Thoughts on campers?

[fightingquaker13]

I have been a tent guy my whole life. However, the ground gets harder and colder every year. I saw a hard sided 17' prowler for 4k and was tempted. Anyone have any positive reviews abouut small, minimalist pop-ups or hardsides? I don't want a 5th wheel or the Taj Majmahal. I'll probably never use the can. Just hook up water and electric at the outside. What can I find at a reasonable price?
FQ13

[ellis4538]

Spent a few years camping in a pop-up.  Did a little traveling but mostly parked in one spot.  Put it up and took it down myself with no trouble.  Perfectly servicable and comfortable.  Used a ceramic disc heater when necessary for heat.  Slightly more than one step up from a tent.

JMHEFWIW

Richard

PS:  B...h to back up with!

[tombogan03884]

I'd go with the Prowler, you get a lot of rain down there

[jaybet]

I camp real good at the Marriott.

[MikeBjerum]

We camped when we first got married and when the kids were little.  I'm a outside on the ground guy; and the wife and daughter are insiders, and son is whatever turns his crank on that day.  We started with an 8' x 10' canvas tent, upgraded to a little larger nylon, and then we went to a pop up with no appliances.  All the pop up got us was off the ground and mattresses the same as an air mattress without the huffing and puffing.

In our experience the pop up was nothing more than a tent with all of our equipment preloaded in a trailer and ready to hook on and go.  In the wind and rain it did not improve on the tent alone.  We rented a slide in once and also a hard side.  They are much nicer in all weather, the beds are real beds, and in inclement weather you have a comfortable place to eat, play cards and read.  We have been without for several years, and if we go back it will be a motorhome (a friend is partial to Monaco ... I like, but don't have his money) or fifth wheel for long distance and longer time.

From what you are saying I would suggest the Prowler.  The first year the pop up would seem great, but you will soon tire of it not being much more than the tent.

[Sponsor]

[Timothy]

I recall you're driving a F150 so you're not limited by the hauler.  I've done a bunch of research on pop-ups and the easy answer is.....you have a bunch of options available.  It's only limited on the creature comforts you think you need and since you're living in a tent, that answers a lot of them.  You may even consider one of the truck bed campers if there is only one or two people.  Some even come equiped with a shower/toilet combo.

There are some that have dual duty for hauling small 4 wheelers and such, they can be a bit more money but if you're really in the back country, that might be an option.

[tnroadrunner]

I've had two Motorhomes and now have a 34ft fifth wheel with three slides and tow it with a one ton dually, Chevy with Duramax Diesel and Allison Trans.  In fact I lived in the fifth wheel for about a year while working in FL.  Haven't had my unit out in a few years but hope to get it out in the near future.

[Hazcat]

FQ, in another lifetime I sold RV's.  Yer looking for a 'travel trailer'.  They come in all flavors from simple and inexpensive to pretty tricked out.  I would look for used right now with this economy nothing is selling so it's a buyers market.  Travel around to your local dealers and take a look. 

[tombogan03884]

Another consideration is simple comfort, you posted,

"I'll probably never use the can."

You will change your mind real quick if you have to take a dump during a cloud burst !  

[Badgersmilk]

I'd suggest staying a "tent guy".  We had a 27' travel trailer, and while PLENTY comfy, it takes MOST of the fun out of the whole "camping" experience.  We actually got to the point where we'd leave the camper at home and just go tenting because we enjoyed it more.

Not to mention the upkeep involved with owning a camper.  $$ and time spent not having fun with the family.