nomadicoasties

Keep visiting them and go inside of the PUP with dirty shoes each time.

 

Then when it comes time to buy, tell them you need a big discount because it's dirty and looks used!

CLASSIC! LOL

Exactly.  I bought a 2012 Jayco Sport popup in Fall 2013 brand new for just over $7k.  It had the 3-way fridge and that particular dealer puts ACs in all of their popups.

 

So, it can be done!

Thanks, nice to know it does happen!  We have our eye on a couple at local dealers. Time will tell :)

Well, when I retired I traded in my Fleetwood Niagara Pop Up for a 35' travel trailer.  Over teh past 18 months we discovered the big trailer just did not fit "most" of our camping sites.  We like going into primitive campgrounds or even dispersed camping out in the National Forrest.

 

Well, last month we found an Aliner Expedition that we loved.  Set up is a breeze, much easier than any previous pop ups.  The biggest con was at the ends where the "A" meets the box.  You have to be careful not to hit your head all the time.  Now, the one we settled on was a model that had "dormers".  I'm not sure if any of the manufacturers other than Aliner have dormers.  These pop up at both ends (they are an option and you can get one or both) from the roof and allow you to stand up all the way to the end.

 

Space is at a premium and there is no where near as much storage as our previous pop ups had.  Being used to both pull out ends being a bed may be a difficult transition for sleeping 3.  It's just the two of us so no problem, but using the dining table all the time as a bed may be difficult.

 

Thank you for your perspective and in particular this last part.  We are first time RVers and have only tent camped except for this last summer when we rented at TT and got the "fever".  At first we really wanted a TT because  of the space and our TV can handle it.  But soon realized our budget and RV storage options were better suited to a pop-up or A frame.  The set up take down of the dining area is a bit of a pain but the $$ saved by going smaller will make it worth it :)

While we were out looking this past weekend at pop ups we looked at several of the A frame type campers and they have peaked our interest. They seem to fit our length and height requirements for storage in our garage. Love the simplicity, the set up looks pretty easy.  We don't need or really want a bathroom, so this also fits.  Need to sleep 3 comfortably and 4 on occasion.  The Coleman and Rockwoods had more sleeping space and room overall but some of the A-liners are doable.   Hoping someone here owns one or knows someone who does.  Looking for pros/cons etc...on these. Thanks in advance.  

PS not opposed to buying pre-owned.   Would like to pay 8K or less cash early next year. 

Look at carryovers from previous years. It would be a brand new unit, but the dealers want them off their lots to make room for the newer ones.

Definitely doing this already :) We plan to buy in Feb so hopefully they will be trying to get rid of the 2014s and 2015s.  Thanks for the suggestion!

Good to know about shows! Thanks! :)

Thank you for all the info! Yes our TV allows us alot of freedom in the weight dept. Sorry should have included that in my original post. So far we have only decided to definitely wait until end of Jan so we can pay cash and have around 10K at that point. Plus we are hoping prices will drop a little in the winter. As far as a certain make or model it is truly overwhelming! Went out looking this weekend and ended up looking at everything from TT to PUPs to A Frames. I will say we felt more prepared with all this invaluable Fiend info! And the search continues...

Thank you Fiends!! This is exactly the kind of info / perspective(s) we are looking for, keep it coming!! :)

1 On average approx. how long is your set up and take down?  

2.If you were buying a  new PUP today and had a 6-7K budget what would be the ONE MUST HAVE besides AC ( this is a non negotiable option for us)

3. Is the above figure realistic for new?  

Our MUST HAVES

1. AC

2. FRIDGE

3. BE 20ft or less CLOSED (counting tongue) so it will fit in our garage

Thank you in advance for any info!

Hey now, new and used have their issues..

Luckily mine are under warranty for the most part.

AGREED!  We are leaning towards new because of warranty and we have the garage space for it so we can save $$ for indoor storage.  We are looking around and doing our research at this point.  But a PUP seems to be our best fit.  Up until we rented the TT at The Fort this summer we tent camped exclusively.  A PUP seems to be the best of both for us.  AC a must and simple is always better for our lifestyle. I sincerely appreciate all of the input from all the FIENDS.  Your hindsight, insight and experience are proving invaluable!  

*Following because we are planning to visit Universal over 2 days during our trip next Aug.

How long is it to drive from The Fort to Universal?

Is the QS dining worth it if we are only doing one meal each day? (lunch) both meals will more than likely be in the HP eateries.  

Getting a site with nice shade is a tricky issue.  The sun moves around depending on the time of year, and since cypress trees are deciduous, there are times when they are bare.

