Although we owned a pop-up tent trailer years ago when our kids were very little, my husband and I (recently retired) are fast approaching 70. We're both in relatively good health (thank God) but are wondering if we're just too old to start traipsing across the country. I normally do the driving and he's the navigator (he's an admitted terrible driver)! We're also having trouble deciding whether or not to buy another pop-up (for its ease in towing) vs. renting one...or just staying in hotels. If we decide to buy, does anyone have any suggestions (Fleetwood vs. Jayco, etc - they all appear to be pretty much the same) that will comfortably sleep the two of us (he's 6'5" tall)and still have room for our 2 little Maltese pups? The goal here is to drive round trip from California back to Virginia, Boston, New York and all points in between.Feedback will be GREATLY appreciated.PS: Would be driving a 2014 Jeep Patriot (hitch & elect. already installed).Thanks,Ed & Sharon

According to the Jeep website, the 2014 model only has a 2K towing capacity. Yours might be different depending on what year it is. However, the Patriots have always been a small SUV so I can't imagine that the towing capabilities would be substantially different with a year model change.The weight limitations alone will limit your trailer selection to the smallest size available with the least amount of options. By the time you pack for any kind of extended trip, I would think that you would be well past the capabilities of the tow vehicle.Look for nothing more than a 8' box from any of the manufacturers, or a alternative style camper such as the Livinlite 10.0.

Just a thought, but I bought a popup a few years ago...I am 61 now. I thought travelling with it would be no big deal. Took a trip out west. After setting up and tearing down for a couple of weeks straight, it got old real quick......

And, no, you're not too old to start traveling across the country.How old will you be five years from now if you don't travel? :)Hit the road and enjoy yourselves.

You might want to look at the A-frame pop ups. We love the Aliner you see in my signature. Fast, easy setup, and no canvas, but you do sacrifice some space.There are now four manufacturers making A-frames.

Do we make the plunge? | Good Sam Community

JAYHAWKERS
Explorer
Jun 30, 2014
Just came back from a 10 day camping trip with our small (22 foot) travel trailer. It rained 9 out of the 10 days. If it had been any smaller we would have killed each other (ha, ha). Consider size, as well as towing capacity when buying and go for it now while you can. Good luck.
Wakita46
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Everybody is different. I'm 68 and just took my Aliner from Massachusetts to Oklahoma and back. The driving is the hard part, not the setup, because the Aliner is easy. I sure wouldn't want to wrestle with a full sized motor home. That's a lot harder. The GPS sent me down roads that I wouldn't want to tackle with something larger.
AirForceAngler
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
If I were you, I'd look at a motorhome with the Jeep as a toad. We tried going back to a popup after having two travel trailers and after only two trips, we quickly realized that we didn't like the extended setup times and packing issues involved with a pup. These were local trips and not cross country trips, too.
Less_Stuff
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
Your Jeep dealer can sell you one of these:

Jeep

At only 850 pounds your Patriot should handle it fine.

Livinlite makes them, you may find a deal if you can live without the Jeep logo.
livinlite

This Livinlite version with smaller wheels is even lighter and cheaper.

6.0

Trailer is Aluminum nothing to rot except the top fabric.
Jayco-noslide
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
We are about 70 and travel and RV a lot with a 30 ft. Class C motorhome towing a small car. But we have done it continuously for over 30 years in some kind of RV so it's not like we have to start from scratch and learn everything. If you are healthy, don't have a problem driving and take it slow should be OK. However, I would never advise anyone to get an RV to travel cheaper unless you already have one; especially if it's only going to be for several weeks a year. By the time you depreciate the RV and pay for extra fuel it may cost as much or more. But, a pop-up( too much set up and down for me) might be the exception because they cost and depreciate much less than say a $20,000 trailer. It's a great way ta travel.
ScottG
Nomad
Jun 24, 2014
What ever brand you look at, stick your head underneath and look at the underside of the floor. If it's raw, unprotected wood then pass it up.
Units like these end up with rot after driving in the rain very much.
donn0128
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2014
Instead of a tent trailer you mighr look at some ofnthe tear drop offering out there today. Real bed for sleeping and usually a semi kitchen in the back. I have seen them being towed by old Montero Sports and Nissan sedans. No more wet canvas to put away if you get cought in a rain storm is only one bonus
patperry2766
Explorer II
Jun 24, 2014
Teardrop camper

I have a highwall pop-up camper now and I'm 48 yo. I know FOR SURE without a doubt that at the age of 70, I sure wouldn't want to be traveling in a pop-up unless I only planned on making 1 or 2 stops total an a extended trip.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
well hind sight says you should have planned ahead on the TV and got one a little more capable. don't know if A liner makes one light enough to tow under 2,000 lbs. I surely wouldn't want to be having to set up, take down, and repeat every other day on a popup. I would suggest renting one to see if it works OK. I see poncho62 had the same feelings that I do.
bumpy
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jun 24, 2014
You might want to look at the A-frame pop ups. We love the Aliner you see in my signature. Fast, easy setup, and no canvas, but you do sacrifice some space.

There are now four manufacturers making A-frames.

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