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OT Campers and Winter

D

dhermesc

Well-known Member
My sons are real big in camping and hunting. I've looked at buying a bumper hitch camper to use as a mobile hunting cabin and as a place for the kids to stay when they have animals at the fair. They aint cheap if their decent and keeping one looks like it would be a real PIA since they should be in shed when stored.

Will the "pop up" campers work in the winter? I've seen them with AC units so one would be fine at the fair but could you sleep in one in winter in any kind of comfort?
 
Might depend on where you will be camping. North or South. Sven and Olie would probably get quite cold in a pop-up camper up in Minnesota but would be OK in south Texas.
 
If you have any allergy sufferers in your family... keep in mind that when used infrequently it seems that campers always get to smell musty and mildewed.
 
I'm in NE Kansas - so on a cold morning about 0 with a some wind.

Do the pop ups have heaters that will keep a person somewhat warm?

Given how far we have to travel for good hunting spots I'm looking for something we tow to our spot (usually arriving well after dark), set up and bed down for the night so we can be in the field at 6:00 - instead of getting up at 3:00 - 4:00 in the morning to start driving.
 
We had a camper with a slide out set up in the back field for the in laws when they came to visit. The slide out really made for some nice room inside. But does weaken them. Pretty much impossible to keep them from being destroyed from critters ! Roofs always seem to leak too.
Wonder if the good ones like the airstream have an alum floor too thus helping them keep sealed up from critters ?
 
That's why I've been looking at the pop ups, its much easier to keep one of them under a roof.


If you leave a camper outside eventually you have a roof leak and they go downhill really fast after that.
 
I don't own anything myself, but I remember growing up that my Grandpa had one of the campers that slid into the bed of his truck. Having seen both the popups and the regular campers, I can say that I remember this thing being pretty much a combination of the two. One it was about the size of a popup, but had the 'luxury' of a regular camper. I remember we went camping as a family once, (5 of us, 2 adults and 3 kids), and it was tight, but we managed for nearly a week. Something else I remember, and I think I'm right, once you got on site there were legs that could be put out on it that allowed it to sit stationary so you could pull the truck out from under it and drive around if you wanted to. I don't remember Grandpa ever doing that, but I believe it was possible.

Given the size and the fact that it's a fully enclosed deal, it looks to me like it would be a pretty good compromise for a short stay for two or three adults. On that note, just make sure you get one with the extra space over the cab. That made a lot of difference in Grandpas.
 
I've been looking at those too - the problem is a decent one costs some serious jack. There's some 30-40 year old ones you can find for $700 - $1000 but something made after 1990 you're looking at $5,000 to $10,000 which I thought was crazy until I looked at a new one - they wanted more for that than I paid for my 5 bedroom house in 1996.
 
There is also a company called hi-lo that made or still makes solid campers that the top half cranked down over the bottom half. Maybe the best of both styles ???
Sort of a hardcover pop up ?
 
Will they keep you warm though the night if its below freezing?


To be honest I'd rather be home in bed, but if the kids want to be out hunting I'm willing to put some effort (and dollars) in it to keep them from sitting on their tails playing video games....


That and a pop up will probably keep the wife from being to eager to tag along when we take fishing trips in the summer - making it a guy thing for us. Get too nice of bumper pull and it becomes a "family outing" complete with all that involves.
 
Mike:

The answer to your question is YES, most good trailers have an Aluminum or Fiberglass bottom panel. You have a lot of wiring, plumbing, sewage lines, holding tanks, etc. between the floor & the bottom panels.

Doc
 
We have a pop up that we've camped in in the fall when temps were in the 20's. The heater kept it decent through the night. We were sheltered from wind and used extra blankets. Wife said it was cold but she'd complain of cold if it was 80 degrees.
 
"Will they keep you warm though the night if its below freezing?"

NO!

Most pop-ups have single layer canvas walls. Canvas is a real poor insulator against heat or cold. The heaters in a pop-up just take the chill off but do not really heat up the camper.

