Looking to get my first travel trailer...ultra light or pop up?

[armybass]

I have been hankering for a travel trailer for my boys and I to use for the better part of two years and I think this fall or next spring we will pull the trigger unless I get itchy trigger finger sooner. I have a Toyota Sequoia with a 4.7 V8. Unfortunately I don't have the tow package so i may have to check into that if it is necessary. Anyway, I do not want to go more that 3500lbs if we get a travel trailer instead of the pop up so I am looking at the ultra light trailers of maybe a pop up. I am looking for any suggestions from any of you folks who have any experience with the travel trailer world and would love to get as much info and input as I can. Thanks

 

[Capt Steve]

I have to recommend both, get an ultralight pop up. I'm not talking tent trailers here, wouldn't own one if you gave it to me as they are heavy and a PITA to set up and take down. Two companies make ultra light A-Frame pop up trailers: Chalet and Aliner (and they are more alike than different). I have owned an Aliner for a year and am delighted with it. My Aliner weighs 995 lbs dry, sets up or down in 30 seconds and could be pulled by VW bug. This gets you a trailer with solid insulated walls that sleeps 4, seats 4 at the dinette, has air conditioning, frig/freezer that runs on ac, dc or propane, 2 burner propane stove, sink, porta potty, storage out the wazoo etc.. The head room is just under 8' with lots of windows and vents.

Now if that sounds like an advertisement there is a reason...we are considering selling it to get an 18-24 travel trailer (for longer extended trips/living) and just put it up on Craigslist today as a matter of fact. You are safe in Virginia but if anyone else is interested check out Craigslist. (o; Seriously, before you buy anything check these units out as they are nothing short of amazing. If I hadn't brought a bigger truck last year and our plans for travel changed I would probably keep it forever.

 

[Fuego]

My wife and I had an Isuzu Trooper diesel, and we go to dog shows. We bought a used Scamp travel trailer, and sold it last year for what we paid for it initially.
The Scamp was great. Running water, gas stove, refrigerator, and a flush toilet.

It was not big, but it kept us comfortable. And no tow package was needed. The little four cylinder turbo diesel was a great tow vehicle.

Just watch the water temperature guage, and drive accordingly.

That Scamp had a lot of fond memories.

 

[mikey52]

Hi! Check your tow rating for your vehicle, but you should be good to pull more than 3500. You will need the hitch system with sway bars and stabilizer. You will need an electronic brake controller installed on your tow vehicle. Unless you drive in mountains a lot, you don't need to have an oil or transmission cooler added, they are nice though. I'd think you can find several ultra lite campers under the 4000lb mark. Keep in mind your gross weights, the totals of propane, gear, groceries. Hard side ultra lites offer much more security, locking doors, ac, bath and shower, fridge/freezer, stove/and/or microwave, interior room. I know there are many variation and some very nice pop ups, but in general, the things mentioned about the ultra lites; hold true. Take your time, don't rush, look at lots of campers, and lots more campers, and more campers after that. Hope this helps. Mikey

 

[NE450No2]

I did a lot of camping with a buddy that had a pop up.

I would recommend a small camer trailer instead.

The hassel of putting it up and down, plus it is mostly some kind of fabric, can get stuck, up or down, or in between...

Much better IMHO is a small light weight trailer, all you have to do is open the door and walk in...

Take a hard look at the Casita, made in Texas. I have been to the factory, they are made very well.

I have a similar made trailer that I use at my deer lease. It never leaks, dust or bugs never get inside....

They last forever, and have a high resale.

 

[MitchellB]

We had a tent camper popup trailer and the squirrels ate holes in the canvas. Then we got a hard side fold/crank up camper and liked it a lot better, but it still took 2 of us 15-20 minutes to set it up and longer to get ready to leave, but Popups pull great though. Converted the old tent camper into a hard side mini travel trailer and there is no setup involved anymore. Just back it up to the camp site, lock the brakes on the truck, open the door and you're camping. I'll never go back to a popup.

