Folding or popup camping trailers

[thoang]

I'm doing some research before purchasing the folding camping trailer please help me out. Consider a big amount of money for us...so thanks. I've been search online but I think it's better to get the real experiences.

1. How long do camping trailers last ? 10 - 20 years ?
2. I've done tent camping ..Is there any restriction to camping trailers that campsite won't allow? Is that possible for a campsite turn out the camping trailers?
3. What is your recommendation on quality,manufactory, Brand, and price?

Thanks in advance,
tom

[bobsienna1]

I have had two popups, both small. They should last a good 10 years. On the PopTimes website some people have much older popups. The tenting material may have to be replaced after 10 years or so. Some of the upscale popups have extended warranties on the tenting fabric. You shouldn't have any problems with camping grounds. I have camped all across the South and Colorado with no restrictions. The majority of state park campgrounds have sections with water and electricty hookups.

The main popups that I am familar with are Coleman, Jayco, and Starcraft. All are good with each having different arrangements. Costs range from a small one with no AC or refrigerator for $7K up to large ones at about 16K.

I can't remember the PopUP Times forum. Should be able to do a search.

[thoang]

Thanks Bobsienna1 for the valuable information.

Tom.

[teachndad]

I got into pop ups two years ago. I have bought two of them for under 1000 in good condition. You can find ones that are under 4k that are in very good condition by checking Craigslist. Do that if you want to save money.
They often don't get a lot of wear. I have a 20 year old one that needs some brake work and the cables need to be adjusted. The chassis needs to be touched up. Interior and canvas are in very good condition.

If you can afford a new one, go ahead. You can get just about anything you want these days. They even have side pullouts. I would caution that, Keep in mind that you can only pull 3500 lbs with tranny cooler. That means trailer gear and people in your van. So back into the numbers and see what your needs are. Wiring your van for the trailer will cost some money and you may need to get a trailer hitch depending on your model. If the tent trailers are really heavy, you will need to invest in a WDH or Weight Distribution Hitch. More money. Talk to everyone you can including going to a dealer and they can tell you what your needs would be and you get to see new ones. Also, if you have time go to an RV show to see what size works for you.

Brakes are a must on a trailer over 1000 lbs. It's still nice to have it on that size as well, but a lot of manufacturers didn't put them on the light those due to there "low" weight.

A pop up with a 8 foot box is fine for you and your wife, but now frills. If you get up to around an 11 foot box it gets better. They go bigger from there. Personally I would stay away from duel axles, just more maintenance and wear on the wheel bearings over time.

Try Popupexplorer.com for great info, Also the folding trailer forum at trailerlife.com is good as well. Try popupportal.com, and arveeclub.com are also recommended. Post your original questions there. There, I think you can get more responses to what your needs are than posting here.

Good luck.

Rod

[rstanek]

We love our p'up and hopefully you will as well. Some things I learned during my extensive search...

1. Coleman/Fleetwood are super pop-ups. Great quality. If you purchase a used Coleman, check out threads on the ABS roof from late 90's to mid 2000 or so. We did end up with a Starcraft, and I miss our short lived Coleman.

2. Keep an eye on total trailer weight, do the worksheets you can find out there. For our 2000 Sienna, we first bought a Coleman Cheyenne that was 1,950lbs dry weight, and when I weighed it on a scale it turned closer to 2,250lbs. Very little room for error and other gear like bikes, boats, etc. That's how we got a Starcraft at 1,380lbs dry weight. Now I don't worry.

3. Trailer brakes are a must. You can easily install the hitch yourself, and the rear taillights. I'd recommend having a tow shop install your brake controller. Think "Tekonsha" here.

4. Verify your van has the tow prep package. Change the oil more often, use synthetic. Change your brake pads more often.

5. If you end up with a heavier trailer, seriously consider the AirlIft 1000 kit for your rear springs. Wish I had on our first Sienna, they were a must have for our new to us Sienna.

6. popupportal.com is an incredibly helpful resource.

[teachndad]

We love our p'up and hopefully you will as well. Some things I learned during my extensive search...

