Forum Discussion

phone_man's avatar
phone_man
Explorer
Apr 12, 2016

Thinking about down sizing

I know a lot of people start off with a smaller RV and eventually move up to bigger and better units, but I'm really thinking about going from TT back to a popup. I have a 2011 Lacrosse quad bunkhouse that is paid for so money is not really a factor, but in another month or so my second oldest child will be going off to the Navy and it will just be me, my wife, and an 8 year old. Not sure I really need a 33 foot bunkhouse any more. I had a pop up in the mid 2000s and it sure seemed a lot simpler. Less maintenance, less money for bearings and tires and such, and way less to store and insure it. I also didn't have to sweat the size of my campsite either. Some of my best times were in a pop up and while I love my current TT,and it was a life long dream of mine to own one, I notice my son and wife like to spend a whole lot of time indoors when we go on trips. Maybe with a pop up I can get them out more, save money on monthly storage fees, and go back to "camping". Anyone else ever make this change or entertain the thought. I'd like to hear from you.
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2016
    I have a PUP and a TT. When I need a pantry, cloth storage, bathroom and easy set up I take the TT.

    When I need minimal clothing, eat out, and have easy access to restrooms; I prefer the simplicity of the PUP. It also provides more of the feeling of camping.

    Most often when it is both the DW and I, we take the TT.
  • phone_man's avatar
    phone_man
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    Keep the replies coming! I love to hear other people's experiences. I think my mind may be set on this, but I'm still debating pulling the trigger for sure. Last year I only used my trailer for two trips, maybe 12 days total. This year all I have booked is a 5 day trip to a state park. I sure hope my wife never reads this forum cause I will get in trouble, but lately when we camp she is content on laying in the bed either reading or cuddling an iphone. Instead of a queen size bed she could do the same in a king size pop up bed too, at a much lower price tag LOL. And my son is on the high functioning autism spectrum. He loves to camp and be outside but sometimes the comfort of a couch and the lure of a lcd television and Blu-ray player is too much for him to pass up.
  • Hannibal's avatar
    Hannibal
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    We went from a 21' Aljo 18.5 Deluxe to a 26' 5th wheel to a 32' 5th wheel. Then decided to downsize. Went to a 31' 5th wheel. Sigh... Wanted to go back to a small TT. Just ordered a 32' Jayco 28RLS. It's hard to go back small and give up the luxuries we get spoiled with. Wife's got to have her recliner. I like mine too. I sure liked the portability of the little Aljo. Ideal for me would be a Jayco 23RB.
  • RoyB's avatar
    RoyB
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2016
    Maybe just get a POPUP and use both....

    I went from TENTS to bigger TENTS to OFF-ROAD POPUP to 5th WHEEL...

    Only ran the 5th wheel for a couple of months - Was not for me... So it sits next to my woods here at the house as a get away thing.

    Been all over with the OFF-ROAD POPUP.... Wouldn't have it any different haha...

    I just need to wake up next to the creekside somewhere more than thowing large amounts of monies into the big trailer and the whole house full of furniture and all the headaches that goes with that...

    A RV TRAVELER I am not... Mark me a RV CAMPER

    We very seldom get more than 150-300 miles away from Northern Neck VA and stay out for weeks sometime...

    Roy Ken
  • phone_man's avatar
    phone_man
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    If I go pop up it will definitely have a bathroom. I actually enjoyed the simplicity of the cassette toilet my old pop up had. Don't really care for the popup shower, but most of my trips are state parks and COE parks with usually no sewer so the shower in my TT didn't get used much. As for the storage issue I live on a corner lot so I have access to store a trailer in my yard only if it can't be seen over a 6ft privacy fence. Due to the height any hard sided trailer regardless of length is not allowed. Storage alone will save me 1200 a year. I think the main thing holding me back is if I sell my TT I may never be in a position to buy one again. I hate financing things so I paid cash in 2011. I know I could buy a used pop up around 5-7K and have cash left over from my TT sale. Not sure if I will ever be able to plunk down 25K cash to but a large TT again.
  • wildtoad's avatar
    wildtoad
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2016
    I'd make real sure the wife is enthusiastic about going from a TT to a tent on wheels!
  • old_phone_guy's avatar
    old_phone_guy
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    We downsized last fall from tt to pup and love it. Sure you can't take as much, but camping is about having fun not taking everything you own. Plus gas mileage went from 9 to 16 mpg.
  • coolmom42's avatar
    coolmom42
    Explorer II
    Apr 12, 2016
    souraider wrote:
    Sounds like a reasonable plan. We started with a popup and worked our way up to a 36' Weekend Warrior toy hauler, now we are working our way back down. There are some perks to both ends of the spectrum, just whatever fits your current lifestyle.

    One thing you may want to consider is staying with something that has an actual bathroom. I know that some popups have makeshift bathrooms, but they are pretty weak. With the wife and an 8 year old you may like the comfort of an actual bathroom.


    This.

    Consider downsizing just to a small hard side trailer. Much easier to store all your stuff in it between trips.
  • souraider's avatar
    souraider
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    Sounds like a reasonable plan. We started with a popup and worked our way up to a 36' Weekend Warrior toy hauler, now we are working our way back down. There are some perks to both ends of the spectrum, just whatever fits your current lifestyle.

    One thing you may want to consider is staying with something that has an actual bathroom. I know that some popups have makeshift bathrooms, but they are pretty weak. With the wife and an 8 year old you may like the comfort of an actual bathroom.
  • TomG2's avatar
    TomG2
    Explorer
    Apr 12, 2016
    I have been up and down the length of camper thing and understand where you are coming from. Squatters, those that sit in one spot for months at a time, really enjoy the largest rigs they can afford. Some travelers rack up thousands of miles and memories in the smaller units. I spend too many nights in parking lots to make a pop up practical but a small travel trailer has its advantages.

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