Pop-up travel trailers vs. bumper pull travel trailers

[Rusty]

It is time for me to start thinking about a travel trailer. There are four of us most of the time, but as a blended family goes, there are times when there will be six of us. I have been looking at both types, just can not make a decision. The pop-up looks to sleep more, but will be very cramped if all of us go at the same time. I understand that it should be used mainly as a sleeping area, but there will be times when everyone will want to be inside. Also, most of the pop-ups I have looked at do not have showers/restrooms. Now, the bumper type travel trailers have more room/slideouts, restroom and showers, but most do not sleep 6. Has anyone out there used both, that can give me some input on this. I don't want to fork out the money and find out I have made a mistake. Also, fifth wheels are out of the question, already have a suburban.

[MTM]

As for the pop-ups. I have used them a few times there are other draw backs to them that you are not thinking about. One is if it rains hard and someone touchs the side canvas they will leak just as a wall tenet will. Another bad point to them is that you can't leave them up with anything of value in them and expect it to be there when you return. Just to easy to get into.

If it were me I would look for a hard trailer. I have had both and the hard trailer is much more friendly to the user. You can always get a small tent and set it up so that the extra's can sleep in it. We have done that and it works very well. Ron

[davekeim]

Russ, what happened to the pontoon and kayak? Did you win the lottery? Chiefs half 20-13

[Rusty]

Russ, what happened to the pontoon and kayak? Did you win the lottery? Chiefs half 20-13

Pontoon and Kayak? Neither of those are on my wish list at this time. No lottery/gambling, don't believe in them. I for one believe you should work for you belongings. That doesn't mean I won't fish with someone that has.

[mcp633]

I myself am a big fan of the pop-up. I'm on my second one now. I've been in the thing at Montauk in a four day long terrential downpour, and never had so much as one drop of water leak into the thing! Believe me, we stumbled into the side and touched the canvas a few times! I've never had a problem with rain. Another thing is towability. I read you have a suburban, so it isn't as much of a concern for you, but I can tell you it comes in handy. I can pull mine (Coachmen Clipper 1060st) with either my Tribute or my wife's minivan, and I don't worry about her towing it down the road. It's like it's not even there for the most part. I would never turn her loose with a camping trailer, but it's nice when I'm stuck at work and she wants to go ahead without me. We also have smallish kids and they enjoy the experience of camping in the PUP. It's more like real camping to them. We camp with the in-laws several times a year and they have a ginormous fifth-wheel, but given the choice of where to sleep, the kids always stay in the PUP. I wouldn't have one without a furnace and A/C though. It's definitely worth the extra $$$ to have those things. And there's all kinds of extras and add-ons for them. You can make them as comfortable as you want. If you want more sleeping room than the travel trailers offer, you might want to look into what they call a hybrid. It's hard sided like a travel trailer, but the beds pull out and tent up like a PUP. That way, you're not taking up your living space with beds. Some friend of ours just got a hybrid last month. It sleeps eight, and has a slide-out and a shower and head.

Just my two pennies.

Kyle

[3wt]

I'm not sure what type of pop up would leak rain through if you touch it. They are generally nothing like a tent, and are a vinyl completely water proof material.

They are generally very cramped, and I wouldn't suggest them for anything but sleeping, but then again, I don't need brining my living room with me camping. I like to spend time outside.

Unless you spend alot more money, you won't get much more room out of a conventional trailer.

[davekeim]

Russ, just a little humor there. I work very hard for a living to get my things in life. I'll take a little gamble and fish with you next time in down if your up for it.

[Rusty]

Russ, just a little humor there. I work very hard for a living to get my things in life. I'll take a little gamble and fish with you next time in down if your up for it.

It's a deal dave. I knew it was humor. The gamble will be if I wrap you up with my wild casting. I need at least 50' on all sides. The good thing is, if I am fishing Rebar Hole, I have it all to myself. haha Look for a 3/4 4x4 black suburban, OK tags.

The one thing I really like about the pop-up is the compact size. When not in use, it can be stored in a regular house garage. That I really like. I have never heard of the sides leaking on the newer vinyl sides. But I have heard that if used a lot, then you would need to replace the vinyl sides.

[davekeim]

Hey Russ, I don't know how to fly fish with the waders and stuff. I think I need a coach! Can you help with that? Thinking Thanksgiving weekend if the weather is good!

[Terry Beeson]

I've had both and my next one will definately be a camper trailer, not a pop-up. I had the pop-up first and was pleased with it until I got the trailer. Then I found out how much better off I was with the trailer. I'm with the other guys, MTM. I don't know what kind of pop-up you had, but mine had water proof canvass and never once tried to leak.

Advantages of Pop-up:

Easy to pull.

Less expensive price.

Disadvantages:

You have to take time to set them up once you get there. Some are pretty easy, but still not as easy as a trailer.

Storage is more limited.

Advantages of a trailer:

You can keep most everything you need in the camper and just back up to it when you're ready to go.

Once you get to the campsite, you unhook, level, and relax.

Once you get ready to leave, you hook up and leave...

When you get home, you can unhook it and relax... unload what you have to later.

Disadvantages:

More expensive up front.

One piece of advice for either one... get a dual axle. Single axles are a 8!7#& to maneuver....

For six people, I think I'd consider either a 40 foot 5th wheel with pull outs or a motel...