 

[Sistema1927]

We have owned them all:

Three different pop-ups, a Casita trailer, and a 29' Jayco motor home.

When gas went to $4 we started tent camping again. This past year we dipped our toes back into the RV market, and purchased a Jumping Jack trailer. We just returned from a trip to the Grand Canyon, and have had it out on another camping trip this year, and it absolutely meets our needs. It goes up in 5 minutes, and comes down in about the same amount of time. Lightweight, my V6 F-150 doesn't even know that it is behind.

Tent Trailers - From Trailer to Tent in 5 Minutes!

 

[The Highlander]

I'd bypass the pop-ups (they are called folding campers now I seem to notice). They don't offer any insulation, they retain moisture in damp camping environments or rainy weather, and they have no more privacy than a tent. On the other hand, they do get you up off the ground. And they are your least expensive option initially.

Your truck should be good for way more than 3500#'s and I'd check your exact tow rating to find out your limit.

There are any number of good ultralights that are in your range. They will offer hard-side walls with more insulation and privacy, a bathroom, full kitchen maybe with stove and microwave as well as oven if you want it. TV's of all types either turnkey, or buy your own.

You can also find hybrid trailers. These are hard-sided, but have a pop-up style bed on one or both ends. Kind of the best of both worlds I guess. My comments about lack of insulation, moisture control, and privacy are still valid though.

I said the pop-up was your cheapest INITIALLY. What I mean is that you will get the cheap one, then your family will discover they love it and you will end up trading for a "nicer" camper anyway. Just like we did! Cut your efforts and buy the hard-side ultralight to begin with!

We went from a tent, to a 24' ultralight hardside with no slides, to a 28' ultralight with no slides, to a 36.5' fifth-wheel with two slides in five years! We have stuck with that fiver for seven years now, and I don't see us trading again anytime soon. It has everything we want.

You will love it. PM me if you would like any specific info, I'd love to help spend your money!

The Highlander

 

[Len]

I have to go somewhat against the flow here.

We've had several different types, and now are quite happy using a popup.

Empty weight, 3400 lbs, slide out in the kitchen area, two kings bunks, and two spare bunks, shower, john, heater/hot water, fridge, a/c unit.

We love the thing, it's perfect for us and a couple of dogs. For some reason, all our friends keep trying to talk us into a hard side trailer, every single one, and although I'm sure they love theirs, ours works for our needs.

Other than cranking it up, the set up is exactly the same as a full trailer. Every RV has to disconnect, level, plug in, turn on gas, etc., with the popup the cranking takes me or the wife an extra minute or two, plus one minute to install the door. And if we add an electric cranking system in the future, even that'll be easier.

Mikey52 is right. A lot of dealers/owners tell you that you may not really need a sway bar/system, but there's nothing like it when you have it. Tracks perfectly, even when passing big rigs, or in windy conditions. My trailer is rated for 1/3 the tow capacity of my truck, and it has the tow/trans cooler system packages. I notice a mpg knock of 2 mpg when towing on the flat.

With any trailer, [as with a lot of things] maintaining it is the key. You just have to do it if you want problem free use. We've never had a problem with the tenting material, raising or lowering, or vermin. We have, however, been in snow and some significant storms, and had no problems. [RV's are not safe in bad weather in any circumstance, it's always best to take cover in a "real" building!!]

We'll probably never "graduate" and/or return to a hard side, but we don't feel the need either.

 

[armybass]

Thanks for all the great info folks. I too am leaning heavily towards the ultra light. I have never been turned on by the pop ups but I figured it would be wise to at least consider it. My folks have always had travel trailers and we enjoyed it but now it is time for me and my kids to do this.

My Sequoia can pull 6200 lbs but I don't want to push it. I am going to the local dealer to start looking this weekend.

Highlander, I will look you up after I get some ideas of whats available this weekend.

 

[bwsmith2850]

I have had both and they both have advantages and disadvantages. You might look at a 'hi lo' They lower and tow like a popup but have the amenities and advantages of the hard sided trailers. Makes a nice hybryd.