 

In general, you want a site that is oriented more along north/south than east/west.  In the 900 loop, that would mean you're looking for sites in the range of 905-915 and 920-931, and in the 1000 loop 1001-1006 and 1013-1023.  But, even then, you will get some direct sun during the hottest parts of the day.

 

For what it's worth, the top secret notebook maintained by the Fort staff lists 919, 926 and 930 as the sites with the most shade on the 900 loop, and sites 1001, 1013, and 1015 as the sites with the most shade on the 1000 loop.

 

Good luck!

 

TCD

I can vouch for this!!   We were in site 930 this past Aug and the shade was wonderful.  Also, even though it was two sites from the comfort station we enjoyed 7 very quiet mornings enjoying our coffee (9am or so) and being visited by a resident armadillo. We requested being close to the comfort station and site 900 when we did online check in.  Also, the Fort Fiends app has pics of each site, HIGHLY recommend! :)

Thank you for the PUP info. I will definitely check that thread out :)

Thank you everyone, after much research we have decided on a pop up lol.  off to ask more questions.  I SINCERELY appreciate all of your advice, suggestions and info. THANK YOU! 

Thanks for the info Keith..OF course we were in the Raleigh area last weekend lol.  We do have a small toyota that can be our toad hence the indecision on our part of which type of RV to go with.  We settled on the TT for the reasons you mentioned.  Plus we really love our Excursion and didn't want to part with it.  I will definitely look at Plemmons and the RV show site.  :)

DH is active duty Coast Guard (prior service Army) and an instructor at the Special Missions Training Center here on base.  There are a couple of TTs on the lemon lot here, but we haven't looked closely at them yet...we have been back and forth for a few months about wether or not to sell the tow vehicle and go class C or keep Excursion and buy TT.  We have started to travel more frequently lately for our daughters Archery tournaments and even though it is one or two overnights at a time we know we can save $$$ on lodging and food costs with an RV.  Now that we have finally committed to a type we begin the serious research.    

Thank you everyone!  

We are currently stationed at Camp Lejeune NC but are willing to drive a pretty good ways for pick up if the deal is right.

As far as having it checked out what are the things to look for,avoid etc....?  DH is pretty mechanically minded  but again neither of us has any RV "stuff" experience. Are there better construction materials than others or I guess a certain type of trailer,not brand specific butin general materials used?  

Seasoned tent campers BUT we are RV Newbies. Stayed in a rented TT at the Fort this summer caught The Fever

Tow Vehicle 

2003 Ford Excursion 6.0L 4X4

TT wants:

Used

Need purchase price to be under 15K (10K would be better ) 

Sleep 4

Possibly a toy hauler set up

bunkhouse with full or queen wold be nice :)

ANY advice, suggestions, brands, dealerships will be appreciated!  

We did not reserve a golf cart ahead of time for our Aug trip.  We decided after two days at the fort ( on a Mon. morning Aug.10th) it would be fun and nice to have after our late night returns.  No problem with availability.  It was pretty crowded at the fort that week, so I don't think Oct time frame would be any different. 

Welcome!  On the advice from the awesome Fiends here we requested loop 900 this past Aug and when I did the online check-in I requested close to comfort station as well; we have two teenage girls ;-)  We ended up in site 930 and it was WONDERFUL!!  One site away from comfort station, but you couldn't see it from our site because of the trees etc....good amount of shade, bus stop is at the comfort station.It is directly across from the Meadows trading post, pool, bike barn, campfire movie area etc...We walked easily to the marina but did use a golf cart too.    We were in a 27ft TT.  Sat outside each morning had coffee and it was blissfully quiet (9am ish) and most mornings were visited by a resident armadillo :) We enjoyed loop 900 and will be requesting it from now on.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son early!  

We rented an RV from www.greenbergrvflorida.com in February 2013- Matt was amazing! He delivered to Ft. Wilderness and even brought another RV when we decided to extend our stay (ours was rented out already).  Just booked thru him again for this August.  Give them a try!

So glad to see this!  We have a reservation with them for this Aug. :)

YAY!  Thanks so much for the info.  :thank-you-smiley3:

Hi all newbie here. ;D 

Question:  Can we hang a line for drying towels?  We tent camped at The Fort back in '06 and just hung a clothesline in the gazebo type shelter we brought.

This time we will be in a travel trailer in a premium loop.  Just want to check and see what the "norm" is for this nowadays. Thanks in advance !

PS this site is AWESOME!!! :banana: