Forum Discussion

DiverDan80's avatar
DiverDan80
Explorer
Feb 18, 2017

Question: Pop-Up vs Hard-side TC's (firsthand experience?)

First off, I want to thank everyone for responding to my first/last post! Now a new question for all you TC gurus!

A little background: I have a 2001 Ford F250 Super Duty 7.3 XLT 4x4 longbed (non-dually), with stock heavy duty helper springs; am in the process of upgrading my tires for firmer side walls, adding full Stable Load kit, adding Rear Sway bar & replacing front stock sway bar both with Hellwig's Bigwigs, and getting Sumo Springs. My aim is to get get a 'light' camper, preferably w/ toilet & shower (even if the shower is just an outside shower), weighing at no more than 2,000 LBS dry, 3,000 loaded. That will enable my wife an I to be semi-adventures (i.e, not a pavement-king) and still tow my zodiac dive boat.

Hard-side (HS) VS Pop-Up (PU) TC's Pros and Cons (?)

First, I am getting the feeling that this debate has all the emotions and passions of 'Chevy VS Ford' or "R VS D', but please limit this forum for those with First-Hand Experience hauling/using BOTH. HS'ers often make comments like, "It's just a tent in the back of your truck!" (Ummm I don't have a heater, refer, stove/oven, AND bathroom in my tent!) and PU'ers say, "Why would ANYONE NOT own a pop-up??". My observations (as I try to decide between a HS & PU) are:

Hard-Sides (HS)
-Stay Warmer/Cooler
-Heavier Dry Weight (generally)
-More 'Top Heavy', w/ more Sway/roll issues, etc.
-Less Versatile (for off road/non-campground camping)
-Usually Cheaper to Buy Used than PU's
-More 'Standard' Creature Comforts
-Quieter Inside and Easier to 'Stealth' Camp/rest/eat/etc.

Pop-Ups (PU)
-Better for Gas Mileage
-Lighter Dry Weight, Lower Center of Gravity & Lower Profile
-Get Colder/Hotter Quicker
-Can be Obtained with all the 'Comforts' of HS, however w/weights approaching small HS's
-Are Harder to Find and are More Expensive to Buy Used than HS
-Easier to Drive and Store
-More of the 'Real Camping' Experience (i.e., closer to nature)

Thanks!
Truck Campers
  • mi_drew's avatar
    mi_drew
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2017
    I agree with adamboyd and would add that the pop ups are lower which can help a lot in off road driving in forest with low limbs ect.
  • c_traveler2's avatar
    c_traveler2
    Nomad
    Feb 18, 2017
    DiverDan80 wrote:
    First off, I wanted to thank everyone for responding to my first/last post! Now a new question for all you TC gurus!

    A little background: I have a 2001 Ford F250 SD 7.3 XLT 4x4 long bed (non-dually) with heavy duty overload springs and am in the process of upgrading my tires for firmer side walls, adding full Stable Load kit, adding Rear Sway bar & replacing front stock sway bar both with Hellwig's Bigwigs, and getting Sumo Springs. My aim is to get get a 'light' camper (preferably with toilet & shower) no more than 2,000 LBS dry, 3,000 loaded. That will enable me to be semi-adventures (i.e, not a pavement king) and tow my zodiac dive boat.

    Hard-side VS Pop-Up TC's Pros and Cons (?)

    First, I am getting this debate has all the emotions and passions of 'Chevy VS Ford' or "R VS D', but please limit this forum for those with first-hand experience hauling/using BOTH. Hard-siders make comments like, "It's a tent in the back of your truck" (Ummm I don't have a heater, refer, stove/oven, AND bathroom in my tent!) and pop-up'ers say, "Why would ANYONE NOT own a pop-up??". My observations (as I try to decide between the two types) are:

    Hard-Sides
    -Warmer/cooler
    -Heavier (generally)
    -More 'top heavy', more sway issues, roll issues, etc.
    -Less versatile
    -Cheaper used than pop-ups

    Pop-Ups
    -Better Gas mileage
    -Lighter
    -Get colder/hotter quicker
    -Can be obtained with all the 'comforts' of a hard-side
    -Are harder to find and are more expensive used than hard-sides

    Thanks!

