Camping: Any campers here?

General Lee · Apr 18, 2014

Been thinking about entering the camping scene for a while. I keep going back and forth about it. I think I wanna begin with a pop up. I enjoy the outdoors and can't justify a 20 grand bedroom with those big travel trailers. They are nice but starting out I want to keep it simple.

I'm a whimp when it comes to hot weather so I will want AC. Anyone have any experience with AC units in a pop up? Does the canvas/vinyl sides keep the cool air pretty good? I am of the mind set, that camping is to enjoy the outdoors and scenery, not laying on the couch watching tv in the camper. That's why I think a pop up will be fine. Get ls you off the ground for sleeping and still has some creature comforts.

Share your thoughts and experiences please

boblibido · Apr 18, 2014

I love camping!

For that kind of money I could get an awesome tent, some sleeping bags, and half a dozen antique tractors.

As far as a camper goes, I've never been able to get one far enough into the woods to go camping. Nor have I ever found a long enough extension cord for my AC to work.

Ken · Apr 18, 2014

General Lee said:
Been thinking about entering the camping scene for a while. I keep going back and forth about it. I think I wanna begin with a pop up. I enjoy the outdoors and can't justify a 20 grand bedroom with those big travel trailers. They are nice but starting out I want to keep it simple.

I'm a whimp when it comes to hot weather so I will want AC. Anyone have any experience with AC units in a pop up? Does the canvas/vinyl sides keep the cool air pretty good? I am of the mind set, that camping is to enjoy the outdoors and scenery, not laying on the couch watching tv in the camper. That's why I think a pop up will be fine. Get ls you off the ground for sleeping and still has some creature comforts.

Share your thoughts and experiences please

general Lee Don't let this change your decision on a tent camper. A friend at work bought a trailer that was a pop up camper. and upon his first week end complained the camper was extremely hot to sleep in . Talking farther he mentioned going to get a window unit A/C to cool the camper. The next week Monday was strongly talking of changing the tent camper into a travel trailer. again asking why. he mentioned even with the A/C running it was extremely hot. then asked if I would go to his place for suggestion on how to cool the camper. Could not help but to laugh he had the A/c unit inside on floor and the heat from the unit was not ducted to outside the camper.
ken

General Lee · Apr 18, 2014

Boblibido- Yea what you do is really camping and that is what camping is all about. But in Certain situations I will be needing a camper and a small one will still let me get to some smaller camp sites to avoid the whole "parking lot" camping.

General Lee · Apr 18, 2014

Well I shouldn't have his problem, I would be getting a camper with a factory installed AC on the roof

many come with that option now. That is a funny story though

MacLawn · Apr 18, 2014

I've been camping since before I can remember. Tents, RV, about every way there is. Still, nothing beats a really good tent, even at my geezer hood age. I believe in comfort, and I'm always comfortable in my tent, except in very hot weather I don't use me tent except in mountains. Tent, screen house for cooking and eating, good cot, etc. I'm good. Quality equipment is the key, and having the right kind. I've also got a travel trailer, small one, but love it too!

tman1020 · Apr 18, 2014

we love camping, have had all kinds of campers and liked them all for different things..pop ups r great a in expensive way to get started. i would not sweet the ac ( ha ha ) un less u r camping in really hot area with no shade. pop ups can really open up to the outside with lots of screen area so lots of cross breeze plus u will mostly be in there at night and morning when its cooler. i loved mine draw backs were that u have to set it up( takes about 15-20 min)and put it down. which is not bad except that if u have to do it in the rain and it has to be dry when u put it up for storage. so it seem that there is a lot of putting it up and down for trip prep, drying out, cleanup when u get back, and so forth. and it never fails when u get it all folded up u will remember something u left in. also never seen a good bath room in a pop up. even still ill bet that anyone that u talk to that has had one will tell u that there pop up was some of the most fun camper they ever had! i just would be careful to not spend to much on one I've seen them cost as much or more a small travel trailer. i bought mine used in great condition just some faded paint for under 2 grand and sold it for same 2 years later to trade up to hybrid. have fun.

DennisArrow · Apr 18, 2014

Been camping since maybe 57 or so................Lot's of it with 9 years in the Army..............Motorcycle traveling/camping for months at a time for years and years.............Began the camper thing with a canvas sided pop-up for maybe 3 years and 20K miles. Got the air conditioned pop-up for several years and then now............for the past 12 years gone the Airstream route........so.........

A pop up is good for getting out for no more than 2 people. Yes, set you up a tarp/fly outside in addition to the camper awning for activities. Yes, the AC will keep up with keeping you cool. I say this with the experience of summers in Georgia......HOT AND MUGGY........The worst problem you will have is the AC freezing up but that is just part of the game and really hurts nothing............SO.........Have fun, no matter how you do it...........Yes you can get into some really back woods, all by yourself places. Get a good generator.......HONDA 3000 that is quiet so you don't need the KOA type campgrounds and find that the world out there travels at a different pace..........God bless......Dennis

RobertBrown · Apr 18, 2014

I suggest you get out there before it gets hot and do some camping.....in a tent, air mattress, whatever. Just get started and see how you like it before you invest in any type of machine or trailer.
You may find you are looking for something other than what you thought.

OKnewguy · Apr 18, 2014

We had a pop up camper for awhile before my daughter moved out (we sold the boat and camper and now the wife and I got into kayaks and cycling). Here in Oklahoma it worked fine in 100 degree weather. You can't really expect it to keep you ice cold during the day, if you got it in the shade it would be cool, but at night the thing would freeze you out! When my girl got to the point where she always wanted more friends along, I did the red neck thing. I took a 10x10 tent and sewed a ducted opening into the side. The sleeve had a pullstring, that I would cinch down around a 5000 btu a/c window unit. That worked great to, the girls had their space and the wife and I had ours. Nothing better then a good night sleep after spending all day in the sun on a boat. BTW, I shopped for a pos used one and had it for 4 years and made money on it when I sold it.
Dave