The Popup's Forte

[Geodude]

We sure appreciate being able to keep the TT at home.  It was never a problem with the pop-up of course, but was a concern with the TT. 

When we bought the TT the bylaws stated that we could keep it in the driveway for up to a week but then it had to be hidden from view in a back or side yard.  Then the bylaws changed and it can no longer be kept in the driveway (we still do if we're doing a couple of quick trips), but it can be simply parked at the side or in the back yard with no special provisions for hiding it.

So as luck would have it, there's space at the side for a trailer -- one of only 2-3 houses on the street with that amount of space. 



No matter if it's parked at the side or in the driveway it's great having it plugged in all the time, and we try to keep it fully loaded and ready to go, except for the last minute groceries.

[PattieAM]

My PUP is stocked and ready for me to toss stuff in suitcase and cooler, hook up and go.  The dog has even gone over to the PUP door and sat as though it would open for him.  I'm hoping my local campground will be open soon, am saving the longer trips for later.

[campnmomma]

Popups Rule over any TT, RV, tent, or Motel room 

  2003 Durango and Roockwood

[Oz and Us]

Popups Rule over any TT, RV, tent, or Motel room 

Yeah, that's why thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of popup and hybrid owners every year finally decide they've had enough of tenting, trade in that popup or hybrid for a hard sided trailer that requires no setup, and then after they've been out camping with it just once ask themselves the same old perennial question that's been asked by just about anyone who's already made that same decision before them - "Why didn't we do this sooner?!!"

Sorry, but we've now done well over 400 nights camping in ten years with popups, a hybrid, and now a travel trailer, have towed tens and tens of thousands of miles over pretty well every type of terrain one might run into here in N America from sea level to 12,000' mountain ranges, have done plenty of long trips, medium trips, and one nighters and the bottom line remains the same ... you can't beat the convenience of a travel trailer, especially if it's stored at home as I do, especially if it's kept stocked, the fridge on, and ready to roll ... just hitch and go.  Popups represent great value in camping but if the argument is convenience, with little setup involved, then a hard side travel trailer can't be beat whether it's for a quick overnight trip or a run across the nation.  Believe otherwise and you'd have to believe in flying pigs.

[JD and Beastlet]

We too are lucky enough to be able to keep our travel trailer at home in the driveway all season long.  We camp frequently enough that clothes are in the closets and the fridge is usually stocked to some degree.  If we're going away after work on a Friday I'll even load the kayaks, mount the mirrors and install the stinger on Thursday night.  This speeds things up enough that we can hitch up at home before picking up Beastlet at after-school care, trailer in tow, and head directly out.

Definitely quicker than our PUP for packing, setting up and tearing down.  There are some tradeoffs, of course... gas consumption, site selection, the amount of natural light inside... but the move was definitely worth it for us. 

[clemlaw]

Tastes great!  Less filling!

I'll also throw in a quibble.  A MH or TT would be more convenient for quick trips, IMHO, since there's less to set up.  However, a PU is only slightly inconvenient to set up.  That's far outweighed by the ease of storage.  In particular, ours fits inside our garage. 

In fact, it's not particularly difficult, but IMHO the biggest pain about setting up a PU is getting the bunk end supports in place.  As I'm putting them in, I always say to myself, "it fits in the garage".

[EV2]

Yes, I thought I was on the pup forum?

[Chuck S]

I show we're in Hybrid Explorer "Lifestyles."

Everything is a tradeoff.  A five star hotel is certainly the most convenient. 

-- Chuck

[luvourjayco]

We have done the tent then the pop up thing and are currently now on a seasonal site.  We had things organized and could be on the road in a half an hour with the pop up.  Family dynamics being what they are we had to make choices.  Travel and leave the working kids at home or get a seasonal site with the 5th wheel close enough to home that we could make it work.  Last summer was year 4 for us, we have changed campgrounds and made adjustments but thats ok we are still out there camping.  Within the next 3 years both our girls will be out on their own in college or university and we be alone and we just may go back to travelling but who knows only time will tell!
Convience for us is the set up we have now.  Jump in the car and go.  I grocery shop on the way there at the wonderful shop just down the street where I can pick up some fried chicken for dinner.

[hvac1877]

I see both points of view of the TT and the pups. I keep everything in the garage in order how it is needed when we get the campground. I can have the truck packed and hooked up i about 35-45 mins. I enjoy setting up and take down. The wife and i do some packing the last night before we leave. All stuff we wont need the next day is packed up and put away so the next morning takes no time to take down and come home. No mater if you have a tent,pup,tt,5th wheel,MH we all are camping!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fallsrider]

...Popups represent great value in camping...

That's exactly why we have one. We don't want to tent camp anymore, and a HTT or TT is out of the picture right now. We'd really like to have a TT, but the 'ole budget doesn't make that accommodation at this point.

So, I'll take a PUP anytime over a tent!

But you'll get no argument from me that a TT is more convenient than a PUP.

[Michigan4]

I guess it all depends on what it is that attracts you to popups. For my wife and I, it wasn't the convenience (I agree that TTs are more convenient, though if you get a high wall popup you can also leave it "pre-packed").  It also wasn't the money (we could afford a TT if that's what we wanted). For us it was that little extra connection to nature.  That feeling that somehow you're not really camping if there is no canvas involved.

At least that was our experience as kids. We both started as kids in families that had a popup. Both of our families switched to TTs after a few years. As we look back on it, we both remember the popup years with fonder memories.

I'm absolutely not judging anything or anyone. I'm just pointing out that many are attracted to popups for reasons other than price or convenience.

[TXpopper]

I like my PUP, but sometimes I think the best setup would be a house boat with a couple of Jet skis tied to the side...., but I would have to win the lottery to do that.... I guess I'll stick with the PUP.

[Clarabelle]

Can't agree with the hotel room either.  You still have to haul all your stuff in and out of the hotel room and pack everything before you leave.  Been there, done that.  Whenever possible, we'll take the work of putting up our pop up every single time over a hotel room.

After years of tent camping and backpacking, taking 20 to 30 minutes to set up the PU doesn't seem so bad.  And the ambiance of a quiet campground beats the highway and street noises of motels.