Tent Trailers: Pop-up Camping

Top 5. Sep 19, 1998 4:08 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Hi Cassandra, Welcome to Suite101 and my camping page. I'll try

Hi Cassandra,
Welcome to Suite101 and my camping page. I'll try to answer your questions as best I can. Yes, the A/C on tent-trailers works great. If you are in a warm climate, I would be sure and get one. You can be very comfortable in a pop-up. As for the shower, you must put it together when you set up your trailer. But, with a fold-up trailer, everything folds up. They are not that much trouble if you like to have that option available to you. For us, it would be well worth it! Shop around some and try them for yourself. Also, there are a lot of pop-up retailers who have rentals available. That is a smart way to go. Try renting one for a weekend or so.Outside showers are certainly less trouble using, but you forfeit your privacy with it. Now, tandem axles on a trailer means that it will have four wheels. I don't know of a pop-up that does.

My suggestion to you is this; read my article on pop-up trailers. I include some good links to manufacturers and the pop-up newsgroup. Hope I have been of some help. Take your time shopping and compare brands and prices. Be sure to select what you need in a camper before you buy.
Good luck and happy camping, Tom Stephens

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 6. Jan 13, 1999 12:47 PM

» Bill_McCorkle - tandem axles

1980 Jayco Cardinal Series came out with tandem axles. My 1983 V-6 olds pull it so easily.
Bill

-- posted by Bill_McCorkle

Top 7. Jan 14, 1999 12:04 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Pulling-towing the thing

Sure, We towed a 22ft travel trailer for over six years with a 91 Crown Vic. wagon. Bet you have no trouble at all pulling the Jayco.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 8. Feb 16, 1999 9:23 PM

» annwin - pop-up retailers who rent

I read your message with great interest. We have searched for a retailer in the Ky-Tn-Ind area who would rent a pop-up for 2 wks to go from Ky to Calif. We would much rather find one near Death Valley but have not been able to locate a retailer who has pop-ups for rents in the surrounding area yet. We also tried various e-mail individuals from the goodsamclub site but have received no return answers. Are we looking for something that does not exist in our area? Can anyone help? We are located in western Ky & have been impressed by the ease of pulling a pop-up and all the conveniences offered in such a small space.

-- posted by annwin

Top 9. Feb 18, 1999 8:44 PM

» Tom_Stephens - Pop-up rentals

Annwin, finding rental pop-ups is not easy. I know of one dealer in Ontario, Calif. that rents them--have no idea what he charges. You might try calling local pop-dealers (esp. if they have used units) and ask if they rent and if they say no, ask if they know anyone who does. Surely, you are not the first one who wants to know! Also, you might check the newspapers of the largest city near you (esp. on Sat. and Sun.). Sometimes people who have trailers just sitting will offer them for rent. Beyond that, I haven't got much to offer. Hope this helps.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 10. Feb 25, 1999 10:44 AM

» Dennis_Garcia - Pop-Ups in the Wind

I have a '98 Starcraft Starlounge and I love it. We did experience a night where the wind was gusty and lifting up the bunks at times. Are there techniques or products that can help tie-down the trailer in high winds. What are the maximum wind speeds that a pop-up can handle?

-- posted by Dennis_Garcia

Top 11. Feb 25, 1999 10:59 AM

» Tom_Stephens - Windy weather

Hello Dennis, thanks for the post and I hope you like your pop-up. We sure did--even with the wind. I have no idea how much wind a pop-up will withstand, but I'm sure they can blow away fairly easily. We always opened all our windows when it became really windy. This allows the wind to blow through and not fill you up like a balloon! They make awning tie-downs that I bet would work very well with tent trailers. You might check them out.
How long have you guys had your pop-up and where do you usually go camping?

-- posted by Tom_Stephens

Top 12. Feb 26, 1999 9:36 AM

» Dennis_Garcia - PopUp

We have had our pop up for about 1.5 years and have been as far south as San Felipi BC Mex and as far north as Santa Barbara area. We have yet to set up the screen-in room. Do you have one and how do you like it set-up? Currently my furnace is acting up I already brought in to replace the ignition switch and lately it seems like the thermometer is the problem - the fan would come on but no heat (I can hear the ignition switch trying to light). It could be air in the propane lines but sometimes it would light but the next time it wont. Anyways I am bringing it in to the shop soon. Did you have any problems w/your furnace?
I like to go dry camping vs hook-ups and I have been researching solar panels/inverters/extra batteries etc. Do you have any comments on these items?

-- posted by Dennis_Garcia

Top 13. Feb 26, 1999 11:22 AM

» Tom_Stephens - Solar Panels

We now have a 27ft. travel trailer. But, I sure miss the pop-up some times. Yes, your furnace could well be air in the lines. We always light our stove for a while first before trying the other appliances. This helps fill the lines with propane.

We have solar panels and love them. We bought two panels (I believe 48 Watts all together) a number of years ago. They keep our batteries charged when we dry camp and we added a few extra 12v. plug-ins in handy places to use our 12v TV, hair drier and other things. I believe our panels are Seimens (if that is spelled correctly). Anyway, solar panels are the way to go if you enjoy dry camping and don't want noisy generators and carrying gasoline around with you. If you would like some detailed info. on the panels I can get the paper work out.

-- posted by Tom_Stephens