We are a retired couple in our mid 60's, live in Southern Cal and would like advice and information on purchasing a PUP. There will only be the two of us using it along with our sweet Border Terrier. Our interests are sightseeing (getting there is half the fun!), freshwater fishing, photography, sketching, camp cooking with some easy hikes thrown in. We will most likely travel during the months with mild weather and when school is in session (to avoid the crowds). We will store the PUP in our garage. The towing vehicle is a 2013 Toyota 4Runner. We are looking for something that's fairly easy to erect, is durable and as trouble-free as possible (reliable). We don't want to worry about a sagging floor or roof or a poorly made unit. What are your opinions about having a PUP with a shower/privy combo? Are these very usable? How difficult is it to empty the cassette? Is a refrigerator necessary? We are going to a couple of local RV sales places tomorrow and I just don't know what to look for or what questions to ask.Thanking you in advance for any wisdom you can give us!Linda

if it is just the 2 of you I would get an Aliner. Unreal easy to set up and tow like a dream.My opinion on a shower/toilet combo is I don't like it.too much condensation for a pup for me and don't like the idea of tearing it all down every time.We just use a porta potty with an outdoor change room if bathrooms are not clean. pup toilets and showers do not have a lot of black and gray storage capacity so if you do not have full hookups you may have to haul some poo.I couldn't do without a fridge but could be done with a cooler and ice I guess. Most newer pups will have a fridge standard anyway.Your TV will haul any pup.Good luck in your choice

Linda please keep in mind most RV'ers go through at least 3 RVs before they finally find something that fits their needs.Most start small Pup, camper, small TT...etc The final RV most settle on is at least 25 feet and hard sided. Travel Trailer, Motorhome or 5th Wheel 25 feet seems to be the minimum that most RVers are comfortable with once they've tried the smaller units.I use this test....If we are camping and for some reason have to live in the RV for a week stuck inside the RV (bad weather, volcano eruption ash fall, flood who knows what)could we survive without getting cabin fever. I'd rather be stuck in a 25 foot hard sided RV than in a PUP.Just an observation based upon reading several RV forums for the past 10 years.

While looking at units TEST EVERYTHING! Lay on the beds, sit at the tables, stand in the shower act like you are washing, sit on the toilet and act like you are finishing your business. Where are the pots and pans going to be? Don't let the salesperson tell you that you will adjust to it... If you have to adjust to it, IT IS THE WRONG ONE. Keep looking. Don't only look at the pop ups look at the hard sided units also you will be surprised that the price is not that different and you will get more features.I see you are in California, I think it can get hot during the day and cold at night? Well a pop up will work an air conditioner and heater a lot harder than a hard sided unit. I like that if I have loud neighbors all I have to do is close my windows and the noise is gone. (not so much in a pop up)Be prepared to walk away if you don't see what you like, someone will have the right trailer for you.

You might be interested in the A-liner campers also. Hard sides but folds down like a pup.

They posted in "folding trailers", so why are you very large trailer people saying they shouldn't buy a popup?popups have tons to offer and by the sounds of these people ,just like most pup owners,they have no intention of doing anything other than sleeping in the camper.They sound like myself who enjoys canoeing,fishing,hiking and campfires and maybe a glass of wine. My trailer has no function other than a bed no matter how big it is.

Advice for 1st timers - we are looking to buy

25 Replies

popupcamping
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
They posted in "folding trailers", so why are you very large trailer people saying they shouldn't buy a popup?

popups have tons to offer and by the sounds of these people ,just like most pup owners,they have no intention of doing anything other than sleeping in the camper.

They sound like myself who enjoys canoeing,fishing,hiking and campfires and maybe a glass of wine. My trailer has no function other than a bed no matter how big it is.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Aug 14, 2013
You might be interested in the A-liner campers also. Hard sides but folds down like a pup.
memgrove
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
While looking at units TEST EVERYTHING! Lay on the beds, sit at the tables, stand in the shower act like you are washing, sit on the toilet and act like you are finishing your business. Where are the pots and pans going to be?

Don't let the salesperson tell you that you will adjust to it... If you have to adjust to it, IT IS THE WRONG ONE. Keep looking.

Don't only look at the pop ups look at the hard sided units also you will be surprised that the price is not that different and you will get more features.

I see you are in California, I think it can get hot during the day and cold at night? Well a pop up will work an air conditioner and heater a lot harder than a hard sided unit.

I like that if I have loud neighbors all I have to do is close my windows and the noise is gone. (not so much in a pop up)

Be prepared to walk away if you don't see what you like, someone will have the right trailer for you.
the_bear_II
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
Linda please keep in mind most RV'ers go through at least 3 RVs before they finally find something that fits their needs.

Most start small Pup, camper, small TT...etc The final RV most settle on is at least 25 feet and hard sided. Travel Trailer, Motorhome or 5th Wheel 25 feet seems to be the minimum that most RVers are comfortable with once they've tried the smaller units.

I use this test....If we are camping and for some reason have to live in the RV for a week stuck inside the RV (bad weather, volcano eruption ash fall, flood who knows what)could we survive without getting cabin fever. I'd rather be stuck in a 25 foot hard sided RV than in a PUP.

Just an observation based upon reading several RV forums for the past 10 years.
popupcamping
Explorer
Aug 14, 2013
if it is just the 2 of you I would get an Aliner. Unreal easy to set up and tow like a dream.

My opinion on a shower/toilet combo is I don't like it.

too much condensation for a pup for me and don't like the idea of tearing it all down every time.

We just use a porta potty with an outdoor change room if bathrooms are not clean. pup toilets and showers do not have a lot of black and gray storage capacity so if you do not have full hookups you may have to haul some poo.

I couldn't do without a fridge but could be done with a cooler and ice I guess. Most newer pups will have a fridge standard anyway.

Your TV will haul any pup.

Good luck in your choice

Forum Discussion

Advice for 1st timers - we are looking to buy

25 Replies

About Travel Trailer Group

Related Content

Just looking for info.

First Timer Looking for Advice

Old Timer RVing

Looking for owners manual 2007 Sonoma

First timer needs advice