:>(
 
I have owned several campers over the years. I work on pipelines and live in a camper a lot of the year. That being said I have owned everything from a 26' bumper pull to my current 40' 5th wheel. I have stayed in cold (-10) and I can say in general 5th wheels are designed with water lines and holding tanks in heated areas better than bumper pull campers, some bumper pull campers have water lines inside but your holding tanks are under the camper so they freeze. I would think a pop up would be very hard to heat in anything below 40 degrees (=lots of propane or electricity).

I don't understand why you say it has to be stored inside? They sit outside at dealerships and campgrounds all the time a lot of people have them delivered to a campground new and they are never moved. I have never stored mine inside, I guess it would be nice but not necessary. If you buy something from the mid 90's or newer it will probably have a rubber roof, that eliminates a lot of the leaking roof problems. There is still some maintainence to the rubber roofs but simply washing and spray a sealer on them once a year is about it.

If there are going to be more than 2 of you in it at a time you will be tripping over each other in a pop up. Buy something big enough for you to move around in, a slide out helps a lot on space. A camper built in the 90's that has been takin care of has already lasted this long it will last a lot longer and the bugs are already worked out of it by now.

Last of all you do get what you pay for.... Just because they seem to have the same floor plan there may be a lot of difference underneath. Do your home work, check out brand names, google the make and model , someone will have something good or bad to say about it. There are lot of "entry level" campers out there, if that's what you want great but if your looking for something that lasts spend a little more and get a good one.
 
Hi, I bought an old regular small travel trailer 25 yr ago for hunting etc. for 1 G. It's called Aristocrat. It has a chem toilet but we never used it. just use the room as a utility room. We had a bucket in there for night get ups. It has a 2 burner stove with oven also a propane furnace. I had to clean the furnace valve once. We still use it. I would stay away from those canvas jobs. It has 2 beds side by side at the back plus one that folds down like a shelf above the back window. Never been shedded. Ed Will
 
I did a quick search on them (Craigslist) it appears that the few that are out there are really good ones (even some 1970s models).
 
I had a popup. Was light to pull, easy to set up, fairly, and I could do it myself. Had AC and heat, and a sink, 3 way fridge but no hot water. I put in one of those small blue hot water heater, electric, and a pump on my water tank. Replaced the pump valve type sink faucet with a standard faucet, and a water pump for the water tank. Now, I couldnt use it without a battery for lights, heat, and I had no hot water without electrcity, but it was nice. Got a little cool in the winter, and warm in the summer, but not so bad I wouldnt own another one. 2 big disadvantages: No storage room to pack up before you leave, and lack of a place to reieve yourself in the woods if you have to take a, well you know, or are female. 90% of the time, mine was at a tractor show, so that wasnt an issue.
 
We've had pretty much every type, and for what you want to do, get a bumper pull trailer. Easy to unhook the truck, which you'll need for hunting.

We have had mostly slide-in campers over the years, because wife has to pull a horse trailer everywhere (we have 2 pickups, so she can put the camper on in April or so, and it stays on until October). But if we didn't have to tow something, I'd never get a slide-in. Just not enough room, and you lose the use of the pickup. A hassle to get in and out of the bed up top.

Sure, you could take the camper off at the campsite, but taking it on and off is more of a job than it looks like, and then when you get it off, its too unstable on the jacks to use like that- so you'd have to bring sawhorses along to lower it onto. Just too much hassle.

And when you start shopping, you'll find that you can get a decent bumper pull for less $$ than a slide in, anyhow. Just because there are so many more around.

And the canvas pop-up thing is a summer rig only, usually for families with kids and no real tow vehicle. It would be miserable in the winter.

Better if you can keep it inside, but you could also use tarps over the top when stored, or get one of those cheap 10 X 20 shelters at O'Reillys.
 
brian, i worked insurance claims for a number of years. the biggest claims on campers and motor homes was water damage from leaky roofs. it was excluded in most policies. kind of a dirty little secret, but a camper roof should be re-sealed every year. driving down the road stresses the seams and causes cracks in the sealant, letting water in. then it rots out all the wood framing. an alternative is to put a one piece rubber membrane roof on.
 
