newbie,want to buy a old popup trailer,is it safe?

A friend tried to buy a used popup and everyone he looked at had mold in the fabric. Replacing the fabric was going to cost over $1000 for the one he was thinking of buying. I would bet that most owners do not take the time to let their campers air out properly after they get home.

Even for a popup, only the smallest ones will be under 2000lbs.
And as was said, what's in the Pilot can lower that 2000 number.
I suggest you visit the Folding Camper section here and questions from other popup owners.
Or go to Popup Explorer's website and get answers from the best popup website on the Net.

As noted, look very close for mold and water damage, very common on the older pups.

1. Go to a camper show and see if anyone makes what you want new. Then go looking for that unit used.
2. Spend as much time as it takes to find that "lightly used" unit that was stored indoors.
3. You apparently live in CA, so I assume these will be relatively shorter trips. So you won't need to load up a lot of extra cloths and food. Try to travel light.
4. Your two children are still very young. I would be reluctant to go the tent route. I always said it was a bigger adjustment for us going from one child to two children than going from no kids to one child. Anyway, two young children require constant attention and supervision. Just getting a family sized tent setup while keeping an eye on the kids could be a real chore.

5. Consider item 4, and then add in rain.

vincentru wrote:
...I have a honda pilot 2013,can tow max 2000lbs....

Unfortunately you can't tow much.

Most TV (tow vehicle) manufacturers require that you subtract passengers and gear in the TV from the tow rating. Check your manual.

Knowing how much gear a wife and kids require, I'd say you are in tent territory. Maybe a tiny cargo trailer to carry the tent and gear.

Either way you need to limit yourself to a trailer with a GVWR of 1,500 - 2,000 which would be a dry unloaded weight of less than 1,000.

thanks for reply.
the most important thing is:my car just can tow 2000lbs,2 adult 2 kids,some luggage,food,2 car seat?so,what's the weight of popup trailer I can buy?

thanks,

You will almost count on replacing the canvas if it is an older popup... My 2008 OFF-ROAD POPUP is really starting to show wear and tear now with my canvas and it was always covered by 8X12 tarps when setup. Poor man GIZMO's... My canvas pouch holding the awning is long gone now too... Awning is fine but the pouch sewed threads is rotted away from the UV I guess.

Floors seem ok. I have replaced the floor in front of the door where I guess it gets run off from under the door and added some additional angle support there under the floor where it always seems to give when you come stomping inside the POPUP from the high steps.

Every thing is pretty well easily accessed so if you are handy with those sort of repairs shouldn't be a big repair effort. Only the real early POPUPs were light weight. My 12-foot base with 5-foot front deck POPUP shown here weighs in at 4200lbs when loaded down for camping. It does however have all of the comforts of home including cassette potty and sit down shower.















As you can see even my larger POPUP is very crowed inside and not much move around room. With older kids the POPUP is where you and the misses will be sleeping and the kids will outside in a tent setup...

It certainly is perfect for the two of us however. The second tent bed area is where all of our day time use items are stored.

food for thinking here...
Roy Ken

If it doesn't leak, even if the electrical and plumbing are not usable it will provide you with a mobile "tent" that keeps you off the ground.

Friends get plenty of use with their popups whether or not they are using the plumbing and electric systems. If the refrig works, that is a bonus.

Big thing is that the canvas is in good shape and doesn't leak. Then make sure the main roof is in good shape, AND that the raising and lowering system works dependably! If you can't raise, and then lower, the "popup" than it is not usable.

You may want to replace the foam beds.

A 1976 popup? That's just about 40 years old. If it is in excellent condition, then great, but just be careful with it!

MOLD. Look for mold.

Bruce

Welcome,

My friend just bought an older popup, and is working on it. Few things I see, while helping him out:
* Look for water damage
* Look for animal/rodent damage
* Open it up, and inspect the canvas. Hose it down and check for leaks.
* Make sure all electrical is working.
* Check the plumbing for leaks.
* Check the date code and condition of the tires, including the spare.

You have a pretty small vehcile. Make sure you pick a real light unit.