Buying a used Pop-up?

My POPUP was bought new in 2008 model and about the only thing that has gone south on me is the BAG TYPE Awning. The sun has taken it course on it. I don't stow it in the bag anymore just fold it up on top of the POPUP and ratchet strap it in place when in travel mode. The Awning itself is just fine. Only the bag is dry rotting away at the threads...

I thought I had a weak floor at the door entrance maybe due to some water getting to the floor under the door but after looking at it from underneath I didnt fin any damage. I beefed up the area just inside the door with a a couple of angle pieces under the trailer. Not spongy feeling anymore... My WINDOWS have held up great - no problems at all. I am starting to see some wall shrinkage I guess it is as sometimes it gets hard to setup without really pulling in hard on some of the window flaps. Still working good so far. Bondebond on here has reported the same problem with his side flaps.

I suspect the tent tops probably will take the worse beating over time. I have always put a full 9X12 tarp up on both ends of may top when setup. The tent bed material looks like brand new still after all these years...

Oh i have had some problems with the VELCRO around the edges of the tent top. Was easy fix with new VELCRO installs from local hardware store. Mine came unglued from the metal frame in certain spots that was used alot under stress. Sort of goes with the shrinking side windows flaps I think...

Mt tent tops look like this with my tarps over the tent bed ends when setup. I get a good two seasons out of the 9X12 TARP. Tarps come in SILVER-BROWN-GREEN-BLUE... The BLUE looks good on my trailer haha.. Usually get the SILVER color... Poor Mans GIZMO I guess... Much cooler and less lighted up inside during the summer and warmer in the winter.


Everything else on my OFF-ROAD POPUP TRAILER doing fine and it does go alot off the power grids sometimes way back into the woods, crossing rock bed mtn streams, or up on the mtn ridges around here in VA and along the Blue Ridge...

My OFF-ROAD Trailer can go for a couple of weeks with its beefed up batteries and smart-mode charging technology. The game plan is to run all the 120VAC and 12VDC toys you want to run and recharge the batteries the next morning by connecting the shore power cable directly to my 2kW Honda generator sitting in the back of my truck bed. This gets my back to 90% charge state and I do about two weeks of these 50% to 90% charge cycles without doing damage to the batteries. This is usually when we come home as most place around here only allow a few hours day to run the the generators, I need a good 12 hours of continuous generator run time to get my batteries back up to their 100% charge state. This is when we pack up and head for the house haha...

Everyone that see's it wants to come up and look inside it all the time...

just my thoughts
Roy Ken

A used pup is the way to go you will save a ton of money just know they can leak and the seals do get dry as it ages make sure you put it up and take it down slide the bed ends in they should slide pretty easy depending on age check the tent and tent ends well good luck have fun

And before you buy it, have the seller put it up and take it down several times to see the process he goes through. Also listed to the electric lift if it has one and make sure it sounds right. Finally, check all the systems to make sure they are functioning properly.

There are a few overarching issues with specific models/years with Colemans and ABS roofs. There are a few gotchas on some other brands and models but it is so specific to mention brands and/or models to avoid is an exercise if futility.

If you find some specific models you are interested in, report back here with the details of each and see if we can line up any concerns about those.

The two most important factors when looking at used PUPs are the floor plan and the condition. When looking, I would look over the floor plan first to see if it would fit our wants and desires, then scrutinize the condition in many of the ways listed above.

Expect to replace the tires unless you have proof they are newer and the brakes, if equipped, and to touch up the caulking as needed.

Sit in them and run through having a rainy day and how the occupants will deal with it cooped up inside.

Buying used will save you some of the financial hit if your intention is to sell in the future.

I agree with all the above advice. I loved our popup we had about 20 years ago. It was a used Coleman Sequoia and we used it a lot. I did have some initial roof leak problems along this center seam it had down the middle, and some canvas dry rot problems around one of the beds that I had to deal with, so definitely pay attention to that stuff very carefully before buying.

Some of the older Coleman or Fleetwood popups had a roof problem. The roof would crack due to the material that it's made of. Not sure how old you are looking for, but the high wall popups look really nice. Use don't have to put your sink down. You only have to put the walls down from the bathroom area. There are a couple with a slide/bump out like the Fleetwood Niagara. It provides a little more living space. King beds are really nice as there is plenty of room for sleeping and room for storage with plastic bins. We started out with a popup and thoroughly enjoyed it for 7 years.

Not just the floors, also check the ceilings and sidewalls.

Put your hand on the ceilings and press, looking for soft spots. especially in the corners and along the sides but the entire roof should be checked.

Also, take a "mechanics creeper" to lay down on and get up under the camper. Check the side walls for any rot or soft wood.

Test all the appliances and dates on the tires to see if they are more than a couple years old.

Good luck in your search.

Most of all look for evidence of leaks; mold/musty smell, water stains, cracked and dried seals and caulking, soft floors or roof. Make sure the lift system works smoothly and doesn't bind when cranking. Make sure the beds pull out and slide in easily.

Some older Jaycos sagged in the back due to poor frame design, but I think anything in the last 15 years or so will be fine.

The main things you'll want to check will be 1- to make sure the floors are solid and 2- make sure the canvas is in good shape and not dry rotted. Also make sure the sliders all work as they should. Check the electrical and check the heater if it has one, and make sure it's in good working order. Check tires for dry rot.

Vic