What pop-up truck camper to buy?

Not many Northstars in my area. I looked almost a year before I found one on craigslist about 200 miles away. I was also looking at a new Bronco but after alot of research decided to get a used Northstar instead, it is a very well built camper. Even though I bought the unit used the RC Willet Company has always answered my emails or phones questions promptly. They have great customer service.

Down the road I may consider a pop top, but I would most likely choose a Northstar. I have a NS 8.5 adventurer now and am extremely impressed with their quality and thought of floorspace and features. My friend showed me his 850 and how you could still close the door with ease even with it standing on 3 jacks. IMpressive

If I had the money, I would custom order a new Hallmark and have it delivered to my home. Unfortunately I'm not in that kind of financial situation. I will have to make do with something a lot cheaper, but still decent.

It took us several months to find a used pop-up. We finally located a lightly used 2011 Northstar T-650 with several options and solar. We had to drive almost 2000 miles round trip to pick it up but the price was worth it and a road trip with your new rig is fun...

I'm on my 3rd popup with a hard side thrown into the middle. I agree the hard sides are quieter and have more storage but I really like the lower center of gravity and less worries about low hazards. All 4 campers were used, the one I just replaced was a Palomino 1200 and it had it's share of problems, most of them from damage from a previous owner, but we got a lot of use out of it for what we paid and would have bought another if we hadn't fallen into a great deal on a Shadow Cruiser. I had my eye on a 2010 when we bought the SC and was next on the list to see.

O.K. ..... I presume you have given this a bit of thought. A pop up is great, but if you stop over at a Walmart you only have canvas between you and the world. They clean the parking lot at 3am .... every clown in town stands beside you and fights with his/her spouse. You hear everything.

A few years in a tent convinced me to go for 4 walls, as thin as they may be.

check out ebay item 300943200602 - this might be of interest to you.
located in MN.

Real simple solution to a leaky new one: Don't buy it.

The new ones don't all leak. I'm sure there's been a Northstar or two that came off the line with a leak.

The problem with the door not opening is the camper wasn't sitting level. Sure signs of a clueless dealer. My door will bind if the box is racked. Works fine in the truck and once it's down on the sawhorses and leveled.

For what the thing is made out of it cannot possibly be rigid.

Why buy new? Because you can get what you want NOW, versus endless months of searching for the exact right camper at the exact right price within driving distance.

Why buy Palomino? Northstars are only available in a few locations around the country. Palomino dealers are all over the place.

check out the Hallmark website. they have several used for sale. problem for you is that they are in Colorado. long drive.
if i had the money i would get in order - Hallmark, Outfitter, Northstar.

I have been looking for used TCs for quite a few months already. No luck, unless I want a really big, heavy, tall one or a real tiny one with no bathroom at all. Nothing much in between. I would prefer a Northstar 850SC pop-up, but so far haven't been able to locate a used one within a 1000 mile radius. There's a new one in NH, but they don't have the price yet. Not sure I could afford a new one once you add all the extra costs like dealer prep, propane tanks, jacks, camper tie downs, stairs, extra cupboard above dinette, a decent size fridge instead of an ice box, a small window AC, import duty to Canada, taxes, etc.... All those extras would probably have to be added to a cheaper unit as well but the end result wouldn't be quite as painful financially. It was good to hear that Jason is quite happy with his Real Lite SS1608. That's a model I am considering as well. I'm also considering the Travel Lite 875 pop-up. Quite similar to the SS1608 but it has a small grey water tank as well, which the Real Lite is missing. I'll keep on looking. Thanks for all your inputs.