Grew up in Miami tent camping with Girl Scouts, moved to Michigan and for our first camper had a 63 Phoenix Popup that died in a car accident moving out here. Planned to fix it, but then a mouse family moved in. It has found new life from a family that cleaned it and converted it to a mobile chicken coup.
For several years we experienced the "Blue tarp camping" over our tent and 9 of 10 times had to deal with rain it is just not the same. We found it stopped us camping as often as we went in Michigan.
Then we had a car accident that left some long term injuries that make sleeping on rocks and tree roots just not going to happen anymore--the spirit is willing, but the body complains for a week or two after. Time to get back into a pop up/fold down.
We are currently in the market looking for a pop up. Any and all suggestions appreciated.
Under 3500 lbs with a dry hitch weight of 250 for our 2007 Sienna that came with the tow package and yet not the hitch-- so I am skeptical of what we can really tow. I am checking into that.
Prefer used, but due to allergies it has to be smoke free/cat free.
Don't want to climb over other sleepers, and will need a toilet as we like to go to national forests and I draw the line at using a pit toilet. (I already earned that badge so I don't need to prove it again, lol)
Throw in it has to be easy to set up since both hubby and I have back/neck injuries, plus hubby has HA plates from a leg injury.
We want to be able to camp for the weekend without the set up leaving us in pain so thinking it needs to be newer and have the electric lifts.
Would love to know what everyone else has as a favorite make model and why they love it. SIince our first pop up was older than I am-- I am open with old, just not sure repairs are in our ability.
How old is still a good deal, but not too much to fix?
Welcome to CanvasCampers from the other side of the country. :thumbup:
It sounds like you really want to focus on road ready popup camper with the canvas in good shape. Owning a camper that isn't roadworthy stinks since you are just watching it in your driveway. New canvas costs about $900 so if it has holes or riot and needs to be replaced, hopefully everything else is in mint condition.
CareFree and a few others make after market lifts that might make your options much larger?
http://www.carefreeofcolorado......egoryid=42
Good luck with your search, let us know how you make out?
welcome to Canvas Campers.
the DW is from Skagit County and we own 5 acres on Camano Island.
first, as far as i know, if you don't have the receiver, you don't have the factory tow package. take the VIN to a Toy dealer and have them run it to see if it does.
only with the factory tow package, does the Sienna have the 3500lbs. tow capacity.
and with all your injuries, are you sure you want a popup? they are still a lot of work.
i think you'd be better off with an A-frame hard-sided camper, like the new Rockwood or Flagstaff ones. easy to set up and no canvas for those wet Western Washington camping trips. way less work than a popup and i've owned two popups, so i know.
[quote author=JoeCamper link=topic=2352.msg22282#msg22282 date=1364859561]
Welcome to CanvasCampers from the other side of the country. :thumbup:
It sounds like you really want to focus on road ready popup camper with the canvas in good shape. Owning a camper that isn't roadworthy stinks since you are just watching it in your driveway. New canvas costs about $900 so if it has holes or riot and needs to be replaced, hopefully everything else is in mint condition.
CareFree and a few others make after market lifts that might make your options much larger?
http://www.carefreeofcolorado.com/carefree/products?action=product&productid=73&categoryid=42
Good luck with your search, let us know how you make out?
Thank you- knowing we can add a lift will help.
[quote author=bikendan link=topic=2352.msg22283#msg22283 date=1364859934]
welcome to Canvas Campers.
the DW is from Skagit County and we own 5 acres on Camano Island.
first, as far as i know, if you don't have the receiver, you don't have the factory tow package. take the VIN to a Toy dealer and have them run it to see if it does.
only with the factory tow package, does the Sienna have the 3500lbs. tow capacity.
and with all your injuries, are you sure you want a popup? they are still a lot of work.
i think you'd be better off with an A-frame hard-sided camper, like the new Rockwood or Flagstaff ones. easy to set up and no canvas for those wet Western Washington camping trips. way less work than a popup and i've owned two popups, so i know.
Thanks for the idea- we have kids.
Moving the actual pop up search to that section, just wanted to introduce myself.
769
89
1 Guest(s)