I've had several pop-ups. Mice chewed holes in the canvas in all I had. I'm sure that depends on where you live. If you get snow in the winter, any camper gets ruined sitting outside.

I don't know why you consider campers expensive though. I come across many trailers in pretty good shape in the $1000 price range. Same goes for slide-on truck-campers. I like the latter. No extra insurance or license-plates. Only works if you have a decent truck though. I got a 11 footer in nice shape a few years ago for $500. Still using it.
 
If there is any wind, you would stay warmer and drier sleeping in the pickup than in a pop-up camper. What is your budget? A travel trailer, ice house or contractors trailer might be what your sons need.

A neighbor converted a mobile home into an all season lake cottage. He used posts and rafters to build a free standing metal roof over the top of the mobile home's roof. The same idea might work with a travel trailer.
 
(quoted from post at 08:30:09 02/05/15) Will they keep you warm though the night if its below freezing?
Click to expand...

I have a pop up trailer with a propane furnace. The coldest we've used the trailer was -1C/31F overnight. I let the furnace warm the inside up before bedtime and then shut it off (it's loud, and will wake you up if it kicks on at night) Lots of blankets and a woman and you are fine for heat.

(quoted from post at 08:30:09 02/05/15)

That and a pop up will probably keep the wife from being to eager to tag along
Click to expand...

You'll be more apt to want her when it's cold, see above. Unless your wife is like mine and wanted the pop up trailer to start...
 
(quoted from post at 08:30:09 02/05/15) Will they keep you warm though the night if its below freezing?
Click to expand...

I have a pop up trailer with a propane furnace. The coldest we've used the trailer was -1C/31F overnight. I let the furnace warm the inside up before bedtime and then shut it off (it's loud, and will wake you up if it kicks on at night) Lots of blankets and a woman and you are fine for heat.

(quoted from post at 08:30:09 02/05/15)

That and a pop up will probably keep the wife from being to eager to tag along
Click to expand...

Unless your wife is like mine and wanted the pop up trailer to start...you'll be more apt to want her when it's cold anyways, see above.
 
The problem is usually the rubber coating goes on AFTER the leaks have just about ruined the ceiling materal.
 
NO POP-UP I have a 26' 2003 Dutchman paid 3000.00 forced air furnace 10 at nite 20-30daytime with a 110 heater in the front of camper, two 30# propane bottles last about 12 days for heating only don't heat the bed room camper has a 16' tip out couch, and dinning
 
You can't find a decent slide in around here for less than 3-4 grand. The ones for a $1000 or less are usually stripped on the inside or will blow apart going down the road.

I've been surprised how many you find built for a 6.5' bed instead of an 8' bed. I made the mistake of looking at a new one that hung over the tailgate (12'(?) long + over hang on the cab) - just over $32,000. No wonder why the decent ones go high.
 
The other issue we have with a slide in is if you take it hunting what do you do with the gutted deer?
 
I don't know what part of the country you are in. In central New York and also here in northern Michigan, I come across plenty of truck campers in good shape, for $1000 or less. That is, during off-season. Spring and early summer they get more scarce and price goes up. I just sold my Jayco pop-up truck camper for $900 and it was in excellent condition. That was an 8 footer with a good electronic-ignition refrigerator, large three-way refrigerator, etc. Canvas was perfect and we camped many times in 20 degree F weather and the furnace kept us warm. It's on my black Dodge diesel in the photo. I still have the 11 footer I bought for around $500. It too has a great furnace (electronic ignition), three-way refrigerator, Winegard amplified TV antenna, bathroom, etc. My neighbor and his wife took it to Alaska and back and then stuck it in their front yard for sale - and I grabbed it just to have around as a "spare." Our main camper now is a Toyota 21 footer micro-motorhome.
a181919.jpg

a181920.jpg

a181921.jpg
 
(quoted from post at 16:29:36 02/05/15) There is also a company called hi-lo that made or still makes solid campers that the top half cranked down over the bottom half. Maybe the best of both styles ???
Sort of a hardcover pop up ?
Click to expand...

