfortably in it down to about 25 degrees out with the propane furnace and a electric blanket.

That is exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks for the info.