Tent Trailers: Pop-up Camping

Top 25. Apr 22, 1999 8:29 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Tent trailer purchase

Shari, Those are good brands also. I guess what I meant, is to stay with a known brand. Do the used pop-ups come with any kind of a warranty from the dealer? I'll be waiting to hear what you purchased!
Yours,

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 26. Apr 24, 1999 3:39 PM

» LearningQuest - Viking

Sherri,

My only experience with other brands was my brothers Viking. Granted it was a smaller unit, but it didn't feel very well made, and perhaps previous owners were harder on it, but my brothers unit didn't hold up well. He only had it a couple years, before he bought a TT..that's extent of any exposure to other brands.

-- posted by LearningQuest

Top 27. Apr 24, 1999 5:28 PM

» Coleman_Or_Other - How is the "Utah" slide-out in the real world?

After spending the past few weeks looking at Jayco, Palomino and Starcraft tent trailers, I saw a Coleman Utah model today. My first impression was "Wow"! It appeared to have every feature that I could ever want, and seemed solid.

Of course, this impression came from sitting in a floor model, in a brightly lit indoor RV showroom. I would appreciate hearing from anyone that has had a Utah out in the real world. Is it as good to camp in, as my imagination tells me?

Thanks in Advance ....

-- posted by Coleman_Or_Other

Top 28. Apr 24, 1999 11:24 PM

» rixkidz - That New Trailer...

Well to join in the conversation... We started our quest today.. after 5 dealerships and a couple dozen trailers... Our opinion is :we liked the Coleman. It seemed better as far as quality and workmanship.... we looked at:
Skamper, Rockwood, Flagstaff (made by same company that makes the Rockwood)

Tomorrow we will go to the Jayco dealer about 20 miles away.

The feel of the coleman was solid, the stitching appeared to have its benifits.. and all the little things.. 5 lug wheels (the others were all 4 lugs)... and a few things.. I do not consider myself an expert but I have done alot of research and Coleman so far has me sold.. but I have to go to Jayco and see about the 3000.00 tent trailer.. I will let you know what "I" think of them...

-- posted by rixkidz

Top 29. Apr 25, 1999 12:30 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Coleman

Don't think you could go wrong with a Coleman. We found that shopping for a trailer was, itself, half the fun. Must be the excitement over a new purchase. It is very important, however, not to let your excitement dim your evaluation of the different makes and models. Seems like you guys are going about your search in a level headed and informed manner. I am looking forward to knowing what you decide on buying.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 30. Apr 29, 1999 10:30 AM

» Coleman_Or_Other - Coleman it is !

Well, I finally concluded the hunt this morning, and settled on the Coleman Utah. The final contestants were Starcraft's Spacemaster, Jayco's Manistee, and the Coleman Utah.

In the end, it boiled down to colors (my family preferred the green motif of the Coleman to the blues and browns of the other vendors), the convenience of the front storage deck (or whatever they call it) in the Coleman, and product availability.

We're planning to have our first camping trip with the Utah in a few weeks. If folks are interested, I can post our "first impressions" after that.

-- posted by Coleman_Or_Other

Top 31. Apr 29, 1999 2:16 PM

» Dan_Ellsworth - Flagstaff seems OK

We've had a few outings with our Flagstaff and it seems to be OK. I kept forgetting to look and didn't remember the name until "rixkidz" said it. Coleman looked sound but overpriced, and with some other major brand there was a concern about how expensive it would be to replace the single unit of canvas if damaged, rather than the panels of most brands. Was that Jayco?

The main thing against our early-70s-model Starcraft, aside from its age, was its weight. I guess all brands are lighter now. We also didn't need the capacity (built for 8, previous owner adapted to 7, felt very very full with 5); so bought newer, smaller, lighter for our after-kids years.

Anyway, I *think* Flagstaff could be considered a reputable brand, maybe just not one of the real big brands.

-- posted by Dan_Ellsworth

Top 32. Apr 29, 1999 4:33 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Good buy!

Congratulations on your purchase! Hope you guys have many great times in it! I believe Coleman makes a very good produce and you will be very happy with it. I'd really enjoy hearing how things work out on your camping trip and about your camping experience. Pam and I bought a new travel trailer last spring and found a few things that needed fixing on our first trip. They were all repaired to our liking under the warranty.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 33. Apr 29, 1999 5:59 PM

» LearningQuest - Congrats on Utah

Congratulations! I really do like the Utah.

I completely agree about the color thing! We didn't buy coleman a few years ago 'cause they were white, light blue and pink...I just can't imagine their thinking...it's pretty, but come on, it's CAMPING. : -)

I like the new hunter green, cranberry and beige. Even am able to purchase hand towels, pot holders, and rugs which coordinate and are functional for camp use too.

Enjoy it.

-- posted by LearningQuest