Hallmark Pop-up Truck Campers

I was looking at the Hallmark website and they have a used Cuchara for sale. Problem - I want an AC and was told that I would need a new roof ($5800) and a 'super manual roof lift' another $1200, plus $850 for the AC. Now this is for a 1999 Cuchara. Plus $4000 for the TC. Now that adds up to $11850 for a 14 year old TC. Sounds like a lot to me, What about you? What do you think?
At my age, 75, the TC would be here longer than me.

I had Hallmark build me a new Everest in 2010. No problems except for a fuse that went bad.
I can say that the building process was painless. Just talk to Matt and ask his advise on options. They are around it every day and know each new product which has proven to be a good one. Hallmark will do about anything you ask of them. He even installed a HDMI cable in case we wanted to watch tv--which we don't. At the last minute they made an oak door for the shower. I mean while I was there to pick up the camper they made and installed it. They are a terrific company!! all of them.
Also live in Wyoming. so if you move here don' tell people--we like it to ourselves!

sljohnson1938 wrote:
Interesting topic. I do not own either Hallmark or Outfitter. I have looked at both. Cannot afford either one. And getting a used one, either one, is hard to find. But, if i did I would choose the biggest one, at my age, 75, I want a self contained unit. That means AC. Frig, Heater and most of all A TOILET. I do like the basement model, that means larger tanks.
If you are going to 'boondock' bigger is better.
Will look forward to other replies.
Good luck on your choice.

Thank you for the reply,
I have a list of five models i like. The pop ups are on the list. We'll just have to sort them out when the time comes and go where it may take me. I am taking my time to make sure. Have a lot of notes of things to check on.
Scott

Interesting topic. I do not own either Hallmark or Outfitter. I have looked at both. Cannot afford either one. And getting a used one, either one, is hard to find. But, if i did I would choose the biggest one, at my age, 75, I want a self contained unit. That means AC. Frig, Heater and most of all A TOILET. I do like the basement model, that means larger tanks.
If you are going to 'boondock' bigger is better.
Will look forward to other replies.
Good luck on your choice.

I use the already installed outdoor shower set-up and have a copper tube frame that I attached a shower curtain too. And a teak wood thingy to stand on.

I'm pretty sure it weighs substantially less than the fiberglass surrounds of a shower enclosure. Plus no grey or blackwater tanks either.

I'm already at 2,000 lbs as is on a 3/4 ton diesel- I am at limit now. I've been on some rough grade and I really don't want anymore than what I have, and frankly- I kinda enjoy crapping in the woods. I'm used to it. :)

Threerun533 wrote:

4. I have no toilet or shower in mine.... My friend has a toilet in his. It smells like porta potty chemicals. Not my cup of tea. My camper has an outdoor shower and my wife and I and our two kids camp where there are not a lot of people. I rigged up a quick copper tube frame for a shower enclosure and we shower outside using a teak shower foot frame . I've even showered outside in the winter. Plus adding a shower and toilet adds weight. For us it's easier to simply go outside like we always have.

Coupla things...

A. If the place smells like porta potty chemicals, he's doin' something wrong. Unbeknownst to me, my Thetford cassette toilet was absolutely FILTHY with #2 inside when I bought the camper. I had no idea until I went to dump it over a year later. Yeah, a year. I never used the toilet the first year, and only did #1 in it a few times on the first trip of the second year before I dumped it.

B. If "adding a shower and toilet adds weight," then is your outdoor setup completely weightless?

Threerun533 wrote:
Winter I fill the 30# and bring along a 20lb spare. I have a long extension hose made up. I also have a lightweight 10lb tank I keep along for an emergency. I'll blow through 30lbs and a 20 in about 4-5 day hard winter trip. I've enver really tracked it much though- maybe I will now..

We will not fill the water tank in winter either (or any longer I should say), we bring along several 7 gallon water containers.

Threerun, thanks for the info.
I was also thinking about getting extra Propaine bottles to have ready, so that is good to know. I would guess a lot of people probably do that now, that have to Pop-up type campers.
They also make protable coolers you can take along and plug into a 12v source to keep for fresh food and drinks for an extra storage out side of the refer. So that is something i might look into later on.
Of course that might drain some of the solar power, maybe not that much power.
Extra water is something i will always bring. So it is good to know they have 7 gallon containers. Will have to make sure i get the Thule storage rack and one box. My list keeps getting bigger, which is what i want.

Thanks,
Scott

Winter I fill the 30# and bring along a 20lb spare. I have a long extension hose made up. I also have a lightweight 10lb tank I keep along for an emergency. I'll blow through 30lbs and a 20 in about 4-5 day hard winter trip. I've enver really tracked it much though- maybe I will now..

We will not fill the water tank in winter either (or any longer I should say), we bring along several 7 gallon water containers.

Thanks for the Pictures Threeone533.
The Hallmarks looks like they will be alright in cold weather.
About how much propaine do you use?
Looks like the Hallmark Guanella is what i will look into. A lot more storage than i Originally thought. Maybe i'll luck into a newer, used one. Will work that out when the time comes.
Talk with you later,
Scott

dadwolf2 wrote:

Scott16 wrote:
Thank You again for the replies.
After reviewing the 9.5 Apex Outfitter and the Hallmark 9.5 Cuchara. I will have Defiantly have schedule some vacation time to come back to the main Land and go to Colorado and check out both Companies. Its pretty close between them. Do any of you have the Honda EU 2000 Generator or the AC Polar cub. How about the Solar packages #1 or #2,and the Rhino Rack, Yakima or Thule rack system with the Cargo Box.
I'll let you all know when i will be in Colorado. Might be in a year or so. Planning is in progress. Talk with you all later.
Scott

Sounds like a good plan, Checking them out in person.

I have the Yakima system on top of my Apex 8 but if I did it over again I would prefer the Thule. Only difference for me is the round bar vs square ish bar debate. Certain accessories rotate on round bars when you don't want them too.

I have the Honda generator and the AC polar cub. I use it mostly for packing up the camper while home in the Vegas valley...then we leave and go for higher cooler temps and don't use the AC. The generator is going to work pretty hard to run the AC.

Don't know what the solar packages you are referring to are. I consider 95 watts minimum, 150-200 preferable.

Thanks for the reply dadwolf2.
For the Hallmark options for Solar panels, they have two packages
1. One 85 WATT panel with Rogue Rhino 25 dual battery charger, and interior display. Also can order a 120 WATT panel for $185.00 which is what i am looking to get. It also said they have other larger panels available. Price is $850.00. I can count on the price being more.
2. One 120 with Rogue Rhino 25 dual battery charger, and one 2000 WATT pure sign Inverter with extra 110V outlets. Price $1,735.00, A little to expensive for my wallet.
Yes i agree with the A/C and running the generator, will probably will only run a shot time or no time planning to be in the mountains myself in the summer. Mainly the generator will be for emergency or helping to charge the solar system batteries if needed.
Let me know if there is anything more to look into.
Thanks,
Scott
Talk with you soon