    I have a 2002 Lance 815, bought it new and still have it. When you refer to "light" I guessing you mean weight. The manufacture uses "light" in options up can get as in my Lance 815 just about everything was a option. As far as having a wet bath in a pop-up your going to be almost as heavy as a Lance 815 or a Lance 165s. I bought a hardside because I didn't want to have to raise and low the roof section especially during bad weather. I don't known if your looking for new or used, Lance 815 can only be found used. If you a tall person this camper could be a problem since it has a low profile for a hardside. I'm 5'6" tall and the ceiling is only about 4" higher. The bottom line is what YOU want.

    Death Valley NP, Ca.


    Mojave Road Trail,Ca.
  • adamboyd's avatar
    adamboyd
    Explorer
    Feb 18, 2017
    The one thing I really disliked about my pop-up camper I owned was the inability to ever stealth camper or do anything without drawing attention. In a normal truck camper you can pull into any Walmart, Casino parking lot, rest stop.... wherever.... and get out, and use the bathroom, take a nap, have a shower... no problem. But you can't do that with a pop-up. So to me, it depends on your lifestyle. If you plan to use it for weekends into the bushes then a pop up wins but if you plan to do long road trips then a pop up camper just doesn't work IMO.
  • d3500ram's avatar
    d3500ram
    Explorer III
    Feb 18, 2017
    I have had 2 pop-up and am on my second hard top... so I have a little familiarity with both. Pop-ups (PU) are not always lighter when compared to the smaller-ish hardsides (HS.) Sure, the larger slides out models will most certainly be heavier, but the pop-ups do handle a little better due to the lower profile.

    The HS do keep out both heat and cold better, but I was able to stay plenty warm in the PU during my hunting trips when done properly. If by "less versatile" on the HS's you mean less able to get into places, well that is true, but how off road will you go? I took my PU into some real deep back woods areas of the Rocky Mountains and I cannot get there with my current set-up, I feel (generally) that most TC'ers here do not go really off raoding like I did... there are some who do but you need to ask yourself: will you be going deep into off road situations where the PU will make that much of a difference.

    I like both and if I could I would have one of each... there is nothing like camping in the hills next to a stream and hearing the rushing waters at night or coyotes howling in the distance. Yes, the HS's keep out natures sounds.

    For me I like the even simpler aspects of the HS by not needing to crank it up. I find a spot, level it, open a beer and I am camping. The HS also gives a better advantage of "stealth" camping. With a PU in the up position it sort of gives it away that someone in inside for the night. With an non-slide HS then it is more like "parking incognito."
  • jmtandem's avatar
    jmtandem
    Explorer II
    Feb 18, 2017
    Hard-Sides
    -Warmer/cooler
    -Heavier (generally)
    -More 'top heavy', more sway issues, roll issues, etc.
    -Less versatile
    -Cheaper used than pop-ups

    Pop-Ups
    -Better Gas mileage
    -Lighter
    -Get colder/hotter quicker
    -Can be obtained with all the 'comforts' of a hard-side
    -Are harder to find and are more expensive used than hard-sides


    I have owned both, an Alaskan for ten years and two hard sides since around the mid '80s. Both have their place. If you do a lot of 4x4 off road driving the pop up will likely work better. Otherwise, the limitations of the pop up need to be taken into consideration as to basic amenities like showers, larger refers, more storage, etc. typically found in the hard side campers. Both can be very expensive and both can be quite heavy, sometimes surprisingly heavy for pop ups. If you are into expedition overland off road stuff the pop up would definitely be my choice. Otherwise I would look at a hard side. One thing I found with my Alaskan was the depreciation after ten years was only $500; of course, the new ones kept getting more and more expensive that kept the price of a good used unit from much depreciation. I have not enjoyed that kind of limited depreciation on my two hardsides. I carried a small boat on the roof rack of my Alaskan. Extreme care would have been needed if I carried the boat on my hard side campers as to height. If you are into parking garages neither will work. If you want to tow something and can live without slides and lots of amenities the pop up might be the better option. I found drivability with the pop up to be easier than either hard side. My second hard side was just under eleven feet and basically required a dually. Most pop ups can be easily carried on a single rear wheel one ton or maybe a gas engine heavy duty three quarter ton.

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