newbie,want to buy a old popup trailer,is it safe?

[vincentru]

Hello,
I am a newbie,want to save money in hotel and restaurant, live in LA, 2 adult 2 kids (7month and 3 year)and want to visit some national park or forest,such as yosemite,yellowstone or Grand Canyon,and I have a honda pilot 2013,can tow max 2000lbs.

so I want to choose a old popup trailer,such as 1984,1976 joyco or Palmino,depend on my family, is it good for new camping? is it safe?what thing is most important that need to check when I go to see a old popup trailer?

thanks a lot!
vincent

[beemerphile1]

vincentru wrote:
...I have a honda pilot 2013,can tow max 2000lbs....

Unfortunately you can't tow much.

Most TV (tow vehicle) manufacturers require that you subtract passengers and gear in the TV from the tow rating. Check your manual.

Knowing how much gear a wife and kids require, I'd say you are in tent territory. Maybe a tiny cargo trailer to carry the tent and gear.

Either way you need to limit yourself to a trailer with a GVWR of 1,500 - 2,000 which would be a dry unloaded weight of less than 1,000.

[vincentru]

thanks for reply.
the most important thing is:my car just can tow 2000lbs,2 adult 2 kids,some luggage,food,2 car seat?so,what's the weight of popup trailer I can buy?

thanks,

[RoyB]

You will almost count on replacing the canvas if it is an older popup... My 2008 OFF-ROAD POPUP is really starting to show wear and tear now with my canvas and it was always covered by 8X12 tarps when setup. Poor man GIZMO's... My canvas pouch holding the awning is long gone now too... Awning is fine but the pouch sewed threads is rotted away from the UV I guess.

Floors seem ok. I have replaced the floor in front of the door where I guess it gets run off from under the door and added some additional angle support there under the floor where it always seems to give when you come stomping inside the POPUP from the high steps.

Every thing is pretty well easily accessed so if you are handy with those sort of repairs shouldn't be a big repair effort. Only the real early POPUPs were light weight. My 12-foot base with 5-foot front deck POPUP shown here weighs in at 4200lbs when loaded down for camping. It does however have all of the comforts of home including cassette potty and sit down shower.















As you can see even my larger POPUP is very crowed inside and not much move around room. With older kids the POPUP is where you and the misses will be sleeping and the kids will outside in a tent setup...

It certainly is perfect for the two of us however. The second tent bed area is where all of our day time use items are stored.

food for thinking here...
Roy Ken

[Tvov]

If it doesn't leak, even if the electrical and plumbing are not usable it will provide you with a mobile "tent" that keeps you off the ground.

Friends get plenty of use with their popups whether or not they are using the plumbing and electric systems. If the refrig works, that is a bonus.

Big thing is that the canvas is in good shape and doesn't leak. Then make sure the main roof is in good shape, AND that the raising and lowering system works dependably! If you can't raise, and then lower, the "popup" than it is not usable.

You may want to replace the foam beds.

A 1976 popup? That's just about 40 years old. If it is in excellent condition, then great, but just be careful with it!

[nomad297]

MOLD. Look for mold.

Bruce

[ChooChooMan74]

Welcome,

My friend just bought an older popup, and is working on it. Few things I see, while helping him out:
* Look for water damage
* Look for animal/rodent damage
* Open it up, and inspect the canvas. Hose it down and check for leaks.
* Make sure all electrical is working.
* Check the plumbing for leaks.
* Check the date code and condition of the tires, including the spare.

You have a pretty small vehcile. Make sure you pick a real light unit.