They make various sizes for what you're using to pull with and being able to drop to half size would be good for saving gas on the tow as well.

Here is the hi lo forum as well.

http://www.hilotrailerforum.com
 
I don't know what kind of truck you have, assuming its a pickup. If you are considering a bumper hitch, I would have a frame hitch installed instead, at least Cat 3 depending on what kind of pickup you have. You could buy one and save money by installing it yourself. Balls in the bumper and temporary hitches like U-Haul rents that attach or hang on bumpers are a no-no. There isn't much to a bumper or what hangs them.

As far as the popup camper, I suppose they can do it in the winter if you're using a stout heater. My guess is that you could pickup a 20' "standard travel trailer" for a couple Thou$sand and clean it up for fairly cheap. Its just for hunting and fishing, right? I've seen guys pick them up for $2,500 or so, clean and fix them up pretty nice. A 1/2 ton with a frame hitch will pull a 20' job easy enough. Kind of a lite pickup for that, but I've seen them pull 30' jobs. Gypsies travel the country pulling 30' trailers with 1/2 tons.

Mark
Something like this, or cheaper Theyre out there
 
We just sold our pop up last fall(2010 Rockwood 4010 LTD model) and bought a travel trailer. Family was outgrowing the pop up. Our pop up had a forced air propane furnace kept it very warm. It also had heated electric mattresses(adjustable) that were terrific! I am going to miss the mattresses a lot. I will have to admit we did not use the pop up much below 45-50 degree nights. We never got cold. We are anxious to use our new to us travel trailer but here in Northern Minnesota its going to be a while yet. SMH
 
No, the rubber roof I'm referring to is a one piece rubber membrane not a coating. It is from the factory. It does require some maintainence as I said washed and sealed once a year.
I'm not talking about the coatings you buy at lowes and "paint" over a regular roof!
 
Yes I agree, but the rubber roofs don't get coated like the old ones, they just got washed and sealed or conditioned. Which is just a spray bottle that is like putting armor all on the dash of your truck. Most campers built from the mid 90's on have rubber roof that are the one piece rubber..... I have owned several of them.
I have also had a slide out that leaked and guess what the insurance had to know what caused it because just a leak is lack of maintainence. If something caused it , tree limb wind damage etc, it would have been covered just as you said.
 
We have a pop up that we've camped in in the fall when temps were in the 20's. The heater kept it decent through the night. We were sheltered from wind and used extra blankets. Wife said it was cold but she'd complain of cold if it was 80 degrees.
 
I would say no on pop-ups in winter.

Yes, new RV's and campers are expensive. Used ones are a dime a dozen. You will be happy to buy one and even happier to sell it at a loss.

My BIL bought a 15 year old, 40 ft Monico diesel pusher for $50K, with new tires, 45k miles. He bought it form an RV dealer in Elkhart who used it himself. Mint condition. New it sold for around 5 times that amount. Dealer was happy to sell it. BIL asked dealer what kind of mileage it gets and the dealer just laughed. He said if you have to ask, you really don't want a $250K bus. Lucky if he get 10 mpg with it, running the generator and boiler while on the road.
 
I've had a 24' Dutchman since 1993. Have used it every year for hunting season in Northern MI. Staying warm is not a problem. This year it never got above 10 for a day and a half. Even with the heat on the water system froze (a first). A hair dryer had it thawed in about 10 min. Prior to 93, I had a pop-up. It would stay warm enough (50*) to eat and sleep (with a lot of covers). Used a lot more propane. This year (coldest ever), one 40# bottle lasted 6 1/2 days.
a181967.jpg
 
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