Done with the pop-up

[Spirit Deer]

We spend a ton of time inside the trailer when we're traveling and doing overnights.  Usually once we're set up, you won't see us outside except to walk our dogs.  If we've been in the car all day, all we want to do is get something to eat, read a while, and go to sleep.

[pony280]

Seems like many couples who think a pop up is too much work don't see set-up as a team effort.  It would be interesting to see if that's fact or just a perception of things I've noticed on the board over the years.

I have to say that when DH is with me, he is an equal partner in the set up and tear down, which is much faster than DD, who needs more instruction step by step. DH and I pop up the camper together, then he moves inside to set that up, and I take care of outside set-up: privy tent, screen house, folding tables, camp stove and dishwashing station. (Really, that all takes about 15 minutes.)

The effort of the pop-up always seems worth it to me when I am enjoying the breeze through the screens and the light interior. It feels more like camping in a tent, but with the comfort of beds.

[rabird]

Is it just me? or have others noticed that folks in popup campers spend plenty of time outside on the camp chairs in the open air?

No it is not just you. Yes, noted!

[Merks]

Seems like many couples who think a pop up is too much work don't see set-up as a team effort.  It would be interesting to see if that's fact or just a perception of things I've noticed on the board over the years.

Haven't got through all of the replies yet but had to comment on this one. I try to make it a team effort but DH ( I have other names for him when setting up and taking down) and I are always fighting . So I have to think, that maybe I should just go find something else to do.

[bikendan]

We've talked about a hybrid but the deal-breaker for me is having to make the bunks every night.  No, thanks.  But I seldom see that mentioned by others, so for them apparently it works out fine.  The deal-breaker for both of us at the moment is all the trips we're planning in the next few years that will take us across the prairie.  There's no way we want a full-height trailer at this point, due to the wind out there. 

not sure what you mean about making the beds every night. how is a hybrid bunk different than a popup bunk?

by the way, i didn't mean that all you do is relax when camping. i meant that some people have a pace that they spend so much time trying to see as many places as they can, they never stop and "smell the roses".

[ghacker]

...not sure what you mean about making the beds every night. how is a hybrid bunk different than a popup bunk?

Based on the hybrids I've looked at, I think the problem has to do with the fact that the bunk folds out, not slides out. The bedding would be vertical.

[Extreme4x4]

We have also noted that alot of people with TT's and MH's seem to never step foot out of it. We have talked about it, it is so obvious.

When we were at Roosevelt lake, all the folks with PUP's were out and about, as the weather was beautiful. There were a number of larger rigs, with generators, and the only way you knew there was actually someone in the trailer, was when they would come out to put gas in the generator (of course there was the constantly running generator also).

I think there is a contingent of folks who like the "idea" of camping................ but don't really like the reality of it. Thus, they do the same thing in their trailers, that they do at home.

I guess we were just raised differently. While I realize that there is no right, and no wrong, when it comes to camping, it just seems like a waste of money to me, if you aren't even going to enjoy the outdoors at all.

Now, at Hawley Lake, it is a bit different. It is farther from population centers, so you have a tendency to get a different type of camper. They are there to fish and enjoy the outdoors. You rarely see the big fancy MH or 5th wheel. While you do see MH's and 5th wheels, they are usually older. The campground there is unorganized, with no hook-ups and no pads, so many of the rolling cabins stay away.

As for set-up and take-down, we always do it together, and work very well together. It goes quickly, as everyone has their duties (including the 8-year-old)........... but we don't rush.

As a matter of fact, I am very much looking forward to a 2-week trip to Disneyworld, in the PUP. I think it will be a fabulous adventure, as I don't consider set-up/down to be work. It is all a part of the enjoyment of being away from home. I mean, really.............. I could be home vacuuming and cleaning bathrooms, or pulling weeds............. or in my camper, setting up. Hmmmm, tough decision.

[crazytrain]

So Sherpaxc and CrazyTrain.... where y'at?  I'm looking for a PUP.  Hmm...

Ciao,

I'm in PA and when I get a larger TV (really wanting another truck) probably next year some time, I will gladly sell you our PU. Heck for the right price I might concider delivery too. 

[tlbj6142]

I, too, sort of enjoy setting up and tear down.  I'm the same way when I backpack.  It is probably the most relaxing part of the trip (for me).  But, we are not typically in a hurry.

What's the issue about "dealing with canvas"? I must be missing something.

If the camper were empty, setup/take down would be stupid easy.  So, for us, the real problem is dealing with pulling everything out of nooks and holes and placing where we want it while the camper is setup.  And, of course, reversing the process during take down.  I do think part of the problem is that my wife packs too much.  I have gotten her to trim off some stuff, but in general I think we take way too many clothes  (on 5+ day trips) and too much "just in case" stuff.

