Pop-up camper as base camp

[Fatcamp]

To me the wet thing doesn't matter as drying out a tent is a way bigger pita than the popup.

 

[bdg848]

I’d be interested to hear about anyone’s experience with pop up campers as a base camp shelter, and pics would be great. A nice outfitter tent with a stove gets pricey and seems like a lot more work. Two weeks of lodging also is money down the drain. This wouldn’t be practical for backcountry stuff but would cover some of the stuff I’d like to do like antelope, western whitetail, etc.

Check out a canvas bell tent. They say they only take about 15 minutes to set up and take down. There's only one pole to deal with. Just stake down the base, push the peak up with the single pole, and tie out the guy lines. They sell for around $1000, add a stove, even at another $500 thats still cheaper than a pop up trailer. You don't have to get a registration sticker each year, it stores in a bag or tote, and you don't have to worry about turning around on narrow roads.

 

[bpa556]

To me the wet thing doesn't matter as drying out a tent is a way bigger pita than the popup.

Couldn’t agree more!


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[KBC]

To me the wet thing doesn't matter as drying out a tent is a way bigger pita than the popup.

I guess if it’s a big wall tent yes but even our big 8 man tent was much easier to deal with than drying out our tent trailer was. I am in a pretty wet area though.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Following.

Been thinking of getting one for years. Seemed like an easier trailer to pull with my 1/2 ton vs a taller hard side. Also would be easier to drag young kids and all the stuff mom thinks they need than trying to tent camp.

The wind we have here in the Dakotas has been what’s kept me away. I’m not sure why, but I had never thought of installing guy out lines on them or using some dimension lumber to help stiffen them up. Seems like easy fixes.

The other thing that’s kept me away is that now I would have a trailer that I’d have to try to turn around on some of the not so wide roads I seem to always get myself into in the western hills and Wyoming/Colorado mountains. I suppose some thought about what roads I actually go down would solve that problem as well.

I like the idea of the ones with the front deck to help keep the truck bed open.

I really liked the idea of having a custom canvas tarp put together to create more space and give you an option for a wood stove.


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Oh man we've been in some situations I thought we're gonna have to leave the truck and trailer and just walk home lmao. Definitely no turning around on tight little FS roads without some sort of kickout. If I'm unfamiliar with the area now I'll usually drop the trailer and run in with the truck to scout out the route and camp spots. We went into a known camp spot with a cul-de-sac a teardrop at the end planning to camp there and a truck was parked head-in blocking the turnaround. I ended up backing up probably 1/3 miles back out a tight skinny twisty road.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

I guess if it’s a big wall tent yes but even our big 8 man tent was much easier to deal with than drying out our tent trailer was. I am in a pretty wet area though.

With the pop-up I just unfolded it in the driveway or in the backyard. With my Kodiak I have to go pitch it in the backyard which is annoying. If it's raining I'll spread it out in the living room over the couches which doesn't go over well with the wife.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Oh man we've been in some situations I thought we're gonna have to leave the truck and trailer and just walk home lmao. Definitely no turning around on tight little FS roads without some sort of kickout. If I'm unfamiliar with the area now I'll usually drop the trailer and run in with the truck to scout out the route and camp spots. We went into a known camp spot with a cul-de-sac a teardrop at the end planning to camp there and a truck was parked head-in blocking the turnaround. I ended up backing up probably 1/3 miles back out a tight skinny twisty road.

Couple times I've backed the trailer into a hole and disconnected it, got the truck turned around the other way and connected back up to get it turned around. Little bit of creativity goes a long way.

 

[JoeDirt]

I went with an A frame, the best snow load of any camper. Plenty of insulation with just enough things inside to get by. Plenty of ground clearance and hauling capacity. Its a little heavier with the ATV rack so a 1/2 ton truck would be better. I dont enjoy my Tacoma for towing but it works. Shitter/shower on the front deck (keeps your feet clean)

If I were to get a tent trailer it would be a Jumping Jack, my buddy uses one and loves it. (online picture not his)

 

[ScreamingPotato]

^I like it, didn't know they made A frames with a front deck. Will it fit a 4 wheeler?

 

[JoeDirt]

^I like it, didn't know they made A frames with a front deck. Will it fit a 4 wheeler?

It sure does! Although tongue weight is already over the rating for a Tacoma, I had to install airbags with the canopy and ATV.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Thx I'm gonna have to look into those. I love our Fleetwood but sooner or later the roof will cave out and it's honestly far too big since it's usually just the wife and I though we do enjoy all the extra storage space. The A frame hard sides will solve the draft problem most of the pop-ups have which is a pretty good bonus. Probably faster setup too and like you said snow is a non-issue. I'd lose the dry storage over the deck though, which is where I keep my 12v cooler, but that's an acceptable compromise and can always slide things under the trailer itself.

 

[JoeDirt]

Thx I'm gonna have to look into those. I love our Fleetwood but sooner or later the roof will cave out and it's honestly far too big since it's usually just the wife and I though we do enjoy all the extra storage space. The A frame hard sides will solve the draft problem most of the pop-ups have which is a pretty good bonus. Probably faster setup too and like you said snow is a non-issue. I'd lose the dry storage over the deck though, which is where I keep my 12v cooler, but that's an acceptable compromise and can always slide things under the trailer itself.

