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

[DiverDan80]

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!

[RickW]

bcbouy wrote:

stevenal wrote:

Jack Hart wrote:
Preparing to lower and lowering takes longer because items need to be stowed and the sidewalls properly folded in.

I've heard it said that all you need to do is turn on the vent fan to get those walls to fold right. Can anyone confirm?

i can confirm,it is incredibly simple and quick.close the door and windows,open the fan cover and turn it on full power,lower away,just make sure your mattress. topper is pulled away from the front of the bed.mattress topper you ask? you'll see.

X3 Only time it was hard was trying to lower the top in 30-40 mph wind.

[bcbouy]

s1214 wrote:
bcbuoy:
Tell me about the rear awning, please.

both are made by fiamma.made in italy i think. it's a 6 foot f35,and the side is an 8 foot f 45.both are roll out hard covers and have the track for add a rooms or privacy panels.they are a little spendy,but i can assure you they are very sturdy.

[bcbouy]

stevenal wrote:

Jack Hart wrote:
Preparing to lower and lowering takes longer because items need to be stowed and the sidewalls properly folded in.

I've heard it said that all you need to do is turn on the vent fan to get those walls to fold right. Can anyone confirm?

i can confirm,it is incredibly simple and quick.close the door and windows,open the fan cover and turn it on full power,lower away,just make sure your mattress. topper is pulled away from the front of the bed.mattress topper you ask? you'll see.

[bcbouy]

DiverDan80 wrote:
bcbouy - Nice rig! Question - I noticed you have an outdoor kitchen set up...as a new TC camper, is there a reason you don't just use the kitchen on the TC? Thanks!

Dan

we just prefer to do it all outside.been doing it that way since the first tent we got,and we use the bbq almost every dinner.we use the camper kitchen to make morning coffee or heat up some canned lunch.that's about it.plus we don't burn all the camper propane cooking and we always have enuff for the hot water and the furnace,fridge,especially on our longer trips.you can't see it in the pic,but we also have a 10x10 commercial grade easy up shelter that we always put up over the table as well.it's got privacy panels and a bug screen if we need them.we prefer to be outside,rather than hiding in the camper.

[s1214]

bcbuoy:
Tell me about the rear awning, please.

[Jack_Hart]

stevenal wrote:

Jack Hart wrote:
Preparing to lower and lowering takes longer because items need to be stowed and the sidewalls properly folded in.

I've heard it said that all you need to do is turn on the vent fan to get those walls to fold right. Can anyone confirm?

Closing the door and windows and turning on the vent fan will suck in the side walls, but in most cases a little help is needed to get them to fold properly behind the overhead cabinets. The biggest time is spent folding down the shower walls, clearing things that are stacked too high and closing all the windows.

[dieseltruckdriv]

WE had a pop up with the insulated fabric, and we stayed nice and warm down to 5 degrees F. We kept our S&S because we sleep so well in it, but you couldn't get it to many more places than our 5er because of the height.

We are looking at getting another popup, for quick trips without the troubles and loss of mileage of the HS.

[d3500ram]

When I had my pop-up campers, the fan-exhaust-to-suck-in-the-sides worked great!

[stevenal]

Jack Hart wrote:
Preparing to lower and lowering takes longer because items need to be stowed and the sidewalls properly folded in.

I've heard it said that all you need to do is turn on the vent fan to get those walls to fold right. Can anyone confirm?

[DiverDan80]

bcbouy - Nice rig! Question - I noticed you have an outdoor kitchen set up...as a new TC camper, is there a reason you don't just use the kitchen on the TC? Thanks!

Dan

[bcbouy]

northstar 850 sc.you'll love it.

[RickW]

You are only two hours from the four wheel camper factory in Woodland. Call and set up a visit.

[HandyRandy]

One aspect I didn't see mentioned was a Pop-up's ability to carry stuff on top. With my Hallmark, we carried mountain bikes easily. It was low enough so clearance was a non-issue. We usually took them off before "popping", but didn't have to.

Moving to a hard side side (140" to the top of the AC) we had to find another solution. Now they are either in a trailer or on top of the the towed Jeep.

[Jack_Hart]

BTW if you're looking for a used camper you need to look in Florida. This is where the owners go to retire and shed themselves of their toys. Over the past months I've seen two Northstar 850s in nice shape asking around $6500, an Alaskan for $12000, and an Outfitter Apex 9.5 for $6900. Seems that prices here are about 2/3 what they are on the left coast.

[whizbang]

+1 What Jack hart said.

A Northstar 800 or 850 will probably be easiest to find used.