Edit: added link & found out they will be shutting down. Better hurry or hunt a used one if you like them.

 

[DeadAye]

RENT AND SEE...
We had a motorhome - Sold it.
REALLY missed *camping* and decided on a pop-up.
I'm really glad we rented one instead of buying! There just wasn't enough storage for clothes and we wound up living out of suitcases.

I was a road warrior for 15 years - I hate living out of a suitcase!

 

[The Highlander]

No problem sir! I'd be honored to assist you, and happy to help spend someone else's money for once! No matter what type of camper you decide on, there are some items that make it easier and safer to use. After about a dozen years of the rv lifestyle, and using mine for pleasure and even business travel, I might have picked up a little knowledge that will help.

Campers are a little like guns, they are addictive, especially to a gadget freak!

If you haven't looked around the internet yet, two forums with great people are

rv.net and escapees.com

They are both good, with excapees focusing a little bit more on the full-timers and rv.net a general camping type forum.

 

[OLDFED]

Scamp, Casita or Bigfoot...used

The fiberglas shell style campers are light, sturdy, dry and HOLD their value! I recently sold a Bigfoot B17 that was just over 20 years old and received nearly what it sold for new back then. Inside, it was spotless and outside all it needed was a good gel-coat polish. Buy something that will last!

 

[Sven]

We down sized to a little Scamp about ten years ago when the kids left and love it! Bought a 16' rear dinett/side dinett model and leave the rear made into a bed all the time. We've lived out of it for up to a month at a time. I've pulled it mostly with a Jeep Wrangler and 4.0 six, and except for mountain grades and strong prairie headwinds, it's pulled great. Even the mountain grades aren't that bad, just have to downshift and crawl along. Your 4.7 V-8 would work great! We bought the Scamp without A/C, and it fits through an 8' tall garage door. It looks almost brand new after ten years and 30,000 miles. We live 85 miles from the factory and made about 3 trips there to have it built just the way we want it! If you pick it up at the factory, they will wire you up for an 8-way trailer plug and install an electric brake control free. Plus you get a trip to God's Country!

 

[Old 44 Guy]

We bought a Dreamer 8Ft. Cabover camper in 1964, $1495. Had it on 5 different trucks till 2001. It was well used. Then I got a tent trailer as I was alone then. Miserable thing to set up plus I like to froze to death deer hunting in Nevada last year @ 9 above zero. Made the coffee night before so took an hour to thaw out & perk.Looking for a Chalet pop up to tow behind my Ranger 4x4. Dealer here wants about 15 grand for a new one, think I'll look for a used one. Tent trailer was great to tow, even in a bad wind.

 

[charlie sherrill]

Forget about the FEMA trailers. I went and looked at them yesterday. 95% of them were severely trashed. I don't know if it was just this batch of them are if all of them are like that. Formaldehyde would be the least of your worries. These things had busted windows and doors,leaking roofs, holes rotted in the floor, missing items (hardly any with fuel bottles) gang grafitti, and most were not self-contained. It might just be a bad batch and I'll go look again at the next auction, but I don't think I'll see much difference.

 

[Win75]

We went the pop up route, I would never do it again. The up and down, canvas/plastic sides, moving everything each time, and not much storage are hassels. If it rains, you have to put the thing up again when you get home to let it dry.

 

[Xfuzz]

We have had a couple over the years...so far this has been the best.
2004 Jayco 31 footer loaded out. Get 7.5mpg pulling the Jeep.
We bought it in 06 from an older couple who jumped up to a 40'
diesel pusher.
Have it out to go in tuesday for automatics levelers.
So I'm looking for a 19-20' hardside lightweight for deer camp.

 

[Muley Gil]

"Plus you get a trip to God's Country!"

Y'all coming to the Blue Ridge mountains of Southwest Virginia???

This picture was taken from one of the hills on my 20 acres. The view is the Iron Mountains in the Jefferson National Forest.