Honestly I might gut mine and toss out the Microwave, AC, stove ect. I can run my 12v fridge/freezer under the bed. I use the sink and propane fridge. They have decent storage in my model, I removed all the dividers under the bed. Made a shelf for outside cooking, upgraded the mattress. I did remove the microwave thats where all the cups, plates ect live. Found a cheap metal shelf that fits the counter top. Lots of things to get creative on storage.

Setup is quick!

They have models that have little dormers that fold out giving more room, sleeping two is a little tight if you're in the corner.

An awning would be nice but they all look goofy for these trailers. I keep a quick shade under the bed.

 

[CMF]

Pop ups are a good example of a middle ground that isn’t great at anything. If going somewhere fairly easy to get to, get a hard side. Less set up, better in wind. If less easy to get to go with wall tent that fits in a truck bed. Set up for a wall tent isn’t that tough, can be done with one person.

I agree with this. Never owned a pop up, but the way I look at it, if I'm pulling a trailer anyway it might as well be big and comfortable enough and more durable than the material pop ups are made of and if I can't get a regular camper there than we go tent.
Haven't had the money for a good wall tent yet, our base tent is just a Coleman Evanston 8 dome tent with porch. Big enough for 3 or 4 adults or our family of 5. It's quicker to set up than a wall tent would be and a buddy heater will warm it up. But were not doing rifle hunts in the snow either, usually sep in CO or colder months in NM.

 

[Oregonmuley]

I also had a hard sided A-frame style trailer for a few years, for my use it was perfect since I could get it just about anyplace. It was small but not heavy so easy to tow and store. Hoping to get one again.

 

[ScreamingPotato]

Honestly I might gut mine and toss out the Microwave, AC, stove ect. I can run my 12v fridge/freezer under the bed. I use the sink and propane fridge. They have decent storage in my model, I removed all the dividers under the bed. Made a shelf for outside cooking, upgraded the mattress. I did remove the microwave thats where all the cups, plates ect live. Found a cheap metal shelf that fits the counter top. Lots of things to get creative on storage.

Setup is quick!

They have models that have little dormers that fold out giving more room, sleeping two is a little tight if you're in the corner.

An awning would be nice but they all look goofy for these trailers. I keep a quick shade under the bed.

That sounds like a heck of a setup. I need to see inside one of those. My Fleetwood has a slide and it's incredible the amount of "feel space" it adds not being stuck in a thin skinny walkway.

 

[Dakota_Rookie]

Oh man we've been in some situations I thought we're gonna have to leave the truck and trailer and just walk home lmao. Definitely no turning around on tight little FS roads without some sort of kickout. If I'm unfamiliar with the area now I'll usually drop the trailer and run in with the truck to scout out the route and camp spots. We went into a known camp spot with a cul-de-sac a teardrop at the end planning to camp there and a truck was parked head-in blocking the turnaround. I ended up backing up probably 1/3 miles back out a tight skinny twisty road.

I can imagine - Every trip I tend to find my self down some FS road that I'm wondering how I'm going to turn the truck around. Let alone a camper trailer! This is main reason I've just stuck with a tent on hunting trips. I think the camper would be more of a family summer camping thing that might get use on prairie deer or antelope hunts

 

[Fatcamp]

I can imagine - Every trip I tend to find my self down some FS road that I'm wondering how I'm going to turn the truck around. Let alone a camper trailer! This is main reason I've just stuck with a tent on hunting trips. I think the camper would be more of a family summer camping thing that might get use on prairie deer or antelope hunts

I should add we hunt Prairie, badlands, grasslands. Not mountains.

 

[Bandit16]

Love my Opus pop up. Lived in it for 10 weeks during covid hinting turkeys in 4 states. Yeah it can get cold but I have a propane heater and that’s what sleeping bags are for.

200 amp hours of lithium battery, solar array to deploy in camp, DC-DC charming off the truck. WeBoost so I can use a hotspot and do work calls including video from almost anywhere. My only limiting factor to go back on grid is water. I have 40 gallos in the tanks and carry another 10 in the truck for drinking.

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[Broomd]

A popup camper is just a glorified tent.

Go wall tent route. No licensing, no tires, easy storage.

I set up my wall tent by myself in 30 min or less.

Nah, nothing could be further from the truth. Have used mine for most of my OIL tags, coming back to a real bed, furnace, running water, cold drink with little-to-zero setup at -5* or 105* above is indispensable.
I do the tent hunts where I have to, but the truck bed popup is a godsend when I can use it which is most of the time.

 

[cnelk]

Nah, nothing could be further from the truth. Have used mine for most of my OIL tags, coming back to a real bed, furnace, running water, cold drink with little-to-zero setup at -5* or 105* above is indispensable.
I do the tent hunts where I have to, but the truck bed popup is a godsend when I can use it which is most of the time.
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Nice setup but That ain’t the popup camper in the discussion