1. Coleman/Fleetwood are super pop-ups. Great quality. If you purchase a used Coleman, check out threads on the ABS roof from late 90's to mid 2000 or so. We did end up with a Starcraft, and I miss our short lived Coleman.

2. Keep an eye on total trailer weight, do the worksheets you can find out there. For our 2000 Sienna, we first bought a Coleman Cheyenne that was 1,950lbs dry weight, and when I weighed it on a scale it turned closer to 2,250lbs. Very little room for error and other gear like bikes, boats, etc. That's how we got a Starcraft at 1,380lbs dry weight. Now I don't worry.

3. Trailer brakes are a must. You can easily install the hitch yourself, and the rear taillights. I'd recommend having a tow shop install your brake controller. Think "Tekonsha" here.

4. Verify your van has the tow prep package. Change the oil more often, use synthetic. Change your brake pads more often.

5. If you end up with a heavier trailer, seriously consider the AirlIft 1000 kit for your rear springs. Wish I had on our first Sienna, they were a must have for our new to us Sienna.

6. popupportal.com is an incredibly helpful resource.

Excellent advice from Rob. I had forgotten about the Coleman roof issues.

I ended up getting the Tekonosha Prodigy brake controller based on what I had read over at popupexplorer. com. A lot of people like them. They seem very user friendly and work well. Shop around online for a good deal on one. You might be able to get it with the hitch and pay no shipping. I have it sitting in a box on the workbench waiting to set everything up for towing.

I agree with having the tow shop set up the wiring. I kept on trying to figure it out and do it myself to save a llttle cash, but I don't know car electronics well and for paying a little more, I can know that the job was done right, especially when you are working with brakes and thousands of pounds with your family "in tow".

Cheers.

Rod

[thoang]

Thanks for your help, Rob and Rod. Wow! too much information for me tonight already. Really appreciate your great help.

Tom.

[edabbey]

Although the sienna can tow up to 3500lbs, we went to some effort to minimize the weight of our pup. We bought a Quicksilver 10.0 as its only 1000lbs. It has 2 queen bunks, the table folds to a double and that's about it! No a/c, stove, or fridge. The only perk is a small sink and a couple of light/fans. We've had it for 4 years and our only issue was a zipper on the door which the dealer fixed for free last year.

Good luck with your search and happy camping!

[tcp]

We have been borrowing my in-laws motorhome for a couple of summers to camp in but they never used it at all and we convinced them they should sell it.
We bought a 2005 Bantam Flyer F-18 a couple of months ago and will be using that from now on. It has a dry weight rating of 2600lbs so with our stuff and all the extras on it, we'll be right at the designated weight limit for the Sienna. So far I've just towed it home, but with the Airbags and a WDH it'll tow fine. I've towed all kinds of seismic equipment around western Canada and the Sienna does very well. Not a rocket or torque monster diesel but works nicely for our purposes as a daily driver and occasional trailer hauler.

I'm doing some research before purchasing the folding camping trailer please help me out. Consider a big amount of money for us...so thanks. I've been search online but I think it's better to get the real experiences.

1. How long do camping trailers last ? 10 - 20 years ?
2. I've done tent camping ..Is there any restriction to camping trailers that campsite won't allow? Is that possible for a campsite turn out the camping trailers?
3. What is your recommendation on quality,manufactory, Brand, and price?

Thanks in advance,
tom

[brian_bp]

...Keep in mind that you can only pull 3500 lbs with tranny cooler. That means trailer gear and people in your van...

I agree that it is important to check all the numbers, and ensure that the Sienna is within all of its rated limits. Fortunately, the Sienna's Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR) - at least in the second generation - is high enough that it can tow a 3500 lb trailer (including the trailer's contents) and still have significant capacity left for passengers and cargo in the van.

Since the GCWR for 2004 and newer is about 8700 lb, and the Sienna weighs about half of that, the remainder for trailer plus stuff in the van is well over 3500 lb... but only 3500 lb of that can be towed, if there is any more it must be people and stuff in the van.