Biting the bullet starcraft
But if you want to take things one step further to see if a pop-up camper is right for you, consider renting one for an extended trip. It's a common way to test the waters without accruing tons of unwanted and unneeded debt. In short, pop-up campers are a fantastic and affordable way to get into RVing. Do your research and find the pop-up that's right for you, your needs and your budget, renovations included. If you go the used route, however, be wary for restorations, as they can get costly. But you can also find used pop-up campers for as little as $1,000 just as easily - in decent condition, too. Sure, you can easily drop $20,000 or more on a pop-up camper. But they don't have to be, and pop-up campers are some of the most affordable options on the market. One of the biggest factors keeping people from joining in on the RV fun is the money aspect. But when you're boondocking, you'll be thankful for that bedside toilet over having to dig a cat hole in the woods. The toilet is sometimes a cassette toilet - or a toilet that's in plain view and in the main living area but hidden under a bedside table. Some do have showers and toiletsīelieve it or not and space constraints aside, some pop-up campers have bathrooms inside, including a shower. To combat this, you'll have to get used to airing things out fairly often. This regular dampness can lead to other problems like mold and rot. So while rainwater may not get in, the inside of the camper may still feel rather damp. This is not only thanks to space constraints, but also because of the canvas walls.ĭespite doing a decent job of keeping the rain out, condensation will play a much larger factor in a pop-up than in other RVs. While a pop-up camper can still keep you dry, your time camping in a pop-up might not be as enjoyable as with other types of RVs. On the issue of insulation, other RV styles do a better job at shielding you from inclement weather. But don't expect the camper to trap the hot or cold air.
#Biting the bullet starcraft portable#
You can bring along a space heater for cooler months and a fan or portable AC unit for the summer. Unlike travel trailers or other RVs, pop-up campers don't usually come with heating or air conditioning (thanks to their lack of insulation and extra space). Usually no AC or heatīeing partially constructed of a non-insulated canvas, your efforts to heat or cool a pop-up camper will be mostly futile. Still, if you're looking for reduced weight, this is one of the compromises you might have to come to grips with. It will feel more like camping than some other types of RV living, which a lot of people consider glamping instead. The smaller indoor space will likely encourage you to spend more time outdoors, which is usually the point anyway. Some people see the constrained size as a benefit of sorts. There's less headroom in the sleeping areas. Even when fully deployed, the available space inside is more compact. While some pop-ups are considerable in size, in general, they reside on the smaller side of the RV spectrum - and not just when they're collapsed.
#Biting the bullet starcraft upgrade#
It also means your midsize truck or SUV might be capable of hauling the pop-up camper with ease, whereas with a travel trailer, you might need to upgrade to a full-sized truck with a considerable tow rating. The less weight you have to pull (and the smaller physical size of the trailer) means better fuel economy. For one, your gas mileage isn't going to take nearly as much of a hit.
The benefits of these weight savings are two-fold. Compared to a dry weight of around 5,000 pounds for your average travel trailer, that's a significant difference in weight. With less material and partially fabric walls, pop-up campers are generally much lighter than your standard travel trailer, from as little as 800 pounds and sometimes in excess of 2,000 pounds. Lighter and easier to pull than travel trailers and 5th wheels It's up to you to decide which compromises are acceptable or if the benefits outweigh the sacrifices. Like with any RV, alongside some benefits, there will be sacrifices and compromises you will have to make. Pop-up campers are some of the lightest RV options available and can be towed behind much smaller vehicles. Rather than hauling around a massive, heavy trailer, however, a pop-up camper folds up into a nice, small package that's easier to tow and maneuver than a full-sized trailer. Like a fifth wheel or travel trailer, pop-up campers often have a mess area, large mattresses and sometimes a functioning bathroom.
Pop-up campers, also known as fold-out campers or tent trailers, are camping trailers that collapse down into a much smaller, portable package, thanks to a partial canvas construction. +25 more See all photos What is a pop-up camper anyway?