Next year we are planning a 3 week trip to YS/GT (from Ohio).  That will involve several 1 nighters.  So, we had better figure something out soon.  That said, we might end up renting an RV/MH if she doesn't stop reading the paper, as there have been 2-3 bear attacks in the past week or so at YS.

[flakeyspam]

We to are thinking this is our last year in the pup we have been looking at the hybrids and have decided that they are not for us.  Everything falls on my dh when setting up as I have no range of motion and cannot bend or lift anything also we like the idea of just pulling in and plugging in and be relaxing in a short time. as we have so many camping spots within a few hours of us gas is not a huge issue and we figure the ease of setup would be a good trade off

[PattieAM]

Up until recently I solo-ed with my PUP, and I'm disabled, so set up was a bit longer (30 min), and if I set up the AAR, add another 15 min.  

But, with a partner to help with set-up, what a breeze.  He pops the roof and opens the door, does the level while I sit in the tow vehicle - we determine the low side and set up the lynx and I pull the PUP onto them, he chocks the wheels, and he disconnects, and I pull away.  Then, we both unfurl the awning and set up the add-a-room, then he raises the roof a bit more and we check our PUGs and position them (he does that while I extend the legs on the awning), and he raises the roof all the way while I extend the legs again.  (He's already done the front to rear leveling when disconnecting). He pulls out the bunks and glide out.  He gets the water tote, sewer tote out, and I go inside and get the kitchen tote out of the bathroom, he comes in and helps me lift the over the sink chuck box into position, and we both do the door installation.  He gets the AC plugged in and going while I'm getting the bunks set up and the glide out set up.  He puts the carpet in the AAR as well as the chairs, rolls in the cooler and starts handing me food for the fridge which I've wiped out and turned on.  The cooler then is for beverages only.  He sets up the grill, hooks up the sewer and/or tote, then hooks up the water, while I putter inside - setting up the dinette table, then we both take a break!

I have viewed a few tt's and a few hybrids, both of which have features I do like, but I remind myself my PUP is paid for, tows so well, and has all the bells/whistles of the big boys, and I walked away feeling good.

[TimK]

Seems like many couples who think a pop up is too much work don't see set-up as a team effort.  It would be interesting to see if that's fact or just a perception of things I've noticed on the board over the years.

As usual by you, an astute observation. There were three categories of work in our set-up plan: her stuff (primarily the interior of the PUP), my stuff (primarily the exterior: camp kitchen, table, gray water tank, hookups, etc.), and our stuff (Pup awning, Parawing over the picnic table).

Set up went smoothly and quickly. No one was frazzled or exhausted.

[Oz and Us]

He pops the roof and opens the door, does the level while I sit in the tow vehicle - we determine the low side and set up the lynx and I pull the PUP onto them, he chocks the wheels, and he disconnects, and I pull away.  Then, we both unfurl the awning and set up the add-a-room, then he raises the roof a bit more and we check our PUGs and position them (he does that while I extend the legs on the awning), and he raises the roof all the way while I extend the legs again.  (He's already done the front to rear leveling when disconnecting). He pulls out the bunks and glide out.  He gets the water tote, sewer tote out, and I go inside and get the kitchen tote out of the bathroom, he comes in and helps me lift the over the sink chuck box into position, and we both do the door installation.  He gets the AC plugged in and going while I'm getting the bunks set up and the glide out set up.  He puts the carpet in the AAR as well as the chairs, rolls in the cooler and starts handing me food for the fridge which I've wiped out and turned on.  The cooler then is for beverages only.  He sets up the grill, hooks up the sewer and/or tote, then hooks up the water, while I putter inside - setting up the dinette table, then we both take a break!

Phew! ... I'm worn out just reading all this!

With my travel trailer my easiest / quickest setup has been on a pull thru site where I've pulled in, jumped out of the truck, walked into the camper, and sat down for supper ... literally.   After supper, I chocked, unhitched, and after I'd leveled front to back one of my boys dropped the stabs while the other ran out the power cable ... DONE, so we go sit by the fire my DW has been building in the meantime.   Back in sites and those requiring side to side leveling take a couple of minutes longer.  If we're just overnighting I won't even unhitch, if we're staying a couple of days all the window dressing stuff i.e. awning, ground mat, camp table, etc we'll set up the next morning ... about the only option I can think of that could be easier or quicker would be an auto leveling MH!

[z_randy]

I'm pretty new to the whole PU scene but I really don't mind setting up.  The hardest and most annoying part for me is cranking it up but it's only a couple of minutes out of the trip.  The rest is just routine.  Once I get the ends set up my DW hops in and sets up the beds.  The kids run around and play.
I even offer to the kids to pop it up in the backyard for backyard camping and that's usually just a night.  I just don't hook everything up then.  My biggest issue is I can't do it enough!

[Oz and Us]

I'm pretty new to the whole PU scene but I really don't mind setting up.

Give it a few years ... or better still take a long 6 week trip like the OP described in his original post was the kicker for him, then come back and tell us how much you don't mind setting up and tearing down.